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GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) vs Clip Studio Paint Comparison (2026)

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GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) logo

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Clip Studio Paint logo

Clip Studio Paint

Overview

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.

Clip Studio Paint is a vector graphics software, which helps creative studios and artists draw and paint animations, illustrations, comics, manga, concept artworks, characters, and more using various tools including brushes, vector layers, color palettes, rulers, and 3D figures.

  • Platforms supported
  • Web-based
  • iPhone app
  • Android app
  • Windows Phone app
  • Typical customers
  • Freelancers
  • Small businesses
  • Mid size businesses
  • Large enterprises
  • Customer support
  • Phone
  • Online
  • Knowledge base
  • Video tutorials
  • Platforms supported
  • Web-based
  • iPhone app
  • Android app
  • Windows Phone app
  • Typical customers
  • Freelancers
  • Small businesses
  • Mid size businesses
  • Large enterprises
  • Customer support
  • Phone
  • Online
  • Knowledge base
  • Video tutorials

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

Starting from

Free

  • Free trial available
  • Credit cardless trial
  • Free account
  • Subscription based

Starting from

49.99

One-time payment

  • Free trial available
  • Credit cardless trial
  • Free account
  • Subscription based

User reviews

4.4

3.5K

5

4

3

2

1

1.8K

1.2K

332

37

9

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Features
  • Customer support
75%
would recommend this app

4.7

70

5

4

3

2

1

51

15

3

1

0

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Features
  • Customer support
80%
would recommend this app

Pros

“Despite this, GIMP remains an excellent option for people who want to edit photos and create graphics without paying a subscription.”
JQ

Jordan Q.

Graphic Designer

“What I like most about GIMP is that it really helped me gain experience in manipulating images and playing around with the software”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Aneesa A.

UI UX

“GIMP is a free and powerful tool for photo editing and graphic design 🖌️. It supports layers, masks, and many file formats – great if you want pro-level features without paying 💸.”
Yp

Yashvi p.

UX Design

Pros

“It works on ipad and I can easily between the desktop mode and simple mode, ability to access all the desktop features on ipad has made my manga creation process easier.”
YM

Yogesh M.

Artist

“Especially with the use of the asset shop, it allows for me to gain new tools to elevate my artwork without any hassle of searching for hours online.”
LM

Lex M.

Innovation Specialist

“There is a slight learning curve to learn where things are, and to customize the windows to your preference. But if you're comfortable with other drawing software, it is not too different.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Amanda W.

Owner, Artist

Cons

“The user interface is completely different from industry standards and feels quite austere, even confusing, for a designer accustomed to commercial suites.”
RG

Romain G.

Freelance Photographer

“However, I find its interface less intuitive than some competing software. When I first started using it, I had to look for tutorials to understand certain functions.”
JQ

Jordan Q.

Graphic Designer

“Secondly, it is somewhat outdated and does not support many modern technologies.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Bruno M.

Marketing Executive Intern

Cons

“It's ok at what it does, and is a nice alternative to Photoshop, but its flaws may draw you away.”
BB

Bastien B.

Game developer

“It feels like you get less access to things if you don't pay monthly- which is the unfortunate part.”
JK

Jenna K.

Barista

“At the beginning, I feel like the user interface is too complicated.”
AA

Ahmad A.

Art Student

  • Vendor responds to reviews
  • Last review2 months ago
  • Vendor responds to reviews
  • Last reviewa month ago

Key features

  • Total features6
  • 2D Drawing
  • API
  • Animation
  • CAD Tools
  • Customizable Templates
  • Data Import/Export
  • Design Management
  • Drag & Drop
  • Image Editing
  • Pattern, Color & Art Storage
  • Preview Functionality
  • Search/Filter
  • Templates
  • Text Editing
  • WYSIWYG Editor
  • Workflow Management
  • Total features12
  • 2D Drawing
  • API
  • Animation
  • CAD Tools
  • Customizable Templates
  • Data Import/Export
  • Design Management
  • Drag & Drop
  • Image Editing
  • Pattern, Color & Art Storage
  • Preview Functionality
  • Search/Filter
  • Templates
  • Text Editing
  • WYSIWYG Editor
  • Workflow Management

Integrations

  • Total integrations2
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Inkscape
  • Total integrationsN/A
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Inkscape