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Open Source GIMP Alternatives

The best open source alternative to GIMP is Krita. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to GIMP and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to GIMP are MyPaint, darktable, Glimpse Image Editor and LazPaint.

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
  4157
  • 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. 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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus (Free Pascal). Portable, 32bit (under 3mb) & 64bit (3.55mb) versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.

    LazPaint vs GIMP opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    mrdaltro

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

    Negative comment • over 1 year ago
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    0

    Cool render features, minimal but complete UI

    Positive comment • over 5 years ago
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    2

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

    Positive comment • over 3 years ago
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    1

  8. PhotoDemon provides a comprehensive selection of photo editing tools in an 8 MB download. It runs on any Windows machine (XP through Win 10) and does not require installation. It can easily be run from a USB stick or SD card.

  9. miniPaint

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted

    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.

  10. PhotoFlare

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    • Freemium • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Photoflare is a cross-platform image editor with an aim to balance between powerful features and a very friendly graphical user interface. It suits a wide variety of different tasks and users who value a more nimble workflow.

    PhotoFlare vs GIMP opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments

    Covers most of my requirements except eliptical select.

    Positive comment • about 2 years ago
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    0

  11. Tux Paint

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku

    Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (for example, preschool and K-6). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program.

    Tux Paint vs GIMP opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments

    It's simple to use and I can make all sorts of abstract backgrounds on it! It feels like KidPix on a strict budget, but at least like GIMP, Corel Paint and FireAlpaca I can blend colours. The sound effects can be hit or miss, but they're fun for children at least.

    Positive comment • about 2 years ago
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    0

  12. Pocket Paint

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Android
    • F-Droid

    Paintroid is a graphical paint editor App, that, among others, allows setting parts of pictures to transparent, insert Text / Images, add Layers, use Color filling and picking tools, rotate, resize and position elements...

Showing 10 of 30 alternatives