Photoshop vs GIMP
type: Article
description: Photoshop is a professional-grade paid tool with advanced AI features, non-destructive editing, and industry-standard capabilities, while GIMP is a free, open-source alternative with solid core features but limited AI tools and a steeper learning curve for complex tasks.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-06-23T19:35:12.217Z
date created: 2026-06-23T19:35:12.217Z
date modified: 2026-06-23T19:35:12.505Z
content reference time: 2026-06-23T19:35:12.505Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Adobe Photoshop
about: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
abstract: Photoshop is a professional-grade paid tool with advanced AI features, non-destructive editing, and industry-standard capabilities, while GIMP is a free, open-source alternative with solid core features but limited AI tools and a steeper learning curve for complex tasks.
text: Price. AI-Powered Features. Non-Destructive Editing. Industry Adoption. Learning Curve. File Format Support. Community Size
conclusion text: Choose Photoshop if you're a professional designer, photographer, or working in a team environment where industry standards and AI-assisted workflows matter—the investment pays for itself in productivity gains. Choose GIMP if you're a hobbyist, student, or budget-conscious user who needs solid photo editing without monthly fees and doesn't require cutting-edge AI features.
additional property: AI Feature Set Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 12+ AI tools | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 2 AI tools
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: Professional Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 90% of design professionals | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 8% of design professionals
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: Active User Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 25 million active users | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 1.2 million active users
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: Maximum File Size Performance
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 4000+ MB optimized | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 500 MB before lag
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: Annual Cost (Yearly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $281.88/year | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): $0/year
  value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $19.99/month | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $239.88/year | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Available Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 500+ advanced tools | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 40+ hours | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Professional Industry Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 90%+ of design agencies, studios, freelancers | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 3-5% (primarily hobbyist/educational use)
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: AI-Powered Generative Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 7 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Generative Expand, etc.) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 100-200 hours | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $22.49 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Batch Photo Processing Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 50-100 (with scripts) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Average Project File Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 500-2000 (PSD) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Non-Destructive Editing Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 70% (requires workarounds) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Maximum Canvas Dimensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 300,000 x 300,000 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Pre-Made Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: ~500 templates | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 60+ hours | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Stock Photo Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Via third-party plugins/subscriptions | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: RAW Photo File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (300+ camera profiles) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (if paying monthly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $239.88 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Installation Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes, desktop app | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: File Size Handling (optimal performance)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Handles 2000+ MB efficiently | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: AI Generation Credits/Month
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 100 Firefly credits | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: 3D & Video Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes, full 3D and video timeline | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $20.99/month | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): Free
  value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
additional property: AI-Powered Tools Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 4+ (Generative Fill, Firefly, Content-Aware, Super Resolution) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 0 (native)
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: CMYK Color Mode Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (full support) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): No (RGB only)
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: Non-Destructive Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (adjustment layers, smart objects) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): Limited (manual workarounds)
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 75,000+ | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 5,000+
  value reference: Adobe Photoshop
additional property: GPU Acceleration Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (NVIDIA, AMD, Apple Metal) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): Limited
additional property: Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 8/10 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 5/10
  value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
additional property: Annual Cost (12 months)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $251.88 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): $0
  value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
additional property: Startup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 seconds | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Supported Camera RAW Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 200+ | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Cloud Storage Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 100GB | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Windows, macOS, iPad, Web | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Generative AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Firefly (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, removal tools) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (Individual Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $378/year | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Template Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Minimal (third-party required) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Learning Time to Basic Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 50-100+ hours | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: RAW File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (extensive RAW editing) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Real-time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Limited (cloud sync only) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Maximum Export Resolution
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited (print-ready) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Desktop Application Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (Windows/Mac only) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Layer Support & Masking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Extensive (unlimited layers, advanced masks) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Time to First Professional Output
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 40-60 hours | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
additional property: Maximum Layers per Project
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/adobe-photoshop
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/adobe-photoshop
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/gimp-gnu-image-manipulation-program
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/gimp-gnu-image-manipulation-program
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/photoshop-vs-gimp
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/photoshop-vs-gimp
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-gimp
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-gimp)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-pixlr
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-pixelmator-pro
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-canva
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/canva-vs-photoshop)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/canva-vs-photoshop))
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-figma)
teaches: How to choose between Adobe Photoshop and GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Photoshop vs GIMP — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Adobe Photoshop
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: AP
language: en-US
description: Industry-standard, subscription-based image editor with AI tools and advanced professional features.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe Photoshop
subject of: Photoshop vs GIMP
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe Photoshop

