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.

GIMP alternatives are mainly Image Editors but may also be Photo Editors or Digital Painting Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GIMP.

GIMP alternatives page was last updated

GIMP

4432

Free • Open Source
Image Editor

GIMP is a free program for such photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Essentially it's the closest...

More about GIMP

Krita
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android Tablet
Epic Games Store
PortableApps.com
Steam
144 Krita alternatives
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.
- - Krita is the most popular Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to GIMP.
- - Krita is the most popular Open Source alternative to GIMP.
Suggest and vote on features
Krita Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Krita, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. LightweightKrita consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Drawing Tablet SupportKrita supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
4. Non Destructive EditingKrita allows you to make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
5. Support for LayersKrita supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
6. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in Krita.
7. Color PickerKrita allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
8. Dark ModeKrita supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Pressure SensitivityKrita can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
Digital Drawing
Blending brushes
Drawing 2D
Advanced brush settings
Digital-painting focused
Color blending
Sketching
Texture painting
Adjustment Layers
Customizable
Comments about Krita as a Alternative to GIMP
Most users think Krita is a great GIMP alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Krita has effect layers like Photoshop and the most powerful brush engine
Top positive comment•
2

Guest
It's has Photoshop like gui.
Top positive comment•
0

FelschR
It's more of a painting tool than image editing.
Top negative comment•
7

VicQueiroz
Krita is more for painting, not photo editor
Negative comment•
2

Daltro Auguso Campanher de Souza
It is really AMAZING how this piece of software has evolved in a short time. Just a year ago, it's true: it was just kinda Illustrator alternative. But nowadays Krita incorporated a lot of features that can for sure make it a good substitute for PS or GIMP as well. A good bunch of filters, layers and styling options for layers, adjustment layers, RAW support, very nice interface (way more producer-friendly than GIMP). I'm really surprised on how this project is evolving.
Negative comment•
0

Show more comments ▾
5 of 14 comments
Affinity Photo
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
iPad
98 Affinity Photo alternatives
Affinity Photo is a professional, full-featured raster graphics editor. Working in Affinity Photo is always live and you can pan and zoom at 60fps, with live previews and non destructive application. It supports unlimited layers and a dedicated RAW editing workspace, as well as...
- - Affinity Photo is the most popular iPad alternative to GIMP.
- - Affinity Photo is the most popular commercial alternative to GIMP.
Suggest and vote on features
Affinity Photo Features
1. Non Destructive EditingAffinity Photo allows you to make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
2. Support for LayersAffinity Photo supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
3. LightweightAffinity Photo consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. No Coding RequiredAffinity Photo can be used without an coding or programming skills.
5. Dark ModeAffinity Photo supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Privacy focusedAffinity Photo is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
7. Works OfflineAffinity Photo can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
8. WYSIWYG SupportAffinity Photo integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
9. Ad-freeAffinity Photo doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
No Subscription
Open PSD files
Optimal performance
Color management
Photo effects
Regulation layers
Photoshop Plugins Support
Apple Pencil support
Batch processing
Vectorscope
Comments about Affinity Photo as a Alternative to GIMP
Most users think Affinity Photo is a great GIMP alternative.
Mosrod
Very similar to Photoshop and a great photo editing program for only $50
Top positive comment•
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.
Top positive comment•
6

Erik J
It's a considerably cheaper version of Photoshop.
Positive comment•
2

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"…
Positive comment•
6

Aristomenis
Low price for many features that are very close, if not better that Photoshop's.
Positive comment•
8
Adobe Photoshop
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
Online
iPad
Wine
ReactOS
236 Adobe Photoshop alternatives
Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Inc. for Windows and macOS. It was originally created in 1988 by Thomas and John Knoll.
- - Adobe Photoshop is the most popular Web-based alternative to GIMP.
Suggest and vote on features
Adobe Photoshop Features
1. Support for LayersAdobe Photoshop supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Color PickerAdobe Photoshop allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
3. Content-Aware FillAdobe Photoshop can quickly remove objects from your photo and it will fill in the picture based on the rest of the available content.
4. Non Destructive EditingAdobe Photoshop can make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
5. Hardware AcceleratedAdobe Photoshop can use the GPU and CPU to speed up rendering, conversion, and overall performance.
6. Pressure SensitivityAdobe Photoshop can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
7. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsAdobe Photoshop can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
8. Works OfflineAdobe Photoshop can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. Drawing Tablet SupportAdobe Photoshop supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
Color correction
Photo effects
Advanced brush settings
Image Processing
Raster graphics
Intuitive Interface
Resizing dpi
License management
Integrated stock library
Drawing 2D
Comments about Adobe Photoshop as a Alternative to GIMP
Most users think Adobe Photoshop is a great GIMP alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
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 comment•
1

Guest
Its not free, should not be listed on par with GIMP
Top negative comment•
3

Ezra Dulaney
Easiest to use and has the most features. With most Photoshop alternatives you cannot even re-edit text after typing.
Positive comment•
-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 comment•
-6

CraftKittyScotland
While it is not free to use forever, you can make better images like Adobe Lightroom CC and Paint.NET.
Positive comment•
-14

Show more comments ▾
5 of 8 comments
darktable
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Raw Photo Editors
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
55 darktable alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
darktable Features
1. No Coding Requireddarktable can be used without an coding or programming skills.
2. Non Destructive Editingdarktable allows you to make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
3. Support for scriptingdarktable supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
4. Works Offlinedarktable can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. Extensible by Plugins/Extensionsdarktable can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
6. Batch Editingdarktable allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
7. Built-in viewerdarktable shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
8. Dark Modedarktable supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in darktable without registration.
Advanced retouching
Watermark images
Geotagged Photos
Multiple languages
Photographic filters
Lua scripting
Hardware Accelerated
Ad-free
Command line interface
MyPaint
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
127 MyPaint alternatives
MyPaint is a fast painting program with an emphasis on full-screen use. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it.
Suggest and vote on features
MyPaint Features
1. Support for LayersMyPaint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Distraction-freeMyPaint has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
3. Drawing Tablet SupportMyPaint supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
4. PortableMyPaint can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in MyPaint.
6. Ad-freeMyPaint doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Sketching
Infinite canvas
Fullscreen support
Color blending
Comments about MyPaint as a Alternative to GIMP
Most users think MyPaint is a great GIMP alternative.
Guest
MyPaint is for drawing/painting not for any type of photo editing.
Negative comment•
15
Pixelmator
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
iPhone
iPad
147 Pixelmator alternatives
Pixelmator is a powerful, beautiful, and easy to use image editor. Featuring an elegant and streamlined single-window interface, it puts all the focus on the images you edit, rather than what's around them.
Suggest and vote on features
Pixelmator Features
Open PSD files
Retouch photos
Stickers
Healing brush
Multiple Font Colors
Asset Pipeline
Customizable
Support for 64 bit
Specific for 64-Bit
Photo effects
Opinions about Pixelmator as a Alternative to GIMP
Most users think Pixelmator is a great GIMP alternative.
Photoscape
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
188 Photoscape alternatives
PhotoScape is a fun and easy photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance photos.
Suggest and vote on features
Photoscape Features
1. Batch EditingPhotoscape allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
Color correction
Custom Backgrounds
Lossless quality
Collage
Batch processing
Image Combining
Retouch photos
Crop video
Image Morphing
Merge photos
Comments about Photoscape as a Alternative to GIMP
Almost everyone thinks Photoscape is a great GIMP alternative.
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 comment•
1

Guest
Photoscape is a great program, I use it myself but won't do the more complex editing GIMP can do.
Positive comment•
-1