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

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 Sly, Graphite, MyPaint and PixiEditor.

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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, Linux, iPad, Android + Free, Mac and iPhone. 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

     1413 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.

    143 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
     
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    17
    194
    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

    • Most users think Krita is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Krita is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  2. 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 type

    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
  4. Graphite icon

    Graphite

     92 likes

    Graphite is a free, open source vector graphics editor and animation engine, available now in alpha. Get creative with a fully nondestructive editing workflow that combines layer-based compositing with node-based generative design.

    61 Graphite alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Made using nondestructive boolean operations and procedural polka dot patterns
     
  5. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     387 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.

    128 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    35
    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

    • Most users think MyPaint is a great GIMP alternative.

    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  6. 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
     
  7. Fossify Paint icon

    Fossify Paint

     14 likes

    Privacy-centric digital drawing tool perfect for all skill levels. Create, customize, and share art with adjustable brushes, canvas colors, and versatile format support via PNG, JPG, and SVG without compromising your privacy—fully open-source.

    25 Fossify Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    • Android Tablet
    Fossify Paint screenshot 1
     
  9. PhotoGIMP icon

    PhotoGIMP

     20 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    15 PhotoGIMP alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    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
  10. 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.

    164 Glimpse Image Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Glimpse Image Editor screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    13
    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

    • Almost everyone thinks Glimpse Image Editor is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Glimpse Image Editor is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  11. 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.

    43 LazPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main UI
     
    |
    3
    6
    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

    • Most users think LazPaint is a great GIMP alternative.

    • LazPaint is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  12. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    miniPaint screenshot 1
     
  13. 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.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    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
  14. Pixelitor icon

    Pixelitor

     28 likes

    Pixelitor is an open source image editor with an intuitive interface and with a special emphasis on non-destructive editing.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pixelitor screenshot 1
     
12 of 34 GIMP alternatives