Paintshop Pro vs GIMP vs Looka Comparison
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
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…
Looka
Starting at $4.99 /Month
- Individuals
- Medium Business
The looka design suite comprises a full software environment for every stage of a designer's work. The suite enables designers to create and share a seamless style in every image. With looka, any image can have a consist…
Paintshop Pro vs GIMP vs Looka — at a glance
| Feature | Paintshop Pro | GIMP | Looka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 342 | 4,592 | 11,322 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing | $4.99 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | No | No |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Photo Editing Software | Graphic Design Software | Graphic Design Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | Available | — |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online | Online |
| Certifications | — | — | GDPR |
| Data residency | US | — | US |
Key differences between Paintshop Pro and GIMP
- Free trial: Paintshop Pro offers a free trial; GIMP does not.
- Target audience: Paintshop Pro is built for Individuals and Large Enterprises, while GIMP targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- Deployment: Paintshop Pro supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows; GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Paintshop Pro vs GIMP vs Looka — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Photo Editing 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 |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
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 quick, easy logo and brand identity design for small teams.
- You need fast, simple logo creation with minimal learning curve.
- You want consistent brand styling across multiple images effortlessly.
- You value responsive, personalized customer support for design issues.
- Your team requires advanced design features and deep customization.
- You represent a large enterprise needing complex design workflows.
Paintshop Pro: Best for affordable, user-friendly photo editing by photographers and digital artists. GIMP: Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation.
Description | 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 | 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 | The looka design suite comprises a full software environment for every stage of a designer's work. The suite enables designers to create and share a seamless style in every image. With ... Read More about Looka |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | IndividualsSmall to medium businesses | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-50 employees51-200 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 Paintshop Pro, GIMP and Looka Compare on Features?
Total Features | 9 Features | 4 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Paintshop Pro, GIMP and Looka 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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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | — | — |
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GDPR | — | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | — |
Paintshop Pro vs GIMP User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| 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 Users generally appreciate Looka for its ease of use and outstanding customer support, though some note limitations in advanced features and occasional technical issues. 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 | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  1 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  3 Videos | No videos available. |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Related Blogs and Articles for Graphic Design 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, Paintshop Pro or GIMP?
- Paintshop Pro and GIMP are closely matched with equal user ratings of 4.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Graphic Design Software needs.
- Do Paintshop Pro and GIMP offer a free trial?
- Paintshop Pro offers a free trial. GIMP does not.
- What is the starting price of Paintshop Pro vs GIMP?
- Paintshop Pro starts at Contact for pricing. GIMP starts at Contact for pricing.
- 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.
- What are the top alternatives to GIMP?
- Top alternatives to GIMP include Looka, Photopea, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Canva.