# Page 4 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 4 - 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 4 - Reviews of GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 76-100 of 3492 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Sébastien L. Directeur Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The Best Free Alternative of the past Decade to Any Commercial Image Editing Software" April 16, 2019 5.0 The fact that GIMP is freely available on all major operating systems ensures that you can work seamlessly from any computer in the native format provided (XCF) or any other supported format. I have used GIMP many times to edit PDF files, either to add annotations or to conceal confidential information, which is easy to accomplish with a filter such as "Pixelize". For certain programming tasks, it came handy to create paths with the Bezier tool, exporting the information to the SVG format, which can be read with a programming text editor in a breeze. I have also benefited from its great stability, once creating more than a hundred layers on a single image. Since it can handle as many layer groups and layer masks as you wish, it is possible to iterate over one idea over and over again, discarding only specific modifications. There is also a useful "Undo history" tab that takes a visual snapshot of the state of the image at each particular point in time and gives a meaningful name to each step, facilitating the retrieval of a desired state. Pros GIMP really has it all: apart from being open source (free) to start with, it supports a plethora of image formats, including animated GIF, PDF, PS, RAW, TIFF and even text (TXT). It features a single-window mode, which is convenient when working with only one monitor, while the multi-window mode is incredibly useful to divide any work being done on two different monitors. It offers many filters and third-party extensions to ease some more tedious aspects of image manipulation. If you are into programming, then you can even take advantage of the exposed libraries, which allow you to programmatically modify images with any tool available in GIMP using Python or Scheme as programming languages. It is also customizable to the core: you can add and remove menus and icons on the fly; you can define the exact resource consumption of the application by specifying details for memory usage and even the number of CPU threads to use; you can have completely distinct configurations for normal mode and full-screen mode; you can create brushes or import from existing creations available online, the same being true with textures; you can configure and add keyboard shortcuts for almost any action you may require to perform and configure many settings to correspond to the default behavior you want in most situations. Cons GIMP wasn't made to work with Photoshop images (PSD). It does support them, but the experience isn't as good as with Photoshop. Some types of filters apply many different steps and can't easily be undone, which is sometimes frustrating. Unless you are an expert, the Script-Fu Console is not intuitive at all for newcomers and makes it hard to guess what you can actually do. Some filters and effects won't have a complete description immediately available explaining how the image is expected to be modified. This can be inconvenient when trying out new things, as a few filters take a long time to run and may cause the system to hang for a while depending on how the system allocates priority to the application. On the same subject of filters, it is also hard to guess how long a specific effect may take to render as many filters apply a number of steps in a row, resetting the progress bar at each step. Some filters may also have corner cases to consider, for instance when working on a very large image resolution: when rendering a pattern, it can show signs of incongruence if the image isn't scaled down a bit first. Review Source RF Robert F. Freelancer Online Media Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP Rocks My World Everyday, and It Will Do the Same For You, Too!" February 14, 2022 4.0 I click on the GIMP icon on my laptop taskbar everyday, and that takes about ten seconds for GIMP to be ready to go. I can pop an image in with one Control V, and I am ready to go. Or I can bring up a project with one click. It is super easy to use. And there is some serious functional power under the hood of GIMP. Yes, there is a learning curve, like I've mentioned, but it just is not that big a deal, at least for me...and I am not some super brain, either. Okay, so I give GIMP my Two Thumbs Up Award for what I do. I use it a lot, and if you haven't been using GIMP, load it up and start using it. Pros What I like about this software is I can use it on my own laptop and it doesn't require a huge amount of storage space and it is freeware, and I love all the stuff I can do. I keep finding out things I can do that make me one happy image creator. I work a lot with images and so one thing for sure is how I can quickly and efficiently remove backgrounds or grab part of the image that I want to use. GIMP gives me at least five different ways I can do this. I can go on and on about what I can do with GIMP when it comes to taking an image and layering other images, and coming up with some fairly decent and unique designs. Cons Hmmm. Well, the there is a learning curve. And, yeah, I'd love it if I could just wave my magic pen and, hey, presto! --- the job was done exactly the way I want. But part of the process of creating images is inside the process of using the tools, and finding new and super cool ways to do something. What I mean is that by getting deep into GIMP and messing about, I have stumbled on some results that have made me some original images that help me get