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GIMP

The best free photo editor for Windows, Mac and Linux: 8/16/32-bit float RGB, layers, layer masks, Python-Fu batch scripting with type-signature validation. Opens JPEG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, PSD-with-layer-merge, and RAW via plugins. Interface is deliberately modal-heavy — use single-window mode from Windows 11 onwards.

Category
Image editing
Licence
Free and open source
Official site
www.gimp.org
Last updated
2026-10-17
Download from official siteAll free apps

What it does

GIMP handles layer-based image editing, retouching, format conversion and graphic design tasks that go beyond cropping and rotating.

When it helps

When you need to edit images regularly and Photoshop's subscription is not justified. Its batch script (Script-Fu and Python-Fu) makes repetitive conversion work genuinely automated.

Limitations

The interface still splits tools across multiple windows by default (single-window mode helps), CMYK support is limited for professional print work, and non-destructive editing is less mature than in Photoshop or Affinity. Designers doing heavy print work often pair it with Krita or use a commercial alternative.

Security and licensing

Open source (GPL). Images edited locally never leave your machine, which is itself a privacy advantage over cloud editors.

Alternatives

Krita for digital painting and illustration; Paint.NET on Windows for lighter edits (free but not open source); Photopea in the browser when you cannot install anything (free tier, proprietary).

Common questions

GIMP vs Photoshop — is GIMP good enough?

For photo retouching, format conversion, web graphics and most design work: yes, and it costs nothing. Photoshop pulls ahead in CMYK print workflows, non-destructive adjustment layers, and camera RAW support. If your work stays on-screen, GIMP covers it.

How do I resize an image in GIMP without losing quality?

Image → Scale Image. Set width and height in pixels (or percent), keep the chain-link icon on to preserve aspect ratio, and choose interpolation: NoHalo or LoHalo for downscaling, Cubic for upscaling. Export with File → Export As, not Save, to choose the format.

How do I make a background transparent in GIMP?

Add an alpha channel (Layer → Transparency → Add Alpha Channel), then use the Fuzzy Select tool or Paths tool to select the background and press Delete. Export as PNG — JPEG does not support transparency.

Can GIMP batch-convert images?

Yes, via Script-Fu or Python-Fu (Filters → Python-Fu → Console). A ten-line script can walk a folder and convert every file to PNG at a set size — a genuine time-saver for bulk work that would take an hour by hand.

GIMP vs Paint.NET vs Photopea — which free editor?

GIMP for full layer-based editing and batch scripting on any OS. Paint.NET for quick Windows-only edits with a simpler interface. Photopea in the browser when you cannot install anything — it opens PSD files and mimics Photoshop's layout, but runs on their servers.

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