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: G(IMP
alternate name: Gimp Gnu Image Manipulation Program
language: en-US
description: Free, open-source image editor with customizable interface and community-driven development.
subject of: Photoshop vs GIMP

Photoshop vs GIMP — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Photoshop vs GIMP. Contains 98 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: AI Feature Set Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artificial Intelligence
variable measured: Professional Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industry Usage
variable measured: Active User Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community & Adoption
variable measured: Maximum File Size Performance
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Annual Cost (Yearly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Professional Industry Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industry
variable measured: AI-Powered Generative Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Batch Photo Processing Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Workflow
variable measured: Average Project File Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Non-Destructive Editing Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Maximum Canvas Dimensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capabilities
variable measured: Pre-Made Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Stock Photo Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: RAW Photo File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capabilities
variable measured: Annual Cost (if paying monthly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Installation Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Convenience
variable measured: File Size Handling (optimal performance)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: AI Generation Credits/Month
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Features
variable measured: 3D & Video Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Advanced Features
variable measured: Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: AI-Powered Tools Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: CMYK Color Mode Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Non-Destructive Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Core Features
variable measured: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ecosystem
variable measured: GPU Acceleration Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Hardware Optimization
variable measured: Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Annual Cost (12 months)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Startup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Supported Camera RAW Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Photography Features
variable measured: Cloud Storage Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cloud Services
variable measured: Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Generative AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Capabilities
variable measured: Annual Cost (Individual Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Template Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design Resources
variable measured: Learning Time to Basic Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: RAW File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Photography
variable measured: Real-time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Maximum Export Resolution
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Output Quality
variable measured: Desktop Application Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Layer Support & Masking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Advanced Features
variable measured: Time to First Professional Output
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Maximum Layers per Project
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Supported File Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Free Trial Duration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Onboarding
variable measured: Native AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Integration
variable measured: GPU Acceleration Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Supported File Formats (export)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Number of Built-in Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Internet Dependency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Available Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: Maximum Canvas Resolution
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technical Specs
variable measured: Free Cloud Storage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing & Access
variable measured: Stock Photos Included
variable measured: Professional Font Library
variable measured: Advanced Editing Tools
variable measured: Industry Adoption Rate
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost
variable measured: Annual Cost
variable measured: Storage Size
variable measured: Minimum RAM Recommended
variable measured: AI-Powered Tools
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-gimp

Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Photoshop vs GIMP.
has defined term: Artificial Intelligence
has defined term: Industry Usage
has defined term: Community & Adoption
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Industry
has defined term: Workflow
has defined term: Capabilities
has defined term: Content Library
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Convenience
has defined term: AI Features
has defined term: Advanced Features
has defined term: Core Features
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Hardware Optimization
has defined term: Photography Features
has defined term: Cloud Services
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: AI Capabilities
has defined term: Design Resources
has defined term: Photography
has defined term: Output Quality
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: Onboarding
has defined term: AI Integration
has defined term: Design
has defined term: Technical Specs
has defined term: Pricing & Access
has defined term: Design Tools
has defined term: Market
has defined term: System Requirements
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Professional Use
has defined term: Editing Capabilities
has defined term: Ease of Use
has defined term: Advanced Tools
has defined term: Professional Features
has defined term: Functionality
has defined term: Market Adoption
has defined term: Infrastructure
has defined term: Collaboration
has defined term: Learning Difficulty
has defined term: Workflow Efficiency
has defined term: RAW Processing
has defined term: Feature Capability

Artificial Intelligence
type: DefinedTerm
term code: artificial-intelligence
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industry Usage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industry-usage
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community & Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community-&-adoption
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industry
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industry
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Workflow
type: DefinedTerm
term code: workflow
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: capabilities
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Library
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-library
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Convenience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: convenience
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-features
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Advanced Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: advanced-features
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Core Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: core-features
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Hardware Optimization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: hardware-optimization
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Photography Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: photography-features
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cloud Services
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cloud-services
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-capabilities
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design Resources
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-resources
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Photography
type: DefinedTerm
term code: photography
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Output Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: output-quality
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Compatibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: compatibility
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Onboarding
type: DefinedTerm
term code: onboarding
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-integration
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technical Specs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technical-specs
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing & Access
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing-&-access
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-tools
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

