9 Best Free Image Converter Software Programs

An image converter is a kind of file converter that converts one image file format (like a JPG, BMP, or TIF) into another. If you're unable to use a photo, graphic, or any kind of image file the way you'd like because the format isn't supported, image converter software can help.

Below is a list of the best, completely free image converter software programs. Some are even online services, meaning you can use them to convert pictures online without needing to download the program.

Illustration of an free image converter website — Marina Li / Lifewire

Every image converter program listed below is freeware. We have not included trialware or shareware image converters.

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XnConvert

What We Like

Converts between lots of image file formats.
Can convert multiple images at once.
Lots of advanced settings you can customize.
Converts images on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Portable option is available.

What We Don't Like

Might be too advanced if all you need is a simple image converter.
The software must be downloaded to your computer before you can use it.

XnConvert is the Swiss Army knife of image converters. With XnView, you can convert any of around 500 image formats to your choice of around 80 others. If you have a rare image format that you can't open, XnView can probably convert it.

XnView also supports batch conversion, folder imports, filters, resizing, and several other advanced options.

Input Formats: BMP, EMF, GIF, ICO, JPG, PCX, PDF, PNG, PSD, RAW, TIF, and many more

Output Formats: BMP, EMF, GIF, ICO, JPG, PCX, PDF, PNG, PSD, RAW, TIF, and many more

See the complete list of supported formats for more.

The publisher of XnConvert also has a free command line based, dedicated image converter called NConvert, but XnConvert is much easier to use.

XnConvert should work with any version of Windows, as well as with Mac and Linux operating systems. There's even a portable option for Windows on the download page, available for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Download XnConvert

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CoolUtils Online Image Converter

What We Like

Runs online, so you don't have to download the converter tool.
You can resize and rotate the image before converting it.
Lets you download the image right away from the web page.

What We Don't Like

Can convert only one image at once.
Requires uploading and downloading the image.
Doesn't show a preview of the picture (useful when rotating).

The CoolUtils Online Image Converter is just that—an image converter that exists completely online, no download required.

Unlike some online image converters, this one does the image converting for you in real-time—no waiting on an email link.

Input Formats: BMP, GIF, ICO, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF

Output Formats: BMP, GIF, ICO, JPEG, PDF, PNG, and TIFF

There is a file size limit on the original file you upload but we can't confirm the specific limit. We tested a 32 MB TIFF file by converting it to JPEG without a problem, but a 45 MB file didn't work because it was too large.

One thing we like about CoolUtils is that it lets you rotate and resize an image before you convert it.

Since this method works through a web browser, you can use it with nearly any operating system, like Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Visit CoolUtils Free Online Image Converter

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FileZigZag

What We Like

Really easy to use.
Works from any web browser in any operating system.
Converts images as large as 150 MB (if you log in).
Supports bulk uploads, conversions, and downloads.

What We Don't Like

Conversions are sometimes slow.
Limits free users to 10 conversions per day.
Site is occasionally down.

Our Review of FileZigZag

FileZigZag is another online image converter service that will convert most common graphics formats. Just upload the original image, choose the desired output, and then wait for the download link to appear on the page.

Input Formats: AI, BMP, CMYK, CR2, DDS, DNG, DPX, EPS, GIF, HEIC, ICO, JPEG, JPG, NEF, ODG, OTG, PAM, PBM, PCX, PGM, PNG, PPM, PSD, RGB, RGBA, SDA, SGI, SVG, SXD, TGA, TIF, TIFF, XCF, and YUV

Output Formats: AI, BMP, CUR, DPX, EPS, GIF, ICO, JPEG, JPG, PAM, PBM, PCX, PDF, PGM, PNG, PPM, RAS, SGI, SVG, TGA, TIF, TIFF, and YUV

See every the file conversion you can make at FileZigZag from the Conversion Types page. It also supports documents, audio, video, eBooks, archives, and web pages.

Just like any online file converter, you have to, unfortunately, wait for FileZigZag to upload the file and then wait again for the download link (which could take a really long time as you wait in the queue). However, since most images are fairly small in size, it really shouldn't take that long altogether.

Visit FileZigZag

FileZigZag converts between other file formats, too. See every file format that FileZigZag supports to see if you can use it with your other files.

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Zamzar

What We Like

Supports bulk conversions.
Works online, so you don't need to install anything.
Images can be as big as 50 MB.
One of the easier-to-use image converters.

What We Don't Like

Converts a maximum of two images per session and 24 hours.
Images are downloaded individually (even if you convert more than one).

Our Review of Zamzar

Zamzar is an online image converter service that supports most common photo and graphic formats and even a few CAD formats. You can download the converted file from an email or wait on the download page for the links.

A file can be uploaded from your computer or from another website via its URL.

Input Formats: 3FR, AI, ARW, BMP, CR2, CRW, CDR, DCR, DNG, DWG, DXF, EMF, ERF, GIF, JPG, MDI, MEF, MRW, NEF, ODG, ORF, PCX, PEF, PNG, PPM, PSD, RAF, RAW, SR2, SVG, TGA, TIFF, WBMP, WMF, X3F, and XCF

Output Formats: AI, BMP, EPS, GIF, ICO, JPG, PDF, PS, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIFF, and WBMP

We've repeatedly tested Zamzar and have found the conversion time is often similar to FileZigZag's, but since you can't download multiple files at once or upload more than just a few, you might try an actual software program if you need something more robust.

