# GIMP vs Painter Comparison --- ## AI Generated Summary - **G2 reviewers report** that GIMP stands out for its **cost-effectiveness** , being a free and open-source tool that offers many features comparable to paid software like Adobe. Users appreciate its flexibility and powerful editing tools, such as layers and selection options, which make everyday tasks quick and easy. - **Users say** that Painter excels in **emulating traditional media** , with a well-organized brush library that allows for a variety of artistic styles, including watercolor and oils. This capability brings expressive depth to visuals, making it a favorite among those who prioritize artistic authenticity. - **Reviewers mention** that GIMP has a higher overall satisfaction score, reflecting its strong performance in user experience and support. Many users highlight the intuitive nature of its interface, which facilitates a smoother workflow for both beginners and experienced users. - **According to verified reviews** , Painter is praised for its **ease of use** , with many users noting that its simplicity and clarity lead to excellent results. This makes it particularly appealing for professionals who need reliable software that can deliver quality without a steep learning curve. - **G2 reviewers report** that while GIMP has a robust feature set, some users find it can be challenging to navigate at times, especially when compared to Painter's more straightforward interface. This can lead to a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with graphic design software. - **Users say** that GIMP's community support is a significant advantage, with many resources available for troubleshooting and learning. In contrast, Painter's support quality is noted to be good, but with fewer recent reviews, users may find less community engagement compared to GIMP's active user base. | | GIMP | Painter | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 1,484 | 60 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (68.2% of reviews) | Small-Business (73.3% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### GIMP Pros: - Free Services (12 reviews) - Ease of Use (11 reviews) Cons: - Learning Curve (11 reviews) - Limitations (4 reviews) ### Painter **Not enough data** --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | GIMP | Painter | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (1299 reviews) | 8.7 (54 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 7.5 (1305 reviews) | 7.7 (54 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (168 reviews) | 8.7 (5 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.4 (126 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Quality of Support** | 7.5 (903 reviews) | 7.7 (41 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.5 (106 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.7 (1273 reviews) | 7.9 (55 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### GIMP #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### Painter #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Photo Editing | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **GIMP** | 6.7/10 | 48 | | **Painter** | N/A | N/A | #### Generative AI | Feature | GIMP | Painter | |---|---|---| | **AI Text-to-Image** | 6.8 (40 reviews) | Not enough data | | **AI Text-to-3D** | 6.0 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI - Photo Editing | Feature | GIMP | Painter | |---|---|---| | **Cross-system Integration** | 7.4 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [Drawing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/drawing) **Unique to GIMP (1):** [Photo Editing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/photo-editing) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | GIMP | Painter | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 68.2% | 73.3% | | **Mid-Market** | 20.9% | 13.3% | | **Enterprise** | 10.9% | 13.3% | ### By Industry #### GIMP - **Design:** 9.1% - **Computer Software:** 7.8% - **Information Technology and Services:** 5.7% - **Graphic Design:** 5.5% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 5.3% - **Internet:** 4.3% - **Higher Education:** 3.2% - **Education Management:** 2.9% - **Arts and Crafts:** 2.3% - **Entertainment:** 2.1% - **Other:** 51.8% #### Painter - **Graphic Design:** 16.7% - **Arts and Crafts:** 11.7% - **Design:** 11.7% - **Apparel & Fashion:** 5.0% - **Broadcast Media:** 5.0% - **Entertainment:** 3.3% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.3% - **Computer Games:** 3.3% - **Information Technology and Services:** 3.3% - **Computer Software:** 3.3% - **Other:** 33.3% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to GIMP - [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (13373 reviews) - [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7529 reviews) - [Adobe Photoshop Lightroom](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3294 reviews) - [Photoshop Elements](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (799 reviews) - [Pixlr](https://www.g2.com/products/pixlr/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (748 reviews) - [CorelDRAW](https://www.g2.com/products/coreldraw/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (554 reviews) - [Adobe Photoshop Express](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-express/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (491 reviews) - [PicMonkey](https://www.g2.com/products/picmonkey/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (421 reviews) - [Fotor Photo Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/fotor-photo-editor/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (341 reviews) - [ACDSee](https://www.g2.com/products/acdsee/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (282 reviews) ### Alternatives to Painter - [Sketchbook](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchbook/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (177 reviews) - [Rebelle](https://www.g2.com/products/rebelle/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (77 reviews) - [ArtRage](https://www.g2.com/products/artrage/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (73 reviews) - [Procreate](https://www.g2.com/products/procreate/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (72 reviews) - [Krita](https://www.g2.com/products/krita/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (64 reviews) - [PaintTool SAI](https://www.g2.com/products/painttool-sai/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (61 reviews) - [Clip Studio Paint](https://www.g2.com/products/clip-studio-paint/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (55 reviews) - [Adobe Fresco](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-fresco/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (34 reviews) - [MyPaint](https://www.g2.com/products/mypaint/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (38 reviews) - [Epic Pen](https://www.g2.com/products/epic-pen/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (24 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### GIMP - Title: [should gimp release mobile app](https://www.g2.com/discussions/should-gimp-release-mobile-app) — 3 comments, 3 upvotes > **Top comment:** "I don't see why. There are plenty of mobile apps out there that let you do lite image manipulation. Why would GIMP waste their time building a mobile app..." - Title: [What is the best way to use this software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-use-this-software) — 3 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "gimp.org has many tutorials to help you get started." - Title: [What is GIMP used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-gimp-used-for) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "Gimp is an open-source photo editor, a free alternative to Photoshop" - Title: [How do you guys keep up with industry standards and produce great software year after year](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-guys-keep-up-with-industry-standards-and-produce-great-software-year-after-year) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "This is true, I began using GIMP over 25 years ago with v. 0.9. On MacOS 8x. I'm grateful for all and every improvement. It is a wonderful product! " - Title: [what is the best way of using multiple layers on GIMP?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-of-using-multiple-layers-on-gimp) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Linking your layers in the Layers palette is the quickest way to perform a transform operation, such as scale, rotate, or move, to several layers in GIMP...." ### Painter - Title: [Is Corel Painter 2020 free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-corel-painter-2020-free) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "yes its completly free" - Title: [Interior Designer](https://www.g2.com/discussions/27090-interior-designer) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "If you are going to buy high quality furniture, then I can tell you where you can do it. a couple of months ago a friend of mine was shopping for excellent..." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/gimp-vs-painter)