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What Program Converts HEIC to JPG?

Updated: March 2026

If you have HEIC files from your iPhone that you need to convert to JPG, you are probably wondering which program is the best for the job. The answer depends on your operating system, how many files you need to convert, and whether you want a simple one-click solution or advanced control over the output. In this guide, we review eight programs and tools that handle HEIC to JPG conversion, from free browser-based converters to professional editing software and command-line utilities. We have tested each one for ease of use, output quality, batch capabilities, and overall value so you can make an informed choice.

1. Free Online HEIC to JPG Converter (Top Pick)

Our free online converter is the fastest way to turn HEIC files into JPG. It runs entirely in your web browser, which means your photos are never uploaded to any server and your privacy is completely protected. You simply drag and drop your files, the conversion happens instantly, and you download the results. There is no account to create, no software to install, and no limit on the number of files you can convert. It works on every operating system including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even mobile devices like iPhones and Android phones.

Pros:

  • No installation required - works in any browser
  • Complete privacy - files never leave your device
  • Batch conversion supported
  • 100% free with no watermarks or file limits

Cons:

  • Requires an internet connection to load the page (processing is local)
  • No advanced editing features beyond conversion

Price: Free

2. Windows HEIF Image Extensions

Microsoft provides a free HEIF Image Extensions package in the Microsoft Store that adds native HEIC support to Windows 10 and 11. Once installed, you can view HEIC files directly in File Explorer thumbnails, the Photos app, and other Windows applications. To convert a HEIC file to JPG, open it in the Windows Photos app, click the three-dot menu, select "Save as," and choose JPEG as the output format. This is the most seamless approach for Windows users who want system-wide HEIC support without any third-party software. However, it only converts one file at a time, which makes it impractical for batch processing large photo libraries.

Pros:

  • Official Microsoft solution - free from the Store
  • Adds system-wide HEIC viewing support
  • Integrates with Windows Photos for easy conversion

Cons:

  • No batch conversion capability
  • Windows only
  • HEVC video extension may cost $0.99 separately

Price: Free

3. macOS Preview

Every Mac comes with Preview, which fully supports HEIC files and can export them to JPG with adjustable quality settings. Open your HEIC file in Preview, go to File, select Export, choose JPEG from the format menu, adjust the quality slider, and click Save. For batch conversion, select multiple HEIC files in Finder, open them all in Preview, then use "Export Selected Images" to convert the entire batch at once. Preview preserves EXIF metadata during conversion, including camera settings, GPS location, and date information, which is important if you organize photos by metadata.

Pros:

  • Pre-installed on every Mac - nothing to download
  • Supports batch conversion
  • Adjustable quality settings
  • Preserves EXIF metadata

Cons:

  • macOS only
  • No advanced editing or automation features

Price: Free (included with macOS)

4. iMazing HEIC Converter

iMazing HEIC Converter is a dedicated free application for Windows and macOS that does one thing extremely well: convert HEIC files to JPG or PNG. Its interface is a simple drag-and-drop window where you can drop individual files or entire folders. You choose the output format (JPEG or PNG), set the quality level, and click Convert. The app processes files quickly and maintains excellent quality. It is developed by DigiDNA, the same company behind the popular iMazing iOS device management tool. The converter is entirely free with no limitations, no ads, and no upsells. It is one of the most polished dedicated HEIC conversion tools available and is an excellent choice for users who need a lightweight desktop application.

Pros:

  • Clean, simple drag-and-drop interface
  • Supports batch and folder conversion
  • Available on both Windows and macOS
  • Completely free with no restrictions

Cons:

  • Requires download and installation
  • Only converts HEIC - no other format support

Price: Free

5. CopyTrans HEIC for Windows

CopyTrans HEIC is a Windows utility that adds native HEIC support to Windows and integrates a conversion option directly into the right-click context menu in File Explorer. After installation, you can right-click any HEIC file and choose "Convert to JPEG" without opening a separate application. The tool also enables HEIC file previews in Windows Explorer thumbnails and allows the Windows Photo Viewer to display HEIC images. For users who regularly receive HEIC files and want the most frictionless conversion experience on Windows, this is one of the best options. It handles batch conversion by selecting multiple files and right-clicking. The free version supports personal use while a paid license is available for business use.