Visit Zamzar

You can use Zamzar to convert not just images but also documents, audio, video, eBooks, and more. See all the formats supported by Zamzar.

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Adapter

What We Like

Very minimal and easy-to-use interface.
Conversions are available instantly.
You don't have to upload the images anywhere.
Supports bulk conversions.
Works on Windows and macOS.
Installs quickly.

What We Don't Like

Requires that you download the software to your computer.
Supports a minimal number of image file formats.
If converting more than one image simultaneously, all of them have to be converted to the same format.

Adapter is an intuitive image converter program that supports popular file formats and plenty of nice features.

In its simplest form, Adapter lets you drag and drop images into the queue, and quickly choose the output format. You can clearly see the size of the image files before and after they'll be converted.

Adapter also has advanced options if you want to use them, such as custom file names and output directories, resolution and quality changes, and text/image overlays.

Input Formats: JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, and GIF

Output Formats: JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, and GIF

We like Adapter because it seems to work very quickly and doesn't require you to upload your files online to convert them.

Adapter not only converts image files but also video and audio files.

You can install Adapter to both Windows (7+) and Mac (10.7+) operating systems. We tested Adapter in Windows 10 without any issues.

Download Adapter

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DVDVideoSoft's Free Image Convert and Resize

What We Like

Fairly easy to use.
Converts between the most popular formats.
Lets you resize and rename the files.
Supports bulk photo conversions.

What We Don't Like

Setup attempts to install other programs with the image converter.
Doesn't support very many image file formats.
All images in the queue will convert to the same format.

Free Image Convert and Resize is a program that does just what you'd think it does—converts and resizes images. Even though it doesn't support very many image formats, it does let you convert, resize, and rename multiple image files at once.

Input Formats: JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and TGA

Output Formats: JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, TGA, and PDF

We like this program because it's very simple to use, supports popular image formats, and includes some additional features you may not find bundled in with other image converters.

Free Image Convert and Resize works with Windows XP and newer.

Download Free Image Convert and Resize

The installer tries to add a few additional programs to your computer that you don't need to have for the image converter to work, so you can feel free to skip over them if you wish.

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PixConverter

What We Like

Walks you through a step-by-step wizard.
You can adjust the output quality for the images.
Lets you resize and rename the images.
Can convert more than one image at once.

What We Don't Like

Works on Windows only.
Many of the options might be unnecessary for the average user.
Hasn't been updated since 2007.

PixConverter is another free image converter. Though it has plenty of useful features, it still manages to be easy to use.

The program supports batch conversions, the ability to import multiple photos from a folder at once, image rotation, resizing, and altering the image color.

Input Formats: JPG, JPEG, GIF, PCX, PNG, BMP, and TIF

Output Formats: JPG, GIF, PCX, PNG, BMP, and TIF

PixConverter is a nice image converter if you deal with these formats and would rather not use an online converter.

Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista are the only versions of Windows that are officially supported, but PixConverter works equally well in Windows 10.

Download PixConverter

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SendTo-Convert

What We Like

Lets you convert images very quickly.
You get to customize all the conversion settings.
Supports popular image file formats.

What We Don't Like

Doesn't support image file formats beyond the few popular ones.
Outdated; hasn't been updated since 2015.
Works for Windows users only.

SendTo-Convert is an awesome image converter. The program can be automated to the point that you simply have to right-click one or more images and choose the Send to > SendTo-Convert option to convert them.

This means you can set the default output format, quality, size option, and output folder so as to quickly convert images without having to open the SendTo-Convert program.

Input Formats: BMP, PNG, JPEG, GIF, and TIFF

Output Formats: BMP, PNG, JPEG, and GIF

This download link takes you to a page that has several other programs listed, the bottom one being for SendTo-Convert.

You can also download a portable version of SendTo-Convert from the download page.

SendTo-Convert can be used on Windows XP and newer Windows operating systems.

Download SendTo-Convert

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BatchPhoto Espresso

What We Like

Works with a handful of the most commonly used image file formats.
Supports features not found in most online image converters.
Works on any OS.
Supports batch conversions.
Bulk downloads are saved in a ZIP file.

What We Don't Like

You have to upload and download the images.
Only a small handful of formats are supported for import.
5 MB maximum file size.

BatchPhoto Espresso is yet another free online image converter, which means you don't need to download any software to use it.

After uploading an image, you can resize, crop, and rotate it, as well as add special effects like black and white and swirl, overlay text, and change brightness, contrast, and sharpness, among other settings.

BatchPhoto Espresso also lets you rename the picture and choose a quality/size before saving it.

Input Formats: JPG, TIF, PNG, BMP, GIF, JP2, PICT, and PCX

Output Formats: BMP, PICT, GIF, JP2, JPC, JPG, PCX, PDF, PNG, PSD, SGI, TGA, TIF, WBMP, AVS, CGM, CIN, DCX, DIB, DPX, EMF, FAX, FIG, FPX, GPLT, HPGL, JBIG, JNG, MAN, MAT, and others

Unlike with the installable programs from above, BatchPhoto Espresso can be used on any operating system that supports a web browser, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Visit BatchPhoto Espresso

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