Overview

XnConvert is desktop software for converting and editing batches of images, best suited to people who repeat the same work across photo collections. Its combination of reusable presets and watched-folder automation makes it more than a one-off converter; company use requires a paid license.

It supports more than 500 formats and exports to about 70, which helps teams standardize mixed collections without first narrowing their source files to a small set of types. More than 80 operations cover metadata, transforms, adjustments, filters and effects. That range suits multi-step batch work, but is more than a user needs for an occasional format change.

Presets preserve an edit sequence for later batches, while watched folders can automatically apply a custom set of edits when images are added or updated. The app can export to NConvert for command-line usage, a useful bridge for workflows that extend beyond the graphical interface. The interface supports drag and drop, and the product includes more than 20 translations.

Key features

Batch edits and conversion: More than 80 operations include metadata editing, transformations, adjustments, filters and effects. RAW processing, bulk resizing and bulk renaming make it suitable for preparing collections, not just changing file formats.
Format coverage: Support for more than 500 formats and export to about 70, including JPEG, TIFF, PNG and WebP, help when source collections are varied or outputs need to meet a specific format requirement.
Reusable automation: Saved presets make repeated batches consistent. Watched folders can trigger a custom edit set for new or updated images, reducing manual steps in recurring workflows.
Image review and control: Quality controls, color management, a metadata viewer, side-by-side comparison and contact sheets support checking and organizing work around conversion.
Command-line handoff: Export to NConvert gives users a route to command-line usage, though the central product remains a desktop batch workflow.

Pricing

XnConvert is freeware for private or educational use, including non-profit organizations. The free plan costs 0.00 EUR per free, with no adware or spyware. There is no free trial because the qualifying-use plan is free; the restriction that matters is the use case, not a feature cap.

Company use requires a one-time license purchase, priced per license according to seat count:

Company licenses	Price
1 license	15.00 EUR per once
2–9 licenses	13.50 EUR per once
10–19 licenses	12.00 EUR per once
20–49 licenses	10.50 EUR per once
50–99 licenses	9.00 EUR per once
100+ licenses	6.50 EUR per once

These company prices are per license, with lower per-seat costs at larger quantities. The one-license tier fits an individual company user; teams should match the applicable quantity tier to their license count. The free plan is the better fit only when use is private, educational or non-profit.

Platforms

XnConvert runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. That breadth makes it an option for mixed desktop environments; watched-folder automation and saved presets can also help keep recurring work consistent across users.

Who it's for

XnConvert is a strong fit for photographers, content teams and other users who regularly process large or varied image collections and want reusable edits, broad format support or automatic folder processing. Its RAW support, quality controls and review tools also suit workflows where conversion is only one step in preparing images.

It is less compelling for someone who only needs a quick, occasional file conversion, or for company users unwilling to buy per-seat licenses. The command-line handoff may help teams extend a workflow, but XnConvert itself is centered on desktop batch processing.

Pros and cons

Pro: More than 80 operations, plus bulk resizing, renaming and RAW processing, cover a wider preparation workflow than simple conversion.
Pro: Presets and watched folders reduce repeated manual setup for recurring batches.
Pro: More than 500 supported formats and about 70 export formats accommodate varied inputs and defined output needs.
Pro: Private, educational and non-profit use is free, and company licenses are a one-time purchase rather than a recurring subscription.
Con: Company use is not covered by the free plan, and even a single company license has a per-license cost.
Con: Its breadth and batch-oriented workflow are unnecessary overhead for people who only convert an image now and then.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist, see Batch Photo Processing Software, Image Converter Software, Photo Resizing Software, Photo Management Software, Photo Viewer Software and File Viewer Software.

ApolloOne is a macOS freemium alternative with a free version and a purchase reminder after 14 days; consider it if a Mac-only option is a better fit.
FastStone Image Viewer is a Windows alternative with free personal and educational use and a commercial lifetime license; consider it if Windows is your target platform.
Geeqie is free open software under GPLv2 across Linux, macOS and Windows; choose it if that licensing model is the priority.
GNOME Remote Desktop is free Linux and self-hosted software for remote desktop access, rather than image conversion.
Gwenview is a free Linux option for image viewing and basic editing; choose it when those needs matter more than batch conversion.
ImageGlass is a freemium option for Linux, macOS and Windows with a free GPLv3 Classic version; consider it if that free software option better suits your needs.
IrfanView is a Windows option with free private, non-commercial, educational, charity and humanitarian use, plus a commercial license; consider it if those terms and platform fit.
JPEGView is free software for Windows under GNU GPL-2.0 or later; consider it if a Windows-only free option fits.

Verdict

Choose XnConvert if you need a cross-platform desktop tool for repeatable batch edits, broad format conversion and watched-folder automation, especially for private, educational or non-profit use. Its main advantage is bringing a large operation set and reusable automation into one workflow; company teams should weigh the per-license purchase, and occasional converters may not need its breadth.

	Phiewer	XnConvert
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	—	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	macOS	Linux, macOS, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Supported platforms	macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
RAW image support	Yes	Yes
Metadata viewer	Yes	Yes
Side-by-side compare	—	Yes
Contact sheets	—	Yes
Color management	—	Yes

Phiewer vs XnConvert

Phiewer

XnConvert