Ever received a WebP image and thought, “Great… what do I do with this?” You’re not alone! Designers and product managers come across WebP more and more. It’s a smart, compressed image format made by Google. It keeps your images lightweight and your projects speedy. But not every app wants to play along.
Luckily, there are plenty of WebP viewers out there. We’ve rounded up the best ones for you. Whether you’re a designer checking assets or a PM reviewing a feature, this guide will make your life easier (and your projects prettier).
🎨 Why WebP, Anyway?
WebP helps websites load faster. It shrinks file sizes without killing quality. And in today’s world, that matters a lot.
- Smaller files = faster load times
- Faster load = better user experience
- Better UX = happy users (and happy bosses)
But despite its superpowers, not every device or app opens WebP images easily. That’s why we need solid viewers.
🧰 Top WebP Viewers for Quick Image Checks
Here’s a quick list of tools that make opening WebP files smooth and painless:
1. IrfanView
Platform: Windows
IrfanView is small but mighty. Think of it as your Swiss Army knife for visuals. It loads WebP instantly, and you can even batch convert files with plugins.
- Free to use
- Super fast
- Convert WebP to JPG, PNG, and more
2. XnView MP
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
This tool is for the organized creative. It handles tons of file types and has a slick interface. WebP files? Not a problem.
- Folder previews
- Batch processing
- Tagging & rating system for assets
3. SageThumbs
Platform: Windows (Windows Explorer integration)
Prefer seeing previews directly in folders? SageThumbs makes that happen. It adds shell extension support. Right-click > preview > done!
- No extra app windows
- Easy preview in folders
- Access WebP thumbnail previews without effort
4. WebP Viewer Online
Platform: Browser-based (any OS)
No download? No problem. Just drag and drop a WebP file onto these sites:
- Photopea – A Photoshop alternative (and yes, it supports WebP)
- EZGIF – Also lets you convert and edit WebP on the fly
- WebPViewer.org – Simple and fast
Perfect for quick feedback sessions or when someone sends you a WebP over Slack at 9 PM. 😅
5. macOS Preview (with a twist)
Platform: macOS
Mac’s native Preview app doesn’t fully support WebP out of the box. But with a quick workaround (installing a plugin like WebPQuickLook), Preview and QuickLook will open WebP like a charm.
- Keep using native tools
- Minimal setup
- Works with Finder previews
6. ImageGlass
Platform: Windows
ImageGlass is a modern, minimal image viewer. It’s open-source with wide file support — including WebP. No extra frills, just fast viewing.
- Simple UI
- Drag-and-drop friendly
- Lightweight and powerful
7. GIMP
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
For those who don’t own Photoshop, GIMP is a great replacement. Not just for viewing — you can edit WebP images here too.
- Free and open-source
- Edit layers, text, and more
- Supports exporting to any format
💡 Pro Tips for Teams Handling WebP Often
If your team works with lots of illustrations, product mockups, or marketing assets, here are a few handy tricks:
- Use cloud tools. Google Drive preview supports WebP. So does Dropbox.
- Convert for compatibility. Use online tools like CloudConvert to switch formats fast.
- Standardize your flow. If everyone uses the same converter or viewer, less confusion = fewer meetings.
🙋 Common Questions Answered
“Can Photoshop open WebP files?”
Yes! As long as you’re updated to Photoshop 23.2 or higher. Earlier versions need a plugin.
“Why are images from developers always in WebP now?”
Because it saves bandwidth and speeds up the web. Less size, more performance.
“Is WebP better than JPG or PNG?”
Depends on your use. JPG’s great for photos. PNG’s great for transparency. WebP can do both – and is usually smaller.
🏁 The Final Takeaway
You don’t need to wrestle with strange formats anymore. Whether you’re a visual designer, UI/UX pro, copywriter, or PM — WebP viewers exist to make your job easier.
Pick the right one for your platform, and keep your visual pipeline flowing.
Let’s face it — nobody has time to waste unzipping 27 JPGs because someone didn’t know how to open a WebP.
🛠️ Quick Recap – Our Favorite WebP Viewers
- IrfanView – Fast & powerful for Windows
- XnView MP – Great for creatives needing asset control
- SageThumbs – Instant folder previews for Windows
- Online Viewers – Quick, no-software-needed solution
- macOS Preview (with plugin) – Clean native experience
- ImageGlass – Lightweight & modern
- GIMP – Full image-editing freedom
With these tools at your side, WebP won’t scare you ever again.
Happy viewing! 📷
