Gi
GIMP4.2/5vsPt
Photopea4.8/5GIMP vs Photopea (March 2026)
| GiGIMP | PtPhotopea | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements, Photographers performing retouching and restoration work | Quick photo edits without software installation, Freelance work on multiple devices |
Quick Verdict
Photopea takes the lead with a 4.8/5 rating compared to GIMP's 4.2/5, though both are solid choices depending on your priorities.
Quick Overview
Gi
GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source cross-platform image editor that provides sophisticated too...
- Best for: Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements, Photographers performing retouching and restoration work
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Photo Editing Software
- Founded: 1995
- Pricing model: freemium
Pt
Photopea
A free, browser-based photo editor offering Photoshop-like tools for raster and vector graphics. Supports PSD, AI, and R...
- Best for: Quick photo edits without software installation, Freelance work on multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Photo Editing Software
- Founded: 2013
- Pricing model: freemium
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GIMP | Photopea |
|---|---|---|
| Photo retouching and restoration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Non-destructive filters (NDE) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Non-raster layers | ✓ | ✗ |
| SVG import with improved rendering | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-language scripting support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Plugin and script extensibility | ✓ | ✗ |
| Color operations and adjustments | ✓ | ✗ |
| Layer and mask manipulation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Creative compositing tools | ✓ | ✗ |
| Icon and UI mockup creation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cross-platform compatibility | ✓ | ✗ |
| Batch processing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Layers and Masks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Smart Objects | ✗ | ✓ |
| RAW File Support | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Background Removal | ✗ | ✓ |
| Magic Replace | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vector Graphics Editing | ✗ | ✓ |
| PSD Import/Export | ✗ | ✓ |
| Adjustment Layers | ✗ | ✓ |
| Filters and Effects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Animated GIF Support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Offline Editing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi-format Export | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Pros & Cons
GIMP
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Highly extensible through plugins and multi-language scripting
- Cross-platform compatibility across all major operating systems
- Professional-grade tools for photo manipulation and graphic design
Cons
- Steep learning curve compared to commercial alternatives
- Limited AI and machine learning features
- Slower performance on complex projects with many layers
- Less intuitive UI for beginners
Photopea
Pros
- Completely free with professional features
- No installation required - runs in browser
- Supports complex file formats like PSD and RAW
- Works offline on any device
Cons
- Performance can lag with large files
- Free version includes distracting ads
- Not 100% identical to Photoshop features
- AI features are limited in free tier
Which Is Best for You?
Gi
Choose GIMP if:
- Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements
- Photographers performing retouching and restoration work
- Digital artists and illustrators creating original artwork
- Open-source advocates seeking free alternatives to commercial software
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority (Free vs $5)
Pt
Choose Photopea if:
- Quick photo edits without software installation
- Freelance work on multiple devices
- Educational projects and presentations
- Creating promotional materials and product photos
- You want to start with a free plan
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.8 vs 4.2)
Our Verdict
🏆
PtPhotopea — WinnerGiGIMP — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, Photopea takes the lead in this comparison with a higher rating of 4.8/5 versus GIMP's 4.2/5.
Photopea is best for Quick photo edits without software installation and Freelance work on multiple devices. Completely free with professional features.
GIMP remains a strong alternative, especially for Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements and Photographers performing retouching and restoration work. Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs.
Pricing-wise, GIMP is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
GIMP Alternatives
Photopea Alternatives
Category Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Photopea takes the lead with a 4.8/5 rating compared to GIMP's 4.2/5, though both are solid choices depending on your priorities.
GIMP starts at Free/yr (free tier available), while Photopea starts at $5/mo (free tier available).
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
GIMP integrates with Python scripting, Perl scripting, Scheme scripting, G'MIC filters. Photopea integrates with Photoshop (PSD), Illustrator (AI), GIMP (XCF), Figma (FIG). Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. GIMP is best for Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements and Photographers performing retouching and restoration work, while Photopea excels for Quick photo edits without software installation and Freelance work on multiple devices. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
GIMP has a 4.2/5 rating from 8,500 reviews, while Photopea scores 4.8/5 from 23 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, GIMP may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, Photopea (Free) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. GIMP has 1 plans while Photopea has 2 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both GIMP and Photopea offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose GIMP if you prioritize completely free and open-source with no licensing costs and want to start free. Choose Photopea if you value completely free with professional features and want a free tier.