GIMP vs Affinity Photo: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between GIMP and Affinity Photo comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Affinity Photo wins this matchup. Adobe Creative Cloud is our overall Image Editing pick. Canva is our free Image Editing pick. Pick GIMP if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
GIMP
Professional image editing, free and open-source
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Affinity Photo requires payment)
Affinity Photo
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Best for you if:
- • You want one-time purchase
| At a Glance | GIMP | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | $21.99/one-time Affinity Photo 2 iPad |
Category | Image Editing Graphic Design | Image Editing Graphic Design |
Rating | 3.7/5 G2 4.3 · Trustpilot 1.9 · SourceForge 4.8 1,575 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.8 333 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | No cloud storage integration | No cloud storage included, must use third-party. |
Choose GIMP or Affinity Photo?
Choose GIMP if
- You want a fully free tool (Affinity Photo requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want open source
Choose Affinity Photo if
- You want one-time purchase
- You want professional features
In-Depth Analysis
GIMP
Professional image editing, free and open-source
GIMP's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free.
Watch out
No cloud storage integration
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- Con: Dated interface
- Con: Learning curve
Key features
Affinity Photo
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Affinity Photo's one-time purchase model is exceptionally fair and generous compared to the subscription-heavy market.
Watch out
No cloud storage included, must use third-party.
Strengths
- Pro: One-time purchase
- Pro: Professional features
- Pro: Great performance
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Fewer plugins
Key features
Pricing: GIMP vs Affinity Photo
| Plan | GIMP | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | $69.99 one-time Affinity Photo 2 |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $21.99 one-time Affinity Photo 2 iPad |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $169.99 one-time Universal License |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on GIMP pricing and Affinity Photo pricing.
Key Takeaways
Affinity Photo
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.7/5
- Our pick for this comparison
GIMP
- Completely free
- Larger review base (1,575 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Affinity Photo wins this matchup. Adobe Creative Cloud is our overall Image Editing pick. Canva is our free Image Editing pick. That said, GIMP is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GIMP or Affinity Photo better in 2026?
Affinity Photo wins this matchup. Adobe Creative Cloud is our overall Image Editing pick. Canva is our free Image Editing pick. Pick GIMP for image editing workflows (main strength: completely free). Pick Affinity Photo for image editing workflows (main strength: one-time purchase).
What are GIMP and Affinity Photo used for?
GIMP: Professional image editing, free and open-source. Affinity Photo: Pro photo editing without the subscription.
What does GIMP cost vs Affinity Photo?
GIMP is free. Affinity Photo's paid plans start at $21.99/one-time (Affinity Photo 2 iPad).
What's the main difference between GIMP and Affinity Photo?
GIMP's main strength: completely free. Affinity Photo's main strength: one-time purchase.