eyes on the prize...you know, converts visitors into return visitors, and into customers. Review Source Vernessa T. Freelance Writer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP is No Wimp! A Solid Choice for Graphics Work; Robust Toolset Rivals Commercial Counterparts" August 12, 2018 4.0 Overall, GIMP is a fine open source replacement for PhotoShop and some of the other expensive creative suites. For a layperson who occasionally designs a banner or image for their website, GIMP is probably overkill and downright daunting. But for a graphics design artist or someone who likes to dabble, the toolset is robust, with elements to rival its commercial counterparts. I don't mind dabbling and doing my own simple graphics. As an open source proponent, I like using tools that give you the freedom to do with them as you please. For example, I use GIMP on both Windows and Linux platforms. GIMP has been a staple in my toolchest for many years. Its a solid choice for heavier graphics work; I use it alongside simpler tools (like screenshot utilities) and in conjunction with snazzier tools like Canva. Pros powerful punch: The GNU Image Manipulation Program.) GIMP is software you install on your computer. To my knowledge there is no SaaS (online software-as-a-service) counterpart. As a regular Linux user one huge benefit for me is that GIMP was initially created for the Linux environment. But unlike many Linux programs, GIMP has a true Windows version that is not poorly ported over. It's as elegant on Windows as it is on Linux. There are no penalties for installing GIMP on each and every computer you own and I've never encountered problems when mixing and matching the files from different flavors (i.e., Windows or Linux). It's rock steady; I don't remember a time when GIMP actually crashed. And if you are ready to exit, GIMP always reminds you to save any unsaved changes to your designs. GIMP has a simple uncluttered interface. "Simple interface" is relative; many menu items have dockable windows (like its commercial counterparts) so managing the various docking windows is what will keep it simple and uncluttered. One of the first things I ever used GIMP for was to import and edit some graphics saved in PhotoShop. I'm not a designer so I don't understand what half the tools do; I use only a few of the many features on a regular basis. Primarily I use it for quick web graphics, banners and graphics for blog articles, converting images to different formats, and sometimes to take screenshots (but others screenshot tools are quicker and more intuitive). Cons It would be nice to have a few "modes" that hide or reveal tools based on your anticipated usage. For example, a "novice" interface mode would be nice. The help system is decent but is a bit cryptic and designed for the designer (not a layperson). I would love to see better intuitive context-sensitive help. For example, hovering over a tool would give a much more understandable explanation. The screenshot tool could be more accessible (when not working in GIMP). Review Source Aníbal M. Programador Used the software for: 2+ years ### "My experience with GIMP has been great, very professional image editing with impeccable results" July 7, 2018 5.0 GIMP has brought me many benefits in recent years, I have edited in record time images for the websites that I have designed, I have made business cards for professionals, being a web programmer knowing that GIMP has complemented me allows to offer web pages without having to always resort to a professional designer, which reduces the costs of my projects for the end customers, in my work in the company has served me to perform specific tasks when working with web pages. I am very happy with this software that has been very useful for years and has taken me out of trouble. My bosses and clients are happy with my work. Surely I will continue using GIMP for many years. Pros I have been using this software for many years to edit images and perform work at the request of my clients in my work as an independent professional, retouching images, banners, logos, among many other things that I have been able to do without complications with GIMP, this application is free , I can use it perfectly without cost, this advantage is very important for me, I love that there are versions for Windows and Linux, since it is possible to install it from repositories, it is easy and it does not waste time searching the Internet, it has many options that include the possibility of programming your own filters this option Although it is very advanced for me, it seems excellent for the future. Another thing that I like about this software is light, I have been able to run it without problems on computers with very few resources, this has got me out of trouble on more than one occasion. It is important that there is a good amount of extras, like filters and brushes, that can be downloaded from the Internet completely free, I like that a lot. Cons What I like least about GIMP is that the existing documentation is very little in English and even less in Spanish, most of its users are German or Russian and the information you have is not good for me, the GIMP community is very small . It is difficult to find someone who will really help you if you have a problem or do not know how to do a particular task. The additional components that can be downloaded from the Internet are free, but not many. It is necessary to perform a manual work in other applications are performed automatically. It has functions that are very advanced and not very intuitive, it has cost me to discover some functions on my own. The graphical interface seems a little sloppy, this could improve to make it more attractive for a larger group of people. Review Source MC Martin C. Webmaster Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Mr" February 8, 2018 5.0 Free Photoshop replacement! Pros GIMP can do just about anything Photoshop can do, plus a few of it's own unique tricks. It easily converts between image formats including SVG files, and can read & write Photoshop PSD files. GIMP can also import Photoshop color pallet files. Some examples of GIMP's advanced features include layer styles (various effects that you can apply including shadows, borders, an emboss effect, and more), content-aware resizing (resize background elements without affecting foreground object), face swap, change object colors, cartoonify your photos, and create animated GIFs. Other useful features include red eye removal, make your own watermark, create custom brushes, and remove colors from some objects (like background). There are many useful plugins you can add to extend GIMP's functionality, for example image compression for web, and batch processing for adding a change to many files automatically. The PSPI plugin the adds the ability to use third party Photoshop plugin filters within GIMP on Windows and Linux. There is also GIMP Portable, a no-install, portable version of GIMP. GIMP Portable can be added to a USB key or hard drive drive, letting you bring the image editor with you. You can keep your favorite plugins and brushes with this package in order to have your entire working suite of image tools with you. GIMP is open source and has a large, active community of developers and users. This means GIMP will continue to evolve but will remain free for all. Cons As is the case with a lot of free software, some features feel less polished than their commercial counterparts. Some user interface elements may not appear as pixel-perfect as Photoshop, and some interactive features not as smooth. While the GIMP on a Mac feels more stable, the Windows version can be buggy and prone to crashing when using some plugins. The Windows version can also be very slow to start on older PCs, especially when you have a lot of plugins installed. I think the most common critique I've heard about GIMP is the steep learning curve. In my experience, GIMP wasn't really any harder to learn than Photoshop but a lot of users find Photoshop to be more user friendly. In some ways I agree, for example Photoshop seems to be better at guessing where I want to crop an image, or where I'm trying to position a layer so I spend less time fiddling with these controls. Photoshop also feels faster than GIMP when run on the same Windows PC. Loading images, and launching plugins are noticeably slower, although batch processing is at least as fast as Photoshop. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Owner Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best free alternative to PS" March 19, 2024 4.0 Although it took me some time to master, after I was comfortable with it I was pretty happy with the flow. The fact that I am not tied up to a monthly (very high) fee is a pretty nice incentive to learn the software and keep using it. It is compatible and the files can be opened in other apps. It lacks some Photoshop features, especially some late introductions in the last updates, but the price alone makes it better to use Gimp and complement with other software than to pay Adobe fees. Pros It's a free software that does pretty much all the things that need to be done in Photoshop. It doesn't demand as much resources from the PC as Photoshop does and it is more compatible with my graphic cards (which is frequently crashing when using Photoshop). Gimp doesn't crash. It has a big community behind it so it is very easy to find help with small issues. Since it is a very integral software there is no need to go outside to solve issues with the projects, everything I need can be done with it. Cons It is hard to make the switch if you have been a Photoshop user for years, like me. I work a lot with keyboard shortcuts and they are mostly different, so for me the learning curve was very slow and frustrating. The software is not intuitive either, and the interface is not very pretty. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Adobe has become too expensive, unfortunately. Review Source Deepak M. Owner Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP (GNU Image Management Program) review" May 17, 2022 5.0 Pros GIMP is very powerful and can do just about everything that other raster image manipulation software can do and more. It is free to use, since it is open source software. There are plenty of videos and tutorials available to help the user achieve a particular effect. The software can read a large number of formats. Plug-ins to achieve specific results are easily available online and are easy to install. Cons The program takes a bit of time to load. If load time can be improved the software will be truly amazing. Alternatives considered [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/)[CorelDRAW](https://www.capterra.com/p/124823/CorelDRAW/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) GIMP is free to install and use and has all the features required for general image manipulation. Plug-ins are easily available for additional uses. Text tutorials and videos are available for users to achieve various effects. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Entrepreneur Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "I had troubles using this one" March 17, 2022 3.0 My overall experience is not the best, but it is also not terrible. I gave up using this software early because it took me so much time to figure out functionalities, while I couldn't provide the same types of results. I used it to create graphic designs for mainly marketing purposes and my team also used it creating some PR blog posts for Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. They were satisfied with this software since they had no previous experience with anything else. Pros My first impression on the software's interface was fairly good. A nice intuitive and cheap alternative of a software I used the free demo verison of (Adobe Photoshop). Most of the functions and tools were easy to use and it didn't take a lifetime to find the most significant similarities to the above mentioned software I was familiar with. Cons Digging deeper in some minor functionalities and design capabilities I found more drawbacks with time. Some icons were hard to find, for some of the functions I needed tutorials. Applying effects and adjustments was quite hard. As I used this software as a cheaper alternative for Adobe Photoshop I was thoroughly dissatisfied finding out that it offers significantly less in terms of tools, funcions, adjustments and overall structure. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) My company had financial matters. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Designer Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Free and Open Source Photoshop Alternative" September 1, 2021 5.0 From large outdoor displays to business cards and websites layouts, GIMP has got us covered here at the studio. It is our go to application for graphics manipulation and everytime we need to edit or create an image from scratch, this is where we go for. Pros The ease of use and installation make GIMP a no brainer for a small design studio like ours. It is very similar to the Adobe Photoshop Suite, lacking some resources but still very strong for daily tasks. Cons The lack of resources would be the most negative part, but there are many workarounds combining other free softwares like Krita and Inkscape that make it well worth a try. The investment is time to learn and get comfortable at using it. Alternatives considered [Affinity Photo](https://www.capterra.com/p/228748/Affinity-Photo/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) The 0 price tag was what won us here. Affinity Suite is very good and I use it for personal projects but at the Studio we use GIMP as our main Image Manipulation Software. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) It is just better for our workflow as we can all use at the same time in the studio with a free license. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Summer Intern Graphic Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Lots of capability for no money at all" April 29, 2019 4.0 For business applications, it's hard to recommend GIMP for any serious work. While capable, investing in more user-friendly and functional software would be better overall. Pros GIMP is an image manipulation program in the same vein as Adobe Photoshop, with many of the same features and tools to allow you to get very similar results to its more professional counterparts. There are many benefits to being free open source software. On top of serving GIMP for free, the code freely available for viewing and modification. Having many decentralized developers means that many improvements such as features and bug-fixes happen quickly. So long as there are people passionate about the project, development will continue. Also, documentation and tutorials are plentiful for GIMP, as the community for this program is very passionate. Simple searches will yield basic start-up tutorials as well as advanced tutorials for more complicated tasks. GIMP development stagnated for a few years, but with more recent development GIMP has made strides to become more modernized and easy to use. In earlier days of GIMP, it wasn't even possible to draw a circle without a significant number of steps, but this and much more has been added to the program! Cons GIMP is not as intuitive as competitors like Photoshop, requiring scripting and additional steps to accomplish certain functions. If you plan to become a designer or graphics artist and need to do image manipulation professionally, then GIMP will hinder your abilities to do so. Software parity is important in the professional world, and while GIMP can handle .PSD files it would be better to just use the first party application that the rest of the industry is using. GIMP gains a lot of leeway for being free, since there is no development being backed by a major company. The UI is comparatively clunky and features less accessible compared to paid alternatives. Do not think that you'll be getting the same results as easily in GIMP as you would in other programs. Review Source KO Krystian O. Planner Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Best value for money " June 1, 2024 5.0 Pros Range of tools and options for editing advertisements banners Cons User interface could be a bit more user friendly Review Source Luis Ignacio C. Diseñador gráfico Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The most complete emerging program for graphic design." April 23, 2019 5.0 One of the greatest benefits that I have received is having a program that works very well in the main operating systems of the market, which has helped me a lot when meeting requirements in work meetings, in which clients ask me specific improvements in my designs. Another beneficial element for me, and for the companies in which I have been working, is the economic savings, the money is invested in operational improvements, which translates into better service for customers and a better quality of life for workers who can perceive significant improvements. Pros I like to have a high-quality program completely free, that has helped me a lot to invest in equipment that I need for my work. Similar programs, such as Photoshop, offer the same thing but the issue of licensing restrains any graphic design entrepreneur who seeks to work. Another aspect that I like