Side by side
VueScan vs XSane
Both stand on scanner software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial LinuxMacWindows
VueScan combines document scanning with film and slide tools across three desktop operating systems. Before choosing an edition, consider the trial watermark and the computer licensing rules for personal versus non-personal use.
Visit VueScan Paid LinuxWindows
Choose XSane if you want a free, open source scanner frontend with ICC/ICM color management and standalone scan utilities. The GIMP plug-in provides another supported way to use it. The temporarily offline status is a reason to check availability before relying on it for a new setup.
Visit XSaneThe facts
| VueScan | XSane | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | Not published |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Standard Edition (annual): £25.45 a year | Not published |
| Plans published | 6 | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | vuescan.com | sane-project.org |
| On scanner software | #18 of 22 | #22 of 22 |
VueScan: what it does well
- Supports over 8,000 scanners from 42 manufacturers
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Includes OCR and multi-page PDF features
- Provides film and slide tools
- One-time purchases include one year of free updates
What to know first
- No free plan
- Trial scans have a watermark that cannot later be removed
- Non-personal use requires a license for each computer
XSane: what it does well
- Free and open source.
- Supports ICC/ICM color profiles.
- Includes gamma handling and histogram enhancement functions.
- Standalone utilities cover scanning, copying, faxing, and email.
- Available as a GIMP plug-in.
What to know first
- The SANE frontend listing labels XSane temporarily offline.
- Git snapshots are described as untested.
- Linux downloads are directed to vendor packages.
Alternatives to VueScan Alternatives to XSane The whole list