GIMP vs Paintshop Pro 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…
Paintshop Pro
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Large Enterprises
Paintshop Pro is a photo editing program that is fast and powerful, with exceptional tools for digital artists. Featuring core technologies designed to increase productivity and performance, extensive file format support…
GIMP vs Paintshop Pro — at a glance
| Feature | GIMP | Paintshop Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 4,592 | 342 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| 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, Installed - Windows |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between GIMP and Paintshop Pro
- Free trial: Paintshop Pro offers a free trial; GIMP does not.
- Target audience: GIMP is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Paintshop Pro targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
- Deployment: GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Paintshop Pro supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows.
GIMP vs Paintshop Pro — 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
Free PDF comparison
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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 affordable, user-friendly photo editing by photographers and digital artists.
- You are a professional or hobbyist photographer needing powerful yet accessible editing tools.
- You prefer a one-time purchase over subscription pricing for photo editing software.
- You want faster rendering and a simple, streamlined workflow for small creative teams or individuals.
- You require advanced graphic design features beyond photo editing capabilities.
- You need software compatible with macOS platforms.
GIMP: Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation. Paintshop Pro: Best for affordable, user-friendly photo editing by photographers and digital artists.
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 | Paintshop Pro is a photo editing program that is fast and powerful, with exceptional tools for digital artists. Featuring core technologies designed to increase productivity and ... Read More about Paintshop Pro |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | IndividualsSmall to medium businesses |
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 Paintshop Pro Compare on Features?
Total Features | 4 Features | 9 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare GIMP and Paintshop Pro 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 | ||
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Pricing Plans |
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available | ![]() |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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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 | ||
|---|---|---|
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 highlighting affordability, ease of use, and feature richness, with some concerns about advanced capabilities and platform 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. | ![]() 1 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos | No videos available. | ![]() 3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to GIMP and Paintshop Pro in 2026
Alternatives |
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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 Paintshop Pro?
- GIMP and Paintshop Pro are closely matched with equal user ratings of 4.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Photo Editing Software needs.
- Do GIMP and Paintshop Pro offer a free trial?
- Paintshop Pro offers a free trial. GIMP does not.
- What is the starting price of GIMP vs Paintshop Pro?
- GIMP starts at Contact for pricing. Paintshop Pro starts at Contact for pricing.
- 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 Paintshop Pro?
- Top alternatives to Paintshop Pro include Adobe Photoshop Elements, PhotoEditor SDK, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Cutout.pro.










