Gimp alternatives will steal your heart for sure. Even though this app has been quite a popular one on the market, you can enjoy pretty much similar features from others too.
Well, you can say that Gimp is powerful and promotes easy operations when it comes to image-editing stuff. However, many users consider looking for other options that provide a better experience and accessible tools.
If you are looking for programs like Gimp, you will definitely find several best names on the list below. Many of them are free but you are also welcome to invest in paid apps.
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The Best Gimp Alternatives for Windows, Mac, and More
Talking about the alternatives, there are plenty of apps you may find on the internet. Some of them require you to download the app while the others are available directly on the website – for free.
Despite your preference, make sure that you pick the one that supports your work at most. Gimp, on the other hand, gets its popularity for reasons.
It has a customizable interface and the plugins are available for free. Even though some users find difficulties when using the app for the first time, it has a robust community.
Other than that, Gimp allows you to open and edit almost any type of image file. The only thing that makes people consider trying some paid or free Gimp alternatives is its cluttered interface.
So, if you are looking for an app that helps you edit pictures like Gimp does, below is a list of excellent apps you should give a try.
1. PicMonkey
You will find various options that will allow you to manipulate a photo. Other than Gimp, PicMonkey is such a perfect app to consider.
It comes with a wide range of tools to edit pictures and you will get pro-level results as long as you know how to use it. Other than editing photos, you can use this app to design anything from scratch.
As an online app, PicMonkey is not free and you can pick from its pricing options before giving this app a try. Of course, there is a free trial provided, in case you want to see how it works.
More than anything, PicMonkey is a decent alternative to Gimp that you can find out there. If you are willing to pay for the subscription then this app is worth your time and budget in many ways.
2. Pixelied
When it comes to the Gimp alternative open source app, you cannot skip Pixelied for sure. This app is generally an online tool that comes with tons of editing features and graphic design options.
It means that you can create various visual materials by using this app. Whether you will use edited photos or customize the design from scratch, this program will help until you get what you like.
Even though it sounds rich and complicated, Pixelied is relatively easy to master. From the editor layout to all the features offered, you can operate this app smoothly.
If you are finished with your design, you can choose the output, whether it is JPG, PNG, PDF, or SVG. More than anything, this app is such an excellent yet seamless software to work with.
So, if you are looking for a photo editing app with advanced tools and effortless workflow, Pixelied should be on your considerations list.
3. Krita
Most of the time, it is easier to find apps for Windows and Mac OS. What about Linux? Is there an alternative app to Gimp that works smoothly for Linux?
Of course, there are some names – one of the best apps is Krita. This app is well-known for creating illustrations and other 2D artworks.
So, if you are up for a tool for drawing and sketching – both from scratch or from a photo – this app will do a lot for you. Also, it is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac devices.
However, you may only enjoy painting tools from this app. Still, Krita is a Gimp alternative Linux you better give a try.
Even though it sounds limited, this app is ideal for those who love digital sketching. You can get and use this app for free but there are always in-app purchases to consider.
4. Affinity Photo
If you are looking for Gimp fork apps then this one is not an ideal choice. However, this app comes with a pack of tools to enhance your work.
Whether you need an app to edit your photos or create visual projects from scratch, Affinity Photo will help do your tasks. This app is quite popular among professionals due to its speed, precision, and how powerful the features are.
By using this app, you can edit anything in real-time. Of course, you can download the result later and save the settings as a preset in case you need it in the future.
However, those great things come with a price to pay. Affinity is not a free app and the subscription starts at US 24.99 per month. Before committing to its paid version, you can always use the free trial – it is valid for 90 days.
5. Pixlr Editor
Meanwhile, if you are looking for a Gimp online alternative then you have to give Pixlr a shot. First thing first, you don’t need to download and install anything in the first place, considering this platform is an online-based one.
Other than that, there is no need to subscribe or pay for anything to use this platform. Isn’t it interesting?
Well, this app is an excellent choice for those who love designing. Whether for marketing visuals or your next artwork, Pixlr Editor is worth a shot in many ways.
You can use various tools, such as healing, history, special effects, and also some filters to enhance your work. After that, you can pick the download output too.
And in case you need basic editing tools, Pixlr also comes with red-eye removal, resizing and cropping, creating collages, and many more. Even though this app is free, other sophisticated features are only available after plan upgrading.
