GIMP (GIMP 3) review 2027

What problem does GIMP solve, and who is it for?

GIMP is the free, open-source layer editor that can do most Photoshop tasks if you are willing to work for them. In our tests it handled the portrait retouch, but it took our editor twice as long as Affinity Photo 2 and three times as long as Photoshop. For zero dollars, that is a fair trade for some people. It is the best free photo editor in this ranking, and it is still right for Linux users and anyone on no budget. Pair it with darktable for RAW.

How did GIMP score in our tests?

GIMP finished with 5.4 out of 10 across five weighted criteria.

• RAW processing: 8 out of 25. This measures demosaicing quality, noise reduction, lens corrections and camera support on our three-brand test set. GIMP has no RAW development without a separate program.
• Editing tools: 16 out of 25. This covers masking, layers, retouching, AI selections and generative tools, and how far a portrait and a landscape could be taken. GIMP 3 finally adds non-destructive layer effects.
• Organisation: 3 out of 15. This covers cataloguing, culling speed, keywords, face and subject search, and cloud sync. GIMP has no catalogue or DAM.
• Ease of use: 7 out of 15. This measures the time for a beginner to finish an edit, plus presets and guided tools. The interface and tool behaviour differ from every commercial editor.
• Value: 20 out of 20. This measures price over three years, whether one-time licence or subscription. GIMP is free.

What does GIMP do well?

GIMP is free, open source and available on every platform. GIMP 3 finally adds non-destructive layer effects, and the program is scriptable and extensible. It handles our retouch tasks, slowly. Our measured three-year cost came to $0, and it runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.

What is inside GIMP, and how is it built?

The specification rows tell the story. Price is Free. Platforms are Windows, Mac and Linux. There is a free version, and the one-time licence is free. RAW support comes via a darktable or RawTherapee plugin. Layers are supported, non-destructively in GIMP 3. There are no AI tools built in, and there is no catalogue or DAM.

How does GIMP compare with its rivals?

Adobe Lightroom Classic scored 8.6 at $9.99 per month with Photoshop. It has the widest RAW support, updated monthly, best-in-class catalogue and DAM, and AI tools including Denoise, Select Subject/Sky/People, Generative Remove and Lens Blur. GIMP is ahead only on price and on Linux support; Lightroom Classic does not run on Linux.

ON1 Photo RAW scored 8.4 at $99.99 one-time, or $7.99 per month for ON1 Everything. It runs on Windows and Mac, has broad RAW support, layers, AI tools including NoNoise AI, Super Select AI masking, Sky Swap, Portrait AI and generative erase, plus browse and optional catalogue. GIMP is ahead on price and Linux; ON1 is ahead on RAW, AI and organisation.

Affinity Photo 2 scored 8.2 at $69.99 one-time, or $18.49 on iPad. It runs on Windows, Mac and iPad, has RAW support in its Develop persona, full layers and subject selection, but no generative tools and no catalogue. GIMP is ahead on price and Linux; Affinity is ahead on RAW, ease and speed.

Where does GIMP fall short?

GIMP lost ground on RAW processing, organisation and ease. There is no RAW development without a separate program, the interface and tool behaviour differ from every commercial editor, and there are no AI selection or generative tools. Our editor took twice as long as with Affinity and three times as long as with Photoshop to complete the same portrait retouch.

What does GIMP cost?

GIMP is free. Our measured three-year cost is $0. There is no subscription and no one-time licence fee.

Who should buy GIMP?

GIMP is still right for Linux users and anyone on no budget. If you need RAW development, pair it with darktable. If you need AI selection, generative tools or a catalogue, look at the commercial rivals above.