Best free photo management softwsre?

[landyvlad]

I'm looking for a free, or at least inexpensive photo management software for personal use.
With the kind of catalogu1ing that lightroom does but no need for any editing aspect.

Ability to modify file metadata which can be read in any program, not just the one the metadata wad added in obviously preferred.

I currently have pbotos spread across multiple disks.

Suggestions welcomed.

[ameerat42]

Hmm, at the risk of being pilloried*, have you heard of:
Faststone Image Viewer...?

* Would-be pillorers, you can save money by using imperfect varieties of produce,
and thereby also cut down on food wastage

[landyvlad]

Have I heard of it? Yep.
Years ago.
Didn't know it was still a thing.
i'll have a look, thanks.

[ameerat42]

You're welcome, and I suppose they'll have a sale of the unused (untossed) produce

[landyvlad]

I've also done some research and found the following, and wondered if anyone has experience with

Terra Proxx SortPix XL https://www.terraproxx.com/photo-organizer-software/

ACDSee Photo Studio Home https://www.acdsee.com/en/products/photo-studio-home/

[ameerat42]

Interesting. It "sounds" capable in the organising field, from the descriptions.
I can't see anything about editing functions, like FS has.

- - - Updated - - -

^"It" refers to the Terra Prox s/ware, before your edit to include ACDSee.

[arthurking83]

What OS and camera manufacturer software tools available can make huge difference to this answer.

My fave photo management/cataloging tools are Win OS specific, a slight hack-ish workaround to use an old Microsoft program, and inherent ability via the OS(up to Win10, that I know of) to add keywords.
Easiest solution to use in so many ways.

But it only works on the proviso that you camera(s) manufacturer supplies a CODEC for your raw file type. Works fine if you only shoot jpg format tho, but not many of us do this.