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GIMP

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Professional image editing, free and open-source

Image EditingGraphic Design
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Reviews onG2CapterraSourceForge
4971 reviews tracked·2 press mentions

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Completely free

Biggest con

Dated interface

TL;DR - GIMP

  • GIMP is a free and open-source image editor that rivals Photoshop in capabilities
  • It provides photo retouching, image composition, and graphic design tools
  • Completely free and open-source
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
4.4/5 across review platforms

What is GIMP?

Editorial review
GIMP is a free, open-source image editor that rivals Photoshop's capabilities. Advanced photo retouching, composition, and image authoring. Extensible through plugins and scripting. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Active community develops new features and tutorials. Professional image editing without the subscription cost.

Available on: Linux, macOS, Windows

how we evaluateSourcegimp.org ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free
  • Open source
  • Cross-platform

Cons

  • Dated interface
  • Learning curve

Ratings Across the Web

4.4(4,971 reviews)
G21,470 reviews
4.3/5
Capterra3,489 reviews
4.4/5
SourceForge12 reviews
4.8/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Image editingPhoto manipulationPluginsScriptsOpen sourceCross-platform

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 5, 2026

Free

Free

  • 100% free and open source
  • GPLv3 license
  • Cross-platform (Linux, macOS, Windows)
  • Full feature access
  • Community supported
Calculate your costView full pricing

Reviews

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4.4/5

Across 4,971 verified user reviews on Capterra, G2, SourceForge

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Best GIMP Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals.

4.5
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Affinity PhotoPaid

Pro photo editing without the subscription

4.6
Photopea logo
PhotopeaFreemium

Powerful Photoshop-like image editor, no installation needed

4.6
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KritaFree

Free digital painting and illustration software

4.4
Paint.NET logo
Paint.NETFreemium

Powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs.

4.7
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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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GIMP FAQ

How does GIMP compare to Adobe Photoshop for image editing?

GIMP offers professional image editing capabilities for photo retouching, composition, and image authoring, similar to Adobe Photoshop, but it is completely free and open-source. Unlike Photoshop, GIMP does not require a subscription cost. However, GIMP is noted for having a somewhat dated interface and a learning curve.

Which teams would benefit most from using GIMP?

Teams that require advanced photo retouching, image composition, and graphic design capabilities without incurring subscription fees would find GIMP beneficial. Its cross-platform availability also makes it suitable for diverse technical environments. The open-source nature and extensibility through plugins and scripting support custom workflows.

What kind of image editing tasks can GIMP handle?

GIMP is designed for advanced photo retouching, allowing users to enhance and correct images with precision. It also supports complex image composition, where multiple elements are combined into a single image. Furthermore, GIMP provides tools for general image authoring, covering a broad range of graphic design needs.

Does GIMP include a free tier?

GIMP is entirely free to use, offering all its professional image editing features without any cost. There is no paid plan required to access its functionalities. This makes it a cost-effective solution for advanced image manipulation.

What are the main trade-offs when choosing GIMP for graphic design?

The primary trade-offs when using GIMP are its dated interface and a notable learning curve for new users. While it offers powerful features, users may need time to adapt to its specific workflow and design. Despite these, it provides professional capabilities without a subscription cost.

Can GIMP be extended with additional functionalities?

Yes, GIMP is highly extensible through plugins and scripting, allowing users to add new features and automate tasks. This flexibility enables customization to suit specific workflows and advanced requirements. An active community contributes to developing new features and providing tutorials for these extensions.

Source: gimp.org

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