Head-to-head
OsiriX HD for iPad vs Ossidex: which iOS DICOM viewer in 2026?
OsiriX HD is the iOS app of the OsiriX family: free, strong on DICOM networking, but last updated in August 2023 and downsampling images to 1536×1536. Ossidex is an actively updated iPhone and iPad viewer that adds 3D, a dental panoramic arch, archives and cloud links. Looking to replace OsiriX MD on the Mac instead? See OsiriX alternatives.
Side by side
| OsiriX HD | Ossidex | |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Pixmeo (OsiriX) | Ossidex |
| Price | Free | Free download; Pro subscription (monthly or yearly) for MPR, 3D, arch |
| Last update (US App Store) | Version 5.5.6, August 2023 | Version 1.11, September 2026 |
| US rating | 2.8 (49 ratings) | Too few ratings to report |
| Image resolution | Downsampled to 1536×1536 | Full resolution |
| MPR | Yes | Yes (Pro): linked MPR, oblique, slab; 3D volume rendering |
| 3D volume rendering | Not listed | Yes (Pro) |
| DICOM networking | C-STORE SCP, C-FIND/MOVE/GET, WADO, DICOMweb | DICOMweb (QIDO-RS / WADO-RS); 3 free downloads, unlimited in Pro |
| Dental panoramic arch | Not listed | Panoramic arch with cross-sections, tooth numbering (Pro) |
| Archives / cloud links | Not listed | ZIP, RAR, 7z, ISO; Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive, WeTransfer, Yandex Disk, Mail.ru Cloud, direct URLs |
Checked: September 2026, on the vendor sites and the US App Store (sources below). Prices are as listed on the vendor site, September 2026, and may change.
Where OsiriX HD is better
- It is completely free.
- It can act as a DICOM node (C-STORE receiver, C-MOVE), useful if you push studies from a PACS or modality to the iPad.
- It comes from the OsiriX ecosystem, if you already use OsiriX MD on a Mac.
Getting studies onto the iPad
OsiriX HD is strongest when a PACS or modality pushes studies to it over DICOM networking. Ossidex does not receive pushes; instead it pulls from DICOMweb and imports whatever you have on hand:
| What you have | How it gets into Ossidex |
|---|---|
| Disc folder with DICOMDIR | Import the whole folder; the Windows viewer (.exe) next to it is skipped. If you pick the .exe by mistake, Ossidex suggests importing the folder instead. |
| ZIP / RAR / 7z / ISO | Imported as is, archives inside archives unpacked; password asked only for encrypted archives. |
| Cloud share link | Google Drive files and folders, Dropbox, OneDrive and SharePoint, iCloud Drive shared files, WeTransfer, Yandex Disk, Mail.ru Cloud, direct URLs. Interrupted downloads resume. |
| Loose .dcm files | Grouped into studies and series; files without UIDs or without the DICOM preamble are recovered where the data allows. |
| PACS | DICOMweb search (QIDO-RS) and download (WADO-RS). |
Image quality and large studies
OsiriX HD’s listing says images are downsampled to 1536×1536. Ossidex keeps full resolution and rebuilds each series into a calibrated volume for MPR and 3D, cached on the device so a large CBCT reopens quickly. On iPads with more memory, full-head CBCT and multi-series MRI studies are comfortable.
Dental CBCT
OsiriX HD lists MPR but no dental-specific tools. Ossidex adds a panoramic arch traced on an axial slice, a live panorama, numbered cross-sections with slice rulers, tooth numbering and a PDF report. Panoramic arch.
Who should pick which
- You push studies from a PACS or modality to the iPad: OsiriX HD’s C-STORE receiver fits that workflow.
- You receive discs, archives and links: Ossidex imports them directly.
- You read dental CBCT: Ossidex.
- You want a free viewer from the OsiriX ecosystem: OsiriX HD.
Where Ossidex is different
- Active development in 2026, with support for new devices and iPadOS versions.
- Full-resolution images, 3D volume rendering and a dental arch with cross-sections.
- Imports disc folders, archives and share links directly.
- 46 interface languages.
Frequently asked questions
Is OsiriX HD still updated?
In the US App Store it shows version 5.5.6, last updated in August 2023 (checked September 2026).
Can Ossidex receive studies pushed from a PACS?
No. Ossidex pulls studies via DICOMweb (QIDO-RS/WADO-RS) or imports files and links; it is not a C-STORE receiver.
Is OsiriX HD the same as OsiriX MD?
No. OsiriX MD is the paid macOS workstation; OsiriX HD is the separate free iOS app with its own, smaller feature set.
Does OsiriX HD run on the latest iPadOS?
It is still listed in the App Store, but it has not been updated since August 2023, so support for new iPad models and iPadOS versions is not guaranteed.
Does Ossidex downsample images?
No. Studies are shown at full resolution.
Can I open the same disc in both?
Copy the disc folder to Files and import it in Ossidex. Check OsiriX HD’s documentation for its file import options.
Sources
Related pages
Best DICOM viewers 2026
14 desktop, web and mobile DICOM viewers compared: platforms, price, open source, offline use, PACS and iPad.
OsiriX alternatives: Mac viewers and an iPad option
Alternatives to OsiriX MD and OsiriX Lite on the Mac — Horos, Weasis, 3D Slicer — and on iPad and iPhone without a Mac. Prices and features, checked 2026.
Horos alternative for iPhone and iPad
Horos is a free macOS DICOM viewer; its iPad counterpart Horos Mobile (Falcon Mx) comes from partner iCat Solutions. How both compare with Ossidex, 2026.
Mobile PACS viewer: connect iPhone and iPad via DICOMweb
Connect Ossidex to your PACS over DICOMweb: search studies with QIDO-RS, download with WADO-RS, Basic or OAuth sign-in stored in the Keychain.
Best DICOM viewer apps for iPad and iPhone
Ten iOS DICOM apps compared: imports, offline use, MPR/3D, dental tools, last update and ratings.