Top 25 Free Dicom Viewers for Doctors, Medical Students, and Health Professionals

Top 25 Free Dicom Viewers for Doctors, Medical Students, and Health Professionals - Presented by PostDICOM

What is DICOM?

DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is a standard format that enables medical professionals to view, store, and share medical images irrespective of their geographic location or the devices they use, as long as those devices support the format. DICOM images need to be viewed through specific software called DICOM viewers that can read and display the format. The images, along with the corresponding patient data, are often stored in a large database called the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). The purpose of a DICOM application is to store information in the PACS about the imaging examination, along with patient details, and then when required, to view and interpret (and possibly edit) medical images that are retrieved from the PACS. DICOM images are unique in the fact that they contain patient information in addition to the image data.

There is actually no dearth of DICOM viewing software out there. Search online and you will find a multitude of options—some freeware, some paid, some targeted at medical students, others at seasoned experts, each with different specifications, systems requirements, add-ons, and capabilities. As a classic case of the paradox of choice, the abundance merely makes it difficult for healthcare professionals to choose the software that would be the best fit for their requirements. This is our endeavor in this article, to make the decision easier for you by presenting some popular viewers with useful features and very affordable pricing plans. In fact, most of them are free for basic use.


Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

Cloud PACS and Online DICOM Viewer

Upload DICOM images and clinical documents to PostDICOM servers. Store, view, collaborate, and share your medical imaging files.

DICOM viewers are often developed with a focus on one or more of the following functions:



For instance, some software are meant only for basic viewing. Therefore, they do not have any additional features such as sharing or storage. Some applications have the ability to export data as JPEG or GIF files, which can be used in teaching and presentations. DICOM software for clinics can store images to a certain extent on mini-PACS servers. Some software also offer advanced features, like anonymization, which is particularly useful when conducting clinical research.


How to Choose a DICOM Viewer?

From the standpoint of doctors, medical students, and clinicians, the following points should be kept in mind when looking for a DICOM viewer:

Keeping the above purposes in mind, and allowing for ease of use and installation by end users themselves, we have compiled the following list that includes the most convenient, useful, and affordable DICOM viewers out there:


The Top 25 Best Free DICOM Viewers

1. PostDICOM

Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

PostDICOM is one of the best DICOM viewers that offers almost all of the above features. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It can be operated from android devices and iOS-based systems. PostDICOM comes with a cloud-based PACS, which allows you to access data from any device, anywhere, at any time. The viewer allows advanced image manipulation, such as 3D reconstruction, 3D volume rendering and MIP, and image fusion. It also offers an interface for creating reports, sharing files, and immediate uploading of all patient data to the cloud PACS.

The cloud-based PACS is unique to this software and offers several advantages. It allows researchers to upload relevant images on the PACS server for viewing, processing, and analyzing at various stages during the course of their clinical research. This ensures complete data integration and a smooth workflow.

Although paid subscriptions are available, the free trial version itself has several premium features. The cloud PACS offers free trial to its paid subscriptions, shares a month, and one or more user logins. These can be increased with different paid subscriptions. PostDICOM offers technical support for the free.

Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

Cloud PACS and Online DICOM Viewer

Upload DICOM images and clinical documents to PostDICOM servers. Store, view, collaborate, and share your medical imaging files.

2. Horos

Horos - Presented by PostDICOM

Horos is an open source DICOM viewer for Mac. It is actually the free version of an expensive DICOM viewer called Osirix MD, which is often considered to be the best DICOM viewer for Mac. It only runs on Mac OS, version 10.8 or higher. This software allows for most diagnostic techniques, including multiplanar reconstruction, maximum intensity projections, and volume rendering. It also has tools for manipulating images and making measurements.

One of the unique features of Horos is that it has a plug-in that allows uploading of images to Radiopedia, an online resource with a large number of reference cases and articles. Technical support is available through both phone and email. Horos, however, does not integrate to PACS free of cost. Cloud-based storage is available at an additional cost.

A free version of Osirix MD, called Osirix Lite, is also available to users. However, it does not allowing editing of imaging metadata, and image modifications come with a watermark. While this is good to get a feel for the parent software, it is not intended for regular medical use.

3. RadiAnt

Radiant - Presented by PostDICOM

The RadiAnt DICOM image viewer is a simple, fast platform that is compatible with Windows. It offers multiple features, including MPR, MIP, and image fusion. Images can be exported to JPEG, PNG, and other image formats. They can also be copy-pasted directly to presentations and word documents.

The application is just a viewer and does not offer storage space. Their website has a disclaimer explicitly stating that they do not have any certifications, and as such, the product is not intended for diagnostic use. However, it is handy for students and residents for studying medical images and research purposes.

