Photoshop or GIMP?

Singapore
May 7, 2010 5:10am CST
This is a question that I wanted to ask for all you people out there that who likes to edit images, either profesionally or just a hobby. Which one do you prefer to use from these two to edit your image? Photoshop or GIMP? And why?
9 responses
• United Arab Emirates
7 May 10
I like gimp more, I have not found limits to what it can do compared to photoshop. And I think its much easier to use, no drop down menus for options on the brush etc... And it's free. I think photoshop is more respected because you have to pay for it, and so automatically assumed to be better. I had the opportunity to install gimp for 4 months, but I never did just because it said it was free. I would definitely choose gimp over buying photoshop (or "gasp" pirating it).
7 May 10
How about the layers though? I think Photoshop is a bit more advanced unless my GIMP is outdated (quite possible). The layers in Photoshop seem to be more sophisticated and you can do more with the styles etc... I do think GIMP is brilliant though, it's just that the way the tool bars pop up annoys me a little.
@bloggeroo (2167)
• Philippines
8 May 10
I agree that using layers in GIMP is difficult. But only because I'm unfamiliar with the process or sequence of commands and gestures used in GIMP. I assumed that GIMP adopted a process similar to that of Photoshop and Fireworks. Of course, it didn't. So, our image editing skills and habits bring expectations that are counter-productive when using GIMP. Anyway, I'm a Kubuntu Linux user and I have to admit that I'm a bit impatient with getting layered images done. Frankly, I haven't really studied how it's done in GIMP. It was faster for me to just switch over to my Windows XP partition where I can access Adobe Fireworks to do the job.
@Vick77 (488)
• Mexico
7 May 10
I don't like GIMP is so difficult to use is very low intuitive, and of course if you want the most advanced and professional software use Photoshop that has more advanced tools. So I prefer Photoshop over GIMP, even if GIMP is free. I know Photoshop is a little hard to use for beginners, but once you learn a little of it is so easy to learn more and more. And if you want a free option try Pain.NET is a freeware image editor, is so powerful and the interface is very similar to Photoshop, so if you have used Photoshop before, Pain.NET is so easy to use and totally free. Regards...
@bloggeroo (2167)
• Philippines
8 May 10
It only looks that way because we're so accustomed to using Windows-based software. Linux-based software is the product of a different culture so you have to adjust your frame of mind to use an application such as GIMP effectively.
@topffer (42156)
• France
14 May 10
When a Linux software is truly good, it replaces quickly a commercial one. OpenOffice is replacing Microsoft Office in many business today and those who stay under the second are late... If Gimp was at the same level than Photoshop, do you think that professionals would continue to pay licenses for Photoshop ? Gimp is a gas plant with a bad documentation ; Photoshop is easier and more powerful. I do only basic photo editing under Linux and I am using MTPaint : it is more intuitive and faster than Gimp and has all the basic tools I need.
@iGimp01 (188)
15 May 10
i would go with gimp because i find it much eaiser, if i need to do things in photoshop i can probaly get a script for gimp. I dont like photoshops layout either and i find the tools eaiser on gimp. Happy myLotting
• Finland
10 Jun 10
I like gimp more. Still photoshop has more tools (I think). Gimp is free and little bit easier to learn.
• India
9 Jul 10
Gimp Has a very lighter footprint than photoshop. You dont need planty of disk space to install GIMP.GIMP is wicked fast. GIMP can read most photoshp native PSD format files, but photoshp does not support GIMP'S native XCF file format.
7 May 10
If working on complex work I would go with Photoshop everytime. However GIMP is an excellent free design programme and good for basic photo-editing. I do like that it is a lot faster when memory is limited.
@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
8 May 10
I have only used Photoshop and I like it. It uses the resources a little too much and is a bit slow, but I have a pretty high end PC and don't really have a problem with using resources as I have plenty. But I have heard great things about GIMP. I have never used it or even installed it. But someday I would like to give it a try. I am just a little too lazy to install and try it.
• India
7 May 10
i am using ubuntu so i am doing all photo editing on GIMP so i say and also i used photoshop in windows but it is not better than GIMP