# Page 7 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 7 - Is GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) the right Graphic Design solution for you? Explore 3495 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 (3495) [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 7 - Reviews of GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 151-175 of 3495 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use 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 TR Taara R. Owner Computer Games Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "GIMP: The Photo Editor and Drawing Program for Everyone" September 14, 2023 4.0 I tried GIMP many, many moons ago, and did not like it at all. However, I downloaded it again about 2 years ago, and it had changed and improved so much, I thought I would give it another whirl. I am glad I did. I use it mainly for image editing, and it is my one and only go-to image editor now. Once you start learning all of the options, it is a very powerful tool, and the developers have made an amazingly useful program that has stayed open-source which I support 100%. Pros The thing I like most about GIMP is that it has about a zillion and one features that can be implemented. It is a complete replacement for Photoshop for a budget business, and can even be used for almost all image needs if you were to just use one program. GIMP is also open-source which I fully support, and free, but it is so useful, you will want to donate! Cons The thing I like most is also the thing I like least... it has a zillion and one options! If you have ever used Blender, it kind of reminds me of the same sort of interface. It can be easy to get lost in all the options, windows, and docks if you aren't a daily user. Review Source lD ludovic D. freelancers Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 2+ years ### "the gimp's impact on designer's beginners." January 17, 2022 5.0 I use gimp especially for design picture, background design for website, logo design, template, design for events and for e-commerce product . Pros It is not expensive. There is an free version for everybody. the design is built in a very simple way, easy to use for everybody. it is very suitable for beginner in design. The handling, the choice of colors and pucks, the margins, the use of brushes and tables are very easy and suitable to each job. I like the fact that is very easy to find tutorial everwhere and a support by gimp team's is very good and quick. Cons In the latest version of gimp, we classified the tools by group, and for an unaccustomed user, it becomes difficult to find the tools necessary for a job and it slows down the working time. Alternatives considered [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Review Source Christian N. Owner/Instructor Used the software for: 2+ years ### "I've used GIMP for years, and have found it perfect for creating graphics for websites and logos" April 10, 2018 5.0 Pros As a technologically inclined creative person, this software is amazing. There is ample support in the way of forums and videos on the internet to get most anyone up and running with GIMP fairly shortly. My favorite elements of GIMP are its robust image layering abilities. While it might lack some of the glitz and glamor of Adobe's Photoshop, it is able to completely keep up with the functionality - at least on a basic level. I've found GIMP completely able to meet and exceed my logo deign, web graphics, and photo editing needs. While professional photographers might want Adobe's subscription products, GIMPs download-and-use platform is a fantastic discovery for those who want robust image editing for free, and are willing to put the leg work into the small learning curve. Cons The things I like least involve minor User Interface elements that I keep accidentally running into. The only example that really sticks out is I accidentally keep undocking some controls, and almost never remember how to redock them. It happens very infrequently, so I'm often in the position of researching how to redock them before I get back to work. It's honestly the only thing I can think of that would be a con for this software, and even then, that's in the user-error category. Review Source Bhavik J. Developer Financial Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A Great Open Source Image Editor for Graphic Needs of your Organization" October 8, 2019 4.0 My overall experience with GIMP is very satisfactory. Most of the times, the feature set is complete for intermediate graphic needs, but in some advanced cases, lack of features become visible. Also, as being open source, some of the latest versions can include some minor bugs. Pros The thing I like the most about GIMP is that it is free and open source. It has all the features you could ask in an image editor and supports most of the image/graphic formats. Also, it is also regularly updated and always vulnerability free. One of the best thing about GIMP is that it supports most of platforms and works well on all of them. Cons The thing I like the least about GIMP is that it does not support 16 bit colours. Also, new feature development is slow as it is an open source product. Searching for GIMP plugins is also a hassle. Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) GIMP being open source played a key role in selecting GIMP over others. Also, it includes a full feature set including most of the required features. Review Source Steve K. Director Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Free software, maybe not as easy to use as others" February 15, 2022 5.0 Just being able to manipulate images and convert between formats or enhance the image or maybe make the background transparent. Pros It's got a lot of features and can be extended with plugins, it's also cross platform so can be used on macOS, Windows and Linux. Can handle most common image formats and export others. However if it can't be done within GIMP it probably can't be done. Cons Can be a steeper learning curve than other programs and can be complex to use some of the more esoteric features. Alternatives considered [Affinity Photo](https://www.capterra.com/p/228748/Affinity-Photo/)[Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) It's free so why not, updated regularly and works on all platforms Review Source Jennie P. Artist/Author Publishing Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "GIMP vs Photoshop" September 29, 2020 4.0 Overall, GIMP is a good, strong program for doing anything requiring digital manipulation/design of any sort. If you can't afford Photoshop, then it's definitely going to be your best alternative. There will be a learning curve, but it's definitely something any designer/artist should have in their programs list. Pros Gimp is a free, open source software. So for that, it gets bonus points. It has a similar layout as Photoshop, except most things are reversed. Example: brushes are on the left in Photoshop, in GIMP they are on the right. You have a few filter options in GIMP that you don't have in Photoshop, but Photoshop also has filters that GIMP doesn't have. You have all the abilities as Photoshop (though I can't say if you can use photoshop actions in GIMP, because I haven't tried it). If you are familiar with Photoshop, even the older versions, using GIMP only takes a little adjusting (most of that is figuring out the new layout). You have all the abilities to do multiple layers, filters, image adjustments, and more. The fonts import the same. If you can't afford any version of Photoshop, GIMP is definitely going to become your best friend for digital art/design, photography, and anything else that requires heavy graphic manipulations. Cons Because I've used Photoshop more extensively, the layout is what throws me every time I open it. That said, there are filters that Photoshop has that GIMP doesn't. The cons are there, but for a free software that offers most of what Photoshop can do, those cons can be ignored. Review Source AA Avery A. Worship Leader Religious Institutions Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP is a great program for beginners and professionals alike" November 9, 2021 5.0 Using GIMP has been one of the best decisions in my life. I started off learning how to color images, and that led to actually creating graphic art, logos, fliers, and other project types that I would have never dreamed of doing. It has opened up financial avenues for me, and I am constantly learning new things as I use it more. Pros GIMP was the first program I used for image manipulation software. I didn't have money for Photoshop back before they started subscription programs, so GIMP was the only choice I had. It's great for beginners to start off, and it has features that can help you grow into a better artist for whatever project you are looking to do. Adding brushes from the GIMP resources throughout the internet archive helped my simple ideas thrive into finished products. Cons Some add-on features that I used on my old version suddenly never worked the same on the newer versions over the years. That did a number on my projects, and I had to find another solution for it. Review Source mT myriam T. Education Manager Arts and Crafts Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Love GIMP, And So Do My Students" July 8, 2022 4.0 I love using GIMP, It was one of the first image manipulation programs that I had ever used and gave me base knowledge to use more advanced software later on. I often push students to download and get to know GIMP before investing in any other software. Pros I love that it is free and gives beginners the opportunity to use industry standard digital media manipulation tools. The open source platform allows for the software to stay up to date. Cons I find that the interface lacks the polished aesthetic that would easily bump it up to becoming a far more popular software. There are a few tools that feel a little outdated. Review Source Kimberly B. Student Animation Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP review" October 4, 2021 3.0 It is great for beginners who want to try out illustration and graphic design. However, when you've reached a certain level, I find that it is tough to make the drawings look the way you want it and there are better programs to meet your needs. Pros It is free! It was the first ever program I used for digital art and was easy to figure out how to use. It is great for beginners as the interface is quite straightforward and simple. I like that there are different blend modes for the brushes and layer. I also like that you are able to lock the layers' transparency and brush strokes -- that is very useful for illustration. It is also good for things such as designing logos and banners -- the blur, font and gradient tool really work well in that regard. Cons When illustrating, the program is not as smooth as I would like