GIMP AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Image Editors

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

filter to find the best alternatives

GIMP alternatives are mainly Image Editors, but if you're looking for Photo Editors or Digital Painting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, iPad + Free, Linux, iPad, Android + Free, Mac and iPhone. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to GIMP.
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Alternatives list

  1. Paint.NET icon

    Paint.NET

     1653 likes

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

    166 Paint.NET alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework
    Paint.NET screenshot 1
     
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    10
    124
    Comments about Paint.NET as an Alternative to GIMP
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    18

    Much simpler to master for the occasional user

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

    Proprietary and Windows only

    ichimitch
    Positive
    1

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

    3 of 10 comments
    Paint.NET icon
    Paint.NET icon

    • Most users think Paint.NET is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Paint.NET is Free and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
    • Paint.NET is MinimalisticGIMP is not according to our users
  2. Affinity Photo icon

    Affinity Photo

     552 likes

    Real-time image editing software supporting extensive colour spaces, unlimited layers, non-destructive edits, and a streamlined workspace for complex tasks on Windows, Mac, and iPad.

    101 Affinity Photo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    Affinity Photo screenshot 1
     
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    5
    56
    Comments about Affinity Photo as an Alternative to GIMP
    Top Positive Comment
    Wonder Warthog
    11

    Well it's not free, but for 50 bucks it's still a steal. And no subscription nonsense like "that other photo editing app"…

    Guest
    Positive
    9

    GIMP is free and Affinity is not, however, Affinity photo isn't expensive and it has non-destructive editing and superb capacity for making selections. GIMP doesn't have these features yet. For me, GIMP is straight forward and a great workhorse, but I find myself using Affinity Photo more and more.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mosrod
    Positive
    4

    Very similar to Photoshop and a great photo editing program for only $50

    3 of 5 comments
    Affinity Photo icon
    Affinity Photo icon

    • Most users think Affinity Photo is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Affinity Photo is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  4. Adobe Photoshop icon

    Adobe Photoshop

     2420 likes

    Comprehensive raster graphics editor offering advanced photo and image editing features. Supports multiple layers, masks, alpha compositing, various color models, and has limited vector graphics, 3D, and video capabilities. Extensible via plug-ins.

    225 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
    • Google Chrome
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1
     
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    10
    130
    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to GIMP
    Top Positive Comment
    Daan Balman
    5

    Generally - photoshop is a very good tool, with a lot of staff inside. It's a quite good alternative if a pricing is not a question.

    Top Negative Comment
    Duplicake
    -1

    Gimp is an alternative to photoshop, not the other way round

    nayote
    Positive
    0

    Photoshop is the default tool for design, but having a high learning curve and being a paid tool makes it difficult for those of us who only use it for small things.

    3 of 10 comments
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon

    • Most users think Adobe Photoshop is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
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    Screenshot
    PhotoPad icon
    PhotoPad

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

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  6. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     55 likes

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    68 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  7. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     336 likes

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

    112 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Photopea screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    15
    Comments about Photopea as an Alternative to GIMP
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    It opens correctly all my PSD files.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Photopea icon
    Photopea icon

    • Most users think Photopea is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  8. Sly icon

    Sly

     51 likes

    Sly is a user-friendly, offline image editor requiring no expertise; adjust brightness, contrast, apply effects, and export in JPEG or PNG formats with control over metadata.

    36 Sly alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Online
    Sly screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Sly as an Alternative to GIMP
    youlk1234
    0

    Sly is like iPhone gallery photo editing: not bad but not for anything serious.

    Sly icon
    Sly icon
    • Sly is Free and Open SourceGIMP is also Free and Open Source
  10. Pixlr icon

    Pixlr

     389 likes

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

    227 Pixlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Pixlr screenshot 1
    Promotion 😀

    Get a 30% discount on Pixlr Premium Plans with AlternativeTo, use code AW30OFF

     
    |
    7
    37
    Comments about Pixlr as an Alternative to GIMP
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    -2

    Similar interface and similar tools.

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

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Hank_Scorpio
    Negative
    2

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

    3 of 7 comments
    Pixlr icon
    Pixlr icon

    • Most users think Pixlr is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Pixlr is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  11. Graphite icon

    Graphite

     92 likes

    Graphite is a free, open source vector graphics editor and animation engine, available now in alpha. Get creative with a fully nondestructive editing workflow that combines layer-based compositing with node-based generative design.

    61 Graphite alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Made using nondestructive boolean operations and procedural polka dot patterns
     
  12. Pixelmator icon

    Pixelmator

     421 likes

    Image editing software for macOS and iOS, offering nondestructive, GPU-powered editing with machine learning features, RAW support, custom brushes, and seamless macOS integration for touch-ups, painting, and creative compositions.

    155 Pixelmator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Pixelmator screenshot 1
     
    |
    25
  13. Photoscape icon

    Photoscape

     262 likes

    PhotoScape is a fun and easy photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance photos.

    195 Photoscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Photoscape screenshot 1
     
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    2
    20
    Comments about Photoscape as an Alternative to GIMP
    Renato Rinaldi
    Negative
    0

    GIMP is BIG because it has countless tools that make it a true photoshop rival. Photoescape has a beautiful interface but is focused on implementing effects on ONE single photo at a time. CROP functions and LAYER management very very limited. Unsuitable for complex professional creations. Good instead for amateurs and hobbyists of photography.

    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Photoscape is a great program, I use it myself but won't do the more complex editing GIMP can do.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Photoscape icon
    Photoscape icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Photoscape is a great GIMP alternative.

    • Photoscape is Freemium and ProprietaryGIMP is Free and Open Source
  14. Procreate icon

    Procreate

     165 likes

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

    63 Procreate alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Procreate screenshot 1
     
  15. PixiEditor icon

    PixiEditor

     18 likes

    PixiEditor is a free and open-source universal 2D editor. Create clean pixel-perfect sprites, paint with raster tools, or design crisp vector graphics — all on one canvas. Animate frame-by-frame or use the powerful Node Graph to build fully non-destructive visuals and custom...

    37 PixiEditor alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Steam
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    PixiEditor screenshot 1
     
12 of 109 GIMP alternatives