GIMP: when to install it, and when not to
Raster image editing at no cost and with no subscription, on all three desktop platforms. For the recurring jobs of cropping, retouching and exporting, it…
The short version
GIMP: The closest thing to a free Photoshop: layers, masks, curves, batch processing, plugin ecosystem. The interface takes a week to stop annoying you. Worth it if you edit photos regularly.
| Licence / price | Free · Open source |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Category | Graphics & Design — 7 programs |
| Official download | https://www.gimp.org/downloads/ ↗ |
What it is for
Raster image editing at no cost and with no subscription, on all three desktop platforms. For the recurring jobs of cropping, retouching and exporting, it does the work without holding your files hostage.
When to pick something else
The interface has a real learning cost. For a five-minute task, Paint.NET on Windows is faster; for drawing and painting, Krita has the better brush engine; for logos, a vector editor is the correct tool.
What independent reviewers found
We do not run lab tests or benchmarks. These summaries are written in our own words, with the publisher named and the original linked. Our citation policy explains what we will and will not reproduce.
PCMag — 2025
What the source says. PCMag's scored review flags a dated interface, slower performance and no native raw camera support, while its 2025 reader survey puts GIMP at the top of the free options for value.
What we take from it. The two results are not a contradiction. GIMP is a good install if you need layers at no cost and a poor one if you shoot raw and want a polished workflow.
GIMP review and Readers' Choice 2025 survey ↗ (PCMag · 2025 · Editorial review and reader survey)
TechRadar — 2025
What the source says. TechRadar's review makes the learning curve the central caveat and points users who want something simpler toward a lighter editor.
What we take from it. That is why our category page names Paint.NET as the low-effort alternative instead of insisting everyone learn one tool.
GIMP review ↗ (TechRadar · 2025 · Editorial product review)
How it compares in Graphics & Design
These are the alternatives we would consider for the same job. The notes are the same ones used on the main list, so there is no separate ranking hiding on this page.
| Program | Licence / price | Platforms | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krita Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | Built for drawing and painting rather than photo editing: brush engines that feel like real media, onion skinning, animation timeline. The best free option for a drawing tablet. |
| Paint.NET Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Closed source | Windows | The sweet spot between Paint and GIMP: layers, selections, effects, and an interface you understand in ten minutes. This is what most people actually want. Windows only. |
Practical notes
- Work on a copy and export at the end. The native format keeps layers, but the recipient almost certainly wants a flattened file.
- If a document from a paid suite reflows, compare the exported copy before sending it onwards.
Questions people ask
Can it open layered files from paid suites?
Often partially. Complex effects and adjustment layers are where differences appear.
Where it appears in our guides
See the full Graphics & Design explainer for the other 6 programs in this category.
How to read this page. How to read this page. Platform, licence and publisher details come from our directory data. Where an independent review, audit or survey is mentioned, it is summarised in our own words with the source named and linked; our /sources page sets out that policy. The recommendation, the trade-offs and every 'skip it if' line are our editorial judgement. We do not run benchmarks, publish measured performance figures or host installers, and every download link goes to the publisher's own site. If a detail is out of date, our About page explains how to tell us.