Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic vs GIMP vs Looka Comparison
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic
Starting at $9.99 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Mac & Windows, formerly known as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC, is photo editing software that allows to import, organize, edit and share photos. Work at an desirable pace with non-de…
GIMP
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Medium Business
GIMP is a cross-platform image manipulation program designed to fit users needs. Get started with GIMP by working on individual projects or participate in one of the many online user communities for aid with any problems…
Looka
Starting at $4.99 /Month
- Individuals
- Medium Business
The looka design suite comprises a full software environment for every stage of a designer's work. The suite enables designers to create and share a seamless style in every image. With looka, any image can have a consist…
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 1,182 reviews.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic vs GIMP vs Looka — at a glance
| Feature | Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic | GIMP | Looka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,182 | 4,592 | 11,322 |
| Starting price | $9.99 /Month | Contact for pricing | $4.99 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | No | No |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Photo Editing Software | Graphic Design Software | Graphic Design Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online | Online |
| Certifications | — | — | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | — | US |
Key differences between Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic and GIMP
- Pricing: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic starts at $9.99 /Month. GIMP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic offers a free trial; GIMP does not.
- Target audience: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while GIMP targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic vs GIMP vs Looka — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Photo Editing Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation.
- You need a cost-effective solution with comprehensive digital art tools.
- You are a freelancer, small business, or educator seeking flexible graphic design software.
- You value strong community support and frequent feature updates.
- You require an intuitive, industry-standard interface with minimal learning curve.
- You depend on extensive plugin marketplaces and third-party integrations.
Best for quick, easy logo and brand identity design for small teams.
- You need fast, simple logo creation with minimal learning curve.
- You want consistent brand styling across multiple images effortlessly.
- You value responsive, personalized customer support for design issues.
- Your team requires advanced design features and deep customization.
- You represent a large enterprise needing complex design workflows.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. GIMP tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Mac & Windows, formerly known as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC, is photo editing software that allows to import, organize, edit and share photos. Work ... Read More about Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic | GIMP is a cross-platform image manipulation program designed to fit users needs. Get started with GIMP by working on individual projects or participate in one of the many online user ... Read More about GIMP | The looka design suite comprises a full software environment for every stage of a designer's work. The suite enables designers to create and share a seamless style in every image. With ... Read More about Looka |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.0/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | — | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-50 employees51-200 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |  GIMP has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, GIMP and Looka Compare on Features?
Total Features | 5 Features | 4 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, GIMP and Looka on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Pricing Page |  | Pricing information not available |  |
Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | — |
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GDPR | — | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | — |
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic vs GIMP User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 789 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate GIMP's powerful features and free access but note a challenging learning curve and interface complexity. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate Looka for its ease of use and outstanding customer support, though some note limitations in advanced features and occasional technical issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  2 Videos | No videos available. |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic or GIMP?
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic and GIMP offer a free trial?
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic offers a free trial. GIMP does not.
- What is the starting price of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic vs GIMP?
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic starts at $9.99 /Month. GIMP starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic?
- Top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic include Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Cutout.pro.
- What are the top alternatives to GIMP?
- Top alternatives to GIMP include Looka, Photopea, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Canva.