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, Sly 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 + Free, iPad, Android, Linux, iPhone, Android + Free 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

     1417 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
     
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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. Adobe Photoshop icon

    Adobe Photoshop

     2425 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.

    225 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
    0

    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

     60 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.

    67 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
  6. Sly icon

    Sly

     52 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 types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Online
    Sly screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Sly vs GIMP Comments
    youlk1234
    0

    Sly is like iPhone gallery photo editing: not bad but not for anything serious.

    • Sly is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  7. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     388 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
     
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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
  8. Pixelmator icon

    Pixelmator

     421 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.

    154 Pixelmator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Photoscape

     262 likes

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

    195 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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Photoscape is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  12. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     89 likes

    FireAlpaca is the image editor that can be used readily and easily. We made it possible to provide the completely free download, in order for our products to be experienced by more users from all over the world. It is available for both Mac and Windows users!

    124 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    FireAlpaca vs GIMP Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    While GIMP has a rawer drawing tool that feels more like you're drawing in Paint, FireAlpaca feels more like an alternative to Disney Create in the smoothness of drawing, but it's a little harder to fill in areas in FireAlpaca, especially the transparent areas. Fortunately you can simply choose a very large brush, colour the whole screen in one stroke and draw a shape next layer before finally some fill-in and ta-da! Transparency!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Unlike in GIMP, you can edit colours and blend very easily. With GIMP, you CAN do edits and draw and trace, but FireAlpaca feels almost like Corel Paint in blending capabilities. The colour interface doesn't save colours per se, so you have to choose new ones or use the dropper every time.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  13. Luminar Neo icon

    Luminar Neo

     82 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.

    85 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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Luminar Neo is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  14. Polarr icon

    Polarr

     119 likes

    Offers advanced filters, high-precision color and light tools, clarity, dehaze, batch export, watermarking, custom filter creation, touch and mouse access, infinite undo, HSL/RGB curves, blending, and workspace customization for versatile editing needs.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Polarr screenshot 1
     
  15. PhotoGIMP icon

    PhotoGIMP

     21 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • PhotoGIMP is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
12 of 61 GIMP alternatives