When we think of great open source image processing software, tools like GIMP, Blender, and Inkscape instantly spring to mind.
We’ve covered a huge raft of graphics software for Linux with a splurge of recommended roundups. But there are some categories of graphics software which attract less exposure. Image processing libraries is a good example. This type of software performs image processing operations. They can perform arithmetic, histograms, convolution, morphological operations, frequency filtering, colour, resampling, statistics, and much more.
Good libraries support a wide range of image formats such as JPEG, TIFF, PNG, WebP, FITS, Matlab, OpenEXR, PDF, SVG, HDR, PPM, CSV, GIF, Analyze, NIfTI, DeepZoom, and OpenSlide.
In this article we recommend the finest image processing libraries. Our recommendations are captured in a legendary LinuxLinks chart. As you can see, there are many great libraries for developers. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.
Let’s explore the 14 image processing libraries. For each program we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| Image Processing Libraries | |
|---|---|
| matplotlib | Python 2D plotting library |
| OpenCV | Library that includes several hundreds of computer vision algorithms |
| VIPS | Fast image processing library with low memory requirements |
| SciPy | Scientific Computing Tools for Python |
| Pillow | Fork of the Python Imaging Library |
| Pillow-SIMD | Highly optimized downstream Pillow fork |
| scikit-image | Collection of algorithms for image processing |
| ImageMagick | Uses multiple computational threads to increase performance |
| GraphicsMagick | Billed as the Swiss army knife of image processing. |
| GEGL | Generic Graphics Library |
| Mahotas | Library of fast computer vision algorithms |
| SimpleITK | Image analysis toolkit with a large number of components |
| Netpbm | Toolkit for manipulation of graphic images |
| LibGD | Library for the dynamic creation of images by developers |
For more Python image processing libraries, check out this roundup
This article has been updated to reflect the changes outlined in our recent announcement.
 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |