# Page 3 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 3 - Is GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) the right Graphic Design solution for you? Explore 3492 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/168960/GIMP/reviews --- GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) 4.4 (3492) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/168960/GIMP/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Page 3 - Reviews of GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 51-75 of 3492 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use EC Eboni C. Owner Internet Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "College life saver" September 21, 2024 5.0 This has helped me complete many school projects Pros How close it was to P. Shop and it was free Cons Some learning curve on my behalf with learning layers Review Source TW Timmy W. Owner Apparel & Fashion Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Not easy to learn" November 23, 2024 2.0 Pros Program was not easy to use. I tried to learn it but was not able to get it to work like I have with other programs. Cons I was not able to get this program to work like other programs that I have. Alternatives considered [Kittl](https://www.capterra.com/p/10011139/Kittl/)[Inkscape](https://www.capterra.com/p/178240/Inkscape/)[Pixlr](https://www.capterra.com/p/198210/Pixlr-X/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) I did not like this software and went back to inkscape Review Source MAM Md Amir M. Designer Design Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Unleash Your Creative Potential with GIMP" March 28, 2024 5.0 GIMP, or GNU Image Manipulation Program, stands tall as a formidable open-source alternative to premium image editing software. GIMP earns my highest recommendation for anyone seeking a powerful yet accessible image editing software. With its expansive feature set, user-friendly interface, and passionate community, GIMP empowers creators to push boundaries and turn imagination into reality. Embrace the freedom of creativity with GIMP, and unlock endless possibilities for your artistic endeavours. Pros As an avid photographer and graphic designer, I've explored various tools over the years, but GIMP consistently impresses me with its robust features and versatility.One of the most striking aspects of GIMP is its extensive toolkit, rivaling even some paid software options. From basic adjustments like cropping and resizing to advanced techniques such as layer masking and non-destructive editing, GIMP offers a comprehensive suite suitable for both amateurs and professionals alike. The ability to extend its functionality through plugins and scripts further enhances its adaptability to diverse creative needs. Cons While GIMP offers a wide range of features for image editing and manipulation, it may lack some advanced capabilities found in commercial software. For example, certain advanced retouching tools, content-aware fill, or seamless integration with cloud services may not be as robust or polished in GIMP compared to its commercial counterparts. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Adobe is a subscription based software unlike GIMP, which is an open source tool. Review Source GP Geoffrey P. Formation E-Learning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Bon logiciel" August 22, 2024 5.0 Pros La gestion et la navigation dans le logiciel Cons Difficile au début sans tutoriel mais intuitif Review Source VR Verified Reviewer DIgital Operations Executive Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Free for all, fantastic for everyone" June 19, 2024 5.0 A great tool, a great initiative, and even better performance. On top of everything it does (for free), GIMP is also quite light weight, not overloading your machine and consuming loads of RAM. Pros Being "open source" software is most definitely the biggest pro. From older Ubuntu Linux, where Adobe products could be used, Gimp was the only one to tread those waters and deliver the same, if not better, level of performance. Cons I would say, not exactly as a negative thing, that the UI isn't necessarily intuitive and could use a revamp, especially to help less experienced users Review Source WW Wesley W. Director of Technology Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Value every moment with graphics manipulation yard" May 29, 2024 5.0 Amazing customer support team. The free trial has enough features to train any newbie. Pros Creating a satisfying moment starts with keeping a record of it. GIMP helps me value every second of my life by creating a design element and scripted images. It is quite easy to use and implement. The dashboard will amaze you. Cons It requires great attention to master every bit of this tool inorder to build a perfect design. Also, knowledge in at least one programming language is needed for a great design. All thanks to the free trial, it is a great learning experience. Switched from [Canva](https://www.capterra.com/p/168956/Canva/)[Adobe Illustrator](https://www.capterra.com/p/227125/Adobe-Illustrator/) GIMP has more advanced technology to build outstanding designs. Review Source JH Julian H. UX Consultant Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The best free and open source option for graphics and images" June 26, 2024 4.0 The fact GIMP is free is its main advantage - it can do much of what leading options like Photoshop can achieve, but there's usually a bit of a workaround or it's a bit more difficult to do the same thing, with some extra steps involved. Pros GIMP is free - this is its main advantage over alternatives. You can also use add-ons and plugins to