Best Photo Organizer Software for Windows PCs (10 Picks)

As a professional photographer or hobbyist, you will undoubtedly take thousands of photos. In today’s modern world, we are no longer constrained by camera film – we have memory cards that can hold a huge number of high-quality files.

While this promotes creativity, it can be an absolute nightmare to actually organize all those images.

We all know how tiresome it can be to trawl through a seemingly never-ending folder of photos to find what we are looking for or to try to catalog our images using Windows File Explorer. There must be an easier way, right?

Well, there is! As camera memory capacity has improved, so has the technology known as photo organizing software. Today, you can use a myriad of different software programs that are built specifically to catalog and organize photos. And in this guide, we share the best photo organizer software for Windows PCs.

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1. Excire Foto 2024

Excire Foto 2024
Excire Foto 2024
Great for organizing large photo collections

Excire Foto 2024 excels at the management of large photo collections. This is aided by its simple interface, fast performance, and AI-powered search tools.

Pros
Detailed AI search tools
Can create photo collections from multiple locations
Fast performance
Cons
Does not have any editing tools

If you want a dedicated photo organization program, Excire Foto 2024 is one of your best options. It doesn’t have any editing tools, so you will need additional software to handle your post-processing needs. However, its photo management and organization tools are incredible.

This software is available for a one-off license fee. It is relatively affordable and a great budget option, and you can buy it for both macOS and Windows devices.

As we explain in our Excire Foto review, you can easily import entire photo collections and databases from other sources. You can then edit the folder hierarchy using a basic file manager screen.

Finding, organizing, and rating photos is easy in Excire Foto. It has a host of rating options and an extensive keyword management system. It even has AI-enhanced search tools, including options such as “Find Faces” and “Find Similar Photos” that analyze your photos and find matching results.

If you aren’t interested in photo editing or you do your editing in another program, then Excire Foto is the best photo organizing software for Windows 10 devices.

Excire 2024 (Released 30th Sept. 2023)
The 2024 update for Excire Foto introduces five advanced AI models to improve photo organization and retrieval, featuring instant search with text inputs, facial recognition, automatic keyword tagging, similarity searches, and aesthetic rating. It also adds GPS-based search and slideshow capabilities, retains all previous features, and fully integrates Excire Analytics into the program.

2. Adobe Lightroom Classic

Our Pick
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Great for professional editing and file management

Adobe Lightroom Classic is the best choice if you want a professional photo editor that also has extensive photo organization tools.

LrC and LR are part of the creative cloud photography plan.

Pros
Excellent keyword search capabilities
Full file management options
Can rate and color your images
Cons
Expensive monthly subscription
It may not be suitable for beginners

Our top pick for professional work is Adobe Lightroom Classic. This is the best choice if you want a combined workflow – that is, advanced photo editing combined with advanced photo organization.

Lightroom requires a monthly subscription, which may turn some people away. However, the basic subscription plan grants access to Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Adobe Photoshop 2022. You also get cloud storage and access to other Adobe software.

The photo management features of Lightroom are fantastic. You can fully manage your photo folder hierarchies, which includes creating, moving, deleting, and renaming folders. You can also freely move around the photos inside these folders.

Lightroom Classic offers much more, however. You can assign keywords to photos and change the metadata. You can then search for photos using the advanced search options. This includes filtering by keywords, the camera used, and the date the photo was taken.

We also like that you can add star ratings and color highlights to your photos. The ability to create separate Collections is also extremely useful. Collections are virtual folders that bring together images from different physical folder locations. They let you group photos without disrupting your underlying folder structure.

Recent LrC Updates

February 13, 2024
LrC introduces additional organizational enhancements including additional options for sorting, filtering, and smart collections support for newly released cameras and lenses, bug fixes, and more.
October 2023
Introduced features like AI-powered Lens Blur for depth effect, HDR editing and export, Point Color for precise color corrections, and overall performance improvements. Also added support for new cameras and lenses, along with other enhancements

3. ON1 Photo RAW

Also Great
ON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW
Perfect for high-end editing and photo organization

ON1 Photo RAW is another premium editing program that also has an excellent photo management suite.

Check price for possible ongoing sales.

Pros
Extensive file management module
Advanced search options
Can fully edit your folder hierarchy
Cons
Can have performance issues on lower-spec devices

ON1 Photo RAW is often considered one of the top Lightroom alternatives. As we discuss in our ON1 review, it has an extensive range of editing tools but also has the ON1 Browse module, which is dedicated to file management and organization.