it to be. The brush lines can be hard and jagged even when adjusting the brush settings as best as I could, and it is not very easy to blend colours. Review Source EG Elisabetta G. Marketing Consultant Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "When it's free you have to try" April 8, 2024 4.0 I remember using GIMP for the first time when I was in middle school, during a photography course. I re-opened the sofware after almost 15 years, and with a little surprise I noticed that the interface remained the same. However, it makes its job well. I used GIMP to learn how to edit and manipulate pictures, without investing in expensive softwares, and in general I can tell that it satisfied me. Even if it is not very popular, I think it stands up well next to other grafic softwares if you use it to do simple tasks. Pros GIMP is an open-source software, it means that is free. The possibility to learn graphic design or at least how to edit pictures more "professionally" using a free software is priceless. Not only it is free, but it also has some very good features: there are loads of image editing tools, very good text tools, a strong layer support. Cons Unfortunally the software is not very popular, and of course the outdated interface does not help. The widget layout is a little cluttered, and for a beginner it can be very frustrating. Moreover, the performance in general is very "slow" and sometimes even simple copy and paste operations can cause little glitches. One important malus is the fact that GIMP can't open raw camera files without a third party app - which the user can choose among a very short list. Opening two graphics softwares at the same time is a very heavy task for the computer. Another important aspect - the thing that makes GIMP aged compared to many softwares that we all have even on our mobile devices- is the fact that it does not have any face recognition. If you want to select an element you have to select it freely or with the use of a tool that recognises the same colour areas, which is not really useful in this case. Review Source SNCN Sai Nikhil Chakravarthy N. QA Engineer & Scrum master Computer Software Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Best Tool To Start Your Editing Journey " March 17, 2023 5.0 I Personally Use this tool to edit images and add some styles and in recent times its been very helpful for my Work. however, if u can spend money I tell u to go for Adobe photoshop otherwise it's a very good tool. Pros The main thing you need to know is its Open source and free to use, The other editing tools like Adobe PS they are very costly and if you are using them for personal uses then its best for you, It has a wide variety of image editing options and is compatible with both windows, IOS & Linux, The thing I like most is we can automate some tasks using Scripts Cons The UI is a little complicated If you are learning and in starting stage it takes some time to get a hang of it, It doesn't have a great customer support system, And if u compare it with other tools like Adobe PS there ate not a lot of features available, and if you're doing the heavy job with so many other applications are opened in the background you might face performance issues. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Teacher Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Excellent software" April 7, 2022 5.0 This software increased my capabilities and allowed me to achieve more than I thought. You can make amazing designs and images. Pros What I like the most are the possibilities you can achieve when you know and handle the software like a master. I highly recommend it, it's totally worth it. Cons I think they could renew the logo. But I quite like it Alternatives considered [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/)[Adobe Creative Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/48969/Adobe-Creative-Cloud/) Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Content editing E-Learning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP great photo editing" June 13, 2024 4.0 To learn and do photo editing software it's the best software I recommend. Pros Easy tools and easy correction done on the image. Cons Compare to Adobe Photoshop tools are less. Switched from [Microsoft PowerPoint](https://www.capterra.com/p/141633/PowerPoint/) Tools are less and image corrections are done very low clarity picture Review Source JT Joshua T. Artist Fine Art Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Doesn't get much better" February 17, 2022 5.0 This software has been a godsend to my art. No more making ten versions of something and then extracting outlines by hand, using hundreds of dollars in expensive colored pencils to adjust an unwanted color scheme, wasting all that time and damaging nerves for what is not a quick selection away. Pros Quick tools for removing unwanted colors from images for monochrome printing. It's a huge time and money saver in the tattoo industry. I can pull a full color image and have a basic outline stripped in less than two minutes. Cons Text on a path. The bane of my existence is the massive effort it takes to print text on a simple curve in GIMP. It's the ONLY thing I dislike about it. Alternatives considered [Adobe Photoshop Elements](https://www.capterra.com/p/233260/Photoshop-Elements/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Price and better EULA Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Price point and licensing issues with EULA Review Source Dominika T. CEO Owner Arts and Crafts Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best tool for entry lvl graphic designers" October 11, 2022 5.0 The best substitute to Adobe there is. If you want to start making professional designs or photo effects, Gimp will be your best choice. Thanks to Gimp, you can later switch to Adobe or more complicated tools without a problem. Pros It's free, so there is no gatekeeping to graphic design. I found Gimp a lot easier to use than Adobe and more user-friendly. It's not perfect, but for my needs, it's enough. Cons I wish Gimp could be more intuitive and user-friendly, but I get that it's not a Procreate substitute, but Adobe. Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) It was the closest thing to Adobe Photoshop I found. Also, the program is updated often. You can find a lot of step-by-step guidebooks on YouTube if you don't know how to use Gimp. Having access to guidebooks and tutorials was a big green flag for me. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Photoshop was too complicated and too expensive for me. Review Source Reynaldo U. Coordinador logistico Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "A incorporation that I did on my own in my work, bringing excellent results" July 23, 2018 5.0 Pros I have always been an enthusiast in the imageological projection of the activities that we develop in the Foundation, this with the purpose of visually enriching our task, and also to project it, either in social networks or in projections to the community that follows us, or to the sponsor who invest in our ideas and projects. That's why I introduced and presented to my bosses this software that has allowed us to edit images with a high quality, introducing modifiable layers, elimination of shadow or light depending on the visual result we look for, change the format of the photo either in jpg, png and even raw, doing quality works to expose them in a better way. GIMP is a high value tool for our Foundation and we carry out permanent training so that our operators also use it when publishing photographs of different community activities. Cons Although, at the beginning it is a little complex to use since it is a program for editing images by vectors, only using them routinely makes you learn quickly how to handle all your tools. Review Source KR Karly R. teacher Fine Art Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Great option to replace Photoshop" April 12, 2024 4.0 Overall, GIMP has been a decent replacement for Photoshop. I am able to adjust and edit photos with nearly all of the tools that I used in Photoshop (levels, curves, color balance, healing, etc.). I prefer to have a stand alone editing app & not a subscription based app so GIMP has been my go to since Adobe started Creative Cloud. Pros If you are used to Photoshop but don't want the hassle of a subscription platform, GIMP is an ideal replacement. It has nearly all of the photo editing features I need. There was a slight learning curve when I first started using, but it was intuitive and easy to learn. Many of the tools look similar to Photoshop. I was encouraged to switch over when the CS6 version I was using was no longer updated by my school district. The overall appearance is a bit different, but it loads faster and meets my needs. Cons I am not able to use the actions that I have for Photoshop. It has been difficult to replace these, especially for my portrait edits. Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) When Adobe switched to creative cloud, my CS6 version would no longer be supported by my district so I was encourage to begin using GIMP Review Source KHALED A. Blogger Writing and Editing Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "The Best Choice For Image Editing" June 18, 2019 5.0 An open source option to Photoshop? I didn't trust it should be possible until I gave GIMP and attempt and I haven't thought back yet. I use GIMP essentially for website composition and found that truly every device I depended on was available. From picture cleaning up pictures to structuring pennants and logos, GIMP has turned into my go-to instrument. It's scripting and module support likewise enables me to build my profitability via robotizing normal assignments and running them as bunches. On the off chance that content doesn't exist, it's shockingly simple to compose your own because of the huge biological system of aides and instructional exercises. Pros A free and highlight rich option to Photoshop. GIMP likewise has an enormous after with numerous incredible instructional exercises accessible for new clients to learn with. Scripting a module backing is a major in addition to and rebelliously worth your opportunity to learn. Cons The UI isn't as refined as Photoshop and may set aside a short effort to become accustomed to. This may make GIMP be less easy to use to new clients. On Windows, I have observed GIMP be moderate on startup as it loads text styles and different assets. Review Source IN Irina N. self employer Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP review, as good as Photoshop, and, in addition, free." June 29, 2022 5.0 I processed images in GIMP, and in processing. It's great that it's free. Pros I enjoyed processing images in GIMP, and it didn't take me long to learn the menus. Given that I did not take special courses for GIMP and that I had to do easy