GIMP is a free, open-source image editor for Windows and macOS, with no company behind it. It suits people who want a full raster editor without a subscription or an account, and it suits less well anyone looking for AI editing tools, since GIMP ships none.
What is GIMP?
There is no company or foundation behind GIMP. It is built by a diverse group of volunteer contributors, and the project traces back to 1995. GIMP is an installed desktop application for Windows and macOS (also available on GNU/Linux), and it requires no account of any kind: nothing about your work is sent anywhere.
Editing images in GIMP
GIMP works natively in its own format but imports and exports PSD files, including layers, and its 3.2 release added non-destructive Link Layers and Vector Layers on top of its existing non-destructive text layers and filters. Raw camera files are handled through bundled or supported plug-ins such as darktable, RawTherapee and ART, rather than a built-in raw developer. Batch processing runs from the command line, driven by Script-Fu scripting, and pressure-sensitive tablet input is supported through paint dynamics. Third-party plug-ins and Script-Fu or Python-Fu scripts extend the app, and GIMP publishes a documented plug-in API (the PDB) for developers.
Full CMYK editing is not shipped. GIMP's own FAQ describes better CMYK support as something that has been on its roadmap for a long time, with initial groundwork done but not a complete CMYK editing workflow. GIMP also has no AI-based editing tools: no generative fill, no AI upscaling, no one-click background removal and no automatic subject selection.
Working with other people
GIMP is built for one person editing locally rather than a team co-editing a file; there is no real-time collaboration or comment workflow. In place of company support, the project runs on volunteer channels: forums, IRC, Matrix and Discord chat, and mailing lists, plus a built-in manual and documentation site for reference.
GIMP pricing: what it costs
GIMP is free, with no paid tier of any kind. There is nothing to trial and nothing to subscribe to; the entire application is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License, and commercial use is explicitly allowed without restriction.
Privacy and support
Questions about training on your work, SOC 2 and GDPR do not arise for GIMP the way they do for a cloud service: it is installed desktop software with no account and no vendor server that your files pass through, so there is nothing collected to audit. Support runs through the volunteer community: forums, real-time chat, mailing lists and the project's own documentation and manual.
Who GIMP suits
GIMP suits anyone who wants a capable, free raster editor with layers, masks, PSD compatibility and scriptable batch processing, and who is comfortable with a volunteer-run project instead of a company with a support line. It also suits anyone who wants their files to never touch a server at all, since nothing is uploaded or requires an account.
It suits less well anyone who needs full CMYK editing for print production today, since that is still only a roadmap item, or anyone who wants AI tools such as generative fill, upscaling or automatic background removal built in, since GIMP has none of those.
How GIMP compares
GIMP scores 5.9 out of 10 among the image editors we rate. These three do the same job and are the closest to it, compared on what each vendor publishes.
Adobe Photoshop
No company stands behind GIMP, which is free and open source software. Photoshop's Photography plan, which includes Lightroom, costs $19.99 a month and adds generative fill, prompt based image generation and automatic subject selection that GIMP does not have. GIMP still opens and saves layered PSD files and supports pressure sensitive tablets. Photoshop works in a full CMYK colour space for print, while 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.
Affinity
Affinity's CMYK support works right away in its free app; GIMP's CMYK editing is still in progress, showing only ink coverage for now. GIMP opens and saves layered PSD files, while Affinity opens them but exports only a flattened version. Affinity's AI tools, including generative fill, need a paid Canva plan, while GIMP has no AI tools of any kind. Both support pressure sensitive tablets, and GIMP's code is published under the GPL licence.
Pick Affinity if you want CMYK support ready now instead of in progress.
Pick GIMP if you want open source software you can extend with plug-ins.
Photopea
Photopea is not open source; GIMP is free and open source, with no company behind it. Photopea offers generative fill and expand, automatic subject selection and one click background removal, none of which GIMP has. GIMP supports pressure sensitive tablets for drawing, while Photopea does not. Photopea exports to 7 file formats against GIMP's 6, though GIMP runs on 2 platforms compared with Photopea's single browser based one.
Pick Photopea if you want generative fill and background removal in a browser.
Pick GIMP if you need pressure sensitive drawing or fully open source code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GIMP really free?
Yes. GIMP has no paid tier at all: the whole application is free software under the GNU General Public License, with no subscription, no account and no limits to work around.
Does GIMP open Photoshop's PSD files?
Yes, both importing and exporting PSD files with layers, though some legacy layer-mode handling is called out on export.
Does GIMP have AI editing features?
No. GIMP has no generative fill, AI upscaling, automatic subject selection or one-click background removal. Full CMYK editing is also not shipped yet, though the project describes it as a roadmap item.
Does GIMP collect or train on my files?
The question does not really apply: GIMP is installed software with no account and no server your images pass through, so nothing of yours is collected or sent anywhere.
