Horos Software

Because Horos is macOS-only (compatible with OS X 10.10 Yosemite through macOS Ventura and later), installation requires a Mac.

Step 1: Visit the official website (horosproject.org) or the dedicated community site (horos.app).

Step 2: Download the latest .dmg file. Warning: Ensure you download from a trusted source to avoid malicious modifications.

Step 3: Open the .dmg and drag the Horos application into your Applications folder.

Step 4: Upon first launch, macOS might block the app because it is not notarized by Apple. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and click "Open Anyway."

Step 5: Set up your local database. Horos will prompt you to create a default database location (typically in your home folder).

Step 6: (Optional) Configure DICOM nodes to connect to your hospital or lab PACS.

That’s it. Within 5 minutes, you have a complete medical imaging workstation—for free. horos software

When you open Horos, you are greeted by the main database window.

One of the most popular features is the built-in anonymizer. Researchers can strip all protected health information (PHI) from DICOM headers for teaching or publication, with customizable scripts.

Horos reads and displays all standard DICOM files, including CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound, and digital radiography. It handles multi-frame images, 3D volumes, and even 4D time-series data with ease.

The Horos project has seen slower development since 2020, with the original lead developer stepping back. However, the community continues to maintain the source code. As of 2025, Horos remains stable and functional on the latest macOS versions (Sonoma and Sequoia).

For those who need active development, the Horos Project Foundation relies on donations. Competing open-source options like 3D Slicer (Windows/Linux/Mac) and ITK-SNAP offer more frequent updates but lack Horos’s polished Mac-native interface.

Yes, if:

No, if:

Horos software democratizes medical imaging. It puts a $50,000 imaging workstation into the hands of anyone with a MacBook. Whether you are a vet saving a Golden Retriever’s life, a researcher quantifying tumor size for a cure, or a patient trying to understand your own anatomy, Horos is an indispensable, world-class tool that costs absolutely nothing.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Consult a qualified physician for medical diagnosis. Always confirm that software use complies with local medical device regulations.

Horos is a free, open-source medical imaging software for macOS that allows users to view, analyze, and manipulate DICOM images from modalities like MRI, CT, and ultrasound. It is widely used in the medical community, particularly for surgical planning and research, because it offers 64-bit performance without the limitations found in free versions of similar software. Key Capabilities Planning and Sizing with OsiriX/Horos - IntechOpen

Horos is a free, open-source medical imaging software specifically designed for macOS, serving as a powerful workstation for radiologists and medical researchers to view and manipulate DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files. Key Features and Capabilities

Horos provides a comprehensive set of tools for medical data visualization:

Multi-Dimensional Viewing: Offers high-resolution 2D viewing along with advanced 3D volumetric rendering and 3D reconstruction.

ROI (Region of Interest) Tools: Includes precise tools like the "Closed Polygon Tool" and "ROI compute" for segmenting tumors or calculating the volume of hematomas. Because Horos is macOS-only (compatible with OS X 10

Data Management: Supports importing and exporting DICOM files, query and auto-retrieve functions, and DICOM auto-routing.

Image Redaction: Allows users to redact sensitive patient information by setting pixel values to zero within a selected area, which is essential for research submissions. Common Applications

Horos is widely used in both clinical and research settings: Horos Project: Home Page

Here’s a concise guide to getting started with Horos, a free, open-source medical image viewer for macOS (based on OsiriX).