4. Navegatium

Navegatium - Presented by PostDICOM

The Navegatium DICOM viewer has been designed especially for touchscreen computers and tablets, and when used on these devices can be very fast and simple to use. It offers MPR, MIP, and simulated reconstructions. The layout and views can be customized as per user preferences. It can be directly integrated with PACS, but does not offer storage, importing and sharing.

It may be slightly awkward to use without a touchscreen. This application only runs on higher versions of Windows. It lacks advanced features, but is useful for basic use.

5. Pro Surgical 3D

ProSurgical3D - Presented by PostDICOM

The Pro Surgical 3D application (from the Stratovan Group) is mainly targeted at surgeons, for surgical planning using their high quality 3D reconstruction feature. However, anyone can use this application to read and understand scans. It has the capacity to anonymize and de-identify patient details in scans, which is a must when the images are used in research, presentations or publications. They have an integrated customer support portal to aid in usage. The application also provides access to the Navegatium Knowledge Base—a comprehensive digital library of medical images.

Some drawbacks are that it occupies a lot of hard disk space, requires an advanced version of Windows (at least Windows 8.1 or 10) and high-speed RAM.

6. MicroDicom

MicroDicom - Presented by PostDICOM

The application allows both viewing and processing of DICOM images. It can generate structured reports, and allows basic measurements, annotations, and zooming in for images. MicroDicom does not offer advanced features such as MPR and volume rendering. It can be downloaded as a potable zip file that does not require installation. This allows it to be used on any device that has a Windows OS.

7. 3DimViewer

3DimViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

This is a lightweight application that is great for beginners who are learning to use a DICOM viewer. Its biggest advantage is that it can be run on multiple operating systems. It offers multiplanar views, MIP and volume rendering, but image editing and exporting are not possible.

8. DICOM Web Viewer

DicomWebViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

This is a browser-based DICOM viewer, which means it cannot be downloaded, but can be accessed through any device with an internet browser—your laptop, phone, tablet, or even smart televisions. Only basic manipulation of the image (drag, zoom, contrast) can be done, and as this is view-only, export is not possible. The application requires some technical skill to navigate around, but videos and support is offered.

9. MANGO (Multi-Image Analysis GUI)

Mango - Presented by PostDICOM

MANGO is an advanced DICOM application which requires some technical coding before it can be used. It has several advanced features, including conversion, anonymization and editing images. Other versions of Mango (Papaya and iMango) can be accessed from the browser directly or an Apple iPad. The application is under constant development, possible due to grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering. Therefore, it keeps improving in its functionality. Advanced options like behavioral analysis, disease analysis, and brain separation modalities make it particularly useful for neuromedicine. It does not offer cloud storage.

10. Escape EMV

EscapeEMV - Presented by PostDICOM

This is another lightweight application that is capable of viewing DICOM images. Escape EMV offers anonymizing and exporting features, but does not have many other advanced specs. It is available in multiple languages. Only a trial version is available free of cost, and commercial use of the software requires payment of a license fee.

Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

Cloud PACS and Online DICOM Viewer

Upload DICOM images and clinical documents to PostDICOM servers. Store, view, collaborate, and share your medical imaging files.

11. IrfanView

IrfanView - Presented by PostDICOM

IrfanView is an extremely simple yet effective image viewer that supports the DICOM format in addition to other image files. It does not boast the features of many of the above applications, but if your purpose is to simply view DICOM images, it is lightweight and easy to use. The software is only free for non-commercial purposes. If you intend to use it for your private practice or in a hospital setting, a license fee is applicable.

12. Sante DICOMdir Viewer Pro

SanteDicomViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

It is a robust application that is easy to use too. While it does not offer cloud storage, it can function as a mini-PACS server. It has the capacity to batch-anonymize and batch-convert to image formats. The free version is valid for 45 days only, after which a lifetime license can be purchased at a reasonable cost.

13. JiveX DICOM Viewer

JivexDicomViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

This is the free version of the paid software JiveX Review Client, and is meant to be used in educational and research activities. The viewer supports not only radiology images in the DICOM format, but also other medical data such as ECGs. The freeware does not allow users access to a PACS server or technical support. Although the viewer improves workflow, advanced manipulation of images is not possible with the free version.

14. NextCloud

NextCloud - Presented by PostDICOM

It is a cloud-based DICOM viewer, and can be accessed from laptops, desktops, phones and tablets. It is very useful when a team of professionals needs to share DICOM images between them. NextCloud is available as a mobile app, and users can sync images, chat, and share images and notes with the app. However, it does not allow for image modification and analysis.

