Quick answer: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source raster image editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. It handles photo retouching, layered editing, painting and graphic design, and you may use it for commercial work. As of October 2026, the current stable version is GIMP 3.2.6, released on 10 September 2026. There is no paid edition, and the GIMP team does not make an official web or mobile version.
What GIMP is
GIMP is one of the best-known free alternatives to Adobe Photoshop. It offers layers and masks, selection tools, customisable brushes, filters, colour correction and retouching tools, and it can be extended with plug-ins and scripts. It is developed by a community of volunteer contributors.
The GIMP project does not describe GIMP as a Photoshop clone. Its FAQ says the aim is a high-end, free image manipulation program, so menus, shortcuts and workflows differ from Photoshop even where the features overlap.
Is GIMP really free? Licence and commercial use
Yes. GIMP costs nothing to download and use, and the project accepts voluntary donations. According to GIMP’s FAQ:
- GIMP is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later (GPLv3+).
- You can use it for commercial work. GIMP places no restrictions on the kind of work you produce with it.
- Third parties may even sell copies of GIMP, but they must also give you the source code and any changes they made.
Because the code is open, anyone can study it, modify it and share modified versions under the same licence. An earlier version of this article described a “paid premium version” with extra features and a web version through rollApp at US$7 a month. Those were third-party services, not products of the GIMP project. GIMP itself has no paid edition.
GIMP 3: what is new
GIMP 3.0, released on 16 March 2025, was the first new major version in many years. The GIMP project highlighted:
- Non-destructive filters: most common filters can now be adjusted or removed after you apply them, with an on-canvas preview.
- Multi-layer selection: select several layers at once and move or transform them together.
- A modernised interface built on the GTK3 toolkit, and further improvements to colour management.
GIMP 3.2 followed about a year later with more non-destructive tools, according to its release notes:
- Link layers, which embed an external image file that updates when that file is edited elsewhere (for example, an SVG edited in Inkscape).
- Vector layers created with the Path tool.
- Non-destructive filters on channels, a new Vibrance filter, 20 new MyPaint brushes, an improved on-canvas text editor and new formats such as JPEG 2000 export.
The latest maintenance release, GIMP 3.2.6, came out on 10 September 2026.
Platforms and system requirements
GIMP’s download page lists these official builds as of October 2026:
- Windows: Windows 10 version 1903 or newer (x86_64 and ARM64), from GIMP’s website or the Microsoft Store.
- macOS: macOS 11 Big Sur or newer, for Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
- Linux: AppImage, Flathub and Snap packages, plus your distribution’s own packages.
GIMP began on Unix-like systems and has long been included in many Linux distributions. The GIMP team says it does not publish GIMP on Apple’s App Store, and any copies there come from third parties not affiliated with the project. GIMP has no official web or mobile app, so be careful with paid apps that use the GIMP name.
Key features
Photo retouching and correction
GIMP covers the everyday retouching toolkit: levels, curves, colour balance, a channel mixer for black-and-white conversion, lens distortion correction, vignetting, and Clone and Heal tools for removing small objects or blemishes in skin and hair.
File formats, PSD and RAW
GIMP’s native format is XCF, which keeps layers and other editing data. Photoshop cannot open XCF files, so export to a common format before sharing. GIMP can open and export Photoshop PSD files, though complex PSDs may not convert perfectly. For raw camera files, GIMP hands the file to a raw developer plug-in such as darktable or RawTherapee, which you install separately. An earlier version of this article said GIMP reads “any format”; it supports a wide range, but not every format natively.
Plug-ins and scripts
GIMP ships with many built-in filters and can be extended with third-party plug-ins and scripts (Script-Fu and Python). Batch processing, such as resizing a folder of photos, is usually done with scripts or a batch plug-in rather than a built-in dialog.
Customisable workspace
You can rearrange or hide docks and panels, switch between single-window and multi-window modes, and use a full-screen mode that gives most of the screen to the image.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free and open source (GPLv3+), with commercial use allowed | Interface and shortcuts differ from Photoshop, so there is a learning curve |
| Layers, masks, non-destructive filters and a full retouching toolkit | CMYK is not a core image mode yet, which limits print-prepress work |
| Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux | Raw files need a separate raw developer such as darktable |
| Extensible with plug-ins and scripts | No official web or mobile version; no generative AI tools built in |
On CMYK, GIMP’s FAQ says import and export of CMYK files has been added for several formats, but CMYK is not yet a core image format like RGB and there is no timeline for that. Our original review also mentioned freezes when saving. We have not tested GIMP 3 ourselves, so we cannot say whether that still happens.
Who GIMP suits
- Good fit: students, hobbyists, Linux users and anyone who wants a capable layered editor without a subscription.
- Look elsewhere if: your work depends on Photoshop-specific files and plug-ins, CMYK print production or built-in generative AI. Compare options in our list of photo editing software.
- For vector work: the free, open-source vector editor often used alongside GIMP for logos and illustrations is Inkscape.
Frequently asked questions
Is GIMP safe to download?
Download GIMP from the official site (gimp.org), the Microsoft Store, Flathub or the Snap Store, which the GIMP project lists. Avoid unofficial “GIMP” apps on other stores, since the GIMP team says it does not publish on Apple’s App Store.
Can I use GIMP for commercial work?
Yes. GIMP’s FAQ says GIMP does not restrict the kind of work you produce with it, so images you create can be used commercially.
Is GIMP as good as Photoshop?
GIMP covers most core editing tasks, but Photoshop has more advanced features, including generative AI tools, and is the industry standard for file exchange. GIMP’s advantage is that it is free and open source.
Can GIMP open Photoshop files?
Yes, GIMP can open PSD files and export to PSD, but complex Photoshop features may not carry over. Photoshop cannot open GIMP’s XCF files.
Does GIMP edit RAW photos?
Through plug-ins. GIMP passes raw files to a raw developer such as darktable or RawTherapee, which must be installed separately.
Checked in October 2026 against gimp.org (download page, FAQ, GIMP 3.0 and 3.2 release notes and news). GIMP is free software; always download it from the official sources listed on gimp.org.
