Free
Free
What's included:
- Full image editing suite
- Multi-language scripting
- Cross-platform support
- Plugin extensibility
- Community support
Gi
GIMP Pricing in 2026
Complete pricing breakdown for GIMP. Compare plans, features, and find the best value.
Quick Answer
How much does GIMP cost in 2026?
GIMP offers a FREE plan. Paid plans start at $0/month. 1 plans are available with one-time billing.
Free Tier Yes ✓
Starting Price Free
Plans 1 tiers
Billing Annual
Starting Price Free
Plans Available 1 plans
Annual Discount Save 20%
Best For Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free ★ | Free | Full image editing suite, Multi-language scripting |
GIMP Plans & Pricing
Prices shown are for monthly billing. Annual plans typically offer 10-20% savings.
How GIMP Pricing Compares
| Tool | Starting Price | Free Tier | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gi GIMP Current | Free | Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements | ||
| Pt Photopea | Free | Quick photo edits without software installation | Compare | |
| C1 Capture One | $14.92/mo | Professional photographers | Compare | |
| L Luminar Neo | $49/mo | Hobbyist photographers seeking AI-powered editing | Compare | |
| Lr Adobe Lightroom | $11.99/mo | Professional photographers | Compare | |
| AP Affinity Photo | Free | Professional photographers seeking Adobe alternatives | Compare |
Is GIMP Worth the Price?
Budget-Friendly
GIMP offers excellent value with a generous free tier and affordable paid plans starting at $0/mo. The free plan provides a solid foundation, making it easy to evaluate before committing. With 1 tiers available, there's a plan for most budgets.
Best Value Tier
Free plan — Free tier provides core functionality at no cost
When NOT to Pay for GIMP
Professional print production requiring CMYK color mode
GIMP only offers limited CMYK proofing support, making it unsuitable for professional print production where full CMYK support delivers significantly more accurate results.
Compare Adobe Creative Cloud pricingRAW photography workflow
GIMP cannot open RAW files directly from cameras, forcing you to convert images in additional steps before editing, while other tools integrate RAW processing seamlessly.
Compare Adobe Lightroom pricingNeed for intuitive interface and quick learning
Users consistently report that GIMP is difficult for newcomers to use with a dated, confusing interface where functions are buried in sub-menus, lacking preset filters or effects.
Compare Canva pricingLarge file handling and performance requirements
GIMP frequently experiences slow loading times and crashes when handling large or complex files, making it unreliable for demanding professional workflows.
Compare Affinity Photo pricingFeatures by Plan
| Feature | Free |
|---|---|
| Photo retouching and restoration Core feature | |
| Non-destructive filters (NDE) Available in current version | |
| Non-raster layers Advanced layer support | |
| SVG import with improved rendering Enhanced vector support | |
| Multi-language scripting support Python, Perl, Scheme, C, C++ | |
| Plugin and script extensibility Highly customizable | |
| Color operations and adjustments Professional color tools | |
| Layer and mask manipulation Advanced compositing | |
| Creative compositing tools Professional workflow | |
| Icon and UI mockup creation Design tools | |
| Cross-platform compatibility GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows | |
| Batch processing Script-driven automation |
GIMP Pros & Cons
Great Value If You Need
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Highly extensible through plugins and multi-language scripting
- Cross-platform compatibility across all major operating systems
- Professional-grade tools for photo manipulation and graphic design
Consider Alternatives If
- Steep learning curve compared to commercial alternatives
- Limited AI and machine learning features
- Slower performance on complex projects with many layers
- Less intuitive UI for beginners
Our Verdict
GIMP offers excellent value with its free tier and competitive paid plans. It's best suited for Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements and Photographers performing retouching and restoration work. Starting at $0/mo, it's accessible for most budgets.
Our Rating 4.2/5
GIMP Price vs Competitors
CC Adobe Creative Cloud More Expensive
Starts at $9.99/mo — pricier but recommended when: professional print production requiring cmyk color mode.
Compare pricing Lr Adobe Lightroom More Expensive
Starts at $11.99/mo — pricier but recommended when: raw photography workflow.
Compare pricing C Canva Similar Price
Similar pricing at Free. Consider if: need for intuitive interface and quick learning.
Compare pricing AP Affinity Photo Similar Price
Similar pricing at Free. Consider if: large file handling and performance requirements.
Compare pricingGIMP Pricing FAQ
How much does GIMP cost in 2026?
GIMP offers a FREE plan with Full image editing suite. Paid plans start at $varies/month.
Does GIMP have a free plan or free tier?
Yes! GIMP offers a free Free plan that includes: Full image editing suite, Multi-language scripting, Cross-platform support. Perfect for graphic designers creating icons and ui elements.
What are the limits of GIMP's free plan?
The Free plan (Free) includes: Full image editing suite; Multi-language scripting; Cross-platform support; Plugin extensibility. Upgrade to paid plans for more features and higher limits.
Is GIMP worth it for small teams and personal use?
GIMP is excellent for small teams thanks to its free tier. Best for: Graphic designers creating icons and UI elements and Photographers performing retouching and restoration work. Rated 4.2/5.
GIMP vs Photopea pricing — which is cheaper?
GIMP starts at Free vs Photopea at Free. GIMP is more affordable. Compare features side-by-side to decide.
Does GIMP offer discounts for annual billing?
Yes, most photo editing tools including GIMP offer 10-20% discounts when you pay annually instead of monthly. This can save you $50-200 per year depending on your plan.