Compare GIMP and Microsoft Designer on pricing, features, platforms, and ratings — both Graphic Design tools, Free / Open Source vs Freemium pricing to decide…
At a Glance
GIMP
Microsoft Designer
Primary category
Graphic Design
Graphic Design
Rating
Not documented
Not documented
Pricing model
Free / Open Source
Freemium
Starting price
Free
Free
Free plan
Not documented
Yes
Free trial
Not documented
Not documented
Platforms
Mac, Windows
Web, iOS, Android, Windows
Team collaboration
Not documented
Not documented
AI features
Not documented
Yes
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
Microsoft Designer
Free — Free N/A
Microsoft 365 Personal — $9.99/month Monthly
Microsoft 365 Premium — $19.99/month Monthly
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
Microsoft Designer
Pros
Free tier accessible to any Microsoft account holder
DALL-E 3 image generation built directly into the design workflow
Integrates natively into PowerPoint, Word, and Microsoft Photos
AI editing tools (Restyle, background removal, object erase) go beyond basic template editing
Simple, prompt-based workflow lowers the skill barrier for non-designers
Cons
Free tier credit allowance (around 15/month) is limiting for frequent use
Full credit benefits require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
Design customization is less deep than long-established tools like Canva or Adobe Express
Smaller third-party template and asset marketplace compared to Canva
AI-generated layouts sometimes need manual cleanup for brand-specific requirements
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.
Microsoft Designer
Social media content creation — Marketers and creators generate on-brand social posts and stories quickly using text prompts instead of manual layout work.
Presentation slide design — Users generate polished visuals and layouts for PowerPoint presentations directly within the app.
Marketing materials for small businesses — Small businesses create flyers, invitations, and promotional graphics without hiring a designer or learning complex design software.