15. Athena DICOM Viewer

AthenaDicomViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

It is a powerful and fast DICOM viewer that is packed with many features. It enables reconstruction, volume rendering and image manipulation by offering several tools to carry out these functions. One unique spec of this application is its voice recognition technology, which helps users when viewing and retrieving files. Voice recognition also enables easy preparation of reports from the DICOM files. The viewer works better on systems with a touchscreen. The free version is only for a trial and purchase is required to access all features.

16. Miele LXIV

Miele-LXLIV - Presented by PostDICOM

Miele LXIV is a free DICOM viewer for Mac operating systems. It has advanced features including MPR, MIP, volume rendering, and image fusion. In addition, it also allows 4D viewing of cardiac CTs. It is PACS-integrated and can send and receive files from a PACS database.

17. Philips DICOM Viewer

PhilipsDicomViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

It is a free application that can access and view all DICOM images. The application allows you to sort images according to body parts. Images can be annotated, measured and animated. Advanced features are not available in the free version. The software cannot play videos.

18. ORS Visual Lite

ORSVisualLite - Presented by PostDICOM

It is a simple, basic application that can be used just to view DICOM files. The Lite is a free version of ORS Visual Pro, which is paid software. Small annotations and basic changes like track, zoom and reset are available in the free version. A search pane is also present to easily retrieve files. While MIP and MPR are available in the Lite version, volume rendering, 3D reconstruction and exporting is allowed only in the paid version.

19. Orpalis DICOM Viewer

OrpalisDicomViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

The Orpalis DICOM viewing tool supports all DICOM files and has a simple interface. There is a dedicated forum for support and problem-solving. It is capable of animating multiple frames in a loop mode for easy viewing. Images can be captured and pasted to other presentations or documents.

20. MiViewer

MiViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

MiViewer from Millensys is a simple DICOM viewer for Windows that does not require any setup. It has both image viewing tools and cine loop tools, and supports all DICOM file types. Unlike its paid version, Vision Tools Multiview, it does not support advanced features or allow PACS integration.

Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

Cloud PACS and Online DICOM Viewer

Upload DICOM images and clinical documents to PostDICOM servers. Store, view, collaborate, and share your medical imaging files.

21. Onis Viewer

OnisViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

The free version of Onis is a starter package, aimed at non-professionals and students, just to get them used to the software. It has advanced features like MPR and MIP. It can export images and in addition, it can export annotations to excel sheets, which is useful for researchers. However, the free version is limited to a database of 15 patients, and image calibration is not possible.

22. Gingko CADx

GinkgoCADX - Presented by PostDICOM

This is one of the few viewers that is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It is an open source project that supports PACS. It has all the standard DICOM tools, but not many of the advanced tools required in medical diagnosis and research. The Pro version has advanced features like MPR and MIP.

23. MEDISP DICOM Viewer

Medisp DicomViewer - Presented by PostDICOM

This software, targeted at students, allows viewing and processing of DICOM files. It allows zooming, image orientation and adjustment, but not more advanced features. Online support is available.

24. Weasis

Weasis - Presented by PostDICOM

Weasis is a powerful cross-platform DICOM viewer that can be integrated with PACS. It is meant for use by hospitals, as well as for research. It provides multi-language support and has advanced features including MPR, MIP, SUV measurements, and structured reports. It is also compatible for ECGs.

25. Yakami DICOM

YakamiDICOM - Presented by PostDICOM

The site offering this freeware explicitly states that the viewer is intended for research, and not for diagnostic purposes. It offers a high-speed viewer that has almost all the advanced features mentioned before for similar software. It supports image file conversion and anonymization.


Comparison Table of the top 25 Dicom Viewer Software

To help you choose the right application for your needs from this assortment of feature-packed yet affordable DICOM viewers, we’ve created a table that summarizes the essential features of each software:

