Nowadays, almost every image we see is edited with a graphical editing tool in one way or another. This is the job of graphic designers and photo editors. They use various tools to edit images, such as Gimp, Photoshop and many other tools out there. But none other tools in this field can match the popularity that Photoshop has garnered over the years. That is not to say that it is the best, though. In this article, we will compare Gimp vs Photoshop and see which one comes out on top.
Gimp and Photoshop are deemed as direct competitors in the graphical editing world. Competition is always good, and you can find it in almost every field. For every Samsung there is Apple, for every Volkswagen, there is a Skoda. And it is the same with Gimp and Photoshop. Just because Photoshop has the most users it does not necessarily mean it is also the best.
What is GIMP?
GIMP, or the GNU Image Manipulation Program, is an open-source photo editing program that comes free and is available for all operating systems out there. As it is open-source, you will find many options and third-party tools available with GIMP. It also means that anyone can change the source code of the program. The freedom this program offers is almost unmatched in the graphical editing world.
Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a graphical editing tool that is provided and developed by Adobe. It is one of the most, if not the most, versatile editing tools out there. There is almost no task that Adobe Photoshop cannot handle. You can convert your images or files into PSD files when using Photoshop, which is a unique file format and it offers you the ability to store it into any other format you desire. Photoshop is the most popular editing tool in the world.
GIMP vs Photoshop Two different worlds
When it comes to usage and the tools each of the programs entails, there are some differences between the two. Let us look at them and compare GIMP vs Photoshop and compare them in many different aspects.
1. Editing
When it comes to basic editing, both GIMP and Photoshop are pioneers in that field. They both offer both basic and more advanced editing tools, so they can both be used by beginners and also more advanced users alike. Basic editing is the simplest task that both of these programs can easily handle.
2. Photoshop is a product of a large company
When comparing GIMP and Photoshop, you need to know that there is a huge difference between the two when it comes to the teams behind them. Photoshop is backed by Adobe, obviously, which is one of the largest companies in the world. GIMP, on the other hand, is supported by a bunch of dedicated programmers and volunteers.
In that respect, comparing GIMP vs Photoshop is unfair. Photoshop will have a whole professional team available to you daily if you need customer support, while if you run into some problems in GIMP, you are likely to be on your own. That’s no problem for some people, as they actually prefer that style – to solve problems on their own.
3. Flexibility
Both programs are very flexible in terms of the tools they offer you and the compatibility with file formats and other tools. You can find both basic editing tools and more advanced ones if you need them in both GIMP and Photoshop. One advantage GIMP does have over Photoshop is that it supports the PSD file format of Photoshop, why Photoshop does not support GIMP’s file format.
And while Photoshop does have more features and tools than GIMP, you can easily customize and add them to GIMP through third-party programs and plugins.
4. How user-friendly are they?
When it comes to how user-friendly each of these tools is, they are both very easy to use if you want to do basic stuff, but also easy to learn. Maybe Photoshop comes out on top in this category, as it offers a bit more simple interface and it is also easier to navigate and find the tools you need. GIMP, on the other hand, is also quite simple, but the interface is highly customizable, so it might appropriate for more advanced users.
5. Tools
When it comes to tools, we have to consider not only the width of the toolkit that each of these programs offers but also the quality of the tools. In this regard, Photoshop is probably ahead of GIMP. Especially when we look at more powerful tools that are used for more precise editing.
For example, when it comes to pixel manipulation tools, Photoshop leaves GIMP behind by the quality of the powerful tools it offers.
6. Cost
One of the main differences between the two is the cost. Firstly, you have to consider how you will be using each of these programs. If you are a professional editor and you will need a top-quality tool at your disposal almost every day, then you cannot go wrong with Photoshop. You will have to pay for the license, which can be quite a high expense for someone who does not use Photoshop professionally, but more as a hobby.
GIMP, on the other hand, is completely free. You will not have to pay for any licenses and you will also get free updates when they are available. If you are tight or on a budget, then GIMP is for you.
7. System Requirements
In short, GIMP requires a much less sophisticated PC set up to run properly. It needs only 256MB of RAM and also can run on older processors. Photoshop requires processors with at least 2GHz or faster. A big bonus in this respect is that GIMP will run on virtually any platform – be it Windows, Linux, MAC, or any other platform. Photoshop will only run on Windows and Mac.
8. Portability
When it comes to portability, GIMP is ahead of Photoshop by miles, as it is a light program and does not require too much space. Photoshop is different – make sure that you have enough space for it, as it is quite big and also the PSD files will take some space.
If we are looking at mobile versions of both of these programs, then Photoshop comes out on top, as it has a mobile app, which GIMP does not, but they are promising it in the future.
9. CMYK color mode compatibility
In short, Photoshop is compatible with CMYK, while GIMP is not. This information is relevant for those people who intend to print their work, so Photoshop is better in that respect for professional users especially.
10. Non-destructive editing
Photoshop has made strides in this area over the last few years. You will be able to edit different file types without messing with them too much.
GIMP is still behind Photoshop in this respect. There will be no problems if you are using GIMP to make simple edits and adjustments but for more serious editing with different file types, it is much better to use Photoshop.
11. Batch processing
Batch processing is an area where GIMP has an advantage over Photoshop. While Photoshop can batch process images, it takes more time to do it and is slower in that respect.
GIMP is more appropriate for batch processing – you will be able to process more images and larger ones as well.
GIMP vs Photoshop: who comes out on top?
Let us take a look at some of the pros and cons of both programs and then you can decide which one will suit your needs best.
GIMP pros:
- A customizable interface that you can do yourself
- File compatibility and the ability to read PSD files
- Budget option – free and no license charges
- Platform compatibility – various OS
Photoshop pros:
- CMYK compatibility – you can print your work
- Professional editing tools
- Non-destructive editing
- Better customer support
- More powerful tools
- Tutorials
To conclude our comparison GIMP vs Photoshop, it is up to you to decide which program you will use. It will depend entirely on your purpose and your needs. If you expect a professional tool that will be a great companion for your work, then Photoshop is the way to go. If you are a casual photo editor and you don’t want to spend money on licenses, GIMP is your best bet.
If you enjoyed reading this article about GIMP vs Photoshop, you should read these as well:
- Photoshop vs Lightroom: Which to use for your photos
- Affinity Photo vs Photoshop: What’s the difference and which one to use
- Double Exposure Photoshop Actions to Check Out
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