The Best GIMP AlternativesTop Digital Painting Tools & Image Editors like GIMP

GIMP is described as 'Advanced image manipulation tool offering comprehensive tools for photo retouching, composition, and batch processing in a free package' and is a leading digital painting tool in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to GIMP for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone apps. The best GIMP alternative is Paint.NET, which is free. Other great apps like GIMP are Krita, Affinity Photo, Adobe Photoshop and Photopea.

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GIMP alternatives are mainly Image Editors but may also be Digital Painting Tools or Photo Editors. Other popular filters includes iPad + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GIMP.

GIMP

4598

Digital Painting Tool
Free • Open Source

Advanced image manipulation tool offering comprehensive tools for photo retouching, composition, and batch processing in a free package.

More about GIMP

GIMP alternatives page was last updated Oct 6, 2024

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Paint.NET
1622 likes
Paint.net is a free and very capable image editing software for Windows. Great alternative to Photoshop for people that do not need all the stuff PS offers.
170 Paint.NET alternatives
License model
Free • Proprietary
Application types
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Platforms
Windows
.NET Framework
Properties
Lightweight
Minimalistic
User friendly
Features
Support for Layers
Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
Dark Mode
Support for image plugins
Community-based
Transparency
History Panel
Ad-free
Portable
Built-in Color Picker
Works Offline
No registration required
Paint.NET VS GIMP
Is Paint.NET a good alternative to GIMP?
Comments about Paint.NET as an Alternative to GIMP

Comment summary: Many users find Paint.NET's interface more intuitive and user-friendly compared to GIMP, which is considered complex. Paint.NET is praised for being lightweight and easy to use, suitable for simple image editing tasks. However, some critique it for lacking features and being overly simplistic. The software is also noted for being proprietary and Windows-only.
Guest
Much simpler to master for the occasional user
Top positive comment •Jan 20, 2017
17
Duplicake
Proprietary and Windows only
Top negative comment •Oct 6, 2024
1
ichimitch
Paint.net has a much more intuitive UI than GIMP and can be used in a pinch to do many of the same tasks but it also feels kind of sloppy and under-developed. The way it handles palettes, for example, is really hacky. I would choose Paint.net over GIMP; but I would choose Krita over Paint.net
Positive comment •Oct 31, 2023
0
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3 of 10 comments
- Most users think Paint.NET is a great GIMP alternative.
- Paint.NET is the most popular Windows alternative to GIMP.
- Paint.NET is the most popular free alternative to GIMP.
- Paint.NET is Free and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
- Paint.NET is Lightweight and MinimalisticGIMP is not according to our users

Krita
1310 likes
Krita is a professional Free and open source (FOSS) painting program. It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone within concept art, texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.
152 Krita alternatives
License model
Free • Open Source
Application types
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android Tablet
Epic Games Store
PortableApps.com
Steam
+3
Properties
Lightweight
Features
Digital Drawing
Blending brushes
Keyframe Animation
Drawing 2D
Advanced brush settings
Drawing Tablet Support
Digital-painting focused
Sketching
Color blending
Support for Layers
Dark Mode
Cross-Platform
Krita VS GIMP
Is Krita a good alternative to GIMP?
Comments about Krita as an Alternative to GIMP

Comment summary: Krita is praised for its ease of use, extensive features for digital painting, and strong development progress, making it a viable alternative to GIMP and even Photoshop for some users. However, many comments highlight that Krita focuses primarily on painting and lacks the image manipulation capabilities found in GIMP, limiting its functionality as a full photo editor. While it's noted for having features like Photoshop's GUI and effect layers, it may not suit those prioritizing precise editing tasks.
Richie Scassellati
Krita is definitely a great alternative if you want something easier for digital art.
Top positive comment •Feb 24, 2024
0
Mosrod
Krita doesn't have photo editing tools and focuses on painting
Top negative comment •Oct 24, 2017
45
Guest
Painting program, not photo editor
Negative comment •Nov 8, 2023
2
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3 of 16 comments
- Most users think Krita is a great GIMP alternative.
- Krita is the most popular Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to GIMP.
- Krita is the most popular Open Source alternative to GIMP.
- Krita is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
- Krita is LightweightGIMP is not according to our users

Affinity Photo
532 likes
Real-time image editing software supporting extensive colour spaces, unlimited layers, non-destructive edits, and a streamlined workspace for complex tasks on Windows, Mac, and iPad.
94 Affinity Photo alternatives
License model
Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Platforms
Mac
Windows
iPad
+7
Properties
Optimal performance
Lightweight
Features
No Subscription
Non Destructive Editing
RAW Photo Editors
Open PSD files
Support for Layers
Color management
Photo effects
Regulation layers
Photoshop Plugins Support
No Coding Required
Dark Mode
Ad-free
Affinity Photo VS GIMP
Is Affinity Photo a good alternative to GIMP?
Comments about Affinity Photo as an Alternative to GIMP

