GIMP AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Photo Editors

The best Photo 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 Photo Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Photo Editor alternatives to GIMP are Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, Photopea and Pixlr.

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GIMP alternatives are mainly Photo Editors, but if you're looking for Image Editors or Digital Painting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include iPad, iPad + Free, 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. Paint.NET icon

    Paint.NET

     1653 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.

    163 Paint.NET alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework
    Paint.NET screenshot 1
     
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    10
    Paint.NET vs GIMP Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    18

    Much simpler to master for the occasional user

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Duplicake
    2

    Proprietary and Windows only

    ichimitch
    Positive
    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

    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

    Adobe Photoshop

     2426 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.

    224 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

     62 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
    Screenshot
    PhotoPad icon
    PhotoPad

    PhotoPad picture editor is the fastest and most fun way to edit your digital photos. PhotoPad is one of the most stable, easy-to-use, and comprehensive photo editors available.

    http://www.nchsoftware.com
    Learn More
  6. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     337 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.

    110 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    It opens correctly all my PSD files.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  7. Pixlr icon

    Pixlr

     390 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.

    229 Pixlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Pixlr screenshot 1
     
    |
    7
    Pixlr vs GIMP Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    -2

    Similar interface and similar tools.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    6

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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
  8. 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.

    152 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.

    192 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. Luminar Neo icon

    Luminar Neo

     83 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.

    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
  13. 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.

    139 Polarr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    PhotoGIMP

     21 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    13 PhotoGIMP alternatives

    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
  15. Glimpse Image Editor icon

    Glimpse Image Editor

     34 likes

    Glimpse is an open source image editor based on the GNU Image Manipulation Program. The goal is to experiment with new ideas and expand the use of free software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Glimpse Image Editor screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Glimpse Image Editor vs GIMP Comments
    shi_tsu
    Positive
    -1

    If GIMP was remade in $currentYear

    • Glimpse Image Editor is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
12 of 76 GIMP alternatives