Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women

Top 10 Alternatives to GIMP in 2025

Top 10 Alternatives to GIMP in 2025

As GIMP continues to be a popular choice for image editing, 2025 has seen a surge in powerful alternatives, each bringing unique features and capabilities. Whether you're looking for professional-grade tools, AI enhancements, or simpler user interfaces, this list compares the top 10 alternatives to GIMP, focusing on their main features, platforms, and pricing.
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1. Adobe Photoshop

  • Description: Industry-standard software for professional photo editing, graphic design, and digital art. Known for its extensive features and powerful capabilities.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS
  • Key Features:
  • Advanced layer management.
  • Sophisticated retouching and compositing tools.
  • AI-powered features like Generative Fill.
  • Extensive support for various file formats.
  • Professional-grade color correction and manipulation.
  • Pricing: Subscription-based, starting at $22.99/month Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

2. Canva

  • Description: A user-friendly graphic design platform that offers basic to intermediate photo editing capabilities, also with AI features. Great for social media content and marketing materials.
  • Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
  • Key Features:
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
  • Large library of templates and design elements.
  • AI-powered design tools, including AI image editing features.
  • Collaboration features for teams.
  • Good for maintaining brand consistency.
  • Pricing: Free version available, Pro plans from $12.99/month Learn more about Canva
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3. Luminar Neo

  • Description: AI-powered photo editor focusing on streamlined workflows and enhancing images using artificial intelligence. It's designed for both beginners and advanced users who want to edit quickly.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS
  • Key Features:
  • AI-powered tools for automatic image enhancement.
  • User-friendly interface for easy photo editing.
  • Tools for complex edits are easy to use.
  • Has a unique set of filters and effects.
  • Subscription or lifetime license options.
  • Pricing: Subscription or lifetime license available, pricing varies Learn more about Luminar Neo

4. Affinity Photo

  • Description: Professional photo editing software often cited as a strong competitor to Photoshop. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for complex image editing and is known for its one-time purchase cost.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad
  • Key Features:
  • Full suite of professional editing tools.
  • Supports multiple image formats, including RAW files.
  • Non-destructive editing.
  • Affordable one-time purchase.
  • Features like frequency separation for retouching.
  • Pricing: One-time purchase, approximately $70 Learn more about Affinity Photo

5. Pixlr

  • Description: A free online photo editor with a range of tools, making it accessible on various platforms. Provides a Photoshop-like experience with both basic and advanced features.
  • Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
  • Key Features:
  • Available as a web app, no download needed.
  • Free with a basic plan.
  • Good selection of editing tools and effects.
  • Supports layers and other advanced features.
  • Can be used on multiple devices.
  • Pricing: Basic plan is free, paid plans for additional features. Learn more about Pixlr
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6. Krita

  • Description: A free, open-source digital painting and illustration program. It includes many tools for image editing, making it a good choice for artists.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
  • Key Features:
  • Designed with a focus on digital painting.
  • Extensive customizable brush library.
  • Good set of tools for image editing.
  • Support for layers and masking.
  • Free and open-source software.
  • Pricing: Free Learn more about Krita

7. Photopea

  • Description: A free, advanced online photo editor that closely resembles Photoshop in its interface and capabilities.
  • Platforms: Web
  • Key Features:
  • Supports custom Photoshop brushes.
  • User interface that is very similar to Photoshop.
  • Can be used on any operating system, because it is web-based.
  • Free with a basic plan.
  • Supports layers, masks, and blending modes.
  • Pricing: Free Learn more about Photopea

8. Paint.NET

  • Description: A free and simple image and photo editor for Windows. It is a more powerful version of Microsoft Paint but is not as robust as GIMP.
  • Platforms: Windows
  • Key Features:
  • Free and easy to use.
  • Simple and intuitive interface.
  • Offers some layer support.
  • Good for simple image editing tasks.
  • Pricing: Free Learn more about Paint.NET

9. Fotor

  • Description: An online photo editor offering a variety of tools, including AI-powered features. It is known for its easy-to-use interface.
  • Platforms: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
  • Key Features:
  • AI object removal.
  • Basic to advanced photo editing tools.
  • Photo collage features.
  • Multiple platform support.
  • Pricing: Basic plan is free, paid plans for additional features. Learn more about Fotor

10. RawTherapee

  • Description: A free, open-source RAW photo editor, best for processing RAW files from digital cameras.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
  • Key Features:
  • Free and open-source.
  • Designed specifically for RAW image processing.
  • Advanced color correction capabilities.
  • Good for photographers who need to process RAW files.
  • Pricing: Free Learn more about RawTherapee
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FAQ

1. What is the best alternative to GIMP for professional photo editing?
Adobe Photoshop is the best alternative to GIMP for professional photo editing, offering advanced layer management, sophisticated retouching tools, and AI-powered features. Learn more about Adobe Photoshop
2. Which GIMP alternative is most user-friendly for graphic design?
Canva is the most user-friendly alternative for graphic design, featuring an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a large library of templates and design elements. Discover Canva
3. What is a good AI-powered alternative to GIMP?
Luminar Neo is a great AI-powered alternative, designed to streamline workflows with tools for automatic image enhancement and complex edits. Explore Luminar Neo
4. Which alternative has a one-time purchase cost?
Affinity Photo offers a comprehensive set of photo editing tools with a one-time purchase cost, making it a strong competitor to subscription-based software. Learn more about Affinity Photo
5. Is there a free online photo editor alternative to GIMP?
Pixlr is a free online photo editor with a range of tools, accessible on various platforms, and provides both basic and advanced features. Check out Pixlr
6. Which alternative is best for digital painting and illustration?
Krita is the best alternative for digital painting and illustration, offering a free, open-source platform with extensive customizable brushes and image editing tools. Explore Krita
7. Is there a web-based GIMP alternative that resembles Photoshop?
Photopea is a free, advanced online photo editor that closely resembles Photoshop in its interface and capabilities. Learn more about Photopea
8. What is a simple image editor alternative for Windows?
Paint.NET is a free and simple image editor for Windows, offering a more powerful version of Microsoft Paint with layer support and a user-friendly interface. Discover Paint.NET
9. Which GIMP alternative offers AI-powered features for easy photo editing?
Fotor is an online photo editor known for its AI-powered features and user-friendly interface, suitable for both basic and advanced photo editing. Check out Fotor
10. What is a good alternative for processing RAW files?
RawTherapee is a free, open-source RAW photo editor, ideal for photographers who need to process RAW files from digital cameras. Explore RawTherapee

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
  • Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
  • Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
  • AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
  • SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
  • Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
  • Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
  • 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
  • 100+ startup tools built
  • 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
2025-06-30 07:36 Top Alternatives