Inkscape vs GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Photoshop

CorelDRAW

Adobe InDesign

Pixlr

Compare Inkscape and GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

CoreIDRAW is a graphic design software which enables users to create professional designs with vector illustration, layout, photo editing, typography, template tools, and more. CoreIDRAW allows users to create, access and store artwork, web graphics and prints in the cloud, via the web app.

Adobe Illustrator CC is a industry-standard software in vector drawing tools and applications for digital graphics in print, web, apps, and video animations

Adobe InDesign is a layout design and desktop publishing software designed to help businesses and creative individuals create graphic designs with typography from various foundries and imagery from Adobe Stock. The platform lets teams create and publish digital magazines, books, eBooks, interactive PDFs, posters, and more.

Inkscape is an open sourced business graphic software. This Linux, Windows & OSX vector graphics editor (SVG format) features transparency, gradients, node editing, pattern fills, PNG export, and more.

2D Drawing

CAD Tools

Data Import/Export

Design Management

Design Templates

For Vector Illustrations

Image Editing

Rendering

Text Editing

Inkscape

Linux

Windows

Engineer

This software has the great advantage to be completely free and having the capacity to integrate other free and powerful APIs.

Archictet

Inkscape surprised me positively for the number of features and more, for being free and for having open source. Creating knots, curves and modifying the lines is super easy and simple to use.

Software Developer

This software is so powerful, it's like a nuclear missile. I love what you can draw with it - literally anything.

Office Administrator

My experience with this software has been great. For what I need it for weekly it's perfect.

Systems Engineer

Inkscape does not require the purchasing of a license, making it perfect for small businesses. It is easy to work and working with it is just like working with the best software your money can buy.

Educator

The software is a free open source and just outstanding. Any kind of drawing needs can be fulfilled and there is an awesome online community to help you.

Design Enginer

This program is fully featured and provides all of the tremendous capabilities of a professional graphics development tool, but it's free and open source -- which is amazing.

I can import a photo or a bunch of photos into Inkscape and make a collage or a compilation - and then just crop it all to the right fit. Have designed some of our best family photos like this.

Realtor

Overall I really love Inkscape and I made a killer logo with ease on it. Would recommend to anyone on a budget.

Driver

But I also use it because it's really fun to use. It has an almost meditative aspect and is very intuitive to use.

Social Media Specialist

It's hard for me to find something to dislike about Inkscape. I'd only say that it could use some tweaks in the interface itself, especially in the dark theme.

Director

From there, you have the ability to smooth out better than the original import and create new shapes, colours and angles very quickly.

Undergraduate

No option to see colors are print or screen-friendly. Inkscape lags behind premium vector graphic options.

Admin Assistant

One thing I did dislike about Inkscape was that it took a bit to learn how to use it. There was a larger learning curve than other similar products.

Large Format and Apparel Printer

The other biggest issue I have with Inkscape is its inability to process spot colors which are essential in printing white ink on darker media.

Web Designer/Developer

Inkscape is free-to-use and has a large online community, so it's easy to find help and support.

researcher

The way Inkscape handles docker panels is somewhat confusing. Dockers are sidebar panels that display information about layers and objects in the drawing.

Software developer

Poor UI integration with different systems settings, on linux, Inkscape doesn't respect screen scalling.

Inkscape screenshot: Graphic Software

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Non Profit

Small Business

Adobe Photoshop is an image editing and graphic designing software that helps businesses streamline photo editing and compositing processes and create digital paintings and animations. The artificial-intelligence (AI)-enabled platform lets designers invite external stakeholders to edit documents and share projects via live streaming functionality.

Adobe Creative Cloud is a graphic design and video editing suite that enables businesses to publish print layouts, edit images, manage PDF documents, and collaborate with team members using various mobile and desktop applications.

Pixlr is a free online photo editor that offers web, iOS and Android app editions. The platform includes a variety of stock photos and templates, and is applied for editing images to be used in poster designs, cards, and other graphic design projects.

GIMP is an open-source image manipulation software that enables businesses, graphic designers, scientists, illustrators, and photographers to edit and retouch images, design icons, create free-hand artworks, and convert files into various formats.

Pattern, Color & Art Storage

Search/Filter

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Graphic Designer

I was pleasantly surprised by GIMP. It's a powerful tool with a lot of advanced features, and I love that it's free.

Sales

I love the variety of features it offers. It allows you to create your ideas with ease and have them look clean and professional.

Editorial Cartoonist

As I've gotten to know it, I have come to appreciate it. It's a great program and a great price.

IT Systems Supervisor

I love that it is free and easy to use. I have used this for various projects over the years to make fun and wacky images that I have shared for various uses.

You can have it 100% for free. It's the best solution in linux environments, and it can help with most of the basic photo editing stuff.

Owner/Creator

Amazing is the level of detail that can be done to images as well as the (#3) High Resolution of the image to be saved, or exported to a different format.

étudiant

The program is starting to get old, and we can see it. Just by starting it, it lags behind, but it could be worse.

Author

I'm really happy that GIMP exists because it pretty much gives you the opportunity of creating beautiful images without having to buy expensive software.

Marketing Manager

The fact that GIMP is very powerful while also being free helps look beyond any cons the software might have. It's a great way to minimize cost and still have the ability to do what you want to do.

ServiceDesk Jr

I'm not an advanced user of this application, but I've seen that GIMP is a great free option compared to paid software, it has a great learning community.

Independent Beauty Consultant

My only frustration with GIMP is that it can be confusing to use at times.

Blogger

There are a lot of tools that seem difficult to master. The side panels are way too confusing and difficult to navigate.

What I don't like is the lack of integration with other programs on the market, which can delay the workflow during the day.

Web developer

The internal window handling is not very clear for me, I have to activate the single window mode because otherwise the usability is very poor. The problem is this option is not enabled by default.

Attorney

In terms of features, there are probably too many for my needs. I will never use them all, and I sometimes get lost poking around.

Developer

A powerful tool for image editing with a large only community, which proves useful when you need to search.

Owner

I've tried GIMP on different projects and I believe it can be a solid free alternative to other Graphics software.

Real Estate Agent

GIMP is easy to use and integrate into your business as an alternative to Photoshop for certain media projects.

Inkscape vs GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) Comparison (2026)

Inkscape

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

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Alternatives