ON1 Photo RAW is available for a one-off license fee or a subscription. The subscription – ON1 Everything – offers good value. It gives cloud storage and access to other ON1 programs including ON1 Resize AI (and in our experience with Resize AI, it’s definitely worth trying out!).

The ON1 Browse module is a comprehensive file management system. At its core, it allows for complete file and folder management within the software. Like Lightroom Classic, you can give photos ratings and assign keywords. EXIF metadata is also viewable and editable.

The latest version of ON1 Photo RAW also introduces an advanced search option. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to search for specific photos using multiple search criteria. You can also save your search preferences to streamline your file management.

4. ACDSee Photo Studio Home

ACDSee Photo Studio Home
ACDSee Photo Studio Home
Great for advanced file management

ACDSee Photo Studio Home is one of the most comprehensive photo organizing programs on the market.

Lifetime license for one device

Pros
Great photo organization system
Multiple import and integration options
Plenty of batch processing tools
Cons
Some of the features can be difficult to learn

ACDSee Photo Studio Home is one of the best-recognized photo management software programs we tested. The current version offers plenty of power, and the price is very reasonable.

For one, ACDSee has an epic organization system that includes ratings, tags, categories, color labeling, and keywords. The organization tools arguably trump those of Adobe Lightroom Classic, and the layout and panes are uncluttered and easy to use.

This program also has fantastic integration and import features. You can sync your mobile device with ACDSee and easily transfer your smartphone pictures to the program. It also boasts a built-in Facebook upload feature and advanced import functionality.

And ACDSee Photo Studio Home also has some awesome batch editing options, including rotation, resizing, exposure adjustment, and file renaming. In short, ACDSee has everything that professional photographers need to catalog and organize their photos.

5. Magix Photo Manager Deluxe

Magix Photo Manager Deluxe
Magix Photo Manager Deluxe
Great for facial recognition searches

Magix Photo Manager Deluxe has one of the best facial recognition tools to easily find photos containing specific people.

Upgrades costs $29.99 USD, free trial available

Pros
Excellent facial recognition tools
Streamlined interface
Support for importing from various sources
Cons
The interface may look a little outdated

Magix Photo Manager Deluxe is a simple and effective photo organization program. It is also one of the best budget options available. You can buy this software for a cheap one-off license fee, or you can upgrade from a previous version.

We should first mention the facial recognition feature, which allows you to find photos containing certain people; this technology is advanced and really helps find photos of your friends and family.

Magix Photo Manager is not just about facial recognition, however. It also has impressive organization tools – including a star rating system – and you can categorize photos by certain themes such as “night scenes” or “sunsets.” The program also has support for cloud importing and importing from your smartphone or tablet.

6. FastStone Image Viewer

FastStone Image Viewer
FastStone Image Viewer
Great as a free option

FastStone Image Viewer is basic, but it’s arguably the best free photo organization software for Windows.

Lifetime License

Pros
Low minimum spec requirements
Free!
Simple and clean interface
Cons
Does not have as many features as some other options

FastStone Image Viewer is one of the best free photo organizers available for Windows PCs. This program has a simple interface but runs smoothly. You can look at thumbnails and previews without any noticeable delay.

As with most organization tools, FastStone has an advanced batch processing feature that allows you to easily rename multiple photos at once. You can also convert your images to a number of different formats, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, and even PDF.

The program also features an extensive tagging system. You can add tags to your photos to categorize them, and you can then use these tags to help search for your files. Finally, FastStone has some preset resizing tools that allow you to resize your images to specific resolutions.

Related Posts

While FastStone may not have as many features as ACDSee or Lightroom, it is a fantastic free image organization tool for those on a tight budget.

7. DigiKam

DigiKam
DigiKam
Great for comprehensive file management

DigiKam is another excellent free option that excels at file and folder management.

Open source digital photo manager

Pros
Great folder management tools
Extensive photo sorting functions
Ability to add comments to photos
Cons
Some may not like the basic interface

DigiKam is another powerful free organization option. It’s an open-source program, which means that the source code is readily available and anyone can work on it, so you get great support and you can even tailor the program to your needs.

DigiKam offers all the basic organization functionality you might need, and you can upload, delete, and move images in a few clicks. You can also rename and rotate photos during the import process.

