GIMP vs. Adobe Photoshop

Comparison of GIMP and Adobe Photoshop
Real cost
	GIMP A free, open-source editor that covers most photo work. Its interface is less polished than paid tools. Swap this Tool Use Visual Studio Code instead	Adobe Photoshop The industry standard for photo editing, with the deepest toolset. It is a subscription and takes time to learn. Swap this Tool Use Visual Studio Code instead
Price	0 €	25 € per month
Payment	Free	Subscription
Trial	No trial	7-day trial
Free Tier	No free tier	No free tier
Open Source	Yes	No
Features and limits
Main Features	Layers and masks Retouching tools Many file formats Scripting and plugins Customisable interface	Layers and masks Retouching and healing tools Generative fill Camera Raw Large plugin ecosystem
Limits	Interface takes getting used to Limited CMYK support	Subscription only Steep learning curve
Compatibility and trust
Supported Operating Systems	WindowsmacOS	WindowsmacOS
Verified on	24 Sep 2026	27 Sep 2026
Where to buy
Vendor	Go to vendor’s site: GIMP (opens in a new tab) Free, open source.	Go to vendor’s site: Adobe Photoshop (opens in a new tab) Subscription. Approximate list price in euros, check the vendor.

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