Wonder Warthog
Well it's not free, but for 50 bucks it's still a steal. And no subscription nonsense like "that other photo editing app"…
Top positive comment •Feb 19, 2018
9
Guest
GIMP is free and Affinity is not, however, Affinity photo isn't expensive and it has non-destructive editing and superb capacity for making selections. GIMP doesn't have these features yet. For me, GIMP is straight forward and a great workhorse, but I find myself using Affinity Photo more and more.
Positive comment •Jun 11, 2019
7
Mosrod
Very similar to Photoshop and a great photo editing program for only $50
Positive comment •Oct 12, 2018
4
Show more comments
3 of 5 comments
- Most users think Affinity Photo is a great GIMP alternative.
- Affinity Photo is the most popular iPad alternative to GIMP.
- Affinity Photo is the most popular commercial alternative to GIMP.
- Affinity Photo is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
- Affinity Photo is LightweightGIMP is not according to our users

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Adobe Photoshop
Comprehensive raster graphics editor offering advanced photo and image editing features. Supports multiple layers, masks, alpha compositing, various color models, and has limited vector graphics, 3D, and video capabilities. Exten...

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Adobe Photoshop
2391 likes
Comprehensive raster graphics editor offering advanced photo and image editing features. Supports multiple layers, masks, alpha compositing, various color models, and has limited vector graphics, 3D, and video capabilities. Extensible via plug-ins.
234 Adobe Photoshop alternatives
License model
Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Online
iPad
Wine
ReactOS
+8
Properties
Intuitive Interface
Features
RAW Photo Editors
Color correction
Photo effects
Advanced brush settings
Image Processing
Raster graphics
Support for Layers
Color Picker
Resizing dpi
Hardware Accelerated
Support for CMYK Mode
Non Destructive Editing
Adobe Photoshop VS GIMP
Is Adobe Photoshop a good alternative to GIMP?
Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to GIMP

Daan Balman
Generally - photoshop is a very good tool, with a lot of staff inside. It's a quite good alternative if a pricing is not a question.
Top positive comment •Feb 17, 2022
2
Guest
Its not free, should not be listed on par with GIMP
Top negative comment •Apr 9, 2020
2
Duplicake
Gimp is an alternative to photoshop, not the other way round
Negative comment •Oct 6, 2024
-1
Show more comments
3 of 9 comments
- Most users think Adobe Photoshop is a great GIMP alternative.
- Adobe Photoshop is the most popular Web-based alternative to GIMP.
- Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source

Photopea
299 likes
Online photo editor, which can work with PSD, XCF and Sketch files (Photoshop, Gimp and Sketch App). Convert between PSD, XCF, JPG, PNG and many other formats.
107 Photopea alternatives
License model
Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Platforms
Online
+2
Top Photopea Features
Web-Based
Open PSD files
Support for Layers
Vectorize raster images
Photoshop-like
Sketch to PSD
RAW Photo Editors
Text tool
Dark Mode
Ad-free
Colorize Photo
No registration required
Photopea VS GIMP
Is Photopea a good alternative to GIMP?
Comments about Photopea as an Alternative to GIMP

Guest
It opens correctly all my PSD files.
Positive comment •Mar 21, 2017
2
- Most users think Photopea is a great GIMP alternative.
- Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source

Pixlr
377 likes
Explore this platform for free, web-based photo editing; it provides tools like overlays, double exposure, and color splash for detailed modifications plus Pro features like Influence Masks and advanced blending.
218 Pixlr alternatives
License model
Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Platforms
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
+4
Properties
Lightweight
Features
Web-Based
Retouch photos
Support for Layers
Gradients
Dark Mode
Correct Red Eyes
Photo effects
Multiple languages
Open PSD files
Custom overlays
AI-Powered
Pixlr VS GIMP
Is Pixlr a good alternative to GIMP?
Comments about Pixlr as an Alternative to GIMP

Guest
Similar interface and similar tools.
Top positive comment •Sep 13, 2019
-2
Guest
Nothing like Gimp it's a really minimal toned town bad vertion to photoshop and gimp
Top negative comment •May 9, 2020
6
Hank_Scorpio
Missing loads of features gimp has. Can’t make layers. Selection tools are basically nonexistent. Disappointing.
Negative comment •Dec 18, 2020
2
Show more comments
3 of 7 comments
- Most users think Pixlr is a great GIMP alternative.
- Pixlr is the most popular Android & iPhone alternative to GIMP.
- Pixlr is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
- Pixlr is LightweightGIMP is not according to our users

darktable
302 likes
darktable is a virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers: it manages your digital negatives in a database and lets you view them through a zoomable lighttable. it also enables you to develop raw images and enhance them.
63 darktable alternatives
License model
Free • Open Source
Application types
Raw Photo Editors
Photo Manager
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
+3
Top darktable Features
RAW Photo Editors
Advanced retouching
No Coding Required
Non Destructive Editing
Hardware Accelerated
Works Offline
Ad-free
Built-in viewer
Dark Mode
No registration required
Support for scripting
Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
darktable VS GIMP
Is darktable a good alternative to GIMP?