Gimp, aka GNU Image Manipulation Program, is an open-source photo editing software that is available for everyone for free.

The software is packed with editing features and looks like a typical photo editing app. In fact, due to the number of things it can do, Gimp is often considered as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop – the photo editing giant.

What’s more?

Unlike most of the photo editing tools, Gimp doesn’t capture too much of your hard drive space and doesn’t even require a high RAM to run smoothly.

A computer with 4GB RAM is enough for the tool, and during my test, it never lagged or crashed even once.

However, the tool has a steep learning curve and, thus, is not appropriate for novice users.

Of course, you can find a ton of learning material on the website, but it still requires you to go through an extensive trial-and-error process.

That said, veteran photographers would love the tool as it allows you to add the same level of professionalism to your photos as a paid software.

That, too, without paying a dime.

Moreover, the software is available on every major platform, be it Windows, Mac, or Linux. And I’ve just scratched the surface.

In the following section, I go a little deeper and talk about the most prominent benefits and flaws of the tool in detail.

And at the very end, I reveal whether you should rely on Gimp or pay for an advanced photo editing software.

So, without wasting time, let’s get straight into it.

Gimp Pros

#1. For a professional photographer, it would hardly take an hour to get familiar with Gimp.

That’s because the user interface of the software looks quite similar to Photoshop or other paid editing options.

The toolbox is on the left-hand side, and the right-hand side of the screen is captured by the ‘layers window’ pane.

And at last, the main window where all the action happens is in the middle of the screen.

That said, you can either go to ‘File>Open’ (under the main window) or directly drag & drop an image to the main window.

From there, it’s just a matter of a couple of clicks to apply any editing function. Just select from the toolbar and left-click on the main window to apply the effect.

It’s as simple as that!

#2. Like I mentioned earlier, Gimp is a feature-rich image editing tool. And due to this, it is often seen as a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop.

The free photo editing software can perform all the basic-level functions like cropping, trimming, photo retouching, and more.

In addition to this, Gimp is excellent in some advanced image editing functions like playing with the color curves, creating contrast mask, layering, and image composition.

You can change the background color or cut a specific portion of the image and later replace it by a different piece of photo.

Similarly, you can blend two images or draw animated characters within the software to add some extras spice to your projects.

The software also allows you to turn your photos into sketch, remove red-eye, convert color images to black & white, and vise versa.

Now, if that’s not enough then Gimp also helps you remove blemishes and rectify small glitches in your images.

And you know the best part?

I’ve just scratched the surface. Gimp can bring much more image editing options than most of the other free photo editing software out there.

#3. Thanks to its cross-platform support, Gimp works smoothly on Windows, Linux, as well as on macOS.

In fact, it’s one of those rare photo editing software that requires less disc memory and works fine even on low RAM.

Gimp Cons

#1. Like most of the professional photo editing software, Gimp is tough to get started with. Especially for a beginner.

The software has a steep learning curve, and amateurs might need to spend a week or two just to get the basics right.

Sure, there’s a user manual, and the website boasts a plethora of learning material to tackle the steep learning curve. But Gimp is still a non-user-friendly tool for novice photographers.

That said, if you follow the user manual that can be found under “Help” in the main window, then learning the ropes can be a bit easier for you.

#2. The absence of mobile apps is another major setback for this image editing tool.

And that also makes it irrelevant for someone who’s looking for a photo editing software for their mobile phones or tabs.

#3. No doubt, Gimp can be a perfect alternative to Adobe Photoshop when it comes to free photo editing software.

But unlike the Adobe giant, Gimp doesn’t offer cloud storage to its users. And that brings me to the last but also the most significant flaw of Gimp that is…

#4. …Lack of sharing options.

While exporting your image, you would notice that there is no way you can upload your pictures to social media platforms directly from the software.

You’ll first have to export the image to your computer and then upload it manually to any social media site. A time consuming and tedious task!

However, the silver lining is, you are allowed to export your project in several different file formats. And this also includes the popular image file formats like jpg, JPEG, png, etc.

Gimp pricing plans and payment methods

Gimp is a free photo editing software. There are no hidden costs, either.

Do I recommend Gimp?

If you have a tight budget and can’t afford the pricey monthly subscription of Photoshop, then Gimp could be an apt tool for you.

The software offers almost the same editing prowess as Adobe Photoshop but without charging a dime.

And not to mention its comprehensive user manual that makes polishing your skills a child’s play.

But having said that, it comes with its own flaws that you should keep in mind before committing to it.

For example, if you often share your photos on social media, then I would suggest skipping this tool for a better option.

Similarly, for those who can bear the load of a monthly or yearly subscription should go with paid programs.