nomacs for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)

Most image viewers show you one picture at a time, in their own way, and leave you guessing when you want to compare two similar shots. nomacs takes a different approach: it is a small, free viewer built for browsing quickly and — its best trick — viewing several images in perfect sync, even across two computers.

This guide shows you how to download nomacs for PC from its official website, install it on Windows 11 or 10, and view and compare your first photos. You will find its features, system requirements and first-use steps below, plus the simple pricing picture: nomacs is free and open source, with no paid version.

What Is nomacs?

nomacs is a free, open source image viewer for Windows, macOS and Linux, released under the GNU GPL. It views all common image formats — JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, WebP and more — including RAW photos, and shows the EXIF and metadata details that other quick viewers hide.

Its signature feature is synchronisation. Open the same images on two screens or even two PCs on a local network, and nomacs keeps them in lockstep: zoom or pan one, and the others follow, so two versions of a photo can be compared pixel for pixel. For photographers choosing between near-identical shots, that saves real time.

Key Features of nomacs

All common formats: Views JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, WebP and camera RAW files, plus many less common formats through its image library.
Synchronised viewing: Link multiple nomacs windows — or instances on other PCs over the LAN — so zooming and panning stay in perfect sync.
Fast browsing: Thumbnail previews and quick folder navigation let you move through large photo sets without waiting.
Metadata display: Shows EXIF data, camera settings and a histogram alongside the image, not buried in menus.
Basic editing: Crop, resize, rotate and adjust exposure and colours for quick fixes without opening a full editor.
Fullscreen and slideshow: Clean fullscreen mode, frameless window option and simple slideshows for presenting a set of photos.
Portable mode: Can run from a folder or USB stick without installation, handy on a PC you do not administer.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (64-bit or 32-bit)
Processor: Any modern Intel or AMD CPU
RAM: 2 GB or more; 4 GB recommended for very large images
Storage: Around 100 MB for the program, plus space for your photos
Display: 1280×720 or higher; a second monitor is ideal for comparisons
Internet: Required only for the download; a LAN connection only if you use cross-PC sync
Account: None — no sign-up, licence key or activation

How to Download nomacs (Official Method)

nomacs is sometimes listed on general download portals alongside unrelated extra software bundled into third-party installers. The genuine program is free from the project’s own website, where the developers publish the current Windows build, so there is no reason to use a repackaged copy. Download nomacs only from the official website linked here.

Official Website: Download nomacs from the official website

Step-by-Step Installation

Open the official nomacs website linked above and go to the Download page.
Download the current Windows installer and save it to your Downloads folder.
Double-click the installer and approve the Windows permission prompt.
Accept the license (GNU GPL) and keep the default installation folder.
Click Install, then Finish when setup completes.
Launch nomacs from the Start menu.
On first run, nomacs may ask which image formats to open by default — accept the common ones so double-clicking a photo opens it in nomacs.

First-launch note: nomacs opens with a clean, mostly empty window. Drag a photo — or a whole folder — onto the window to start browsing, and press F to switch to fullscreen for an uncluttered view.

How to View and Compare Your First Photos with nomacs

Open nomacs and drag a folder of photos onto the window, or use File → Open to load the first image.
Move between photos with the arrow keys, and press F for fullscreen when you want a clean look.
Use the View menu’s metadata panel to check the EXIF details — camera, lens, exposure — beside the image.
Open a second window with another version of the same photo (for example, before and after an edit).
Use the Sync menu to connect the two windows, then zoom and pan in one — the other follows exactly.
When you find the shot you prefer, use File → Save A Copy to keep it, leaving the originals untouched.

nomacs Free vs Paid: What Is the Difference?

There is no paid version of nomacs, and no pricing table to decode. It is free and open source software under the GNU GPL: the complete viewer — every format, the sync features, the editing tools — costs nothing, for home and professional use alike, with no trial period and nothing to unlock.

Because it is community software, development is supported by contributions rather than sales. Anyone offering to sell you nomacs, or charging for a “pro” edition, is misrepresenting a free program. If nomacs becomes part of your daily workflow, the project’s website explains how to contribute — but using it will always be free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is nomacs safe to download and use?
Yes, from the official website linked above. nomacs is an open source project whose code anyone can inspect, and the official site serves the genuine Windows installer. Copies bundled with extra software on download portals are the ones to avoid.

Is nomacs free to use at work?
Yes. Unlike some viewers that are free only at home, nomacs is GPL open source software, so personal, educational and commercial use are all free. There is no licence to buy and no registration step.

How does the synchronised viewing work?
Open the same images in two nomacs windows — or on two computers on the same local network — and enable Sync. Zooming or panning in one window is mirrored in the other, which makes comparing two versions of a photo fast and precise.

Can nomacs edit photos, or only view them?
Mostly viewing, with useful basics on top: crop, resize, rotate and exposure or colour adjustments for quick fixes. For heavy editing or RAW development, use nomacs as the fast browser and a full editor for the deep work.

Conclusion

nomacs is the image viewer for people who compare as much as they look: fast browsing, honest metadata, and synchronised windows that make picking the best shot easy. Download it free from the official website, open two versions of one photo, and try the sync view once — it is the feature you will come back for.

Download nomacs from the Official Website

nomacs for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)