Open Source GIMP Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to GIMP for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best open source Linux alternative is Krita. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to GIMP and many of them are open source and available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source Linux alternatives to GIMP are MyPaint, Sly, PixiEditor and PhotoGIMP.

filter to find the best alternatives

GIMP alternatives are mainly Image Editors, but if you're looking for Digital Painting Tools or Photo Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, iPad + Free, iPad, Linux, Android + Free, Open Source and Mac. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to GIMP.
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Alternatives list

  1. Krita icon

    Krita

     1415 likes

    Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

    142 Krita alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • F-Droid
    Main Window
     
    |
    17
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to GIMP
    Top Positive Comment
    tuva-hayabi
    3

    I disagree with most of the negative comments because you can actually do image manipulation/photo editing as well, at least the basic stuff like auto contrast, color balance, saturation, blur, sharpness, image size, canvas size and so on.

    Top Negative Comment
    Mosrod
    43

    Krita doesn't have photo editing tools and focuses on painting

    Richie Scassellati
    Positive
    2

    Krita is definitely a great alternative if you want something easier for digital art.

    3 of 17 comments
    Krita icon
    Krita icon
    • Krita is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  2. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     388 likes

    MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists. It supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.

    127 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to GIMP
    Guest
    Negative
    16

    MyPaint is for drawing/painting not for any type of photo editing.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Because it is a drawing and painting program, not a photo editor, as pointed out by a guest 5 years ago.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    MyPaint icon
    MyPaint icon
    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  4. Sly icon

    Sly

     51 likes

    Sly is a user-friendly, offline image editor requiring no expertise; adjust brightness, contrast, apply effects, and export in JPEG or PNG formats with control over metadata.

    36 Sly alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Online
    Sly screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Sly as an Alternative to GIMP
    youlk1234
    0

    Sly is like iPhone gallery photo editing: not bad but not for anything serious.

    Sly icon
    Sly icon
    • Sly is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  5. PixiEditor icon

    PixiEditor

     18 likes

    PixiEditor is a free and open-source universal 2D editor. Create clean pixel-perfect sprites, paint with raster tools, or design crisp vector graphics — all on one canvas. Animate frame-by-frame or use the powerful Node Graph to build fully non-destructive visuals and custom...

    37 PixiEditor alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Steam
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    PixiEditor screenshot 1
     
  6. PhotoGIMP icon

    PhotoGIMP

     20 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    15 PhotoGIMP alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    PhotoGIMP screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about PhotoGIMP as an Alternative to GIMP
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Its like gimp without the trash

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    PhotoGIMP icon
    PhotoGIMP icon
    • PhotoGIMP is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  7. Glimpse Image Editor icon

    Glimpse Image Editor

     34 likes

    Glimpse is an open source image editor based on the GNU Image Manipulation Program. The goal is to experiment with new ideas and expand the use of free software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Glimpse Image Editor screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Glimpse Image Editor as an Alternative to GIMP
    shi_tsu
    Positive
    -1

    If GIMP was remade in $currentYear

    Glimpse Image Editor icon
    Glimpse Image Editor icon
    • Glimpse Image Editor is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  9. LazPaint icon

    LazPaint

     45 likes

    Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus. Portable, 32bit & 64bit versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main UI
     
    |
    3
    Comments about LazPaint as an Alternative to GIMP
    Daltro Auguso Campanher de Souza
    Negative
    1

    Bad workflow/usability. Not enough for professional use. Can't be compared to software like GIMP, Glimpse or Krita.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Cool render features, minimal but complete UI

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    More lightweight, suitable if you have an older PC / notebook and you just want to edit some stuff on the go.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    LazPaint icon
    LazPaint icon
    • LazPaint is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  10. miniPaint icon

    miniPaint

     30 likes

    miniPaint is free online image editor using HTML5. Edit, adjust your images, add effects online in your browser without installing anything. You can use the Electron based version of the editor if you like.

    37 miniPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    miniPaint screenshot 1
     
  11. AzPainter icon

    AzPainter

     22 likes

    AzPainter is a full color painting program for Linux. It's a lightweight tool with tablet pressure support, and provides basic functions such as selection, layers, filters. you can use it for painting, image editing, or pixel art making.

    32 AzPainter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    AzPainter screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about AzPainter as an Alternative to GIMP
    ADRIANO DUARTE
    Positive
    0

    Lightweight, powerful and simple.

    AzPainter icon
    AzPainter icon
    • AzPainter is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  13. Gimp Paint Studio icon

    Gimp Paint Studio

     30 likes

    GPS (aka Gimp Paint Studio) is a collection of brushes, patterns, color gradients, accompanying tool presets and dynamics. Tool presets are a simply saved tool options, highly useful feature of the GIMP.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • GIMP
    Gimp Paint Studio screenshot 1
     
  14. Ansel icon

    Ansel

     4 likes

    Ansel is an open-source photo-editing software for digital artists, designed to help you achieve your own interpretation of raw digital photographs.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Lighttable
     
12 of 22 GIMP alternatives