Both GIMP and Photoshop, which stand for General Image Manipulation Program and the exclusive Adobe Photoshop, are image-editing applications.
Photoshop is a closed-source computer program that costs a lot to buy and works on a membership basis, but GIMP is open-source software that anybody may download and use for free.
Key Takeaways
- GIMP is a free, open-source image editing software, while Photoshop is a paid, proprietary software from Adobe.
- Photoshop offers more advanced features, tools, and support, making it the preferred choice for professional graphic designers and photographers.
- GIMP has a steeper learning curve due to its less intuitive user interface, whereas Photoshop is more user-friendly for beginners.
Gimp vs Photoshop
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, and it is a free and open-source software tool that can be used for a wide range of image editing tasks. GIMP is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Photoshop is a software tool developed by Adobe that is widely used in the fields of graphic design, digital art, and photography. Unlike GIMP, Photoshop is a subscription-based service.
GIMP is a fantastic graphics editing system program that is both free and open-source. It’s used for picture retouching, free-form sketching, converting photos to other formats, and other specialized tasks.
This application is available for all versions of macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux and is licensed under the GPLv3+ license.
Adobe Photoshop is a picture retouching and image editing system program. Adobe Photoshop has been released for Windows 10,11 and Mac. Create, improve, and edit artwork, pictures, and illustrations using this tool.
Designers, graphic artists, photographers, web developers, UI UX designers, and other creative professionals use Adobe Photoshop.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Gimp | Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| RAM requirement | For adequate performance, GIMP requires less RAM and hardware resources. | Photoshop needs more RAM and other hardware resources. |
| Price | GIMP is free you may use it without purchasing the membership. | Adobe Creative Cloud with Photoshop is available for $21/month for single users. |
| Learning curve | For beginner picture editors, this is very simple and easy to use, and pick up quickly. | Learning the basics takes some time, and it’s ideal for skilled graphic designers and digital artists. |
| Batch processing | It’s fantastic to be able to process photos in batches. You can easily and quickly conduct repeated activities. | Batch processing in photoshop is a tad sluggish in this case. |
| Storage space | This just takes around 25 MB of disk space to complete. | To work properly, you’ll need at least 1 GB of storage. |
What is Gimp?
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. GIMP is a free and open-source image editing program. This cross-platform tool may be used for picture editing, image composition, and as a rudimentary paint program.
GIMP provides advanced tools to assist graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators in doing the tasks in a well-organized method possible.
You can simply scale photos and use the built-in paintbrush to paint. Images may be converted to many file formats, including jpeg, png, pdf, BMP, PCX, SVG, PSD, and gif. Custom patterns and brushes are supported. It has a strong mix tool as well as a gradient editor.
GIMP has a user-friendly interface that allows users to quickly explore the software’s many buttons. With the aid of this unique picture editing program, you may write or alter the source code to meet your demands or create new plugins.
PSD files may be read and edited with the GIMP tools. Different graphic design components are available for users to mould their creative impulses. GIMP’s smart retouching capabilities help with digital photo modification to a significant extent.
GIMP’s hardware support allows users to get immediate assistance with their digital picture editing projects. Scribus is an open-source layout application page offered by GIMP.
What is Photoshop?
Photoshop is the most widely used image editing and graphics design program available. It was created in 1988 by Thomas and John Knoll.
Professional photographers, graphic designers, and digital painters use it all around the world since it has so many strong capabilities. To get this tool, you’ll need to get Adobe Creative Cloud. After that, you may install Photoshop CC on your computer.
With the Object Selection tool, you may use a rectangle or a lasso to pick an area inside an image. Within seconds, neural filters may change a person’s look or stance, zoom in on specific visual regions, or colorize an area.
The Sky Replacement tool detects and replaces the sky in a photograph. The scenery may be changed to fit the new sky. The Discover tab contains new tools, Photoshop articles, tutorials, and tips.
If you’ve recently worked on a Photoshop cloud project, you may now edit it without an online connection. To alter and change photographs, Adobe Photoshop provides four healing tools.
The software’s color and brightness range masking capabilities provide a full palette. Stroke smoothing, Kyle T. Webster brushes, and improved brush organization capabilities aid in the creation and customization of various sorts of digital masterpieces.
Main Differences Between Gimp and Photoshop
- GIMP is free and open-source photo tweaking software. Photoshop is a licensed photo tweaking program.
- GIMP includes many plugins which are not created by known companies, and Photoshop plugins are created by well-known picture companies such as Phase One, Kodak, Hasselblad, Sony, Samsung, Nikon, Canon, and others.
- GIMP has fewer tools as compared to Adobe Photoshop, which has a large number of them.
- GIMP cannot be used to edit photos on a smartphone, but Photoshop can.
- Standards are not categorized in GIMP since it is open-source software; nevertheless, Photoshop follows industry standards.
- GIMP is utilized for common or general purposes. Photoshop is used professionally.
References
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4302-3169-1_1
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Teddy-Gunawan/publication/319312687_Development_of_Photo_Forensics_Algorithm_by_Detecting_Photoshop_Manipulation_using_Error_Level_Analysis/links/5a7e364ba6fdcc0d4ba82a50/Development-of-Photo-Forensics-Algorithm-by-Detecting-Photoshop-Manipulation-using-Error-Level-Analysis.pdf
Last Updated : 12 August, 2023
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The detailed overview has presented a clear picture of the hardware requirements and price distinctions between GIMP and Photoshop, aiding users in making an informed decision based on their resources.
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Both GIMP and Photoshop are widely used image editing programs with unique advantages, I’ve personally used both and found GIMP to be great for beginners and Photoshop to be the industry standard. It’s all about personal preference and needs.
Your insights are spot on, Tshaw. Both GIMP and Photoshop have their strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the right one depends on the specific needs of the user.
I completely agree, Tshaw. While GIMP is great for beginners, Photoshop’s advanced features make it indispensable for professional graphic designers and photographers.
GIMP and Photoshop have distinct offerings suitable for different users, and the informative content provides an in-depth understanding of their features and capabilities.
You’re absolutely correct, Cox Tina. Understanding the differences between GIMP and Photoshop is crucial for individuals seeking the right image editing software for their projects.
I found the comparison between GIMP and Photoshop to be extremely useful in making an informed decision about which software better fits my image editing needs. Thank you for the insightful content.
The informative content has greatly contributed to my understanding of the differences and functionalities of GIMP and Photoshop, benefiting both novice users and professionals in the image editing domain.
The comprehensive comparison of GIMP and Photoshop has been instrumental in recognizing the software that best suits my editing proficiency and project requisites, ensuring an informed selection process.
Your perspective is well-founded, Paul Price. The article’s comprehensive analysis serves as a guiding tool for users to discern the image editing software that resonates with their creative objectives.
I couldn’t agree more, Paul Price. The detailed comparison has enabled users to make a judicious selection between GIMP and Photoshop, leading to an optimal software choice based on individual preferences.