Open Source GIMP Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to GIMP for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best open source Linux alternative is Krita. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to GIMP and many of them are open source and available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source Linux alternatives to GIMP are MyPaint, PixiEditor, PhotoGIMP and LazPaint.

filter to find the best alternatives

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, Linux, Android, Android + Free, Mac and Online. 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

     1436 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.

    145 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
     
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    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

     392 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.

    130 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
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    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. PhotoGIMP icon

    PhotoGIMP

     22 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    14 PhotoGIMP alternatives

    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
  6. 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.

    43 LazPaint alternatives

    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
  7. 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
     
  9. 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.

    31 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
  10. 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.

    114 Pixelitor alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pixelitor screenshot 1
     
  11. Gimp Paint Studio icon

    Gimp Paint Studio

     30 likes

    GPS (aka Gimp Paint Studio) is a collection of brushes, patterns, color gradients, accompanying tool presets and dynamics. Tool presets are a simply saved tool options, highly useful feature of the GIMP.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • GIMP
    Gimp Paint Studio screenshot 1
     
  12. Tux Paint icon

    Tux Paint

     23 likes

    Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (for example, preschool and K-6). Tux Paint is used in schools around the world as a computer literacy drawing activity. It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging...

    40 Tux Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    Tux Paint screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Tux Paint vs GIMP Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Tux Paint is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  13. Ansel icon

    Ansel

     4 likes

    Ansel is an open-source photo-editing software for digital artists, designed to help you achieve your own interpretation of raw digital photographs.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Lighttable
     
12 of 21 GIMP alternatives