photo processing, I could say that it was the right program in the right place. Cons Maybe fewer limitations would be welcome. Review Source Ismaël Huberson C. founder Apparel & Fashion Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Gimp" November 18, 2022 5.0 Gimp is really greatGimp is really great. Pros Gimp is an image editing software that is open source. It has lots of tools that are similar to Photoshop and it supports many file formats. It is free so it is a good alternative for those who are on a budget. Cons Gimp is an easy to use and free software even if it lacks some options compared to its competitors. Review Source Rex B. Author Writing and Editing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Newbie artist" May 21, 2021 5.0 When I find a book cover or an Amazon ad isn't working, instead of paying an artist who may not have the time I have to spend on my project, I can change it and try a fresh approach in a day. In fact, in the hours before writing this review, that's exactly what I was doing. When I get it as far as I can go, I might then bring in an artist and the graphics will be of a quality that he or she can work on professionally. Pros It's a little tricky at first because it's oriented toward professional artists, but once you decide you need to do something to a photo or drawing, and look it up in the detailed manual, you find that nothing is impossible. Want to get rid of the entire background in a photo? It takes a few minutes. Need to combine and element from one photo to another seamlessly? A bit of noodling with it and no one can ever tell. It's a great program, and it's free! Because of severe budget constraints, I've had to make my own book covers. GIMP has more than helped compensate for my creative and advertising deficits. Cons We need an interactive idiot's manual for those who will not use the whole feature set right off the bat. It would be nice if this "simple use" manual could sense that we're getting into pro territory and expand gently so as not to shock the newbies. Other than that, this program is great. Review Source Linda S. Artist, Saleslady, and Author Online Media Used the software for: 2+ years ### "GIMP 2.10 Discovered! " October 21, 2019 4.0 I am able to do basic digital photo editing with GIMP, plus some enhancements to make it artistic. I am definitely willing to explore it some more. I had to get the Version 2.10 to download, install, and open plus work properly! Before, I had GIMP 2.8, which took FOREVER to start up. Pros I like that it’s free, and that it’s easy to use IF you have Adobe PhotoShop experience. I haven’t used GIMP in a long while, and I Googled the latest version. Cons I had to work to resize the Toolbox panel so that it didn’t completely cover the image I was working on. I had to kinda futz around and thus refresh my long -term memory of how to work with GUI, or sliders, picture buttons, and those drop-down menus. Alternatives considered [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.capterra.com/p/227125/Adobe-Illustrator/)[CorelDRAW](https://www.capterra.com/p/124823/CorelDRAW/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Because it’s FREE and can do all the basics plus a few artistic enhancements. Review Source Iqra Z. Digital Media Specialist Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The best and Open Source Image Editor" July 8, 2020 5.0 My overall experience with GIMP is really nice, fabulous, and incredible. I always turn some photos into Logos using the GIMP. I always use GIMP for my business graphic needs and requirements. I have found a lot of effects very useful for my graphic templates. So I am really satisfied and happy with GIMP. Pros GIMP is really best and open-source image editor for Graphic Designers. GIMP is available for download in all famous operating systems like Linux, OS X, and Windows. GIMP allows you to use professional tools to design stunning graphic templates. You can cut out an image, you can use wrap text around a circle, you can remove the background and lots of other graphic things you can do in GIMP. So GIMP is really great for you. Cons The tools are really easy to use and understand, the interface is really awesome. Whenever I use GIMP, I never face any issue or problem. I really enjoy doing Graphic work in GIMP. So for me, there are no cons. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer CEO Retail Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Powerful, not intuitive " June 10, 2022 4.0 So my experience is based on many years of using the major app pho\*\*sh\*\*, which is expensive. I find myself looking for the tool icons I am familiar with and keyboard shortcuts. THAT is the problem. If I didn't know those, this app would be as useful and as liked. Pros Powerful and feature rich. Very customizable with limitless plugins Cons So my experience is based on many years of using the major app pho\*\*sh\*\*, which is expensive. I find myself looking for the tool icons I am familiar with and keyboard shortcuts. THAT is the problem. If I didn't know those, this app would be as useful and as liked. Alternatives considered [Adobe Photoshop Elements](https://www.capterra.com/p/233260/Photoshop-Elements/) Reason for choosing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Price Switched from [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.capterra.com/p/229092/Adobe-Photoshop/) Price of photoshop Review Source Similar Products Featured