GIMP vs. Affinity Photo

Comparison of GIMP and Affinity Photo
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 Malwarebytes instead Use Visual Studio Code instead	Affinity Photo A capable alternative to Photoshop without a subscription. The plugin ecosystem is smaller. Swap this Tool Use Malwarebytes instead Use Visual Studio Code instead
Price	0 €	0 €
Payment	Free	Free
Trial	No trial	No trial
Free Tier	No free tier	Free to use; optional AI features need a paid Canva plan
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 RAW development Non-destructive filters Panorama stitching Photoshop file support
Limits	Interface takes getting used to Limited CMYK support	Smaller plugin ecosystem
Compatibility and trust
Supported Operating Systems	WindowsmacOS	WindowsmacOS
Verified on	24 Sep 2026	18 Oct 2026
Where to buy
Vendor	Go to vendor’s site: GIMP (opens in a new tab) Free, open source.	Go to vendor’s site: Affinity Photo (opens in a new tab) Free to use; AI features are paid.

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