very much is that I have the support of a large community, that of free software, which gives me a lot of peace of mind when I do not know any steps at the moment of designing. Many do not know but have a training platform that even certifies your participation, which gives you the advantage to improve your curriculum. Also, its constant updating has allowed me to diversify the formats with which I can work, I have not found any aspect that I can not achieve with Gimp, I am very satisfied with everything it offers me. Cons Over the years improve all applications that are contained, I have not found negative aspects that warrant my opinion. On the contrary, I am very happy to have software that cares about its users and does not limit its use with expensive licenses. With great care and respect, I believe it is one of the best options in the market for graphic design workers. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Social Media Manager Design Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Free Photo-shop Alternative " February 7, 2019 5.0 In conclusion, when using Gimp you will learn how to create fantastic site graphics and compelling WEB to graphics. Gimp educational online videos are the best way to learn how to use Gimp. Pros GIMP is also known as the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a great photo editing program that is stress-free to use. It has a lot of things to do with unlimited options on what to do for a picture to make it look cool. The wonderful thing is, it's free! Advantages, As you can expect, GNU Image Manipulation is used to edit images. This program makes photo editing very enjoyable and easy. Sure, there are essential things you should learn before you become an expert, but when you learn these first tips for beginners, you start with the start of stunning photo editing plans. Unlike photo editing, the GNU image manipulation program can also create small videos and animations. Despite the difficulty of creating these images, they are still fascinating and really fun. GNU Image Manipulation is one of the best images editing software available. All you have to do is go to the GIMP site and download it for free. Gimp is always available and updates are often shown with fun things to do and discover them in the program. Another great thing about GNU Image Manipulation is that you can add new things to the program. Unlike waiting for an updated date, you can go ahead and download some plug-ins from their site right away! Also, you can add different fonts and different brushes to the program to make your photo stand out. Cons GIMP has limited 8-bit depth, making it an unexpected choice for professional use in the first place. Gimp has disadvantages when compared to Photoshop in trivial issues the fact that it lacks the advantage of color management and does not provide control layers. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Research Associate Research Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Take the time to learn, and GIMP is rewarding" October 13, 2019 4.0 For me, GIMP was a replacement for Photoshop. That being said, I've been totally impressed by the way GIMP has grown over the years. In its current iteration, GIMP can accomplish any image editing task I've thrown at it -- often, this required me to spend time learning how to best accomplish that task in GIMP, but that time has always been rewarded with high quality outputs. Still, I have probably spent as much time fumbling around in confusing with GIMP as I have actually working. Pros Unlike a number of other free image manipulation programs, GIMP is both extremely powerful and (relatively) simple to use. Users of Photoshop will not find it to be the most difficult transition. GIMP has just about every feature an average or casual user could want from an image editor. GIMP works well not just for editing photos, but also for digital drawing and graphic design. In most regards for most users, GIMP can do whatever Photoshop or other commercial programs can. That being said, the functionality of GIMP should not be perceived as Photoshop lite. GIMP offers more tools, brushes, presets, etc than an average will ever need, and that's before installing any extensions. My current work requires minimal graphic design work -- largely infographics and visual representations of data -- and GIMP has every tool I could possibly need to produce data visuals / improve those produced by other software. Cons While GIMP has become more user friendly over the years, there are two points new users may find intimidating. First GIMP -- as the full name suggests -- is part of the GNU/Linux lineage and ethos. Users unfamiliar with all this will probably be confused, especially as it relates to saving proprietary formats. Beyond that, amateur image editors will probably find themselves overwhelmed by all of the tools offered by GIMP. Some of these basic tools work in unexpected ways based on prior knowledge of other software -- on its face this isn't problematic, but the different way of operating sometimes isn't logical. New users will likely find themselves bewildered by the breadth of menu options, and the sub-options that go with them. I am certain of this, being that I've been using GIMP for years and I still occasionally find myself confused. Review Source Veronica V. Writer and Illustrator Writing and Editing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Gimp is my "No Bull\*\*\*t" Image editor" January 11, 2024 5.0 I've been using GIMP for all my image editing and sometimes even for creating artwork for about a decade now. I never really looked for alternatives because, while it might not be the go-to choice for professional graphic designers, it's everything I need as a wannabe writer and creative. I've designed my own book covers, crafted banners and ads for my social media marketing, and even illustrated my own children's book, which I later turned into an ebook and an audiobook. What I love most about it is how user-friendly it is while offering advanced features similar to other professional software – all for free. It's like child's play to use, and that's why I stick with it. Pros Honestly, it all began with "Because it's free!" Who wouldn't want the same cool features as those fancy, pricey image editors? But once I started messing around with it and realized how user-friendly GIMP is, I couldn't imagine switching to more professional tools. Cons Yeah, the tool's support might be a bit lacking, but the awesome thing is that it's made up for by the collective knowledge base of a whole community. