phomo

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Score7.0

Rank#3 of 23

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

phomo is a free software tool for creating photographic mosaics. It arranges tile images to recreate a master image by comparing color distributions in tiles and regions, then assigning tiles to regions with a linear sum assignment algorithm. You can install it with pip as a Python package or use the `phomo` command with a master image and a directory of tiles. Its CLI offers cropping and resizing controls for master and tile images, black-and-white conversion, grid display, and a setting for how often tiles appear. Matching choices include greyscale, norm, and luv_approx distance metrics, color equalization, and color-distribution matching. A greedy assignment option can improve performance but trades away accuracy. CUDA acceleration is available through an extra and requires a compatible GPU and CUDA toolkit. The package requires Python 3.9 or later and below 3.13, runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and outputs PNG. It is published under the MIT License.

Who it is for

phomo suits people who want to create image mosaics from their own tile libraries and are comfortable using Python packages or command-line tools. CUDA acceleration is an option for users with a compatible GPU and toolkit.

What is good

Free Python package and command-line utility
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Offers several color-matching options
Tile appearance count can be controlled
CUDA acceleration is available as an extra

What to know first

Requires Python below version 3.13
CUDA acceleration requires compatible hardware and toolkit
Greedy assignment trades accuracy for performance

Verdict

phomo provides both command-line and Python-package access to photographic mosaic creation, with controls for image preparation and tile matching. Its fit depends on comfort with Python or command-line use, and CUDA acceleration has additional requirements.

phomo plans and pricing

All plans

phomo Free Python package and CLI utility · CUDA acceleration requires a compatible GPU and CUDA toolkit github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on photo mosaic software

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Platform: desktopgithub.com
Custom tile library: Yesgithub.com
Tile reuse controls: Yesgithub.com
Output formats: PNGgithub.com

Facts

Purpose: phomo creates photographic mosaics by arranging tile images to recreate a master image.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Tile matching: It compares tile images with master image regions using color distribution differences, then assigns tiles to regions with a linear sum assignment algorithm.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Python package: The project can be installed with pip and used as a Python package.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Command line: The package provides a `phomo` command that accepts a master image and a directory of tile images.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
GPU support: GPU acceleration is available through the CUDA extra and requires a CUDA-compatible GPU and CUDA toolkit.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Image controls: CLI options include cropping and resizing the master and tile images, black-and-white conversion, grid display, and tile appearance count.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Matching options: The CLI offers greyscale, norm, and luv_approx distance metrics, color equalization, and options to match color distributions.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Performance option: A greedy tile assignment option is described as improving performance at the expense of accuracy.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Platforms: PyPI lists macOS, Windows, and Linux operating system classifiers for the package.pypi.org · 3 Oct 2026
Python versions: PyPI states that the package requires Python >=3.9 and <3.13.pypi.org · 3 Oct 2026
License: The project is published under the MIT License.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Maintainer: PyPI identifies Loic Coyle as the author and lists one maintainer.pypi.org · 3 Oct 2026