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Free GIMP Alternatives

The best free alternative to GIMP is Krita, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to GIMP and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to GIMP are Paint.NET, Photopea, Pixlr and MyPaint.

GIMP alternatives are mainly Image Editors but may also be Digital Painting Tools or Photo Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GIMP.
This page was last updated Jun 7, 2022
GIMP
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  • Free • Open Source
  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Android
  • BSD
  • Snapcraft
  • FLATHUB
  • PortableApps.com
  • Haiku
  • AmigaOS
  • Android Tablet

GIMP is a free program for such photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Essentially it's the closest...

Learn more about GIMP

  1. 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 withith concept art, texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.

    Krita vs GIMP opinions
    Some users think Krita is a great alternative to GIMP, some don't.
     all • positive • negative      relevance • date

    Free and open source and with non destructive image manipulation capabilities

    Top positive comment  almost 5 years ago
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    4

    It is easy to use and has many useful features. It focuses on creating your art and not on making tons of configurations like Gimp or Photoshop.

    Top positive comment  over 5 years ago
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    3
    Mosrod

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

    Top negative comment  over 4 years ago
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    41
    mrdaltro

    It is really AMAZING how this piece of software has evolved in a short time. Just a year ago, it's true: it was just kinda Illustrator alternative. But nowadays Krita incorporated a lot of features that can for sure make it a good substitute for PS or GIMP as well. A good bunch of filters, layers and styling options for layers, adjustment layers, RAW support, very nice interface (way more producer-friendly than GIMP). I'm really surprised on how this project is evolving.

    Negative comment • over 1 year ago
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    0

    Photo Manipulation and raw Painting/Drawing tools have been part of the program for QUITE a while now (some odd 5 years or so). Ignore anyone who says otherwise.

    Positive comment • about 2 years ago
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    -1

    Krita has effect layers like Photoshop and the most powerful brush engine

    Positive comment • over 2 years ago
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    0

    It's like comparing Microsoft Word and Microsoft Powerpoint.

    Negative comment • over 2 years ago
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    3
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    7 of 12 comments

  2. 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.

    Paint.NET vs GIMP opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Paint.NET is a great alternative to GIMP.
     all • positive • negative      relevance • date

    Much simpler to master for the occasional user

    Top positive comment  over 5 years ago
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    16
    CraftKittyScotland

    GIMP is so sophisticated and complicated that the average user will find it a challenge to master it.

    Paint.NET, on the other hand, is much easier and less challenging to learn how to use it. I use it all the time for my video editing, logo making, and music photo making, since I'm an electronic music producer.

    Top positive comment  over 4 years ago
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    1

    It is only for windows users.

    Top negative comment  over 5 years ago
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    1

    Excellent Software lightweight, easy to use for fast editing.

    Positive comment • about 2 years ago
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    3
    zippy123

    A more user friendly interface, great for simple editing jobs.

    Positive comment • almost 3 years ago
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    11

    it just has 100 times less features and is kept wayyyy too simplistic

    Negative comment • over 3 years ago
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    -7

    ive been using paint.net for a long time. the interface is very user friendly. someone like me with limited computer knowledge will find it very easy to use. i tried gimp and PS although they are powerful, they are very complicated to use.

    Positive comment • over 3 years ago
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    1
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    7 of 8 comments

  4. 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.

    Photopea vs GIMP opinions
    Most users think Photopea is a great alternative to GIMP.

    It opens correctly all my PSD files.

    Positive comment • over 5 years ago
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    2

  5. Pixlr® makes it easy to transform everyday images into stunning works of art. Whether you’re applying a quick fix to your photos or adding your personal touch with effects, overlays, or borders, Pixlr has everything you need to make your moments beautiful.

    Pixlr vs GIMP opinions
    Most users think Pixlr is a great alternative to GIMP.

    Similar interface and similar tools.

    Top positive comment  almost 3 years ago
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    -2
    Hank_Scorpio

    Missing loads of features gimp has. Can’t make layers. Selection tools are basically nonexistent. Disappointing.

    Top negative comment  over 1 year ago
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    1

    Pixlr E has a lot of the same features that GIMP has and Pixlr X allows to make minor edits to photos quickly. Both run in a browser without any need to be installed. And yeah, both are free to use :)

    Positive comment • almost 2 years ago
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    -5

    Nothing like Gimp it's a really minimal toned town bad vertion to photoshop and gimp

    Negative comment • about 2 years ago
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    3

    Manipulation tools similar to GIMP

    Positive comment • almost 3 years ago
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    -5

    Only for editing single photos

    Negative comment • over 5 years ago
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    0

    no tools selection, only presets filters and effects

    Negative comment • about 6 years ago
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    0

  6. MyPaint is a fast painting program with an emphasis on full-screen use. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it.

    MyPaint vs GIMP opinions
    Some users think MyPaint is a great alternative to GIMP, some don't.

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

    Negative comment • almost 4 years ago
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    15

  8. 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.

  9. PhotoScape is a fun and easy photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance photos.

    Photoscape vs GIMP opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Photoscape is a great alternative to GIMP.

    Photoscape is a great program, I use it myself but won't do the more complex editing GIMP can do.

    Positive comment • about 5 years ago
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    -1
    VoceClassica

    GIMP is BIG because it has countless tools that make it a true photoshop rival. Photoescape has a beautiful interface but is focused on implementing effects on ONE single photo at a time. CROP functions and LAYER management very very limited. Unsuitable for complex professional creations. Good instead for amateurs and hobbyists of photography.

    Negative comment • about 2 years ago
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    1

  10. MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

    Almost everyone thinks MediBang Paint is a great alternative to GIMP.

  11. Polarr

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Windows S
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    From high-precision light and color tools, to advanced clarity and dehaze settings, to the ability to create and save your own filters. Polarr is the ideal photo editor for bloggers, students, and photo professionals alike.

    Most users think Polarr is a great alternative to GIMP.

  12. 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.

    Discontinued

    The Glimpse editor has been discontinuedSource: https://glimpse-editor.org/posts/a-project-on-hiatus/

    Glimpse Image Editor vs GIMP opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Glimpse Image Editor is a great alternative to GIMP.
    shi_tsu

    If GIMP was remade in $currentYear

    Positive comment • almost 2 years ago
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    0
Showing 10 of 126 alternatives