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 Affinity Photo, Adobe Photoshop, darktable and MyPaint.

filter to find the best alternatives

GIMP alternatives are mainly Image Editors but may also be Digital Painting Tools or Photo Editors.  Other popular filters includes iPad + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GIMP.
GIMP iconGIMP
  4589
  • ...

Advanced image manipulation tool offering comprehensive tools for photo retouching, composition, and batch processing in a free package.

More about GIMP
GIMP alternatives page was last updated Oct 6, 2024
  1. Krita icon
     1303 likes

    Krita is a professional Free and open source (FOSS) painting program. It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone within concept art, texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.

    151 Krita alternatives
    Main Window

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam

    Top Krita Features

    1.  Digital Drawing
    2.  Digital Painting
    3.  Blending brushes
    4.  Keyframe Animation
    5.  Drawing 2D
    6.  Advanced brush settings
    7.  Drawing Tablet Support
    8.  Lightweight
    9.  Digital-painting focused
    10.  Sketching
    11.  Color blending
    12.  Support for Layers
    Krita iconGIMP Icon

    Krita VS GIMP

    Is Krita a good alternative to GIMP?
     
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to GIMP
     
       
    Comment summary: Krita is praised for its ease of use, extensive features for digital painting, and strong development progress, making it a viable alternative to GIMP and even Photoshop for some users. However, many comments highlight that Krita focuses primarily on painting and lacks the image manipulation capabilities found in GIMP, limiting its functionality as a full photo editor. While it's noted for having features like Photoshop's GUI and effect layers, it may not suit those prioritizing precise editing tasks.
    Richie Scassellati

    Krita is definitely a great alternative if you want something easier for digital art.

    Top positive commentFeb 24, 2024
    0
    Guest

    Free and open source and with non destructive image manipulation capabilities

    Top positive commentJul 8, 2017
    5
    Mosrod

    Krita doesn't have photo editing tools and focuses on painting

    Top negative commentOct 24, 2017
    45
    Guest

    Painting program, not photo editor

    Negative commentNov 8, 2023
    2
    VicQueiroz

    Krita is more for painting, not photo editor

    Negative commentJul 25, 2023
    2
    Show more comments
    Hide | 5 of 16 comments
    GIMP Icon
    Krita icon
    • Most users think Krita is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Krita is the most popular Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to GIMP.

    • Krita is the most popular Open Source alternative to GIMP.

    • Krita is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
    • Krita is LightweightGIMP is not according to our users
  2. Affinity Photo icon
     529 likes

    Affinity Photo is a professional raster graphics editor that operates in real-time, allowing users to pan and zoom at 60fps. It offers live previews and non-destructive edits, supports unlimited layers, and includes a workspace for RAW editing.

    95 Affinity Photo alternatives
    Affinity Photo screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad

    Top Affinity Photo Features

    1.  No Subscription
    2.  Non Destructive Editing
    3.  RAW Photo Editors
    4.  Open PSD files
    5.  Optimal performance
    6.  Digital Painting
    7.  Support for Layers
    8.  Color management
    9.  Lightweight
    10.  Photo effects
    11.  Regulation layers
    12.  Photoshop Plugins Support
    Affinity Photo iconGIMP Icon

    Affinity Photo VS GIMP

    Is Affinity Photo a good alternative to GIMP?
     
    Comments about Affinity Photo as an Alternative to GIMP
     
       
    Wonder Warthog

    Well it's not free, but for 50 bucks it's still a steal. And no subscription nonsense like "that other photo editing app"…

    Top positive commentFeb 19, 2018
    9
    Mosrod

    Very similar to Photoshop and a great photo editing program for only $50

    Top positive commentOct 12, 2018
    4
    Guest

    GIMP is free and Affinity is not, however, Affinity photo isn't expensive and it has non-destructive editing and superb capacity for making selections. GIMP doesn't have these features yet. For me, GIMP is straight forward and a great workhorse, but I find myself using Affinity Photo more and more.

    Positive commentJun 11, 2019
    7
    Erik J

    It's a considerably cheaper version of Photoshop.

    Positive commentMar 15, 2018
    2
    Aristomenis

    Low price for many features that are very close, if not better that Photoshop's.

    Positive commentJun 2, 2017
    8
    Hide | 5 of 5 comments
    GIMP Icon
    Affinity Photo icon
    • Most users think Affinity Photo is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Affinity Photo is the most popular iPad alternative to GIMP.

    • Affinity Photo is the most popular commercial alternative to GIMP.

    • Affinity Photo is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
    • Affinity Photo is LightweightGIMP is not according to our users
  3. Adobe Photoshop icon
     2389 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.

    235 Adobe Photoshop alternatives
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS

    Top Adobe Photoshop Features

    1.  Digital Painting
    2.  RAW Photo Editors
    3.  Color correction
    4.  Photo effects
    5.  Advanced brush settings
    6.  Image Processing
    7.  Raster graphics
    8.  Support for Layers
    9.  Color Picker
    10.  Intuitive Interface
    11.  Resizing dpi
    12.  Hardware Accelerated
    Adobe Photoshop iconGIMP Icon

    Adobe Photoshop VS GIMP

    Is Adobe Photoshop a good alternative to GIMP?
     
    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to GIMP
     
       
    Daan Balman

    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 positive commentFeb 17, 2022
    2
    Guest

    Its not free, should not be listed on par with GIMP

    Top negative commentApr 9, 2020
    2
    Duplicake

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

    Negative commentOct 6, 2024
    -1
    Ezra Dulaney

    Easiest to use and has the most features. With most Photoshop alternatives you cannot even re-edit text after typing.

    Positive commentMay 7, 2020
    -9
    Henry Makov

    Yes, PH costs a lot. But It's still very effective there are much more features for a professional photographer and to my mind PH has more convenient workflow.

    Positive commentApr 28, 2020
    -6
    Show more comments
    Hide | 5 of 9 comments
    GIMP Icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    • Most users think Adobe Photoshop is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular Web-based alternative to GIMP.

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  4. darktable icon
     298 likes

    darktable is a virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers: it manages your digital negatives in a database and lets you view them through a zoomable lighttable. it also enables you to develop raw images and enhance them.

    62 darktable alternatives
    Darktable’s lighttable mode showing a collection

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Top darktable Features

    1.  RAW Photo Editors
    2.  Advanced retouching
    3.  No Coding Required
    4.  Non Destructive Editing
    5.  Hardware Accelerated
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Built-in viewer
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Support for scripting
    12.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    darktable iconGIMP Icon

    darktable VS GIMP

    Is darktable a good alternative to GIMP?
     
  5. MyPaint icon
     370 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
    MyPaint screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com

    Top MyPaint Features

    1.  Digital Painting
    2.  Sketching
    3.  Support for Layers
    4.  Infinite canvas
    5.  Distraction-free
    6.  Portable
    7.  Drawing Tablet Support
    8.  Fullscreen support
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Custom Brushes
    12.  Color blending
    MyPaint iconGIMP Icon

    MyPaint VS GIMP

    Is MyPaint a good alternative to GIMP?
     
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to GIMP
     
    Guest

    MyPaint is for drawing/painting not for any type of photo editing.

    Negative commentSep 6, 2018
    16
    Guest

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

    Negative commentDec 12, 2023
    1
    GIMP 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. Pixelmator icon
     414 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.

    149 Pixelmator alternatives
    Pixelmator screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad

    Pixelmator Features

    1.  Open PSD files
    2.  Retouch photos
    3.  RAW Photo Editors
    4.  Healing brush
    5.  Stickers
    6.  Multiple Font Colors
    7.  Support for 64 bit
    8.  Specific for 64-Bit
    9.  Photo effects
    10.  Tablet support
    Pixelmator iconGIMP Icon

    Pixelmator VS GIMP

    Is Pixelmator a good alternative to GIMP?
     
  7. Photoscape icon
     258 likes

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

    195 Photoscape alternatives
    Photoscape screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Top Photoscape Features

    1.  Image Combining
    2.  Collage
    3.  Color correction
    4.  RAW Photo Editors
    5.  Batch Editing
    6.  Lightweight
    7.  Retouch photos
    8.  Crop video
    9.  Custom Backgrounds
    10.  Image Morphing
    11.  Merge photos
    12.  Batch processing
    Photoscape iconGIMP Icon

    Photoscape VS GIMP

    Is Photoscape a good alternative to GIMP?
     
    Comments about Photoscape as an Alternative to GIMP
     
    Renato Rinaldi

    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.

    Negative commentMay 17, 2020
    0
    Guest

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

    Positive commentMay 23, 2017
    -1
    GIMP Icon
    Photoscape icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Photoscape is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Photoscape is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
    • Photoscape is LightweightGIMP is not according to our users
7 of 70 GIMP alternatives