GIMP
A free, open-source image editor comparable in scope to Photoshop.
Cost
Completely free
Fully free and open source.
Open source
Yes
The code is public. Anyone can inspect it, and it cannot be taken away from you.
Your data
Stays on your computer
Nothing is uploaded. This matters for anything confidential.
Use it for this
Photo editing, retouching and composition when you do not want a subscription.
Do not use it for this
People expecting Photoshop's exact workflow. It is capable but different, and the learning curve is real.
A moment where you would reach for it
Removing a background and exporting a transparent PNG for a presentation.
How hard is it to pick up?
Takes real effort to learn. Worth it if you need what it does.
Other things that do this job
No tool is best at everything. These solve a similar problem, with different trade-offs.
About this entry
Checked on 1 Sept 2026. Prices and free limits change without warning, and often quietly. Treat everything above as a starting point and confirm on the official site before you rely on it.
Nothing here is sponsored. A tool appears because it solves a real problem, not because someone paid for it to be listed.