Compare GIMP and Krita on pricing, features, platforms, and ratings — both Graphic Design tools, Free / Open Source pricing to decide which fits your team.
At a Glance
GIMP
Krita
Primary category
Graphic Design
Graphic Design
Rating
Not documented
Not documented
Pricing model
Free / Open Source
Free / Open Source
Starting price
Free
Free
Free plan
Not documented
Not documented
Free trial
Not documented
Not documented
Platforms
Mac, Windows
Android, Mac, Windows
Team collaboration
Not documented
Not documented
AI features
Not documented
Not documented
Public API
Not documented
Not documented
Pricing Compared
Starting price reflects the lowest paid tier, not the full cost for every team size or usage level.
GIMP
GIMP (all platforms) — Free N/A
Krita
Free (Official Download) — $0 N/A
Store Version (Steam, Microsoft Store, Google Play) — Around $9.99, one-time (optional) One-time
Pros & Cons
GIMP
Pros
Completely free with no subscriptions, licensing fees, or feature paywalls
Professional-grade feature set comparable to commercial editors like Photoshop
Fully open source, auditable, and cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Highly extensible through scripting (Python, Script-Fu) and a large plug-in ecosystem
Nearly 30 years of continuous development and an active, stable community
Cons
Steeper learning curve and less polished UX than modern commercial competitors
Non-destructive editing arrived only with version 3.0 in 2025, decades after commercial rivals offered it
No official technical support beyond community forums and documentation
Some professional workflows (advanced CMYK printing, certain PSD features) are less mature than Photoshop's
Interface conventions can feel unfamiliar to users coming directly from Adobe products
Krita
Pros
Completely free with no subscriptions, watermarks, or feature paywalls
Professional-grade brush engine rivals paid competitors like Photoshop and Procreate
Fully open source under GPL v3 so the code can be audited, modified, and redistributed
Built-in animation tools remove the need for a separate 2D animation app
Active community and frequent releases funded by a nonprofit foundation
Cons
No built-in cloud collaboration or sync comparable to some commercial apps
Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to simplified apps like Procreate
No official iOS or iPad app, only Android/ChromeOS on mobile
Relies on donations and optional store purchases, so development pace depends on funding
Advanced typography and print-production features lag behind Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop
Use Cases
GIMP
Photo retouching and editing — Correcting color, removing blemishes, and compositing photographs without a paid subscription.
Digital art and illustration — Creating digital paintings and graphics using GIMP's brush, layer, and selection tools.
Batch image processing and automation — Using Script-Fu or Python scripting to automate repetitive editing tasks across many files.
Krita
Digital illustration and concept art — Professional brush engine and layer tools for painting original artwork and game or film concept art.
Comic and webcomic creation — Vector text, panel templates, and perspective assistants streamline comic page production.
2D animation — Built-in timeline, onion skinning, and export to GIF, WebM, and image sequences support short-form frame-by-frame animation without extra software.