OsiriX Lite is the free demo edition of OsiriX MD, the long-running DICOM viewer for macOS from Pixmeo in Geneva, and it is aimed at clinicians, students and researchers who need to open CT, CBCT and MRI studies on a Mac. If you are looking for an OsiriX Lite download or a capable DICOM viewer for Mac, this page explains what the Lite edition really includes, where its limits are and how it compares with other viewers.
Be clear about its status before you install it. Pixmeo describes OsiriX Lite as the complete demo version of OsiriX MD and states that this version is not certified as a medical device for primary diagnosis: it may be used only as reviewing and scientific software. OsiriX MD, the paid edition, is the one that is FDA-cleared and CE-marked. We therefore list OsiriX Lite as shareware (conditionally free).
OsiriX Lite at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 14.2.x series (2026). Pixmeo does not print the Lite build number on its website; check OsiriX > About OsiriX after installing. |
| Licence | Shareware (conditionally free): free demo of the commercial OsiriX MD; not for primary diagnosis; no commercial use without the author’s approval |
| Platforms | macOS only (macOS 12 to macOS 27), Intel and Apple Silicon |
| Developer | Pixmeo SARL, Geneva, Switzerland (OsiriX was created by Antoine Rosset and Osman Ratib) |
| Official website | osirix-viewer.com |
| Best for | Mac users who want to review CBCT and CT datasets, learn 3D reconstruction or evaluate OsiriX MD before buying |
What it does
- Imports DICOM studies from CDs, USB sticks and folders into a local database sorted by patient and study.
- 2D viewing with window/level presets, zoom, pan, measurements and annotations.
- 3D multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and curved MPR, available in the Lite edition in demo form.
- 3D volume and surface rendering, also in demo form.
- DICOM network services (query/retrieve and send) limited to two DICOM nodes, plus a built-in web server with the same two-node cap.
- PET-CT fusion display, CD creation and JPEG 2000 DICOM support, all marked “Demo” in Pixmeo’s MD/Lite comparison table.
- Native builds for Apple Silicon (M1 to M4) as well as Intel Macs.
Every image displayed by the Lite edition carries a “NOT FOR MEDICAL USAGE” stamp, and Pixmeo’s FAQ says the Lite edition can open only about 800 images per series (at a 512 x 512 matrix). Large, thin-slice CBCT volumes can exceed that.
How dental teams use it
Review a CBCT scan from a referral
- Copy the DICOM folder from the patient’s CD or USB stick to the Mac, or drag the folder onto the OsiriX database window to import it.
- Double-click the series to open it in the 2D viewer and switch to a bone window preset.
- Open the 3D MPR viewer to scroll through axial, coronal and sagittal planes around the area of interest.
- Use the length tool for reference measurements when discussing the case with the clinician who sent the scan.
Build a panoramic-style view with curved MPR
- Open the CBCT series in 3D Curved MPR.
- Click points along the dental arch on an axial slice to define the curve.
- Review the reconstructed panoramic image and cross-sections for teaching or case presentation. Keep in mind the Lite stamp: this is not a diagnostic report.
Teaching and case preparation
Dental schools and study groups can use OsiriX Lite to show students how a CBCT volume is structured and how to navigate it in three planes, and to export screenshots and 3D renderings for slides. For implant planning, a free third-party plugin called Dental3DPlugin (AMDentalSoft) exists, but its developer lists compatibility with OsiriX MD and Horos rather than the Lite edition, and it is also not certified for primary diagnosis.
Install and first run
- Requirements: a Mac with macOS 12 or later (Pixmeo lists support up to macOS 27), Intel or Apple Silicon. Pixmeo’s OsiriX MD page gives 6 GB of RAM as the minimum; its FAQ recommends 8 GB.
- Install: open the downloaded disk image and drag OsiriX Lite into the Applications folder. On first launch, macOS may ask you to confirm that you want to open an app downloaded from the internet.
- Import data: use the Import command or drag a DICOM folder or CD onto the database window. OsiriX copies the files into its own database folder, so check free disk space before importing many CBCT scans.
- Gotcha: if a large CBCT series opens only partially, you have hit the Lite series limit. Use a thicker-slice export from the scanner software or a different viewer.
Limitations
- Not certified for primary diagnosis; every image shows a “NOT FOR MEDICAL USAGE” stamp.
- Series size limit (about 800 images at 512 x 512, per Pixmeo’s FAQ).
- 3D tools, PET-CT, CD burning and DICOM networking are demo-level; DICOM nodes are capped at two.
- Pixmeo quotes the MD edition as up to 80% faster than Lite.
- No Windows or Linux version; OsiriX runs only on macOS.
- No dental-specific tools are built in.
OsiriX Lite vs alternatives
Horos is a free, open-source (LGPL-3.0) DICOM viewer for macOS without the Lite series limit or image stamp, although it is not a certified medical device either. On Windows, MicroDicom is the usual free choice for opening patient CDs, and the JiveX DICOM Viewer is a Windows option from a PACS vendor. For free 3D segmentation and STL export, look at 3DimViewer (no longer updated) or MITK.
FAQ
Is OsiriX Lite free?
Downloading and using OsiriX Lite costs nothing, but it is the demo of the commercial OsiriX MD, so we class it as shareware (conditionally free). It may be used only for reviewing and scientific work, not for primary diagnosis.
Is there OsiriX Lite for Windows or PC?
No. Pixmeo’s FAQ states that OsiriX runs only on a Mac with macOS. On Windows, consider MicroDicom or the JiveX DICOM Viewer.
Is there OsiriX Lite for iPad?
No. OsiriX Lite is a macOS application. Pixmeo offers a separate iOS app, OsiriX HD, for iPhone and iPad.
What are the OsiriX system requirements for a MacBook Pro?
Any Mac running macOS 12 to macOS 27 with an Intel or Apple Silicon (M1 to M4) processor. Pixmeo gives 6 GB of RAM as the minimum and recommends 8 GB; more memory helps with large CBCT volumes.
OsiriX Lite vs OsiriX MD: what is the difference?
OsiriX MD is the paid, FDA-cleared and CE-labelled edition with no Lite series limit and full-speed 3D tools. OsiriX Lite is the demo: it stamps images “NOT FOR MEDICAL USAGE”, limits series size and caps DICOM nodes at two.
Horos vs OsiriX Lite: which should I use?
Horos is free and open source without the Lite series limit, which makes it practical for large CBCT scans. OsiriX Lite follows the current OsiriX MD code base and is the way to evaluate MD before buying.
Can I plan dental implants in OsiriX Lite?
Not in a clinical sense. The Lite edition is not for primary diagnosis, and the third-party Dental3DPlugin is listed by its developer for OsiriX MD and Horos.
Last checked against official sources: 28 September 2026 (developer website: osirix-viewer.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