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/)[Painter](https://www.capterra.com/p/246650/Painter/) I didn't want to pay for Photoshop and Corel Painter is really hard to master. Review Source MV Misty V. IT Manager Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Don't under estimate GIMP!" January 18, 2024 5.0 I love this software overall. It's easy to install and run with multiple processes at one time it doesn't cause issues like I have had with others in the past. You do not have to have a high-end pc or macbook pro to get started with GIMP. Pros This is an amazing tool compared to the others on the market. This ran with ease on my PC and didn't cause me any issues. They send out updates and offer tons of documentation. The software is great for beginners or professionals. It runs on macOS and Windows while not requiring too many specs. HIGHLY recommend Cons The overall GUI interface feels outdated it could use a modern revamp. Alternatives considered [Adobe Express](https://www.capterra.com/p/174232/adobe-express/)[Adobe After Effects](https://www.capterra.com/p/233259/Adobe-After-Effects/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) I went with a free trial at first and then when using it finding the tools to be everything I needed and no other issues with running multiple software at the same time when I moved forward with the pro license. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) The Adobe tools were causing my laptop to overheat or crash services I had running. Also, the price was way better and more practical. Review Source Carlos C. Lecturer Research Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The image editing software that almost everyone should be using (instead of Photoshop)" August 22, 2019 5.0 Whereas some people consider GIMP as a toy software, or a cheap (free) Photoshop replacement, it is not. Instead, GIMP has proven to be a capable, professional software that does not want to be a mere Photoshop clone. On the contrary, they do have their own roadmap, own shortcuts and their own user interface, and even some successful plugins and features of its own (such as resynthesizer) have been later integrated in Photoshop. Whereas some consider it as being difficult to learn or not user-friendly, it is in fact a proof that it follows its own path to success. While I admit that from time to time I do miss some of Photoshop features, like non-destructive operations or basic vector operations, I am confident that GIMP fits in the great majority user cases without compromising final results. Pros I have been using GIMP for many years for my image editing projects (both, pet projects and professional projects) and I have come to realize that it features such an enormous variety of toolboxes, filters, options... that allow any type of image editing, even really complex ones, with impeccable results. Consequently, there is no need to switch to other software like Photoshop or the like. Not to mention that it is a multi-plattform Free/Libre OpenSource Software. Some features I like the most of GIMP - Multi-plattform: available for Linux, Windows, Mac, portable... - FLOSS - Customizable user interface - Selection and manipulation tools (like Unified Transform tool) - Real-time edition - Professional results Additionally, recently GIMP has seen a major improvement on user interface that makes it even easier (and appealing) to use. Cons \- Small development team with small budget: as a result development happens at a slow pace, even though developers do have great ideas and roadmap. - Lacks non-destructive filters/effects like in Photoshop - Lacks some vector operations (only works with bitmaps) - While there is plenty of documentation and tutorials, most image editing tutorials and manuals are addressed to Photoshop only, and whereas in most cases the same techniques can be reproduced/adapted, it requires extra effort that some users do not want to make. - The fact that it is not so broadly used as Photoshop may be a problem if collaborating with others, even though GIMP opens and saves Photoshop's native file format (although, admittedly, some filters/effects may be lost). Review Source AT Akash T. ad designer Education Management Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "The best competition to adobe photoshop" January 10, 2023 4.0 Overall, GIMP is a great image editing software that offers a wide range of features and is suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Its open-source nature makes it an accessible and cost-effective option for those looking for a powerful image editor that doesn't require a subscription. Pros Despite all the features available, it is surprisingly free and open source. so, obviously, it's the price that I like the most. It's price is the biggest feature. That's why it is priceless. Cons GUI can be better like Adobe Photoshop. One of the downsides of GIMP is that it can be somewhat resource-intensive, particularly when working with large images. This may cause the program to run slowly on older or less powerful computers.Also, it does not have some of the advanced features as some paid software for professional use, such as 3D editing or motion graphics, but it is a great tool for basic and advanced photo editing. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) because of pricing Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Lead Solution Advisor Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 2+ years ### "An amazing open-source image editing tool - GIMP" June 17, 2022 3.0 Overall, we use GIMP for our internal poster creation or color correction of internal event images. At times, we also use it for client deliverables. GIMP has to offer alot but only at a price of reliability. You cannot rely on this program 100% of the times, but easy solutions can fix the small issues most of the times. Pros 1\. Open-source: is by far one of its biggest advantage. It is available freely to everybody and is maintained by open-source enthusiasts over the globe. The tool is replicated with the biggest image editing competitors and therefore, becomes easy to use for anyone new. 2. Precision: is something that does not come easily in open-source tools. However, GIMP is different in that aspect. For sharp image editing, GIMP provides precision, be it color grading or slicing an image. Cons Stability: I have faced issues like, the tool stops responding at times. I have also felt that at times, the buttons becomes un-clickable and if you try to click a button, the button above it starts working. These types of bugs can easily be fixed with new releases, but since this is an open-source tool, there are no finite cycles being followed for new releases. Therefore, be prepared to experiment in-case you face these. I usually un-intalled and re-installed the program to fix the issues. Review Source Nimanthi R. Graphic Designing Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "open-source image editing platform" April 26, 2019 5.0 Generally, GIMP is an excellent alternative open-source editing platform for professionals. It's free availability on all operating systems enable users to work seamlessly. Pros I have been using GIMP for a few years now. Earlier on, my experience with this software was not quite right. Now that I am more advanced in graphics and photo edits, I have come to appreciate this open open-source image editing platform. Believe me, when I say this software is excellent, it is because the results are impeccable. GIMP has it all! Its excellent array of features are so good that they can rival adobe photoshop capabilities. These features allow you to tune photos, images and create an artwork of your own. As a graphic designer, you will be able to seamlessly crop images, make colour adjustments, customises brushes and adjust gradients among others editing. Here are some of the advantages of using Gimp over other image editing software. 1.It has incredible, and quality features making it the best among open -source programs 2.Single-window mode operation which is great for single pc operation. 3.GIMP is 100% free. 4.It supports plenty of image formats such as GIF and PDF. Additionally, GIMP is customizable such that you can add and remove menus or icons on the fly. 5.It is easily extensible to ease image manipulation with the third party. 6.Last but not least, GIMP works efficiently on all major operating systems. Whether you choose Linux or windows, results are always impeccable. Cons the script-fu is not user-friendly. GIMP lacks intuition on new users and can make their experience pretty cumbersome. Some filters and effects don't explain or guide how the image should be modified. It would be awesome if it would support PSD photoshop images. It does not open some files such a JPEG. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Research Assistant Research Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP Review" January 28, 2019 4.0 Pros I'm a happy and frequent user of GIMP especially after some experience using photoshop as well. It is important to clarify that GIMP is the kind of software that does not try to compete or overpower Photoshop. The most important aspect is that it is not developed commercially and it's free and open-source, unlike Photoshop. All its updates are also free and you can have it on as many computers as you want. It provides with a bunch of free plugins and I even had the chance to play around with the source code of some. GIMP also has its source code available to compile and that makes it available to wide range of systems that Photoshop might not support. Installation is as easy as it can get and runs smoothly even on older computers. I also enjoy the flexibility on keybindings, it can make the work process much faster. The settings being portable to different workstations makes it even more convenient. Cons The interface can be a bit confusing (I never liked so many floating windows) but that's the case with o lot of similar software too. There is a deep learning curve that is accompanied with not the best documentation, but once you get familiar with it, it shouldn't be a problem. In terms of usage from professionals, there are a few limitations so it shouldn't be considered as a strict replacement for Photoshop. It lacks a few features like CMYK, but there are several plugins to overcome those. Some points that mainly come along with the fact that it is a free open-source piece of software include that it can be buggy sometimes as there is no official quality assurance team. The user community is responsible for reporting bugs and updates and fixes can consequentially take sometime. It can also be a bit slow, but at least it is not as resource-hungry as other alternatives. Review Source Tibor K. Media Producer