HorliX is a free DICOM viewer for macOS, derived from Horos and OsiriX. It is used by clinicians who work on a Mac and need to open CT, CBCT and other DICOM studies. In a dental practice, that usually means opening a CBCT export from a scanner or from a radiology centre, then scrolling through the slices and checking cross-sections. A Japanese physician, Hiroaki Inomata, MD, develops it with his company PHAZOR.
HorliX is a Mac-only program. It does not run on Windows or Linux. The developer describes it as being in maintenance mode, because its graphics depend on OpenGL, which is outdated on macOS. The current build, 1.1.2, was released in August 2026 so that it runs on the newest macOS. The developer’s newer apps, PHORLIX and PHORLIX Lite, are the successors for Apple silicon Macs.
HorliX at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 1.1.2 (announced 31 August 2026). The developer labels it a “trial” build, to be used at your own risk. |
| Licence | Free. The source code on GitHub is under LGPL v3, like Horos. The HorliX icon is copyrighted, and the developer does not allow redistribution of the app. |
| Platforms | macOS 12.4 or later |
| Developer | Hiroaki Inomata, MD (air-h-128k-il), PHAZOR LLC, Japan |
| Official website | phazor.info/HorliX (source code: github.com/air-h-128k-il/HorliX) |
| Best for | Mac users who want a free, Horos-style DICOM viewer with a local study database |
What it does
- Imports DICOM studies into a local database, so they can be opened again quickly. The PHORLIX pages describe this storage as a core part of HorliX.
- Offers a 2D viewer with window/level control for scrolling through CT and CBCT slices.
- Offers multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), including colour 3D MPR, for looking at a volume in axial, coronal and sagittal planes.
- Provides ROI and measurement tools, with a colour-rotation ROI interface specific to HorliX.
- It is fully 64-bit, including its libraries. This was the original reason the fork was created.
- Its interface is available in English and Japanese, with some Spanish resources added in 1.1.1.
- It supports plugins from the Horos/HorliX plugin family. The developer’s privacy page says the app does not collect user or patient information. The only URLs built into it are for support, bug reports and checking plugin availability.
How dental teams use it
Open a CBCT study on a Mac
- Ask the CBCT centre, or export from your scanner software, for the study as standard DICOM files, not as a proprietary viewer package.
- Import the folder or the DICOMDIR into HorliX.
- Open the series and adjust window/level so that bone and teeth show clearly.
Review an implant site or an impacted tooth
- Open the CBCT series in MPR.
- Line the planes up with the area of interest, for example the lower third molar or an edentulous ridge.
- Use the measurement tools to check distances. Remember that clinical decisions should rely on validated planning software and the full radiology report.
Keep a small teaching archive
- Import anonymised cases into the local database.
- Use ROI colours to highlight structures when you present cases to students or colleagues.
Install and first run
- Get HorliX from the developer’s site (phazor.info/HorliX). Its Version History page lists the builds and the macOS version each one needs.
- Version 1.1.2 needs macOS 12.4 or later. It fixes a crash on launch that 1.1.1 had on the newest macOS release.
- Older “HorliX-NSB” builds, without sandboxing, exist for macOS High Sierra to Big Sur.
Common problems: the developer notes that some GPUs, for example Radeon, did not work well on macOS Catalina. HorliX depends on OpenGL and x86_64 libraries. For native Apple silicon and Metal graphics, the developer points to PHORLIX (macOS 13.5 or later, ARM only).
Limitations
- It runs on macOS only. The current site data that lists Windows and Linux is wrong.
- It receives very little maintenance and is based on OpenGL. Future macOS versions may break it again.
- The builds are labelled trial and “use at your own risk”. The developer does not claim any regulatory clearance (FDA/CE), so do not treat it as a certified diagnostic workstation.
- It has no dental-specific tools such as panoramic curve reformatting, implant libraries or nerve tracing.
HorliX vs alternatives
| Viewer | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HorliX | macOS | Free, Horos-based, 64-bit, minimal maintenance |
| Horos | macOS | Free and open source (LGPL 3.0); version 4.0.1 supports Apple silicon and macOS 26 Tahoe |
| DicomWorks | Windows | Free legacy viewer, no updates since 2011 |
| Aeskulap | Linux | Free, open source (GPL), no longer developed |
On an Apple silicon Mac, Horos 4.0.1 or the developer’s own PHORLIX are the more future-proof choices. HorliX suits users who already know it or who need its specific interface.
FAQ
Is HorliX related to Horlicks?
Only by name. The developer says “HorliX” combines Horos and OsiriX and also refers to Horlicks, a famous racehorse from New Zealand. It has nothing to do with the malted milk drink.
Is HorliX free?
Yes. HorliX is free to use, and its source code is published on GitHub under LGPL v3. The developer does not allow others to redistribute the app.
Where can I download HorliX for Mac?
Use the developer’s site, phazor.info/HorliX. The Version History page lists the current build, 1.1.2, for macOS 12.4 or later.
Does HorliX run on Windows?
No. HorliX is a macOS application. On Windows, use a Windows DICOM viewer instead.
HorliX vs Horos: which should I use?
Both are free and come from the same OsiriX code base. Horos is maintained by a larger project and has an Apple silicon release. HorliX is a smaller fork with its own interface changes and receives little maintenance.
What is the alternative to HorliX on Apple silicon?
The developer’s successor, PHORLIX, uses Metal graphics and runs natively on ARM Macs with macOS 13.5 or later. PHORLIX Lite is a viewer-only version on the Mac App Store.
Last checked against official sources: 26 September 2026 (developer website: phazor.info). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
