Updated for Version 11 — March 2026
gPhotoShow Free vs Pro:
Which Edition Fits Your Needs?
Both editions transform your photo collection into a beautiful screen saver for Windows. The Free edition covers everyday essentials. Pro 11 unlocks DirectX 11 hardware-accelerated transitions, creative display modes, video support, and professional distribution tools.
gPhotoShow Free
Free
- Unlimited photos (JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP)
- 2D software transition effects
- Background music (MP3, WAV, WMA, MIDI, AAC)
- Multi-monitor support
- File info overlay on images
- Automatic wallpaper changer
- Configurable hotkeys
- Windows 8 / 10 / 11
v11 New
gPhotoShow Pro 11
€14.95 one-time payment
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 70+ DirectX 11 HW-accelerated transitions
- Ken Burns Pan & Zoom animation
- Cinematic & Atmospheric Dust effects
- Scrapbook, PhotoWall & PhotoTunnel modes
- Video playback (VLC / MPC-HC integration)
- 360° spherical panorama viewer
- HEIC/HEIF, RAW, TIFF, Animated GIF
- EXIF/IPTC/XMP metadata overlays
- Create standalone .EXE/.SCR slideshows
- Plugin system (Flickr, MQTT, RSS…)
- 30-day free trial — all features unlocked
📋 Complete Feature Comparison
| Feature | Free | Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Price | Free forever | €14.95 one-time |
| Windows 11 / 10 / 8 (32-bit and 64-bit) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native 64-bit version | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited number of photos | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use as Screen Saver | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use as Slideshow Maker Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| DPI-aware / HiDPI display support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial period | Not needed | 30 days, full features |
| Supported File Formats | ||
| Image formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP | ✓ | ✓ |
| Animated GIF support | ✗ | ✓ |
| TIFF format | ✗ | ✓ |
| HEIC / HEIF (via Windows codecs | ✗ | ✓ |
| Digital camera RAW files (via WIC codecs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| WebP images (via Windows codec) | ✗ | ✓ |
| JPEG XL images (via Windows codec) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Video: AVI, MOV, MPG, MP4, WMV, MKV Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Google Motion Photo detection & playback | ✗ | ✓ |
| Panoramic images: JPG | ✗ | ✓ |
| Transitions & Visual Effects | ||
| 2D transition effects (software rendering / GDI+) | ✓ | ✓ |
| DirectX 11 hardware-accelerated transitions (70+ effects, 2D & 3D) New | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automatic fallback to software rendering if DirectX unavailable | — | ✓ |
| Adjustable transition speed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pan & Zoom animation (Ken Burns effect) with configurable zoom & nodal points Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cinematic effect (dynamic depth-of-field, moving focus lens) Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Atmospheric Dust effect (floating particles & bokeh lights) Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Creative Display Modes | ||
| Scrapbook mode — overlapping photos on a background (2 types) Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scrolling PhotoWall mosaic (2 layout types) Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Static PhotoWall collage (2 types) | ✗ | ✓ |
| PhotoTunnel — mesmerizing 3D tunnel of images Pro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Split Screen — display 2, 4, or more pictures together | ✗ | ✓ |
| 360° spherical panorama viewer | ✗ | ✓ |
| Auto-scroll panoramic images (rectilinear & spherical) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Desktop slideshow mode (runs behind all programs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cover images (intro/outro for slideshows) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Video Playback & Recording Pro Only | ||
| Video playback with Windows Media Player | ✗ | ✓ |
| VLC Player integration (MOV, MKV, FLV and more) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Start video from random point / loop short clips | ✗ | ✓ |
| Record/export slideshow as video (H.264, HEVC) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Photo Information & Captions | ||
| Display file name, path, date over images | ✓ | ✓ |
| EXIF metadata display (camera, exposure, GPS…) | ✗ | ✓ |
| IPTC & XMP metadata display | ✗ | ✓ |
| Advanced Header & Footer overlays with metadata placeholders | ✗ | ✓ |
| DESCRIPT.ION file support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Per-image display time, description, text attributes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Customizable text (font, size, color, position, outline, background) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Show current time on screen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Frames & Image Quality | ||
| Colored frames around images | ✗ | ✓ |
| Auto-pick frame color (dominant / average / inverted / B&W) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom bitmapped frames | ✗ | ✓ |
| High-quality image resize (bicubic with prefiltering) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Image sharpening | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fill background with blurred version of image | ✗ | ✓ |
| ICC color profile support (embedded + AdobeRGB EXIF tag) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sorting, Filtering & Organization | ||
| Random or sequential display order | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sort by name, date, creation date (alphabetical & logical) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remember last displayed image between sessions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weighted randomization (by folder, rating, keyword, date) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Smart filters: keyword, rating, size, date, orientation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Global exclusions: hidden files, file size, date range, name pattern | ✗ | ✓ |
| Per-monitor folder assignment | ✗ | ✓ |
| Chapter navigation for sequential slideshows | ✗ | ✓ |
| Auto-detect new photos without restart | ✗ | ✓ |
| Music & Sound | ||
| Background music during slideshow | ✓ | ✓ |
| MP3, WAV, MIDI, WMA, AAC playback | ✓ | ✓ |
| ID3 tag display (artist, title, custom format) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Play music with external player (Winamp) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Do Not Disturb mode (auto-mute during set time intervals) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi-Monitor Support | ||
