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XSane
What it is
XSane is a free, open-source graphical frontend for scanners. It supports color management through ICC/ICM profiles and provides enhancement tools for gamma handling and histogram adjustments. In standalone mode, it can scan and save, scan and view, copy, fax, and email. The scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF files. XSane is also available as a GIMP plug-in. The project lists Linux, Unix, OS/2, and Windows support, including a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network-scanning version and an OS/2 version with X11. The SANE frontend listing currently marks XSane as temporarily offline. Downloads are directed to distributor or volunteer binary packages, with Linux users advised to use vendor packages. Git snapshots may contain fixes or features absent from stable releases, but those builds are described as untested. The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Supports ICC/ICM color profiles
- Includes scan, copy, fax, and email tools
- Works as a GIMP plug-in
- Supports several output formats
Against
- Frontend listing marks it temporarily offline
- Git snapshots are described as untested
- Stable release listed from 2005
The verdict
XSane offers broad scanner workflow functions and platform listings, including GIMP integration. Its temporarily offline status and old listed stable release are important considerations before choosing it.
Who it suits
XSane suits users who need scanner controls, image adjustments, and multiple output formats on a listed desktop platform. It may also fit GIMP users wanting scanner access through a plug-in.
On the record
- Availability note
- The SANE frontends page marks XSane as temporarily offline.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Availability status
- The SANE frontend listing labels XSane as temporarily offline.sane-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Color management
- XSane supports color management with ICC/ICM profiles.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Development builds
- The project says Git snapshots may include fixes or features absent from stable releases and are untested.sane-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Development downloads
- The SANE snapshots index lists a sane-frontends snapshot dated 2026-10-08.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The SANE download page directs users to distributor or volunteer binary packages and recommends Linux users use their vendor’s packages.sane-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Enhancement tools
- The page lists improved gamma handling and a histogram among XSane’s features.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats.sane-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- GIMP integration
- XSane is available as a GIMP plug-in.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Image adjustments
- The frontend includes enhancement functions for gamma handling and a histogram.sane-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Linux and Unix
- The page lists Unix platforms including Linux, IRIX, and AIX as supported platforms.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- OS/2 support
- The page lists an OS/2 version with X11.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Project updates
- The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18.sane-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- XSane is described as an improved graphical frontend for scanners.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- SANE relationship
- SANE’s download page says users of advanced graphical frontends like XSane do not need the sane-frontends package.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Standalone tools
- In standalone mode, XSane provides scan-and-save, scan-and-view, copy, fax, and email utilities.sane-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Standalone use
- In standalone mode, XSane can scan and save, scan and view, copy, fax, and email.sane-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