Entertainment Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP, a free high standard image editor" October 8, 2022 4.0 We used GIMP for years at the beginning of our business because it was a free app that competes even with some of highest industry standard apps, we only switched to other - paid - apps because additional functions were not available in GIMP and GIMP also has a slow version update time. Pros It's FREE! The best thing about it it is free and also has functionalities that are comparable even with the industry leading image and photo editor apps such as Photoshop. Although it does lack some of the additional features other higher standard apps have, this is a great free alternative to others. The app also has a community forum where you can talk to others including the developers, you ask questions and make suggestions, they are always willing to help and listen. Cons Updates are kind of slow to happen, new features we read about them on their support sites can take many months until implemented so there is a longer wait time for any new and improved features. Also a bit tedious to install or update, the download and installation steps are a bit complex. Alternatives considered [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Because it was free and had most of the functions Photoshop did. Review Source Ryan P. Photographer Photography Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A fantastic free images editor, you won't find a better value!" May 14, 2022 5.0 Overall, Gimp is a useful piece of software for designers, but it's a lifesaver for web developers who require a lot of photos. It is ideal for Linux systems and is quite beneficial to both developers and newbies. Pros \- Opensource software: plenty of help and resources (for free!) - The user interface is identical to those of other picture editors, making skill conversion simple. - Enough functionality for all of my basic image editing needs, from silly photo tweaks to serious image modification for marketing and web use. Cons \- Menus include a lot of alternatives, so the one you want might be hidden many levels below. This can make it difficult to learn and may necessitate Googling to locate the information you seek. - It's a comprehensive and thorough application with a lot of features. Learning your way around quickly is not simple. Review Source Ray A. Research and Cultural Consultant, Editor/writer, interpreter. Photography Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP is seriously powerful now and a keystone to open-source photography workflow" August 31, 2018 4.0 I tried switching to GIMP in Linux back in 2009, but found it awkward to use and wasn't able to achieve the results I wanted easily. Recent versions have been much better and now, with the release of 2.10 which integrates with Darktable, GIMP is a powerful tool indeed. It is open source and free, but please do make donations to support the development of these amazing tools that benefit many users who truly cannot afford to pay for software. Pros GIMP is cross platform and will run equally well on Linux, Windows and Mac. This is a big advantage for people who use different computers but are collaborating on a project. My favorite feature of GIMP 2.10 right now is its ability to open RAW files using either Darktable or Rawtherapee where the user can make adjustments, and when finished, close Darktable (Rawtherapee) and have the edited image open directly in GIMP for further editing. This is brilliant and offers a greatly improved workflow for photo editing. A new feature in 2.10.6 is vertical text layers, or the ability to write text top to bottom. This is useful for writing vertical-reading text in Chinese, especially for the creation of formal or fancy documents or invitations. It is also useful for creating interesting layouts in English. Much has been written about GIMP's 'healing' features that allow removal of unwanted items in a photo. In GIMP, this can be done using the Resynthsizer plugin, or the Inpainting plugin that is included in the G'MIC plugin set. While both work well, the G'MIC plugin seems to yield somewhat more consistent results. Cons Until recent editions, GIMP suffered from a rather unattractive interface and opened the main editing window and toolbars separately. While some users preferred this, I found it awkward to to use and arrange on my limited screen space. A single-window mode was introduced in version 2.8 which I prefer. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Software Engineer Industrial Automation Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Gimp- Great to have" May 25, 2023 4.0 I use GIMP on a daily basis to do all sets of tasks which could range from removing background to texture creation and image filtering. Compared to Photoshop, I believe Gimp is an easier image-manipulating software to use. Unfortunately, when most people try a new software they can easily get stuck in the first hour and just abandon it. That's not the case with Gimp since you get accustomed to it very quickly. GIMP has actually better workflow and ergonomy than Photoshop. The selection tools are just incredibly good which is a big help whenever I need to do precision work. All-in-all, It is a simple and fun software to use. Pros The aspect that for me stood out the most is that Gimp is an open-source software. Therefore you do not have to pay anything and you get a great software in return. Cons If you using Gimp for more specific works, you have to be aware that It lacks a few "important" aspects such as the support for high bit depth images (.hdr, .exr) which is very useful for those of us who work in the 3D industry, and support for CMYK. Photoshop has hundreds if not thousands of additional features and capabilities, Review Source Similar Products Featured