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XSane

XSane is a graphical frontend for scanners with color management and image enhancement tools.

Place
#21 of 22
Score
5.6

What XSane is

XSane is a graphical frontend for scanners with color management and image enhancement tools. It supports ICC/ICM profiles and includes gamma handling and a histogram. In standalone mode, it can scan to a file, scan and view, copy, fax, and email. Its scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats. XSane is also available as a GIMP plug-in. The SANE frontend listing marks it temporarily offline. For downloads, the SANE project directs users to distributor or volunteer binary packages and recommends vendor packages for Linux. Git snapshots may include fixes or features not present in stable releases, but the project says they are untested. The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18, while the snapshots index lists a sane-frontends snapshot dated 2026-10-08. The project provides an issues system for bug reports and requests for missing features. XSane is free and open source; its listed platform support includes Linux, Unix, OS/2, and Windows. The SANE download page says users of advanced graphical frontends such as XSane do not need the sane-frontends package.

Good

  • Supports ICC/ICM color profiles
  • Includes gamma and histogram enhancement functions
  • Standalone tools cover scanning, copying, faxing, and email
  • Scan-and-save supports six listed formats
  • Available as a GIMP plug-in

Watch out

  • SANE lists XSane as temporarily offline
  • Git snapshots are described as untested
  • The listed stable release dates to 2005

Who it suits

XSane may suit users seeking scanner controls, color management, and standalone scan utilities, or those who want to use it as a GIMP plug-in. Its temporarily offline status and package guidance are important to check before relying on it.

Verdict

XSane offers a broad set of scanner utilities and image adjustments across several listed platforms. Its temporarily offline status and old listed stable release warrant checking package availability before choosing it.

The facts

Each one read from XSane's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Availability note
The SANE frontends page marks XSane as temporarily offline.checked 9 Oct 2026
Availability status
The SANE frontend listing labels XSane as temporarily offline.checked 4 Oct 2026
Color management
XSane supports color management with ICC/ICM profiles.checked 9 Oct 2026
Development builds
The project says Git snapshots may include fixes or features absent from stable releases and are untested.checked 4 Oct 2026
Development downloads
The SANE snapshots index lists a sane-frontends snapshot dated 2026-10-08.checked 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
Enhancement tools
The page lists improved gamma handling and a histogram among XSane’s features.checked 9 Oct 2026
File formats
The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats.checked 4 Oct 2026
GIMP integration
XSane is available as a GIMP plug-in.checked 9 Oct 2026
Image adjustments
The frontend includes enhancement functions for gamma handling and a histogram.checked 4 Oct 2026
Output formats
The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats.checked 9 Oct 2026
Project updates
The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18.checked 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
XSane is described as an improved graphical frontend for scanners.checked 9 Oct 2026
SANE relationship
SANE’s download page says users of advanced graphical frontends like XSane do not need the sane-frontends package.checked 9 Oct 2026
Standalone tools
In standalone mode, XSane provides scan-and-save, scan-and-view, copy, fax, and email utilities.checked 4 Oct 2026
Standalone use
In standalone mode, XSane can scan and save, scan and view, copy, fax, and email.checked 9 Oct 2026
Support
The SANE project provides an issues system for reporting bugs or missing features in sane-frontends.checked 4 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Linux and Unix
The page lists Unix platforms including Linux, IRIX, and AIX as supported platforms.checked 9 Oct 2026
OS/2 support
The page lists an OS/2 version with X11.checked 9 Oct 2026
Platforms
The project page lists Unix systems including Linux, IRIX, and AIX, an OS/2 version with X11, and a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network-scanning version.checked 4 Oct 2026
Windows support
The page lists a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network scanning version.checked 9 Oct 2026

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