NEWJoin 2M+ software buyers|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe free →

Spotsaas logo

GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Express Comparison

Last updated:

GIMP

4.2(822 reviews)

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 Express

4.5(307 reviews)

Starting at $0

  • Individuals
  • Large Enterprises

Photoshop Express is photo-editing software that makes it easy to quickly fix, enhance, and share photos. It's perfect for editing vacation shots, sharing pictures with family and friends, or making pictures look their b…

Adobe Photoshop Express leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 307 reviews.

GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Express — at a glance

FeatureGIMPAdobe Photoshop Express
Rating4.2 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews822307
Starting priceContact for pricing$0
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small BusinessIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryGraphic Design SoftwarePhoto Editing Software
PlatformsMobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows
APIAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPR
Data residencyGlobal

Key differences between GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Express

  • Pricing: Adobe Photoshop Express starts at $0. GIMP pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Target audience: GIMP is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Adobe Photoshop Express targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
  • User satisfaction: Adobe Photoshop Express scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Adobe Photoshop Express supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows.

GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Express — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

GIMP - Graphic Design Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Express comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Graphic Design 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.

GIMP

Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require an intuitive, industry-standard interface with minimal learning curve.
  • You depend on extensive plugin marketplaces and third-party integrations.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Best for

Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business

GIMP typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business. Adobe Photoshop Express tends to fit Individuals and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

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

Photoshop Express is photo-editing software that makes it easy to quickly fix, enhance, and share photos. It's perfect for editing vacation shots, sharing pictures with family and friends, ... Read More about Adobe Photoshop Express

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $0 , monthly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.8/10

8.6/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.22

(822)

4.51

(307)

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-500 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

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.

Spotsaas advisor
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
  • 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.

Trusted by teams at

How do GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Express 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 Express 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

      • Not Available
      • $0 , monthly

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Free

        • Core editing tools

        • Templates

        • Limited stock assets

      • Premium

        $9.99

        /Month

        • 200M+ stock assets

        • 30,000+ fonts

        • 250 generative AI credits/mo

        Show more +

      • Teams

        $4.99

        /User/Month

        • All Premium features

        • Multi-account scheduling

        • Team collaboration

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises

      Platforms Supported

      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global

      GIMP User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      535

      265

      50

      18

      22

      274

      87

      14

      2

      0

      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

      • Feature richness
      • Cost-effectiveness
      • Continuous improvements

      Common complaints

      • Steep learning curve
      • Non-intuitive interface

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 377 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Interface is straightforward, with core editing tools accessible without a learning curve.
      • Ad creative can be produced quickly on mobile, without switching to desktop.
      • Editing operations like cropping, adjustments, and retouching are fast to complete.

      Common complaints

      • Advanced editing features and customization options are limited, which can be frustrating without external support.
      • The Marketplace for additional apps and connectors is limited, restricting access to advanced functionality.

      Pros and Cons

      • Wide variety of tools for comprehensive digital art creation

      • Free and open-source, accessible for budget-conscious users

      • Powerful raster image manipulation with regular feature updates

      • Steep learning curve for users new to the interface

      • Non-intuitive interface requiring menu navigation

      • Photoshop Express allows for quick and easy enhancements, making it perfect for users on the go.

      • The variety of filters and effects enhances creativity without overwhelming users.

      • Its sharing options make it easy to distribute edited photos across platforms.

      • Users looking for advanced editing features may find it lacking.

      • The app can be slow on older devices.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used GIMP or Adobe Photoshop Express? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Select Photo screenshot

      4 Screenshots

      Top Alternatives to GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Express in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Related Blogs and Articles for Photo Editing 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, GIMP or Adobe Photoshop Express?
      Adobe Photoshop Express edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Express offer a free trial?
      Neither GIMP nor Adobe Photoshop Express currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Express?
      GIMP starts at Contact for pricing. Adobe Photoshop Express starts at $0.
      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 Express?
      Top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Express include Adobe Photoshop Elements, Pixo, PhotoEditor SDK, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.