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Horos alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Horos: macOS only, and not certified for clinical diagnosis. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Horos, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Weasis currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Weasis logoWeasisOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 566.5
23D Slicer logo3D SlicerOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 462.6
3RadiAnt DICOM Viewer logoRadiAnt DICOM ViewerPaidNoWindows5 of 559.6
  1. Weasis logo

    1. WeasisTop pick

    Best for: Hospitals, researchers and clinicians who want a free DICOM viewer that plugs into PACS and web portals

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Horos

    Free, open source and cross-platform, with strong PACS and DICOMweb integration for mixed Mac and PC sites.

    Pros

    • Free and open source under EPL 2.0 or Apache 2.0
    • PACS and DICOMweb query, retrieve and send built in
    • MPR and 3D volume rendering alongside 2D reading
    • Desktop installers for Windows, macOS and Linux

    Cons

    • Integration settings are aimed at IT staff, not casual users
    • Less polished interface than commercial workstations
    • Only the native-installer edition is maintained since version 4
    Visit Weasis Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Weasis a good Horos alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    EPL 2.0 or Apache 2.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    PACS integration
    PACS and web archives
    Checked Oct 29, 2026weasis.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026weasis.org(opens source in a new tab)
    3D and MPR
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026weasis.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. 3D Slicer logo

    2. 3D Slicer

    Best for: Researchers and labs who need segmentation, 3D models and scripting on medical images

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Horos

    Free and runs natively on Apple Silicon, with far more segmentation and research tooling.

    Pros

    • Free and open source, backed by long-running NIH grants
    • Segmentation, registration and 3D modelling built in
    • Large extension catalogue and Python scripting
    • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for simple viewing tasks
    • Not certified for clinical diagnosis
    • Heavy download and interface compared with lightweight viewers
    Visit 3D Slicer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is 3D Slicer a good Horos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Nov 1, 2026download.slicer.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Funding
    US National Institutes of Health grants
    Checked Nov 1, 2026download.slicer.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 1, 2026download.slicer.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. RadiAnt DICOM Viewer logo

    3. RadiAnt DICOM Viewer

    Best for: Windows users who want a quick, easy viewer for CT, MR and X-ray studies from discs or PACS

    PaidWindows

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Horos

    Fast, simple paid viewer for users who are moving from a Mac to Windows.

    Pros

    • Fast and simple interface for opening studies
    • PACS query and retrieve plus a local study archive
    • 3D MPR and volume rendering included
    • CD/DVD edition for distributing studies to patients

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Time-limited subscription; access ends when the plan expires
    • No FDA or CE certification, so not for diagnosis
    Visit RadiAnt DICOM Viewer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is RadiAnt DICOM Viewer a good Horos alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Starting price
    €39 per PC/year
    Checked Oct 30, 2026radiantviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence type
    Time-based subscription
    Checked Oct 30, 2026radiantviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows 7 to 11
    Checked Oct 30, 2026radiantviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    PACS client
    Yes
    Checked Oct 30, 2026radiantviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Certification
    None (not for diagnosis)
    Checked Oct 30, 2026radiantviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Horos alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Weasis logo

Best Horos alternative for most people

Weasis

Free, open source and cross-platform, with strong PACS and DICOMweb integration for mixed Mac and PC sites.

3D Slicer logo

Best Horos alternative for a free option

3D Slicer

Free and runs natively on Apple Silicon, with far more segmentation and research tooling.

Weasis logo

Best Horos alternative for open source

Weasis

Free, open source and cross-platform, with strong PACS and DICOMweb integration for mixed Mac and PC sites.

OsiriX MD logo

Best Horos alternative for Mac

OsiriX MD

The commercial original Horos was forked from, with FDA clearance and faster performance for clinical reading.

RadiAnt DICOM Viewer logo

Best Horos alternative for Windows

RadiAnt DICOM Viewer

Fast, simple paid viewer for users who are moving from a Mac to Windows.

Weasis logo

Best Horos alternative for Linux

Weasis

Free, open source and cross-platform, with strong PACS and DICOMweb integration for mixed Mac and PC sites.

Horos alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Horos?

Weasis ranks first right now. Free, open source and cross-platform, with strong PACS and DICOMweb integration for mixed Mac and PC sites. 3D Slicer and RadiAnt DICOM Viewer follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Horos?

Yes. Weasis (open source) and 3D Slicer (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Horos?

Yes: Weasis and 3D Slicer.

Which Horos alternatives work on Linux?

Weasis and 3D Slicer run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Horos?

The complaints we hear most: macOS only; not certified for clinical diagnosis; release cadence is slow compared with commercial viewers.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Horos, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.