6. Darktable
Even though Darktable has made it on this list, this app is not necessarily the best free apps like Gimp designed for anyone. Of course, this program has a set of powerful tools for editing and processing tools.
Darktable is developed by photographers for photographers. The main goal of this app is to develop RAW pictures with high-level image processing tools. It sounds sophisticated but the niche is highly segmented, after all.
Of course, it makes one photographer separate himself from another mainstream photographer, eventually. Thus, if you need an app for such a specific need mentioned above, Darktable deserves a place on your consideration list.
7. Photopea
Another worth-trying Gimp alternative for Windows is Photopea. This photo editor is one of the web-based tools that have been developing themselves quite excellently in the past years.
Generally, the interface is similar to Photoshop – it even looks like a clone. You can open various file types, such as PDF and other native formats from Adobe products. It also allows you to access XCF files, a native video format of Gimp.
Since Photopea is a web-based photo editing tool, you need a decent internet connection to run its features. Other than that, editing hi-res images may cause annoying lags. This app has healing and cloning features, but may also lag if your internet connection is not stable.
All in all, this app is a decent photo editing app that allows you to do basic edits in the first place. It will be better for you to give this app a try and decide for yourself whether Photopea is what you need or vice versa.
8. Luminar
Luminar, on the other hand, is an ideal Gimp alternative Mac you should give a try. It allows you to edit and transform images without wasting your time in the first place.
This app incorporates AI technology that helps you create realistic results with details and lots of exciting things. Other than using the AI to adjust your picture, the app also allows you to manually edit your picture.
Luminar makes editing and adjusting much effortless. It has a transform tab that allows you to enhance the perspective and fix other imperfections caused by the lens.
While coming with a pack of filters and special effects, this app is not free. The license starts at US 67 but you can always use its 7-day free trial before committing to Luminar’s paid version.
Keep in mind that the license is for unlimited yet forever access – there is no need for a monthly subscription.
9. Paint.NET
When it comes to the ideal Gimp android alternative, you have to make sure that the tools are accessible to your small Android device. Paint.NET, on the other hand, might not be an ideal alternative for your smartphone.
However, if all you need is a basic photo editing app then this one would work fine for you. Besides being an old-school option, this app offers the most minimal features compared to other names on this list.
Still, Paint.NET provides anything you need when it comes to editing your images. The presets and templates are as basic as they sound. Since it is free, you have nothing to complain about, after all.
As mentioned earlier, this app might not be the best app to replace Gimp. But if all you need is an app with a set of basic editing tools the Paint.NET might deliver the services you need. Give this app a try, though.
10. Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop always wins the hearts of its lovers. Despite its paid services, complicated tools, and somewhat-steep learning curves, this app never fails to deliver excellent results on many levels.
You will be able to adjust any image and create any visual project by using this app. Well, Adobe seems pretty serious with its products. It is possible to use almost all of Adobe’s products to create stunning visual work.
Of course, Photoshop is not the most lightweight Gimp alternative. However, it now has the Neural Filters that allow you to smooth your skin, create a smile on your face, adjust the lighting directions and a lot more through a few taps.
This app requires you to pay USD 9.99 per month for several Adobe products along with 20 GB of cloud storage. Also, Photoshop is consistent in releasing new features every few years.
11. Zoner Photo Studio X
Zoner Photo Studio also deserves a spot on the list of the best Gimp alternatives. This app utilizes a similar system to Affinity but the results tend to be more logical.
You can manage anything about your work through the Manager tab. Each tab you can find on its layout handles different tasks, which you may need to learn about in the first place.
Another thrilling feature offered by Zoner Photo Studio is that you can reduce noises based on colors. However, this app is not a free service and only runs on Windows devices.
Still, the pricing is quite affordable, only USD 5 per month. You better give ZPS a try and find out how amazing the features are.
Conclusion
Talking about the best alternative app, there are several names you can consider. The best choice always depends on how you want the app to work in the first place. Other than that, a more complex task might also need a more sophisticated app to work with.
When it comes to Gimp best alternative, Pixelied is undoubtedly it, especially if all you need is a simple app with pro-quality tools and services to work with.
However, for those who prefer an app with a pack of tools to edit pictures and create impressive visual projects, Adobe products will always satisfy your desire. Photoshop and InDesign, for instance, should be in your pocket.
So, which Gimp alternatives do you like the most? Some free options are quite exciting but the paid apps are also worth investing in.