Pros:

  • Right-click context menu integration
  • Adds HEIC thumbnails to File Explorer
  • Batch conversion via multi-select

Cons:

  • Windows only
  • Business use requires paid license

Price: Free for personal use

6. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop has supported HEIC files natively since version 22.0 and later on both Windows and macOS. You can open HEIC files directly, edit them with the full suite of Photoshop tools, and export to JPG through File then Export then Save for Web or the standard "Save As" dialog. Photoshop gives you the most control over the output quality, including precise quality percentages, color profile management, and resolution settings. For batch conversion, you can use Photoshop's Actions feature to record a conversion workflow and then apply it to an entire folder of HEIC files using File then Automate then Batch. This is the professional-grade option for photographers and designers who already have Photoshop in their toolkit.

Pros:

  • Full editing capabilities alongside conversion
  • Precise quality and color profile control
  • Batch processing with Actions

Cons:

  • Expensive subscription required ($22.99/month)
  • Overkill if you only need format conversion
  • Steep learning curve for new users

Price: $22.99/month (Creative Cloud Photography plan)

7. GIMP (Free Open-Source Editor)

GIMP is the leading free and open-source image editor, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Starting with version 2.10.2, GIMP supports opening HEIC files natively on systems with the libheif library installed. On macOS and most modern Linux distributions, this works out of the box. On Windows, you may need to install the libheif plugin separately. Once your HEIC file is open in GIMP, export it to JPG through File then "Export As," change the file extension to .jpg, and configure the quality settings in the export dialog. GIMP is a full-featured image editor comparable to Photoshop, so you can edit, resize, crop, and adjust your photos before converting them. While GIMP does not have built-in batch processing like Photoshop Actions, you can use the Script-Fu console or GIMP's Python-Fu plugin to automate batch conversions.

Pros:

  • Completely free and open source
  • Full image editing capabilities
  • Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Cons:

  • May require libheif plugin on Windows
  • No simple batch conversion UI
  • Heavier application just for format conversion

Price: Free

8. ImageMagick (Command-Line)

ImageMagick is the industry-standard open-source command-line tool for image processing. It supports over 200 image formats including HEIC when compiled with libheif support. Converting a single HEIC file to JPG is as simple as running "magick input.heic output.jpg" in your terminal. For batch conversion of an entire folder, you can use a one-line shell command to process hundreds or thousands of files in seconds. ImageMagick also supports quality settings, resizing, color space conversion, and metadata preservation. It is available on Windows, macOS (via Homebrew), and all Linux distributions. This tool is ideal for developers, system administrators, and power users who want to integrate HEIC conversion into automated scripts and workflows.

Pros:

  • Extremely powerful and scriptable
  • Handles batch conversion of thousands of files
  • Cross-platform and free
  • Can be integrated into automated workflows

Cons:

  • Command-line only - no graphical interface
  • Requires technical knowledge to use
  • May need to compile with libheif for HEIC support

Price: Free (open source)

All Programs Compared

ProgramPlatformBatchEasePrice
Online ConverterAllYesEasiestFree
Windows HEIFWindowsNoEasyFree
macOS PreviewmacOSYesEasyFree
iMazing HEICWin/MacYesEasyFree
CopyTrans HEICWindowsYesEasyFree*
PhotoshopWin/MacYesAdvanced$22.99/mo
GIMPAllScriptModerateFree
ImageMagickAllYesTechnicalFree

* CopyTrans HEIC is free for personal use; business use requires a paid license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best free program to convert HEIC to JPG?

A: For most people, our free online converter is the best option because it works on any device, needs no installation, and protects your privacy by processing files locally. If you prefer a desktop app, iMazing HEIC Converter is the best free dedicated converter for Windows and Mac.

Q: Do I need to pay for software to convert HEIC files?

A: No. There are excellent free options available on every platform. Our online converter, macOS Preview, iMazing HEIC Converter, and ImageMagick are all completely free. You only need to pay if you want professional editing features from tools like Adobe Photoshop.

Q: Which program is best for converting hundreds of HEIC files at once?

A: For large batches, ImageMagick is the fastest because it runs from the command line and can process thousands of files in a single command. For a graphical option, iMazing HEIC Converter handles folder-based batch conversion efficiently. Our online converter also supports multiple files at once.

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Free HEIC to JPG Converter

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