ShotwellLinux
vs
XnViewWindows
Shotwell as a Linux alternative to XnView
Updated
Our verdict
Shotwell is a partial replacement for XnView, but it targets a different user. If you need to view 500+ formats or perform heavy batch conversions, Shotwell will fail you. It is best for GNOME users who primarily manage personal photo libraries, need basic non-destructive edits, and want simple organization by tags or dates. It lacks the breadth of file support and batch processing power that defines XnView. Choose Shotwell if your workflow is centered on importing from cameras and light editing; stick with XnView if you handle diverse file types or require bulk metadata changes.
- License
- LGPL-2.1+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 33.0 (September 13, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support basic image editing like cropping and resizing
- Both allow organizing images into collections or folders
- Both handle common formats like JPEG, PNG, and TIFF
- Both are available on Linux and other platforms
What is different
- Shotwell lacks support for the 500+ formats XnView handles
- Shotwell has no batch conversion or renaming capabilities
- XnView offers detailed EXIF/IPTC/XMP editing; Shotwell is limited
- Shotwell is tightly integrated with GNOME, while XnView is desktop-agnostic
Opening your XnView files
Shotwell opens standard raster and RAW formats (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, CR2, NEF, etc.) that XnView also supports. It does not open proprietary or obscure formats that XnView might handle. Since Shotwell uses its own internal database for organization, it does not read XnView's catalog files. You must import the actual image files into Shotwell to use them. Exporting from Shotwell produces standard image files compatible with XnView, but it cannot export XnView-specific project or batch settings.
Switching from XnView to Shotwell, step by step
- Install Shotwell via your distribution's package manager or Flathub
- Launch Shotwell and create a new photo library
- Use the Import function to add your existing image folders
- Review imported images and apply tags or ratings as needed
- Perform basic edits like cropping or color adjustments if required
- Export edited images if you need to save changes to disk
Key features of Shotwell
- Import photos from camera or disk
- Organize by date, tags, ratings
- Non‑destructive crop, red‑eye, color, straighten
- Support for RAW, JPEG, PNG, TIFF
- Upload to Flickr, Google Photos, etc.
- Fast, lightweight UI
- Integrated with GNOME file manager
How to install Shotwell on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Shotwellsudo apt install shotwellsudo apt install shotwellsudo dnf install shotwellsudo pacman -S shotwellsudo zypper install shotwellFrequently asked questions
Can Shotwell replace XnView for batch renaming?
No. Shotwell does not have a batch renaming tool. You must use a command-line tool like 'rename' or 'mmv' for this task.
Does Shotwell support WebP or HEIC?
Support depends on your system's libraries. It natively supports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and RAW. WebP and HEIC support may be present but are not guaranteed across all distributions without extra packages.
Is Shotwell still actively developed?
Yes, the status is active. The latest release mentioned is version 33.0, indicating ongoing maintenance and updates.
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