NO DICOM VIEWER OPERATING SYSTEM PACS INTEGRATION/ CLOUD MPR MIP IMAGE FUSION EXPORT TO SYSTEM HARD DISK SPACE FOR INSTALLATION PROCESSOR/ RAM REQUIREMENTS PRICING
1. PostDICOM Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iPhones and iPads Free trial, view the uploaded images after trial, cloud-based PACS Y Y Y Picture files, documents N.A. Intel Core i3/ 2 GB RAM Free trial. Paid version has more cloud storage, Medical Device Communicator and longer share duration
2. Horos Mac OS Available for extra fee Y Y Y N.A. N.A. i5 processor/ 16 GB RAM Open source
3. RadiAnt Windows Not available Y Y Y Image files, Word and PowerPoint 5 MB Intel Multicore/ 2 GB RAM; Resolution 1064x768 Free version valid for three months only
4. Navegatium Windows 8.1 or higher Can integrate to PACS, no cloud storage Y Y N N.A. 60 MB i3 processor/ 4 GB RAM; Directx10 or higher graphics chipset Freeware ; not FDA approved
5. Pro Surgical 3D Windows 8.1 or higher Not available Y Y N STL and PLY formats 1 GB Intel i3/ 8+ GB RAM; 1920x1080 Freeware
6. MicroDicom Windows Not available N N N Picture (JPEG, PNG) and movie file (AVI) formats 14 MB N.A. Freeware; no CE mark or FDA approval
7. 3DimViewer Windows, Mac OS X, Linux Not available Y Y Y N.A. N.A. N.A. Free license
8. DICOM Web Viewer Browser-based (JavaScript and HTML 5) Not available (zero footprint) N N N N.A. N.A. N.A. Free to use
Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

Cloud PACS and Online DICOM Viewer

Upload DICOM images and clinical documents to PostDICOM servers. Store, view, collaborate, and share your medical imaging files.
NO DICOM VIEWER OPERATING SYSTEM PACS INTEGRATION/ CLOUD MPR MIP IMAGE FUSION EXPORT TO SYSTEM HARD DISK SPACE FOR INSTALLATION PROCESSOR/ RAM REQUIREMENTS PRICING
9. MANGO Windows, Mac OS X, Linux Not available Y Y Y N.A. N.A. Intel core/ 4 GB RAM Free for non-commercial use
10. Escape EMV Mac OS X Not available N N N Picture and movie files, as well as data files N.A. N.A. Free only for a short trial period.
11. IrfanView Windows Not available N N N N.A. 3 MB 64 bit processor preferable, 2 GB RAM Free to use; not FDA approved
12. Sante Windows Mini-PACS available Y N N Picture, movie and data files 100 MB Intel Core i3/ 2 GB RAM; Screen resolution 1064x768, true color Free for 45 days only
13. JiveX DICOM Viewer Windows PACS integration in paid version only N N N N.A. N.A. N.A. Free version does not allow storage and support
14. NextCloud Browser based The entire app is cloud-based and shared images can be stored N N N N.A. N.A. N.A. Free to use
15. Athena Windows 10 Available but in paid version Y Y Y Y 500 MB Intel core/ 8 GB RAM, DirectX Version 10 Free only for one month
16. Miele LXIV Mac OS X PACS integrated Y Y Y Y 50 MB Intel processor Free to use
NO DICOM VIEWER OPERATING SYSTEM PACS INTEGRATION/ CLOUD MPR MIP IMAGE FUSION EXPORT TO SYSTEM HARD DISK SPACE FOR INSTALLATION PROCESSOR/ RAM REQUIREMENTS PRICING
17. Philips DICOM Viewer Windows Not available N N N Only to clipboard and printer 78 MB N.A. Freeware
18. ORS Visual Lite Windows Not available Y Y N Not available in free version N.A. Intel processor/ 2 GB RAM; Pixel shader v2.0 and above, Resolution 1280x1024 pixels Free version has lesser features than paid version
19. Orpalis DICOM Viewer Windows Not available N N N Capture-paste available 8.4 MB Intel processor/ 2GB RAM Freeware
20. MiViewer Windows Not available N N N Picture export to JPEG 2 MB No specific requirements Free version has less features
21. Onis Viewer Windows Up to 15 patients Y Y N Picture and annotation export 30 MB DualCore processor/ 1 GB RAM Free version is limited to 15 patients
22. Gingko CADx Windows, Mac OS X, Linux Not available Y Y N Picture file export 1 GB Intel processor/ 512 MB RAM Free version has lesser features
23. MEDISP DICOM Viewer Windows Not available N N N N.A. 15 MB Pentium 4/ 512 MB RAM Free for non-commercial use
24. Weasis Windows, Mac OS X, Linux PACS integration Y Y N Picture file export N.A. Intel processor/ 2 GB RAM, JAVA runtime environment 8 Free for non-commercial use
25. Yakami DICOM Windows Not available Y Y Y N.A. 1 GB Intel processor/ 2 GB RAM Free for non-commercial use

*Y = yes, N = no, and N.A. = not applicable.

Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

Cloud PACS and Online DICOM Viewer

Upload DICOM images and clinical documents to PostDICOM servers. Store, view, collaborate, and share your medical imaging files.