BAM and CRAM files need matching index files.
Users must obtain or create indexes and keep them accessible alongside the data, especially when loading files by URL.
Evidence source ↗I
IGV
IGV is open-source software for viewing genomic data. It is available as a desktop application, a browser app, and an embeddable JavaScript component.
6 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against vendor documentation, product documentation. Supported by 4 documented sources.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
The assessment reflects documented file-format support, desktop and browser options, embedding and automation features, and MIT licensing. No reliable third-party review ratings or review text were verified; user_sentiment is set to 0 rather than inferred.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Overview
IGV is a genome visualization tool from the Broad Institute. Researchers use it to inspect genomic data and annotations in a shared coordinate view.
It comes as a desktop application, a browser app, and an embeddable JavaScript component. The forms serve different workflows: desktop users can run batch commands and utilities, while developers can incorporate igv.js into their own applications.
IGV is MIT-licensed. Its browser app reads local files in the browser without uploading them to the host site, while remote datasets can be loaded by URL or from supported cloud sources.
IGV Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
Researchers and genomics teams who need to inspect sequencing alignments, variants, and annotations in local or remotely hosted datasets.
Look elsewhere if
Teams seeking a complete sequence-analysis pipeline or an enterprise-hosted service with documented onboarding and support plans; IGV documents visualization and related utilities, not those service guarantees, and should evaluate alternatives such as JBrowse 2 or UCSC Genome Browser instead.
Platforms
API, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
TechZella assessment
7.0/10
IGV — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- Offers desktop, browser, and embeddable JavaScript forms under an MIT license.
- The desktop app includes command-line utilities and batch scripts for preparing data and automating repeatable genome views.
- The browser app documents that local files are processed in the browser and not uploaded to the host site.
IGV Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and MIT-licensed.
- Available as desktop, web, and embeddable JavaScript options.
- Includes desktop command-line utilities and repeatable batch scripts.
- Supports common genomic formats including BAM, CRAM, VCF, BED, and bigWig.
Cons
- IGV-Web has a narrower feature and format set than desktop.
- BAM and CRAM require index files.
- The hosted web application no longer supports loading files from Google Drive.
- Self-hosting and external cloud infrastructure costs are not specified.
IGV Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
IGV-Web cannot load files from Google Drive through the hosted app.
Teams using Drive-backed datasets may need another supported source, such as Google Cloud Storage or a direct URL.
Evidence source ↗IGV Pricing & Plans
MIT-licensed software
$0
not applicable
IGV is available under the MIT open-source license; no paid plans or trial terms are documented.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
IGV Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
At a glance
Open Source Software| Decision factor | IGV | JBrowse 2 | UCSC Genome Browser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core scope | Genome visualization across desktop, browser, and embeddable igv.js forms. | Open-source genome browser for web, desktop, and embedded use, with pluggable extensions. Source ↗ | Web-based genome assembly browser with hosted annotation tracks, custom tracks, and track hubs. Source ↗ |
| Deployment and embedding | Desktop application, hosted or self-hosted browser app, and JavaScript component. | Web and desktop apps, plus embedded components and extensions for other applications. Source ↗ | Hosted web browser; local installation of certain graphical-browser software is subject to licensing terms. Source ↗ |
| License and pricing | MIT-licensed software; no paid plan is documented. | Apache 2.0-licensed software; no paid plan is documented. Source ↗ | Non-commercial use of the graphical interface, including local installation, is free; some commercial local installations require a license. Source ↗ |
Only factors supported by the available research are shown. The comparison is descriptive, not a ranking.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with IGV.
JBrowse 2Open-source genome browser for web, desktop, and embedded use, with pluggable extensions.
UCSC Genome BrowserWeb-based genome assembly browser with hosted annotation tracks, custom tracks, and track hubs.
IGV Features
Genomic visualization
- Displays sequencing alignments, variants, annotations, and quantitative genomic tracks.
- Loads supported local files and data from URLs or cloud sources.
Desktop utilities
- igvtools can sort, index, count, and convert supported genomic data.
- Batch scripts can navigate to loci, load tracks, save sessions, and create snapshots.
Web and developer use
- IGV-Web runs in a browser and supports local-file and URL loading.
- igv.js can be embedded in websites and web applications.
Demo & Screenshots
IGV Specifications
| License | MIT |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Desktop application, hosted or self-hosted web app, embeddable JavaScript component |
| Desktop platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Web browsers | Modern browsers; documentation lists Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge testing |
| API | igv.js JavaScript API; desktop command-line and batch interfaces |
| Data types | Alignments, variants, annotations, quantitative tracks, and other genomic tracks |
| Data handling | IGV-Web runs in the browser and does not upload data to the host site |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Desktop installation | Standalone desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux; packaged downloads can include Java. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Browser application | The team hosts IGV-Web; it runs in the browser and can also be self-hosted. Source ↗ |
| Embedding | igv.js is a JavaScript component for embedding a genome viewer in websites and web apps. Source ↗ |
Migration & Lock-In
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
Data portability
IGV loads common genomic files and URLs; the desktop application can save sessions, while the web documentation warns that some desktop sessions may not restore completely.
Evidence source ↗Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.0/10Moderate confidence
The assessment reflects documented file-format support, desktop and browser options, embedding and automation features, and MIT licensing. No reliable third-party review ratings or review text were verified; user_sentiment is set to 0 rather than inferred.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 4 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- Offers desktop, browser, and embeddable JavaScript forms under an MIT license.
- The desktop app includes command-line utilities and batch scripts for preparing data and automating repeatable genome views.
- The browser app documents that local files are processed in the browser and not uploaded to the host site.
Important limitations
- IGV-Web documents a narrower feature and file-format scope than IGV-Desktop; desktop sessions may not restore completely in the web app.
- Alignment files such as BAM and CRAM require associated indexes, and large unindexed VCF files can be loaded into memory.
- The team-hosted IGV-Web app no longer supports Google Drive file loading; Google Cloud Storage remains supported.
Evidence-backed claimsIGV has desktop, browser, and embeddable JavaScript forms. IGV is available under the MIT license. IGV-Web can load local files or data by URL, and does not upload data to its host site. IGV-Desktop supports indexed BAM and CRAM alignment files. IGV-Desktop provides batch scripting and command-line utilities. IGV-Web's hosted app no longer supports loading files from Google Drive.
The official documentation describes the Java desktop application, IGV-Web, and igv.js as the three forms of IGV.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The official IGV-Web documentation states that IGV is open for use under an MIT open-source license.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The official documentation describes local-file and URL loading and says the application runs in the browser without uploading data to the host site.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The desktop guide lists BAM, SAM, and CRAM alignments and requires indexes for BAM and CRAM.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11Official documentation describes batch commands for loading data and capturing snapshots, plus igvtools for sorting, indexing, counting, and conversion tasks.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The official What's New page documents the removal of Google Drive loading from the hosted app and notes Google Cloud Storage as a remaining option.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11FAQ
See the structured FAQ entries for verified answers about pricing, data handling, file support, and embedding.
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