GIMP Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to GIMP for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac alternative is Krita, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to GIMP and loads of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to GIMP are Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, darktable and MyPaint.

filter to find the best alternatives

GIMP alternatives are mainly Image Editors, but if you're looking for Photo Editors or Digital Painting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include iPad, Android, Linux, iPad + Free, Android + Free, Online and Mac. 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

     1487 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.

    154 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
    Krita screenshot 1
     
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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
    • Krita is a Digital Painting GIMP is an Image Editor
  2. Adobe Photoshop icon

    Adobe Photoshop

     2451 likes

    Comprehensive raster graphics editor offering advanced photo and image editing features. Supports multiple layers, masks, alpha compositing, various color models, and has limited vector graphics, 3D, and video capabilities. Extensible via plug-ins.

    247 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1
     
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    10
    Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Daan Balman
    5

    Generally - photoshop is a very good tool, with a lot of staff inside. It's a quite good alternative if a pricing is not a question.

    Top Negative Comment
    Duplicake
    1

    Gimp is an alternative to photoshop, not the other way round

    nayote
    Positive
    0

    Photoshop is the default tool for design, but having a high learning curve and being a paid tool makes it difficult for those of us who only use it for small things.

    3 of 10 comments
    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  4. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     88 likes

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    93 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Fotor icon
    Fotor

    Comprehensive online editor offering filters, frames, text, stickers, collage creation, graphic design, templates for social media, batch editing, photo retouching, mobile and desktop access, regular updates, and direct sharing t...

    https://www.fotor.com
    Learn More
  6. darktable icon

    darktable

     370 likes

    Open source non-destructive RAW editor and virtual darkroom with zoomable lighttable, database-driven organization, HDR and EXR support, floating-point workflow, batch exporting, and advanced editing for photography and scientific imaging across platforms.

    81 darktable alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Darktable’s lighttable mode showing a collection
     
  8. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     397 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.

    137 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.

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Because it is a drawing and painting program, not a photo editor, as pointed out by a guest 5 years ago.

    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
    • MyPaint is a Digital Painting GIMP is an Image Editor
  9. RawTherapee icon

    RawTherapee

     243 likes

    Raw photo processing software with advanced control over demosaicing. Ideal for newcomers, semi-professionals, and professionals. Supports HDR DNGs, JPGs, and TIFFs, with in-house enhancements for some camera models. Open-source, lacks digital asset management.

    68 RawTherapee alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    RawTherapee screenshot 1
     
  10. Adobe Lightroom icon

    Adobe Lightroom

     478 likes

    Maximize your photo editing and organizing abilities across platforms with non-destructive editing in high resolution and 1 TB of cloud storage. Harness simple tools like sliders to achieve your ideal image and automatically apply tags. Access and utilize Lightroom on mobile, web, or desktop.

    140 Adobe Lightroom alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Adobe Lightroom screenshot 1
     
  11. Pixelmator icon

    Pixelmator

     422 likes

    Image editing software for macOS and iOS, offering nondestructive, GPU-powered editing with machine learning features, RAW support, custom brushes, and seamless macOS integration for touch-ups, painting, and creative compositions.

    159 Pixelmator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Pixelmator screenshot 1
     
  12. Photoscape icon

    Photoscape

     266 likes

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

    201 Photoscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Photoscape screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Photoscape vs GIMP Comments
    Renato Rinaldi
    Negative
    0

    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.

    Guest
    Positive
    -1

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

    • Photoscape is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  13. Luminar Neo icon

    Luminar Neo

     90 likes

    Advanced RAW photo editing software equipped with AI-driven features like GenErase, GenExpand, and GenSwap. Enhances portraits and landscapes using Sky AI and Atmosphere AI. Compatible with Adobe and Apple products, supports multiple formats, and offers panorama stitching, noise reduction, and more.

    108 Luminar Neo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Apple Photos
    • Adobe Photoshop
    • visionOS
    • Adobe Lightroom
    Luminar Neo screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Luminar Neo vs GIMP Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    it has not paint options it is only photo editing and very little options and tools def not worth the $$ huge disappointment

    • Luminar Neo is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  14. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     120 likes

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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
  15. PhotoGIMP icon

    PhotoGIMP

     31 likes

    Open-source patch modifies the layout, shortcuts, and workspace of the image editor to resemble Adobe's design, providing custom splash screens, icon, and menus for ease of use, while retaining original features and supporting Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Its like gimp without the trash

    • PhotoGIMP is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
12 of 75 GIMP alternatives