GIMP AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Image Editors

The best Image Editor alternative to GIMP is Paint.NET, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to GIMP and loads of them are Image Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Image Editor alternatives to GIMP are Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, Photopea and darktable.

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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. Paint.NET icon
     1670 likes

    Free Windows image editor with support for layers, plugins, and special effects. Offers intuitive interface, works offline, ad-free, and portable, consuming fewer resources.

    172 Paint.NET alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework
     
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    10
    Paint.NET vs GIMP Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    ichimitch
    1

    Paint.net has a much more intuitive UI than GIMP and can be used in a pinch to do many of the same tasks but it also feels kind of sloppy and under-developed. The way it handles palettes, for example, is really hacky. I would choose Paint.net over GIMP; but I would choose Krita over Paint.net

    Top Negative Comment
    Duplicake
    2

    Proprietary and Windows only

    Guest
    Positive
    6

    Excellent Software lightweight, easy to use for fast editing.

    3 of 10 comments
    • Paint.NET is Free and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
    • Paint.NET is MinimalisticGIMP is not according to our users
  2. Adobe Photoshop icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
     
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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
  3. Affinity icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  4. Photopea icon
     357 likes

    Browser-based image editing supports PSD, XCF, Sketch formats, advanced layers, vector tools, RAW photo support, and exports in 40+ formats. Fully client-side with AI background removal, content-aware tools, and privacy as files never leave your device.

    126 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
    |
    1
    Photopea vs GIMP Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    It opens correctly all my PSD files.

    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  5. darktable icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  6. Pixlr icon
     370 likes

    Web-based editor with AI image generation, quick fixes, overlays, intricate lighting and texture adjustments, customizable templates, advanced filters, support for layers, high-res export, and ad-free premium features for accessible image and design editing.

    247 Pixlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    7
    Pixlr vs GIMP Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    -2

    Similar interface and similar tools.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    6

    Nothing like Gimp it's a really minimal toned town bad vertion to photoshop and gimp

    Hank_Scorpio
    Negative
    2

    Missing loads of features gimp has. Can’t make layers. Selection tools are basically nonexistent. Disappointing.

    3 of 7 comments
    • Pixlr is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  7. RawTherapee icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
     
  8. Adobe Lightroom icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  9. Pixelmator icon
     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
     
  10. PixiEditor icon
     28 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
     
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    1
    PixiEditor vs GIMP Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Easy to use ! Runs perfect with Fedora Linux Flatpak

    • PixiEditor is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  11. Photoscape icon
     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
     
    |
    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
  12. Procreate icon
     171 likes

    Procreate is a versatile, award-winning app for creative digital drawing and painting on iOS. It delivers a robust, professional toolset with hundreds of configurable brushes, a powerful layering system, vector graphic tools, and comprehensive design capabilities, ensuring desktop-level flexibility and power.

    71 Procreate alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
12 of 118 GIMP alternatives