GIMP vs Sketch 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…
Sketch
Starting at $9 /User/Month
- Individuals
- Freelancers / Consultants
Sketch is a professional tool for designing interfaces and websites. It features graphical tools for creating artwork, as well as built-in tools for prototyping and wireframing for apps. It’s for everybody who turns idea…
Sketch leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 1,000 reviews.
GIMP vs Sketch — at a glance
| Feature | GIMP | Sketch |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Reviews | 822 | 1,000 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $9 /User/Month |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises |
| Category | Graphic Design Software | Graphic Design Software |
| Platforms | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | — | GDPR |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between GIMP and Sketch
- Pricing: Sketch starts at $9 /User/Month. GIMP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: GIMP is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Sketch targets Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants.
- User satisfaction: Sketch scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Sketch supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac.
GIMP vs Sketch — 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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GIMP vs Sketch: 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 Mac-based UI/UX designers needing advanced prototyping and collaboration.
- You are a Mac user focused on designing web and mobile app interfaces.
- You need robust prototyping and reusable components to boost design productivity.
- Your team values real-time collaboration and extensive plugin integrations.
- Your team requires cross-platform support including Windows or Linux users.
- You are a beginner seeking a tool with minimal learning curve and onboarding.
GIMP: Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation. Sketch: Best for Mac-based UI/UX designers needing advanced prototyping and collaboration.
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 | Sketch is a professional tool for designing interfaces and websites. It features graphical tools for creating artwork, as well as built-in tools for prototyping and wireframing for apps. ... Read More about Sketch |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | Small BusinessMedium Business |
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 Sketch Compare on Features?
Total Features | 4 Features | 5 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare GIMP and Sketch 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 |  |
GIMP vs Sketch: 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 |
GIMP vs Sketch Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | — | ✗ No |
|---|---|---|
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
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 Sketch's user-friendly interface, robust asset library, and strong collaboration features, tempered by concerns over Mac-only availability and learning curve. 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. |  3 Screenshots |
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Videos | No videos available. |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to GIMP and Sketch 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 Sketch?
- Sketch edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 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 Sketch offer a free trial?
- Neither GIMP nor Sketch currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of GIMP vs Sketch?
- GIMP starts at Contact for pricing. Sketch starts at $9 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to GIMP?
- Top alternatives to GIMP include Photopea, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Canva, CorelDraw.
- What are the top alternatives to Sketch?
- Top alternatives to Sketch include Figma, Canva, CorelDraw, Xara Designer Pro, Drawtify.