Upon release, the software site SnapFiles rated it five stars out of five.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.snapfiles.com/get/faststoneviewer.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229173620/http://www.snapfiles.com/get/faststoneviewer.html | archive-date=2004-12-29 | title=FastStone Image Viewer - full featured image viewer }}</ref> It also received five stars by the editor of [[Download.com]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703150908/http://software-files.download.com/software/10324486/10324485/3/FSViewerSetup.exe|title=FastStone Image Viewer - Reviews and free downloads at Download.com|date=July 3, 2007|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703150908/http://software-files.download.com/software/10324486/10324485/3/FSViewerSetup.exe |archive-date=3 July 2007 }}</ref> A PCWorld magazine review of version 4.0 of FastStone Image Viewer in 2011 noted the software's "lightning-fast" display of pictures. The reviewer felt that one of its greatest advantages was its "wide variety of file formats" the software supports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FastStone Image Viewer |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/485913/faststone_image_viewer.html |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=PCWorld |language=en}}</ref> Rick Broida of [[CNET]] wrote in 2015 about version 5.4: "This freeware gem remains an essential download for anyone looking to view, edit and organize their photos." Broida thought that it was a "bit more robust" compared to [[IrfanView]].<ref name="cnet">{{Cite web |title=Freebie Friday: FastStone Image Viewer |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/freebie-friday-faststone-image-viewer/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>