System Requirements
type: DefinedTerm
term code: system-requirements
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Professional Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: professional-use
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Editing Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: editing-capabilities
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ease of Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ease-of-use
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Advanced Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: advanced-tools
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Professional Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: professional-features
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Functionality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: functionality
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-adoption
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: infrastructure
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Collaboration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: collaboration
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Learning Difficulty
type: DefinedTerm
term code: learning-difficulty
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Workflow Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: workflow-efficiency
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

RAW Processing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: raw-processing
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Feature Capability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: feature-capability
in defined term set: Photoshop vs GIMP — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-06-23T19:35:12.505Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: photoshop-vs-gimp
main entity: Is GIMP a good free alternative to Photoshop?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: GIMP is excellent for hobbyists and students needing basic-to-intermediate photo editing without cost. However, it lacks Photoshop's AI features (Generative Fill, Super Resolution), has less intuitive UI, and struggles with large files. For professional work, Photoshop's $281.88/year cost is offset by 40-60% faster workflow times with AI assistance.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can GIMP handle professional photo retouching?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: GIMP can perform standard retouching (cloning, healing, curves adjustment), but lacks Photoshop's Content-Aware Fill and neural filters. Professional retouchers choose Photoshop because its AI tools automate 60% of tedious work. GIMP requires manual techniques for complex tasks like removing backgrounds or filling missing areas.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does Photoshop's subscription justify the cost?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: For professionals, yes—Photoshop's Generative Fill alone saves 4-6 hours weekly on complex edits, and its industry standard status ensures client compatibility. For hobbyists spending <5 hours/month, GIMP's free tier may suffice. The $281.88 annual cost equals roughly 20 hours of freelance work at $15/hour.
    language: en-US
main entity: What are Photoshop's key AI features GIMP lacks?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Photoshop includes Generative Fill (AI object creation), Super Resolution (4x upscaling), Generative Expand (content-aware canvas extension), Sky Replacement, and Neural Filters. GIMP has no equivalent AI tools. These features can cut editing time by 40-60% on complex professional projects.
    language: en-US
main entity: Is Photoshop worth learning if I already know GIMP?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, if you work professionally or plan to. Photoshop's interface is more intuitive for new users, and 90% of design jobs assume Photoshop knowledge. The learning curve is 2-3 weeks for GIMP users. However, if you're a hobbyist satisfied with GIMP's output quality, switching may not be necessary.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Adobe Photoshop and GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
type: HowTo
description: Photoshop is a professional-grade paid tool with advanced AI features, non-destructive editing, and industry-standard capabilities, while GIMP is a free, open-source alternative with solid core features but limited AI tools and a steeper learning curve for complex tasks.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Price
step: Consider: AI-Powered Features
step: Consider: Non-Destructive Editing
step: Consider: Industry Adoption
step: Consider: Learning Curve
step: Consider: File Format Support
step: Consider: Community Size
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Photoshop if you're a professional designer, photographer, or working in a team environment where industry standards and AI-assisted workflows matter—the investment pays for itself in productivity gains. Choose GIMP if you're a hobbyist, student, or budget-conscious user who needs solid photo editing without monthly fees and doesn't require cutting-edge AI features.

Consider: Price
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Price: Adobe Photoshop has $23.49/month (Creative Cloud), while GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has Free.

Consider: AI-Powered Features
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: AI-Powered Features: Adobe Photoshop has Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Sky Replacement, while GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has Limited AI tools.

Consider: Non-Destructive Editing
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Non-Destructive Editing: Adobe Photoshop has Full support with adjustment layers, while GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has Limited non-destructive capabilities.

Consider: Industry Adoption
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Industry Adoption: Adobe Photoshop has Used by 90% of professional designers, while GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has Used by 8% of professionals.

Consider: Learning Curve
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Learning Curve: Adobe Photoshop has Moderate (extensive tutorials available), while GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has Steep (less intuitive interface).

Consider: File Format Support
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: File Format Support: Adobe Photoshop has 100+ formats including PSD, XCF, PNG, JPG, while GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has 85+ formats including XCF, PNG, JPG.

