Head-to-head · facts checked 21 Sept 2026
Corel PaintShop Pro vs GIMP
2 tools, 12 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
The verdict
Corel PaintShop Pro or GIMP?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
CCorel PaintShop Pro
PaintShop Pro 2023
$79.99 one-time
PaintShop Pro 2023 Ultimate
$99.99 one-time
GIMP
Free
Free
Free, open-source software with no paid tier
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
CCorel PaintShop Pro
Pros
- Bought once as a one-time purchase rather than a subscription, and kept afterward.
- Native AI tools for upscaling, denoising, style transfer and background replacement ship in the base app.
- Imports and exports PSD files with layers for moving work to and from Photoshop.
- Supports third-party plugins including Adobe plugins and brushes, Topaz Labs and the Nik Collection by DXO.
Cons
- No permanent free plan, only a 30-day free trial.
- Windows only, with no Mac version.
- No working CMYK colour mode; editing stays in RGB with conversion only at export.
GIMP
Pros
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | — | 1995 |
| HQ | Canada | — |
| AI model | — | None |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | One-time purchase | — |
| Free plan | No | Yes, the whole app |
| Free trial | Yes, 30 days | No |
| Starting price | $79.99 one-time | Free |
| All plans | PaintShop Pro 2023 — $79.99 one-time PaintShop Pro 2023 Ultimate — $99.99 one-time | Free — Free |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Windows photo editors who want raw editing, PSD support and AI tools in an app they buy once | Photo editors who want a free, open-source desktop editor they can extend with their own plug-ins |
| Differentiator | PaintShop Pro is a Windows photo editor bought once, with raw editing, batch processing and AI tools. | GIMP is free, open-source software with no company behind it, extended through a documented plug-in API. |
| Competitors | Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, GIMP | Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, Photopea |
Section 03
Corel PaintShop Pro vs GIMP: common questions
Is Corel PaintShop Pro or GIMP cheaper?
Corel PaintShop Pro's cheapest paid plan is $79.99 one-time and GIMP's is Free. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
Keep comparing
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