extend its capabilities even further. If you stick with it, you can achieve much the same as you would with paid alternatives. Cons The UI/UX is not as intuitive as some paid alternatives, and it can feel like a lot of effort at the start to get used to everything. Review Source MR Micalen R. Freelancer Computer Games Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "GIMP- A Powerful Graphic Design Tool " June 5, 2024 5.0 Overall GIMP is a great and cost effective choice to create vector graphics. Pros GIMP is really great for image editing and creating bit maps and texture maps from already created images. The tools offered by GIMP are very useful when designing vector graphics. Cons While GIMP is great, it does lack more premium features offered by other graphic design tools. Switched from [Affinity Photo](https://www.capterra.com/p/228748/Affinity-Photo/)[PhotoScape X](https://www.capterra.com/p/198207/PHOTOSCAPE-X/)[Affinity Designer](https://www.capterra.com/p/110533/WebPlus-X4/)[Vectr](https://www.capterra.com/p/168957/Vectr/)[Framer](https://www.capterra.com/p/178917/Framer/) GIMP had the tools I was needing at the time. Review Source AH Adam H. Project Manager Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GGreat for getting started" June 19, 2024 5.0 I loved using GIMP as starting point in the early days of my career Pros It is free so can be a great starting point for new designers without needed to subscribe adobe Cons some of the features are limited when compared to adobe but still a great piece of free software Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Student Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A useful tool but not the best in industry" June 5, 2024 3.0 Pros The whole program is easy to use and light on the system using it. Cons The overall interface, look and feel are not up to the industry standard and similar highly used products. Review Source QN Quincy N. Founder Consumer Goods Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Cheap and effective image editing software - basic but gets the job done " May 27, 2024 3.0 My overall experience with GIMP has been positive, appreciating its powerful, flexible tools and extensive customization options. However, the steep learning curve and occasionally cluttered interface can be challenging. Despite these hurdles, GIMP's capabilities as a free, open-source software make it a valuable asset for image editing and design. Pros What I like most about GIMP is its incredible flexibility and power as a free, open-source software. The ability to customize the interface to suit my workflow is invaluable, allowing me to arrange tools and panels exactly how I like them. GIMP’s extensive feature set means I can handle everything from simple photo retouching to complex image compositions without needing to invest in expensive software. Cons What I like least about GIMP is its steep learning curve. The sheer number of features and options can be overwhelming for new users, making it challenging to navigate and utilize the software effectively without spending significant time learning its intricacies. Additionally, the interface, while customizable, can sometimes feel cluttered and less intuitive compared to more polished, commercial alternatives. This can lead to frustration, especially when trying to perform complex tasks efficiently. Review Source Antonio David S. Fotografo e videomaker freelance Photography Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Programma open source per l'elaborazione digitale delle immagini." February 10, 2024 4.0 L' uso da anni per l'editing fotografico, sono più che soddisfatto. Pros La buona usabilità, fornisce tanti strumenti pur essendo completamente gratuito. La possibilità di utilizzare i livelli, maschere colori e fotoritocco Cons Come ogni programma che permette di realizzare cose in diversi modi e passando per diverse opzioni disponibili, è necessario praticarlo abbastanza. Review Source JD Jessica D. Office manager Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A very good tool for a first use to advanced" June 5, 2024 5.0 Pros I like the fact that anyone can use Gimp without true knowledge of graphic designing. It is easy to use, and allow to learn very fast. Cons Some features might be missing sometimes, but honestly it is a very good tool. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Owner-Photographer Photography Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Best free image manipulator" June 18, 2024 4.0 Pros Overall, I love the features and the ability to layer in similar fashions to more mainstream services. Cons The user interface was not my favorite and could be made somewhat simpler and easier to learn. Review Source MT Marco T. Laurea Chemicals Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Free and Powerful" May 29, 2024 5.0 Pros Very powerful and easy to use graphic design program with a lot of functionality and community extension. Cons Some times not efficient in filter application. Review Source JW Jeffrey W. IT Specialist Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Gimp and Open Source Software" January 12, 2024 5.0 All my photo editing, bitmap graphics and special effects. It takes a lot of extensions that can become costly with photoshop and it all comes free, and because it is open source there is a lot of free online support that could be costly with photoshop. I challenge you to try gimp for 2 months and see if you do not get a lot more done without all the Bells and whistles. Pros Gimp has become my go to program, it has all the robustness of adobe Photoshop and more there has been so many things that I have been able to do. Cons I have