GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 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 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…
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 1,182 reviews.
GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic — at a glance
| Feature | GIMP | Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Reviews | 4,592 | 1,182 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $9.99 /Month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Graphic Design Software | Photo Editing Software |
| Platforms | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | — | — |
| Data residency | — | Global |
Key differences between GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic
- 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: GIMP is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic — 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
GIMP typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business 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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 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.
How do GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic Compare on Features?
Total Features | 4 Features | 5 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 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.
HIPAA | — | ✗ No |
|---|---|---|
Data Residency | — | 🌐 Global |
GIMP User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
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 Buyer sentiment is very strong across 789 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. 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
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  3 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos | No videos available. |  2 Videos |
Top Alternatives to GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 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 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 Lightroom Classic?
- 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 GIMP and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic offer a free trial?
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic offers a free trial. GIMP does not.
- What is the starting price of GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic?
- GIMP starts at Contact for pricing. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic starts at $9.99 /Month.
- 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 Lightroom Classic?
- Top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic include Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Cutout.pro.