Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP vs Looka Comparison
Adobe Photoshop
Starting at $22.99 /month
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Freelancers / Consultants
Photoshop is the industry-standard photo editing software used by professional photographers and designers around the world. Get unrivaled power and performance with this photo editing software. This photo editing softwa…
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 leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 14,920 reviews.
Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP vs Looka — at a glance
| Feature | Adobe Photoshop | GIMP | Looka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 14,920 | 4,592 | 11,322 |
| Starting price | $22.99 /month | Contact for pricing | $4.99 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | No | No |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Photo Editing Software | Graphic Design Software | Graphic Design Software |
| Integrations | 5+ apps | — | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | Available | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Online | Online | Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | — | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | — | US |
Key differences between Adobe Photoshop and GIMP
- Pricing: Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99 /month. GIMP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Adobe Photoshop offers a free trial; GIMP does not.
- Target audience: Adobe Photoshop is built for Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants, while GIMP targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Adobe Photoshop scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
- Deployment: Adobe Photoshop supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Adobe Photoshop 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for professional-grade, versatile photo editing and creative design workflows.
- You need advanced image manipulation with extensive layering and masking tools.
- You require seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for team collaboration.
- You are a graphic or UI/UX designer working in marketing, media, or creative services.
- You want a simple, minimal photo editor with a shallow learning curve.
- Your team depends heavily on a broad third-party app marketplace and connectors.
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: Best for professional-grade, versatile photo editing and creative design workflows. GIMP: Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation.
Description | Photoshop is the industry-standard photo editing software used by professional photographers and designers around the world. Get unrivaled power and performance with this photo editing ... Read More about Adobe Photoshop | 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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Entry Level Pricing |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessLarge Enterprises | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-50 employees51-200 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Continuous Updates & Innovation: Subscribers receive regular updates, new features, and performance improvements without purchasing new versions. Adobe consistently adds capabilities such as AI-powered tools, automation, and workflow enhancements. This ensures users stay current with evolving creative standards and technologies, making Creative Cloud a long-term investment for professionals who want access to the latest creative advancements.
- Scalable Collaboration & Cloud Workflows: Creative Cloud supports collaboration through shared libraries, cloud documents, version history, and integrations with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. Teams can review, comment, and iterate without constant file transfers. Cloud storage and sync features allow creatives to work across devices and locations, supporting remote and hybrid workflows while keeping assets organized and accessible.
- Industry-Standard Tools & File Compatibility: Adobe tools are widely accepted across creative industries, agencies, and enterprises. Using Creative Cloud ensures compatibility with clients, collaborators, and production partners worldwide. Standard file formats reduce friction during handoffs, reviews, and revisions. This makes Adobe especially valuable for professionals working on large teams, cross-company projects, or client-facing deliverables where compatibility and reliability are critical.
No key benefits available yet.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- 10,000+
- Design and creative services, Marketing and advertising, Media and entertainment, Technology, Education, Ecommerce, Publishing
- Graphic designer, UI/UX designer, Video editor, Motion graphics designer, Creative director, Marketing designer
No best-fit guidance available yet.
No best-fit guidance available yet.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Creative Cloud applications can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware for smooth performance. Users on older devices or lower-spec machines may experience slowdowns. Alternatives designed for lighter systems or browser-based workflows can feel more accessible and reliable for everyday creative work.
- Some creative teams adopt tools that better align with modern workflows, collaboration styles, or file formats. For example, cloud-first or real-time collaboration platforms may suit distributed teams more effectively. When workflows prioritize speed, simplicity, or native collaboration, users may choose tools outside the Adobe ecosystem.
- Not all users need a full creative suite. Some prefer focused tools that do one job well, such as photo editing, UI design, or video trimming. Adobe’s broad ecosystem can feel overwhelming for basic tasks. Lightweight alternatives often provide faster learning curves and fewer features to manage.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
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, GIMP and Looka Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 4 Features | 6 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Adobe Photoshop, 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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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 | — | — |
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GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | — |
Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall, buyers highly appreciate Photoshop’s versatility, powerful features, and integration with Creative Cloud, though some find the complexity challenging. 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 |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  Nike  IBM  Coca-Cola | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  1 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 or GIMP?
- Adobe Photoshop edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 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 and GIMP offer a free trial?
- Adobe Photoshop offers a free trial. GIMP does not.
- What is the starting price of Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP?
- Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99 /month. GIMP starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop?
- Top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop include Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop Elements, 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.