no complaints with gimp for the last 22 years I have been using gamp almost exclusively. It is able to complete any task that I need and I see no cons with this program Alternatives considered [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) In June of 1995 I began school for graphic design. At that time, they were just beginning to use computers to create graphics. We learned everything on the Mac OS interface. The top graphic design programs were all produced by adobe. Photoshop was one of the programs which was very expensive to own. Windows 3.1 was two versions behind the Mac. I had to use this program to create all my graphics. Which I could not afford so I used Trial versions they would always run out. In 2000 I began experimenting with the Linux operation system and discovered gimp. Gimp has become my go to program, it has all the robustness of adobe Photoshop and more there has been so many things that I have been able to do. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Gimp is open source and free it has alot of community support. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Professore E-Learning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Freeediting" April 19, 2024 5.0 Positiva ho avuto modo di usare filtri particolari in diverse immagini che sono risultate uniche Pros Ho usato Gimp come open source e questo è un punto a suo favore,la possibilità di combinare più immmagini e i diversi filtri mi hanno convinta ad usarlo. Cons Inizialmente ho trovato difficoltà nell'utilizzo ma la guida di Gimp aiuta moltissimo Review Source Fabrizio M. Ethical Hacking Internet Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "GIMP programma gratutio ma..." January 2, 2024 3.0 La mia esperenzia con GIMP e neutra, apprezzo molto il fatto che è un programma free, anche se non sei un professionista del settore è molto intuitivo e abbastanza facile da utilizzare Pros Beh il programma e al 100% gratuito non necessita di abbonamento, mi è piaciuto il fatto che modificare foto molto complesse risulta abbastanza facile editare con GIMP, è quasi alla pari con programmi più noti (a pagamento), offre molte funzioni utili per l'editing completo di un'immaggine, ci sono un'infinità di funzioni, delle volte ma non sempre lo uso come editing di loghi personalizzati del resto rimane un bel software da provare per chi è amante dell'editing Cons Di GIMP mi è piaciuto di meno il fatto di esportazione dell'immaggine non risulta come volevo venisse, essendo un programma gratuito ha molte funzioni ma non utili per rendere un'immaggine perfetta, quando esporti il progretto in file .png (trasparente) e lo apri con il pc l'immaggine risulta piena di imperfezioni quindi bisogna a parere mio lavorare un pò di più su alcune funzioni: colore, ritaglio dello sfondo queste cose rendono il programma noioso perchè riaprire l'immaggine e rieditare è scocciante Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Ho deciso di cambiare il programma di editing perchè adobe photoshop risulta più completo anche se più macchinoso Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Studio Manager Retail Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Fanatics free image editing software" August 7, 2023 5.0 Very good experience and is a exellent alternative to paid for image editing software Pros Extremely easy to use with the user interface being simple to find tools you want to use when editing images. Cons Its difficult to find something to dislike about a program which is free, however, the only items which isn't ideal is when working with layers, you have to select the layer you wish to save as the image. Review Source ML Michael L. Developer Entertainment Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The best free image editing software" September 14, 2023 5.0 I downloaded it after using photoshop and I got used to it quickly after switching. I never had any problems outside if a folder has thousands of items in it, when choosing to make an export to name the export and to choose what file type it will be, it loads every file name into the browser which can make it lag if there is over thousands of items in the folder being opened. Pros It's fully free and it's designed to be quick to learn and use. Missing some settings photoshop has, but overall does the same job or better. Cons Missing some of the bigger features of photoshop and the extensions. But in most cases they aren't needed for most needs. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) I didn't want to pay for photoshop again and GIMP offers what I need for an image editing program. Review Source KH Kevin H. Office Manager Biotechnology Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Free, Powerful with a Learning Curve" May 30, 2024 5.0 Been using it for about a decade. Very happy with it. Plenty of videos on Youtube to explain how to accomplish what you're looking for. Pros GIMP is powerful, letting you edit images with great flexibility. It's free with no ads. Cons Issues come from the lack of intuitiveness in layouts and button fuctions. Other programs use AI to help with the very manual work that is inherent in GIMP. Review Source RC Rafael C. CSR Telecommunications Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "My Review about GIMP" March 13, 2024 5.0 Overall if you can't afford any premium image editing software, I highly recommend GIMP Pros I like that it's free and very easy to use. Cons I don't have any dislike about GIMP software Review Source JC James C. Consumer Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP at a glance" September 2, 2023 5.0 I use GIMP on a daily basis. It comes in very handy since I work with a lot of