Adobe Photoshop Lightroom vs GIMP Comparison
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Starting at $9.99 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
This software gives users easy ways to organize and manage photographs. The Auto Import feature helps to enhance photos without lifting a finger by bringing pictures into the catalog as they are added to folders on compu…
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…
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 2,173 reviews.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom vs GIMP — at a glance
| Feature | Adobe Photoshop Lightroom | GIMP |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Reviews | 2,173 | 822 |
| Starting price | $9.99 /Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Photo Editing Software | Graphic Design Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | — |
| Data residency | Global | — |
Key differences between Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and GIMP
- Pricing: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom starts at $9.99 /Month. GIMP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers a free trial; GIMP does not.
- Target audience: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while GIMP targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom vs GIMP — find the better fit before you commit.
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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Free PDF comparison
Download this Adobe Photoshop Lightroom vs GIMP comparison
Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Photo Editing Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.
- Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
- Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
- Emailed to you — no on-screen download
No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for professional photo management and advanced non-destructive editing.
- You need powerful batch editing and advanced color calibration tools.
- You want seamless integration with Adobe Stock and the Adobe ecosystem.
- You require flexible, non-destructive editing to preserve original images.
- You prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription pricing model.
- You are a beginner seeking extremely simple, quick photo edits without a learning curve.
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.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom: Best for professional photo management and advanced non-destructive editing. GIMP: Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation.
Description | This software gives users easy ways to organize and manage photographs. The Auto Import feature helps to enhance photos without lifting a finger by bringing pictures into the catalog as ... Read More about Adobe Photoshop Lightroom | 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 |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | 1-50 employees51-500 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 |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
- Independent advice — matched to your business
- Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
- Free 15-min call with a software advisor.
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
How do Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and GIMP Compare on Features?
Total Features | 10 Features | 4 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and GIMP 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.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page |  | Pricing information not available |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
|---|---|---|
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | — |
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlighting ease of use and powerful editing features, tempered by concerns over cost and performance. 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
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Videos |  2 Videos | No videos available. |
|---|
Top Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and GIMP in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Related Blogs and Articles for Graphic Design Software
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 or GIMP?
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and GIMP offer a free trial?
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers a free trial. GIMP does not.
- What is the starting price of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom vs GIMP?
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom starts at $9.99 /Month. GIMP starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom?
- Top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom include Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Express, Cutout.pro, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic.
- What are the top alternatives to GIMP?
- Top alternatives to GIMP include Photopea, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Canva, CorelDraw.