Consider: Community Size
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Community Size: Adobe Photoshop has 25+ million active users, while GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has 1.2 million active users.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Photoshop vs GIMP
review body: Photoshop is a professional-grade paid tool with advanced AI features, non-destructive editing, and industry-standard capabilities, while GIMP is a free, open-source alternative with solid core features but limited AI tools and a steeper learning curve for complex tasks.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Photoshop vs GIMP

Supported File Formats
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 20+ formats (PSD, TIFF, RAW, HEIF, WebP, PNG, JPG, PDF, SVG) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 85+ formats
value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Free Trial Duration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 7 days | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Native AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8+ tools (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Remove, Generative Expand, etc.) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 0
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

GPU Acceleration Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (CUDA, OpenCL, Metal) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): Minimal/No

Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 2-4 seconds | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 15-25 seconds
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

Supported File Formats (export)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 40+ formats (PSD, JPEG, PNG, HEIF, WebP, AVIF, PDF, SVG) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 30+ formats (XCF, JPEG, PNG, limited HEIF/AVIF)
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

Number of Built-in Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Stock integration (millions via Adobe Stock) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Internet Dependency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Desktop application (offline capable) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: ~500 built-in templates | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Maximum Canvas Resolution
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 300,000 x 300,000 | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Free Cloud Storage
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 2GB (requires Creative Cloud) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Stock Photos Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Stock via Adobe Stock (requires separate subscription) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Professional Font Library
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Fonts library (240,000+ via subscription) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Advanced Editing Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Advanced: layers, masks, curves, healing brush, content-aware fill | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Industry Adoption Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Used by 90% of professional designers/photographers | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $23.49/month | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): $0 (Free)
value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $276/year (or $55/month for annual plan) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): $0/year
value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Storage Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 GB | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 0.2 GB
value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Minimum RAM Recommended
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 GB (16 GB optimal) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 4 GB (8 GB recommended)
value reference: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

AI-Powered Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 15+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Neural Filters, Style Transfer, etc.) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 0 native (requires plugins)
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

Available Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 900+ | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): 200
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

Professional Industry Adoption
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 90% of professional designers/photographers | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): < 5% professional adoption
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

Non-Destructive Editing Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (adjustment layers, smart objects, layer masks) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): Limited (no native adjustment layers)

Design Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Minimal (0-100) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8-12 weeks | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, AI Upscaler, Neural Filters) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Editing Precision Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full 1px-level control across 1000+ tools | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Offline Mode Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (100% functionality) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Active Users (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Estimated 15+ million | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Minimum RAM Requirement
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 GB recommended | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $9.99 (single app) / $55 (full Creative Cloud) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Team Collaboration Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited with plugins; native support requires 3rd-party tools | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Average Application Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 12-15 seconds on standard hardware | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Offline Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full offline editing with all tools available | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Real-Time Collaboration Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: No (native); requires external plugins or manual versioning | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Photo Retouching Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 9.5/10 - industry-leading Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 6.5/10 - possible but requires workarounds for design systems | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Hours to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 80-120 hours | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Typical Project File Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 500-2000+ MB per complex project | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 120-180 minutes (manual or scripting) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Native RAW File Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Via Smart Objects/plugins (requires extra steps) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Selection & Masking Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 20+ (Magic Wand, Select Subject, Refine Edge, Content-Aware) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

One-Time Purchase Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Not available | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $900 (single app) / $1,800 (Creative Cloud) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Available AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Generative Fill, Object Selection, Super Resolution, Neural Filters (8+ AI tools) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Third-Party Plugin Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 15,000+ plugins available | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Large File Processing Speed (800MB file)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 45-60 seconds | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Non-Destructive Editing Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Limited (Smart Objects, adjustment layers require workarounds) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

Real-Time Team Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (Adobe Cloud + shared projects) | GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): N/A

SpeakableSpecification
css selector: #short-answer
css selector: #verdict
css selector: #key-differences
css selector: #faq
xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
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Adobe Photoshop — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-gimp
object: Adobe Photoshop
object: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Stock Photos Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content Library

Professional Font Library
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design Tools

Advanced Editing Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Industry Adoption Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Storage Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: System Requirements

Minimum RAM Recommended
type: PropertyValue
value reference: System Requirements

AI-Powered Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Available Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

Professional Industry Adoption
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Professional Use

Non-Destructive Editing Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Editing Capabilities

Design Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Advanced Tools

Editing Precision Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Professional Features

Offline Mode Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Active Users (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Adoption

Minimum RAM Requirement
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Infrastructure

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Team Collaboration Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Average Application Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Offline Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Real-Time Collaboration Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Photo Retouching Capability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Hours to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Learning Difficulty

Typical Project File Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Workflow Efficiency

Native RAW File Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: RAW Processing

Selection & Masking Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Feature Capability

One-Time Purchase Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Third-Party Plugin Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Large File Processing Speed (800MB file)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Non-Destructive Editing Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Workflow

Real-Time Team Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration