G-Scope Desktop · v2.6.0
Finally, good software for your USB microscope
Connect almost any UVC microscope or microscope camera and get a real workflow: live view, capture, calibration, measurements, annotations and reports, in one free application for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Free software · No accounts · No cloud
- Free to download and use
- Everything stays on your computer
- Works with almost any UVC microscope
- Windows · macOS · Linux
Click any image or video to open it full screen.
Download G-Scope Desktop
Free, current downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux. No accounts, no registration, no trial limits.
Windows 10 / 11
64-bit installer
macOS 12+
Universal (Apple Silicon & Intel)
Linux
AppImage & .deb (x64)
The latest release downloads straight from our servers. No account, no registration, no email needed.
Looking for an older version?
G-Scope 2.2.2 is the previous Windows release, kept as an archived compatibility download for hardware or workflows that no longer work with 2.6.x. It is Windows-only and not the same application as the current version. It lacks the newer features, fixes and device support.
Download G-Scope 2.2.2 (Windows)Everything your microscope should have come with
One application replaces the fragmented utilities bundled with most USB microscopes.
Live view & capture
Connect, choose a folder, press F4. Photos with best-moment sharpness, MP4 video and time-lapse.
Explore all featuresCalibration
Calibrate any camera against a known distance and get real-unit measurements.
Explore all featuresFlat-field correction
Correct uneven illumination with robust bright/dark references you can inspect later.
Explore all featuresMeasurements
Distances, angles, areas and object counts: the everyday ruler set is free.
Explore all featuresAnnotations
Editable text and arrows on any image, with undo/redo.
Explore all featuresPDF & PowerPoint reports
Turn a whole session folder into a professional PDF or an editable PowerPoint deck.
Explore all featuresPhoto viewer & gallery
Zoom, pan, compare and organize your captures: your folder is the session.
Explore all featuresSmart G-Scope integration
Automatic calibration, click-to-focus and calibrated EDOF capture on Smart G-Scope.
Explore all featuresLocal & private
No accounts, no cloud, no telemetry. Images, videos and reports stay on your computer.
Explore all featuresSee G-Scope Desktop
Live view, capture, calibration and measurement in one window.
Click any image or video to open it full screen.
Why G-Scope Desktop
Much better than the software that came with your microscope
Most USB microscopes ship with a CD-era utility, a download link to a viewer, or nothing at all. G-Scope Desktop is a current, maintained application built around the workflow you actually need.
| Software included with most USB microscopes | G-Scope Desktop |
|---|---|
| ✕Bundled apps are old, unsigned, or only for Windows | Current, free releases for Windows, macOS and Linux |
| ✕View-only tools with no measurement | Calibrated measurements and annotations built in |
| ✕Photos saved into a private folder you cannot find | Normal files in your chosen session folder |
| ✕No capture metadata, no reproducible records | Versioned metadata on every capture, export and report |
| ✕Fragmented: one app to view, another to measure | Capture, calibration, measurement, annotation and reports in one window |
| ✕Ads, accounts or cloud uploads in some free tools | No accounts, no cloud, no telemetry: local-only processing |
Made for our own microscope first
Outstanding support for Smart G-Scope
G-Scope Desktop is developed alongside the Smart G-Scope microscope we sell, so it is not generic software bolted onto hardware. A connected Smart G-Scope unlocks automatic calibration, click-to-focus and calibrated EDOF capture. The Pro features run free while the device is connected.
See the Smart G-Scope integrationAutomatic calibration
Physical scale and magnification derived from the device
Click to focus
Sharpness where you click, usually in seconds
EDOF capture
Calibrated focus stacking with OME-TIFF archive
Hardware button
Capture directly from the device
Pricing
Free core. Optional Pro when you need more.
The everyday workflow (connect, view, capture, calibrate, measure and export annotated PNG) is completely free. A one-time Pro license adds the advanced measurement tools, OME-TIFF capture, compare view, vector SVG/CSV export and PDF/PowerPoint folder reports. Smart G-Scope owners get Pro included while the device is connected.
Already have a key? Activate it in the app
See what Pro includes and how to buy →- Free: capture, video, time-lapse, calibration, ruler measurements, annotations, PNG export
- Pro: advanced measurements, object counting, OME-TIFF, compare view, SVG/CSV, PDF & PowerPoint reports, batch export
- Pro included free with a connected Smart G-Scope
System requirements
Lightweight, modern desktop requirements
- Operating system
- Windows 10/11 (64-bit), macOS 12+, or Linux (x64)
- Processor
- Dual-core x64, 2 GHz or better
- RAM
- 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended
- Disk space
- About 300 MB installed
- Port
- USB 2.0 / 3.0 / USB-C for the microscope
- Camera
- Any UVC (USB Video Class) camera or microscope
Getting started in four steps
- 1Download the installer for your operating system
- 2Install and open G-Scope Desktop
- 3Connect your USB microscope: it appears in the camera list automatically
- 4Choose a session folder and press F4 to capture
Private by design
Images, videos, calibrations, settings, logs and exported reports stay on your computer. There are no accounts, no cloud storage, no analytics and no crash telemetry. The only network request is a short check for the current release number at startup. Nothing is sent.
Read the privacy policy →Frequently asked questions
Is G-Scope Desktop really free?
Yes. Downloading, installing and the core workflow (connect, view, capture, calibrate, measure with the ruler tools, annotate and export annotated PNG) are free with no time limits. An optional one-time Pro license adds advanced measurement, reporting and batch-export tools.
Will it work with my microscope?
If your microscope appears as a camera in your operating system, it almost certainly works: the app connects through the standard UVC camera interfaces on Windows, macOS and Linux. Check the compatibility list for tested brands and models, including Smart G-Scope, Dino-Lite and the common Amazon brands.
Do I need an account or internet connection?
No. The app works fully offline. There are no accounts and nothing is uploaded. The only network request is an optional startup check for the latest version.
Does it replace the software that came with my microscope?
In almost all cases, yes, and with a much better workflow. The app can also run alongside other software if you need the vendor tools for a specific device feature.
Is there a Linux version?
Yes. Windows, macOS and Linux builds provide the complete capture workflow, including MP4 recording.
Can I measure things with it?
Yes. After a one-time calibration against a known distance, you get real-unit measurements: distances, angles, circle diameters and radii for free, plus areas, counts and multi-point tools with Pro.
Finally, good software for your USB microscope
Connect almost any UVC microscope or microscope camera and get a real workflow: live view, capture, calibration, measurements, annotations and reports, in one free application for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Download free