Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP
Adobe Photoshop scores 8.5 to GIMP's 5.9 among the image editors we rate, and is the better pick for 3 of the 4 kinds of buyer below.
Adobe Photoshop wins, 8.5 to 5.9
GIMP is free, open source software with no company behind it, while Photoshop's Photography plan, which includes Lightroom, costs $19.99 a month. Both open and save layered PSD files, but Photoshop adds generative fill, prompt based image generation and automatic subject selection that GIMP does not have. Photoshop works in a full CMYK colour space for print; GIMP's CMYK support is still in progress, showing only ink coverage for soft proofing.
Pick Adobe Photoshop if you need generative AI tools and full CMYK editing.
Pick GIMP if you want free open source software with no subscription.
Best for
Who each one suits, decided on the criteria that matter to that buyer and the checked facts where the two differ.
- Generative fill and expand: Adobe Photoshop yes, GIMP no
- Generates images from a prompt: Adobe Photoshop yes, GIMP no
- Selects a subject or sky by itself: Adobe Photoshop yes, GIMP no
- Where it runs: 5 platforms against 2 platforms
- Apps it connects to: 3 integrations against 0 integrations
- Cheapest paid plan, monthly: $0 against $19.99
- Ways to reach support: 3 support channels against 2 support channels
- But GIMP leads on source published under an open licence: GIMP yes, Adobe Photoshop no
How they score
Both are scored the same way, against the other image editors we rate, from facts on each vendor's own pages. Adobe Photoshop leads on 3 of 4 criteria.
Where they differ
Every point where the two vendors' published facts disagree, with a link to where each fact was read. "Not published" means the vendor does not say either way.
Published by only one of them
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
Adobe Photoshop
GIMP
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
Adobe Photoshop
- Supports a full CMYK working space for print, not just soft-proofing.
- Non-destructive editing through adjustment layers and masks.
- Native PSD support that preserves every layer and effect.
- Batch command, Image Processor and droplets automate edits across many files at once.
- Sold only by subscription, with no perpetual license option on any plan.
- The full desktop app has no free tier; only the feature-gated mobile app is free.
- Generative AI features are capped at 25 monthly credits on the single-app plan.
GIMP
- Free forever, with no paid tier, subscription or account required.
- Open source under the GNU General Public License, with commercial use explicitly allowed.
- Imports and exports PSD files with layers intact.
- Batch processing from the command line, driven by Script-Fu scripting.
- Full CMYK editing is not shipped; the project describes it only as a roadmap item.
- No AI-based editing tools: no generative fill, AI upscaling, or automatic background removal.
- Runs only as installed desktop software, with no web or mobile version.
Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP: common questions
Which is better, Adobe Photoshop or GIMP?
Adobe Photoshop scores 8.5 and GIMP 5.9 out of 10 among the image editors we rate. Adobe Photoshop is ahead on what it adds beyond the basics, workflow and output and privacy and trust. GIMP is ahead on pricing.
Is Adobe Photoshop or GIMP cheaper?
Adobe Photoshop's cheapest paid plan is $19.99/mo (Photography plan, includes Lightroom) and GIMP's is Free. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
What can Adobe Photoshop do that GIMP cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: generative fill and expand, generates images from a prompt, selects a subject or sky by itself, aI image editing (erase, relight), one-action background removal, aI upscaling, works in CMYK for print and template library.
What can GIMP do that Adobe Photoshop cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: source published under an open licence.