In terms of actual organization and cataloging features, DigiKam allows you to create a comprehensive folder system with parent folders and subfolders. And you can add comments to your photos, which is useful if you want to give yourself editing reminders or record how you took specific images.

The program also offers extensive sorting functionality; it’s possible to sort your photos by name, file size, date, title, etc. As far as free tools go for storing digital photos, DigiKam is right up there with the best.

8. Adobe Bridge

Adobe Bridge
Adobe Bridge
Great if you already have an Adobe CC subscription

Adobe Bridge is a solid organizing program that allows for effective file management.

Pros
Has an extensive import tool
Limited free version
Good selection of batch processing tools
Cons
Can feel redundant if you already have other Adobe software

Many people forget about Adobe Bridge, but it’s actually a full-fledged program with lots to offer. How many times have you been using Photoshop or Lightroom and opened Bridge by accident, only to close it seconds later in frustration?

Well, Bridge shouldn’t be overlooked anymore! If people actually took the time to examine the program, they would see that it has fantastic image organization tools and is really easy to use.

Adobe Bridge allows you to easily manage your images and create detailed folder hierarchies in a few clicks. Furthermore, Bridge has a superb importing tool that allows you to import photos from your camera or smartphone. You can select from various advanced import options, and you can quickly import your files into new or existing folders.

Bridge also has a variety of batch-processing tools, and you can, of course, use the program in conjunction with other Adobe Creative Cloud software. Plus, users can download the basic program for free!

9. Google Photos

Google Photos
Google Photos
Great for basic cloud storage

Google Photos is a versatile organizing solution that offers excellent accessibility and the option to share your images.

Paid plans start at $1.99 USD​/mo. for 100 GB

Pros
Easy to use and access
No download or installation required
Can create albums and tag images as favorites
Cons
Limited 15 GB storage in the free plan

Not all photo organizing software has to be complicated, and many people want a simple solution that is easy to use. This is where a cloud-based organizing option like Google Photos comes in. It’s free, and all you need to do gain access is create a Google account (which most people have, anyway).

Google Photos image library organized by date, showing pictures of vacation in Thailand

Google Photos has a stripped-down interface with handy navigation that allows you to manage your images. This includes the main view, an Explore feature, sharing options, and even access to a print store if you want to create physical copies of your files. The main view is how you can see your entire photo collection; from there, you can select individual photos, although there is no option to filter your images or change the view, which some could find annoying.

For each photo, you can add a “favorite” tag, make basic edits, and/or add the file to albums. The albums feature allows for better photo management as you can then organize the images by specific parameters as opposed to by date. The Utilities tab also lets you make some cool things like movies, animations, and collages.

As mentioned, Google Photos is completely free to use. However, there is a caveat – you only get 15 GB of free storage. This is perfect for JPEG photos, but it essentially means you cannot use the free version to store RAW images. If you need this flexibility, you can upgrade to a paid storage plan (note that the storage can be used across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail).

10. XnSoft XnView Classic

XnSoft XnView Classic
XnSoft XnView Classic
Great for batch renaming

XnView Classic has a dated interface but a great set of organization tools, including batch renaming and the ability to edit image metadata.

Company licenses start at 29.00 €

Pros
Excellent batch renaming tool
Easy to use
Great sorting and filter tools
Cons
The software looks dated

If you prefer a more retro interface, XnSoft XnView Classic is a fantastic program. Despite its relatively outdated appearance, this program is highly functional and has some highly useful features. To start, you get a complete folder navigation system. You can easily change the hierarchy of your folders, create new folders, rename files, move images, etc.

Vacation photos of Baslow Edge being organized by file name in  XnView Classic

You can directly edit important image data by right-clicking on it, such as XMP, IPTC, EXIF, and ICC metadata. This is great if you want to make your images more searchable or add important things like titles, keywords, and captions.

XnView Classic is also ideal if you have a large photo collection. This is because it has relatively low system requirements and doesn’t use much processing power. Furthermore, it has two vital features: batch processing and batch renaming. The renaming tool is easy to use and allows you to create handy naming templates. Additionally, it shows the old name and new name side by side so you can check on the changes you’ve made.

To browse through your photo collections, XnView Classic has various filters and sorting options. For example, you can sort by date of capture, EXIF date, file type, image width, and orientation. The program may lack the polish of some other photo organizing software, but it is completely free to download, plus it’s surprisingly capable.


