Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP

Fit:

Migration notes

Local retouching and compositing alternative. Workflow/UI differ; save editable projects as XCF and export interchange copies, since non-native formats lose some project information. RAW development uses darktable or RawTherapee plug-ins. Validate required project features before switching.

Sources: www.gimp.org, www.gimp.org, docs.gimp.org · checked 2026-10-21

Adobe PhotoshopPaid incumbent

Entry priceUSD 19.99 / seat / month

Pricing modelper-seat, billed annual

OwnerAdobe Inc.

Lowest listed individual plan including desktop Photoshop is Photography at US$19.99/month on an annual commitment billed monthly; standalone Photoshop US$22.99/month. Web/mobile-only offer excluded from desktop comparison. Source

Adobe Photoshop plans reviewed
Photography	entry	USD 239.88 / user / yr
Photoshop for teams	business	Not established

GIMPOpen-source alternative

Fit for Adobe Photoshop

License

GNU General Public License v3.0 Permissions of this strong copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications, which include larger works using a licensed work, under the same license. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. May Commercial useModificationDistributionPatent usePrivate use Must License and copyright noticeState changesDisclose sourceSame license No LiabilityWarranty Summary from GitHub's choosealicense.com

Paid-feature tier A

Self-host

Paid-feature limitsNone established

GIMP plans reviewed
GIMP	free desktop/core	Free

What you may give up

No paid-feature limits established for this edition.

Tier A: Locally operated desktop image editor. All published application functionality available as free software; no commercial feature edition identified. Core GPL v3 or later; libgimp libraries LGPL, icons CC BY-SA, data licensing has historical caveats in LICENSE. GitHub is an active read-only GNOME GitLab mirror. License source

What running it takes

GIMP desktop binary and graphical desktop

Hover or focus an icon for its name. Dashed means not established; struck through means no; grouped icons are alternatives.

Local desktop application, not a server deployment. No external database/cache/queue/SMTP service needed by documented binary installation. Build tools are separate from runtime. Infrastructure and staff time are not priced here; this page does not compare total cost.