images. This is a hobby of mine Pros I like the thousands of tools and images offered.I like the ease of use The help files and the tutorialThe fact that it is free and a very good competitor to Adobe Photoshop Cons The loading time that it takes the program to open. That is the only thing I dislike about GIMP.It is basically a very good program Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) The features included with Photoshop and GIMP are almost identical except for one important fact.Adobe Photoshop cost $35.99 on Adobes website compared to GIMP which is free. Review Source NTA Nana Twum A. Freelance Graphic Design Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Good news about Gimp" July 10, 2022 4.0 Say I had to give this a total rating out of 10, from the standpoint of a freelance designer I am coming in around 8.4. The only things to not like about this software is it is not adobe and that's fine! You can design edit photos, draw, do digital illustrations ,and also make professional promotional pieces for both web and print. This software is free and has great midrange where a creative person should be ale to get the job done. If had to relate it to a car, randomly because I love cars this software is like a modded Mazda speed 3 manual transmission. So that being said it's not the BMW but punches well, easily acceassible (again a free software) has all you need and win race in it's class, and also a sleeper underdog when set against subscription services. Pros There are a lot of features about this soft ware or platform that I can highlight from the perspective of a Designer .I have a design business and I just recently started playing around with canvas as a tool but GIMP has most of what anyone doing photo manipulation would need. What I like best about Gimp is primarily, that it is a free software. As far as free there are plenty of brushes ie that come stock, as well as it being easy to download brush bundles, unique brushes online, The software in easy to use and it mimics photoshop in a lot of ways so the software is easy to navigate. The Gimp community has done an amazing job actually making learning forums and tutorial. Gimp also. has it's own plug ins available for download and you can look online and find blogs, q and a posts, and how tos relatively quickly. Within the platform there are wide range of edits and effects you can add to your photos and also very important is that Gimp is not made as. Stand alone product, the software is receptive to other software so your not cut off as a designer and have to do your whole project from beginning to end in that software. I think it's a great free source where you can save some money and produce some work. Cons Cons A obviously there are some negatives but I think they are fair being that its a free software. My main problems with it are, of course, it is not adobe and doesn't offer a cloud experience meaning that I can access other work I do a vector design or something but then have to, drag and drop it in, and have it open in another window rather than just to upload it from the saved works. Another problem I guess you could highlight is, some of the plugins and fonts don't work 1-1 with adobe so you might have to find a group of fonts that work well with Gimp. Importing fonts can have the size of your son change, you might be missing some symbols or, you might fonts that aren't supported displays as code. I think that the fact that its free you take The salt with the sugar, and you work around what you have to. Now, it can be frustrating, due to the fact that it is not the industry standard so sometimes it's harder to print Gimp files, but to make up for that, newer versions of Gimp actually allow you to export as a PSD. The brushes are not the same as photoshop and the the effects are very similar but not the same. Review Source Cristian Z. Gimp perfecta alternativa libre a Photoshop Arts and Crafts Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Gimp, una herramienta gratuita muy potente" January 6, 2023 5.0 En lineas generales, GIMP me ha resuelto los problemas de edición que he tenido, siempre con soltura de forma rapida y sin problemas, una herramienta muy recomendada para cualquier usuario que necesite realizar trabajos de edición de imagen y no vea necesario adquirir un software de pago. Pros GIMP es un editor de imágenes increíblemente versátil y potente que te permite hacer muchas cosas diferentes con tus imágenes. Puedes recortar y ajustar el tamaño de tus imágenes, añadir texto y dibujar sobre ellas, aplicar efectos y filtros para cambiar el aspecto de la imagen, y mucho más. Y lo mejor de todo es que es completamente gratis y de código abierto, así que puedes descargarlo y usarlo sin tener que preocuparte por pagar licencias o cosas por el estilo. En resumen, GIMP es una herramienta genial para cualquier persona que quiera editar imágenes de manera profesional. Cons Algunos usuarios pueden encontrar la interfaz de GIMP un poco abrumadora o confusa al principio, especialmente si no están acostumbrados a trabajar con editores de imágenes avanzados. Además, aunque GIMP es compatible con una gran cantidad de formatos de archivo de imagen, algunos usuarios han informado problemas al trabajar con archivos RAW de cámaras digitales. También es posible que algunas personas no estén satisfechas con la calidad de algunas de las herramientas de dibujo y pintura de GIMP en comparación con software de pago especializado en ese ámbito. Sin embargo, estos problemas son relativamente menores y, en general, GIMP sigue siendo una excelente opción para quienes buscan un editor de imágenes gratuito y completo. Review Source Similar Products Featured