| Multi-monitor support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maximum monitors supported | All desktop monitors | Up to 32 monitors |
| Custom display time per monitor | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom window layout (position, size, multi-monitor spanning) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Choose monitors to use (include, exclude, specific monitor) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Separate filters per monitor | ✗ | ✓ |
| Windowed mode (non-fullscreen, draggable) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Controls & Interaction | ||
| Configurable hotkeys | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pause / resume slideshow | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigate to previous / next image | ✓ | ✓ |
| Move / copy / delete current photo with hotkeys | ✗ | ✓ |
| Touch screen gesture support (pan, zoom, tap) | ✗ | ✓ |
| External image editor integration (up to 4 tools) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Slideshow Control Window (floating controls) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fully configurable mouse actions (click, move, wheel) | Basic exit options | ✓ |
| Command-line parameters | ✗ | ✓ |
| Slideshow Distribution & Sharing Pro Only | ||
| Create standalone slideshow (.EXE) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Create standalone screen saver (.SCR) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Create installer (InnoSetup integration) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Autorun CD/DVD creation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Save / load configuration files (.GSS) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Password protection & encrypted configuration | ✗ | ✓ |
| No royalty fees for distributed slideshows | — | ✓ |
| Plugin System Pro Only | ||
| Plugin architecture (install, update, configure) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Flickr integration (photostreams, groups, sets, favorites) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MQTT client (home automation / IoT integration) | ✗ | ✓ |
| RSS Feeds (news ticker overlay, media download) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MonitorOnOff (energy-saving weekly schedule) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Logo / Watermark overlay (PNG with alpha) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Folder Scheduler (time-based folder switching) | ✗ | ✓ |
| NewPhotos (auto-detect tethered camera / new files) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hotkey Slideshow Switcher | ✗ | ✓ |
| Analog Clock overlay | ✗ | ✓ |
| ImgFilters (Gamma, Auto-Levels, Unsharp Mask, B&W, Sepia) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Reverse Geocode (show photo location from GPS EXIF data) | ✗ | ✓ |
| UDP remote control | ✗ | ✓ |
| Other Features | ||
| Automatic wallpaper changer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use as simple image viewer | ✗ | ✓ |
| Set as logon screen saver | ✗ | ✓ |
| Run external programs before / after slideshow | ✗ | ✓ |
| Record slideshow as video (H.264, HEVC) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Import / Export settings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Error logging & diagnostics | ✗ | ✓ |
🎯 Which Version Should You Choose?
Choose gPhotoShow Free if you… Want a simple, lightweight screen saver that displays your photos with transition effects and background music. Perfect for personal use at home — install it, point it to your photos folder, and you're done. No configuration hassle, no cost, no time limit.
Choose gPhotoShow Pro 11 if you… Want the Ken Burns Pan & Zoom effect to bring photos to life, need 70+ hardware-accelerated transitions powered by DirectX 11, want to play videos alongside photos, enjoy creative display modes like Scrapbook or PhotoWall, need to create standalone slideshows for distribution, are building a DIY digital photo frame, want to display EXIF/IPTC metadata, integrate with Flickr or home automation via MQTT, or need advanced multi-monitor control for up to 32 screens. Pro is the right choice for photographers, businesses, digital signage, and anyone who wants professional results.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try gPhotoShow Pro before buying?
Yes. gPhotoShow Pro can be used free for 30 days with every feature enabled. After the trial period some advanced features will be disabled, but you can continue using basic functionality or switch to gPhotoShow Free.
Can I upgrade from Free to Pro later?
Of course. Download and install gPhotoShow Pro — it will replace the Free edition. Your photo folders and basic settings will be preserved. If you decide Pro isn’t for you after the trial, uninstall it and re-install the Free version at any time.
What changed in gPhotoShow Pro 11?
Version 11 is a major update. Hardware-accelerated transitions now use DirectX 11 (replacing the previous OpenGL/DirectX 9 split) with over 70 effects. New features include HEIC/HEIF support, Google Motion Photo playback, Split Screen mode, Chapter navigation, Do Not Disturb audio mode, VLC and MPC-HC video player integration, H.264/HEVC video export, and touch screen gesture support. There is no longer a separate GL and DX variant — a single installer covers all systems.
What does “standalone slideshow” mean?
With gPhotoShow Pro you can bundle your photos and settings into a single .EXE file or .SCR screen saver that runs on any Windows PC without installing gPhotoShow. You can also create an installer with InnoSetup for easy distribution. No royalty fees apply.
Is gPhotoShow suitable for a DIY digital photo frame?
gPhotoShow Pro is ideal for building a DIY digital photo frame with a mini PC and a monitor. It supports automatic display of newly added photos, remote control via MQTT, energy management with the MonitorOnOff plugin, touch screen gestures, and advanced multi-monitor layouts.
Does gPhotoShow support 4K and HiDPI monitors?
Yes. Both editions are DPI-aware and work at any screen resolution. gPhotoShow Pro’s DirectX 11 hardware-accelerated transitions ensure smooth playback even at 4K and multi-monitor setups.
Are updates free?
All updates within the major version you purchased are free (for example from v11.0.0 to v11.1.0). See the upgrade policy for details on major version upgrades. gPhotoShow Free is always free with no restrictions.
Not sure yet? Download the Pro trial — it’s free for 30 days with no limitations.
If it’s more than you need, the Free edition is always here for you.
