Compare
A Horos alternative for editing and anonymizing DICOM files
Horos is a free, open-source DICOM viewer for macOS, with PACS networking and 3D rendering. dcmage does less viewing and more file work: it edits tags, de-identifies studies and records every change, in the browser or as a Mac app. The two can be used side by side.
Side by side
dcmage and Horos compared
| Topic | dcmage | Horos |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | A web app for any modern browser, and a native Mac app | macOS only, with separate builds for Apple Silicon (4.0.1) and Intel (4.0.0) |
| Price and licence | Free, including commercial use. Closed source. | Free and open source (LGPL-3.0) |
| Tag editing | Tag tree with search, VR checks and nested sequence editing. Edits are written to a new file. | Metadata editing, according to Purview, the project's main sponsor |
| De-identification | DICOM PS3.15 profiles including HIPAA Safe Harbor, consistent UID remapping, and OCR for text burned into the pixels | Anonymization on export. The project site does not document which attributes it removes. |
| Viewing | Axial, sagittal and coronal MPR with synchronized crosshairs, window/level and measurements | Oblique and curved MPR, 3D volume rendering and PET-CT display |
| PACS | None yet. PACS and DICOMweb are planned for a later paid tier. | Sends and receives studies over the DICOM network |
| NIfTI export | Exports a series as .nii.gz with RAS orientation | Not listed among its features |
| Regulatory status | Not a medical device. For research, data management and technical review. | Not FDA-cleared or CE-marked, according to Purview |
Pick Horos
When Horos fits better
- You read studies on a Mac every day and want a full viewer with PACS networking, curved MPR and PET-CT.
- You want open-source code you can build and change.
Pick dcmage
When dcmage fits better
- You need to edit or de-identify files before sharing them, and keep a record of what changed.
- You are not on a Mac, or cannot install software. The web app runs in the browser.
- You need a NIfTI volume for FSL, SPM or AFNI.
Sources
Where the Horos facts come from
Checked on against the pages below. Prices, versions and platforms change, so check them before you decide.