Now that you’ve finished this article, you’re ready to grab a photo organizer and start managing your photos.

There are a lot of great options out there, from free programs like FastStone Image Viewer to paid programs like Excire 2024 or Adobe Lightroom Classic.

So pick the perfect software for your needs. And enjoy the organization process!

About the Author
Paul Skidmore

A seasoned content creator at PhotoWorkout, Paul merges his love for traveling and photography to craft insightful articles. With a solid grasp of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, he enjoys testing new photo software, apps, and gear. His background in web development further enriches his photography endeavors.
Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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51 thoughts on “Best Photo Organizer Software for Windows PCs (10 Picks)”

  1. Hi Paul,
    Just came across your website and thought you might be able to assist me.
    I have utilized both Adobe CC Photoshop and ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 to edit my photos (mainly negatives and slides – pre digital – and scanned). My photo files are maintained in separate sub-folders by year and place and I utilize the search file name function in Ultimate 2022. Currently I have approximately 9000 photos (files) and approximately 400 search files. Unfortunately ACDSee completely updated their search function in the Ultimate 2023 version and the search files pre 2023 cannot be converted to the newer version.
    I am still using the Ultimate 2022 version as I do not have the time required to set up new search files under the new version. Would you be able to recommend any other Windows photo organizers which utilizes part or whole of the file names? Look forward to hearing from you.
    Best regards

    Harry

    1. photoworkout author

      Hi Harry,

      I understand your challenge with ACDSee’s updated search function in the Ultimate 2023 version. For managing a large photo collection with specific file name search requirements, there are several alternatives you can consider:

      Adobe Lightroom Classic: Known for excellent keyword search capabilities and full file management options, though it requires a monthly subscription.

      ON1 Photo RAW: Offers extensive file management and advanced search options, available for a one-time license fee or subscription.

      Excire Foto 2022: Specializes in organizing large photo collections with AI-powered search tools, but lacks editing features.

      DigiKam: A comprehensive, free option with great folder management tools and photo sorting functions.

      XnSoft XnView Classic: Ideal for batch renaming and editing image metadata, this is a free software with a dated interface but effective organization tools.

      Each of these programs offers unique features that might suit your needs, such as file and folder management, keyword tagging, and search functionalities. It’s worth exploring these options to find the best fit for your specific requirements.

  2. Hi Paul,
    I would like to use the photo organizer software mainly for searching after locations (GPS data) and images (faces and buildings). Which of these software tools do you recommend to search my photo collection for the photos of a certain location or which show a map of the photo locations?

  3. Hi, can it be possible that MAGIX Photo Manager DeLuxe does not let you name a picture? I cannot see any option on the screen facilities or in the tutorials to do this. The only option appears to be to rename the file but then how do we have several pictures with the same name? What am I missing? Thanks.

    1. Paul Skidmore

      Hi Ian,

      You do indeed name a photo using the rename function. Simply right-click on an image thumbnail and choose the rename option.

      Alternatively, you can select multiple files (using shift or ctrl select), and also use the rename option. This will rename the files and add a numbered sequence to them.

  4. I too like others on here loved Picasa. It was very user friendly. Now that I have a new computer, Windows 10, it only allows up to 5gb for photo storage. My older computer did not have a limit on photo storage. What program out there is similar to Picasa without costing an arm and a leg and monthly fees?

    1. Paul Skidmore

      Hi Kay!

      A great free alternative is FastStone Image Viewer. Alternatively, ACDSee is one of the cheapest paid photo organizers available if you don’t want to commit to a monthly subscription.

      Not sure why your new computer would limit your photo storage though? The only limitation on storage would be if your HDD is full!

  5. Hi Paul,
    I am looking for an application that will allow me to look at both my local files and online files (Google Photos/OneDrive) in a single interface so that I can pick and choose the best photos.
    Ideally, I’d then like to be able to export the selected photos to either a local folder or an online service like OneDrive or Google Photos.

    Could you please suggest a tool for this?

    1. Paul Skidmore

      Hi Vinay,

      Thanks for the question. The cheapest option for this is ACDSee Photo Studio Home Software. This photo organizing software gives cloud access and allows you to access photos from OneDrive and Dropbox. You can also synchronize with these cloud storage solutions.
      Combine this with local HDD folder management and you should have everything you need.