GIMP review 2026: the free, open-source Photoshop alternative. Explore features, version history, pros, cons and the best GIMP alternatives.
Category
Graphic Design
Pricing
Free / Open Source, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
1995
WindowsOpen SourceSelf-HostedMac
Overview
GIMP began in 1995 as a UC Berkeley class project by Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis and became the GNU Image Manipulation Program after Richard Stallman approved its GNU affiliation in 1997.
Nearly three decades later it remains a fully free, open-source, cross-platform raster image editor maintained entirely by volunteer developers, with GIMP 3.0 (2025) finally delivering full non-destructive editing.
Key Features
GIMP offers layer-based compositing, advanced Bezier-path selections, roughly 150 built-in filters, and support for native XCF plus common formats like JPEG, PNG, WebP, TIFF, and Photoshop PSD files.
Its scripting system supports Script-Fu, Python, Perl, and Tcl for automation, and its plug-in architecture has produced a large ecosystem of third-party extensions such as the G'MIC filter collection.
Pricing
GIMP is completely free under the GNU General Public License v3 or later, with no paid tiers, subscriptions, or feature restrictions of any kind.
It is sustained by volunteer development and community donations rather than commercial licensing, in direct contrast to Adobe Photoshop's subscription-based Creative Cloud model.
Key Features
Layer-based compositing — Full layer support with masks, blend modes, and groups for complex image composition.
Advanced selection tools — Bezier-curve path tools, magic wand, and other precision selection methods for detailed editing.
150+ built-in filters and effects — A large library of native filters for blurring, distortion, artistic effects, and color manipulation.
Non-destructive editing (3.0+) — GIMP 3.0 introduced non-destructive adjustment layers and effects, closing a long-standing gap with commercial editors.
Scripting and automation — Script-Fu (Scheme), Python, Perl, and Tcl support for batch processing and custom tool automation.
Broad file format support — Native XCF format plus import/export for JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, TIFF, and Photoshop PSD files.
Cross-platform availability — Native builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux/BSD, maintained by the open-source community.
Plug-in ecosystem — An extensible plug-in architecture supporting large third-party filter packs like G'MIC.
Pros & Cons
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
Pricing
GIMP (all platforms) Free N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GIMP really free?
Yes, GIMP is completely free to download, use, and modify under the GNU General Public License v3 or later, with no paid tiers or subscriptions.
Who created GIMP?
GIMP was created in 1995 by Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis as a class project at UC Berkeley, later becoming affiliated with the GNU Project with Richard Stallman's approval.
Is GIMP a good alternative to Photoshop?
GIMP is widely considered the leading free alternative to Photoshop, offering a comparable professional feature set, though with a steeper learning curve and a different interface.
What platforms does GIMP support?
GIMP runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux/BSD, with community-maintained builds available for most major operating systems.
Does GIMP support non-destructive editing?
Yes, full non-destructive editing was introduced in GIMP 3.0, released in March 2025.
Can GIMP open Photoshop PSD files?
Yes, GIMP supports importing and exporting Photoshop PSD files, though very advanced PSD-specific features may not fully translate.