GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Elements Comparison
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 Elements
Starting at $59.99 One-Time Payment
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Large Enterprises
Adobe Photoshop Elements is a digital photo editor to help to fix, organize and share images. Enjoy one-click auto fixes that let users instantly improve photos, then use simple yet powerful tools to adjust color, lighti…
Adobe Photoshop Elements leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 1,360 reviews.
GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Elements — at a glance
| Feature | GIMP | Adobe Photoshop Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 4,592 | 1,360 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $59.99 One-Time Payment |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Graphic Design Software | Photo Editing Software |
| Platforms | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Elements
- Pricing: Adobe Photoshop Elements starts at $59.99 One-Time Payment. GIMP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Adobe Photoshop Elements offers a free trial; GIMP does not.
- Target audience: GIMP is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Adobe Photoshop Elements targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: Adobe Photoshop Elements scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
- Deployment: GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Adobe Photoshop Elements supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows.
GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Elements — 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 Graphic Design 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.
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 beginner to intermediate photo editing with guided automation tools.
- You want easy one-click auto fixes combined with guided editing assistance.
- You are a photography enthusiast or small business marketer needing simple, flexible editing.
- You prefer a low-complexity setup with compatibility for multiple input methods.
- You require advanced professional-grade editing features beyond basic enhancements.
- You need extensive marketplace integrations or automation for enterprise workflows.
GIMP: Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation. Adobe Photoshop Elements: Best for beginner to intermediate photo editing with guided automation tools.
Description | 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 | Adobe Photoshop Elements is a digital photo editor to help to fix, organize and share images. Enjoy one-click auto fixes that let users instantly improve photos, then use simple yet ... Read More about Adobe Photoshop Elements |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | 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 |
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How do GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Elements Compare on Features?
Total Features | 4 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Elements 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
Organization Types supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
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GIMP User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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 Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and flexibility, tempered by concerns over performance and export limitations. 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 |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  5 Screenshots |
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Videos | No videos available. |  4 Videos |
Top Alternatives to GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Elements in 2026
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, GIMP or Adobe Photoshop Elements?
- Adobe Photoshop Elements edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Elements offer a free trial?
- Adobe Photoshop Elements offers a free trial. GIMP does not.
- What is the starting price of GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Elements?
- GIMP starts at Contact for pricing. Adobe Photoshop Elements starts at $59.99 One-Time Payment.
- What are the top alternatives to GIMP?
- Top alternatives to GIMP include Looka, Photopea, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Canva.
- What are the top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Elements?
- Top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Elements include Adobe Premiere Pro, PhotoEditor SDK, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.