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 MyPaint, PixiEditor, Fossify Paint and PhotoGIMP.

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

     1423 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
    • F-Droid
    • Steam
    • AppImage
    Main Window
     
    |
    17
    Krita vs GIMP Comments
    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
    44

    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 is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  2. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     391 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.

    129 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    MyPaint vs GIMP Comments
    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 is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  4. PixiEditor icon

    PixiEditor

     19 likes

    Create pixel-perfect sprites, raster paintings, and scalable vector graphics with a unified open-source editor featuring frame-by-frame animation, a node-based workflow, custom shaders, procedural art tools, anti-aliased brushes, and versatile export options.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    PixiEditor screenshot 1
     
  5. Fossify Paint icon

    Fossify Paint

     15 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.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    PhotoGIMP

     22 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    PhotoGIMP screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    PhotoGIMP vs GIMP Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Its like gimp without the trash

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • 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
    Glimpse Image Editor vs GIMP Comments
    shi_tsu
    Positive
    -1

    If GIMP was remade in $currentYear

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

    LazPaint

     46 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
    LazPaint vs GIMP Comments
    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 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    PhotoDemon

     33 likes

    BSD-licensed portable photo editor for Windows featuring multi-layer editing, batch processing, macro support, real-time effect previews, advanced filters, customizable hotkeys, non-destructive tools, color-managed workflow, efficient performance, and broad file compatibility.

    23 PhotoDemon alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    PhotoDemon screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    PhotoDemon vs GIMP Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Easy to use, lightweight, with various image filters and editing options. Available in Spanish.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • PhotoDemon is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  12. 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
    AzPainter vs GIMP Comments
    ADRIANO DUARTE
    Positive
    0

    Lightweight, powerful and simple.

    • AzPainter is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  13. Pixelitor icon

    Pixelitor

     27 likes

    Open source image editor with non-destructive editing, 110+ filters, adjustment and text layers, support for smart objects and adjustment layers, cross-platform compatibility, and layer-based editing for flexible image composition.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pixelitor screenshot 1
     
12 of 33 GIMP alternatives