Wondering which program would give you the best possible output when working on images? This article will walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of Gimp and Photoshop, so you’ll know which one is best for you at the end. If you’re ready to figure out which editing software is perfect for you, continue reading!
GIMP vs Photoshop: A Comparison
Photoshop is a premium subscription-based proprietary program, whereas GIMP is a free, open-source program. Before 2013, when Adobe switched to a subscription model, money was all that mattered when deciding between Photoshop and GIMP.
You can download Gimp for free, purchase Photoshop CS6 for $699, or buy Photoshop CS6 Extended for $999. GIMP would inevitably win out for most photographers.
Adobe Photoshop is now available for as little as $9.99 a month. Even for a hobbyist, that’s a fairly reasonable price.
Instead, it is advisable to consider the following essential distinctions between the two programs:
Why would you use GIMP?
The benefits that GIMP users enjoy include the following:
- Portability
- Faster processing with a lighter download, Customizable
- Photoshop experts for free on the go
- More resources
- More color profiles are supported.
- RAW and other file formats are supported.
- Editing that isn’t damaging
- Excellent value for money
Why should Photoshop be your choice?
Using Photoshop on a mobile device provides mobility and portability. This isn’t an issue if you only have one computer and conduct your entire photo editing on it. On the other hand, most photographers do not edit in this manner.
Here’s one of the most significant distinctions between GIMP and Photoshop. GIMP is more portable than Photoshop, which is also portable.
However, a major setback when using Gimp is that it lacks a mobile version, which puts it at a significant disadvantage. Of course, you can continue to edit your images for free on your phone. There are a plethora of solutions available. GIMP, on the other hand, does not support mobile editing.
Would it Gimp serve me better than Photoshop?
its main advantage is its portability. it can be downloaded as often as you need to work on several machines. GIMP can even be installed on a USB drive and used on any computer without downloading. You can edit your images in a university library, hotel, or airport business lounge.
Photoshop, on the other hand, is limited to just two machines. You can’t put the application on external hard drives because it must be fully installed.
Photoshop, on the other hand, has a mobile version. Any paid Photoshop subscription includes Photoshop for iPad.
There are three free versions of Photoshop for cellphones (though you’ll need a free Adobe account to use them). Other aspects from which we can compare Gimp and Photoshop include:
Dimensions and speed
GIMP is a little program, which may even be installed and used from a USB flash drive.
Conversely, Photoshop takes up a lot of space on your hard drive. It also consumes a significant amount of RAM. Photoshop will not be your buddy if your computer has limited processing power.
Although various techniques make your computer more resource-efficient for Photoshop, Photoshop will always be more resource-intensive than GIMP.
Space
You’ll need 4 GB of hard drive space for Photoshop, and additional space is required for installation. The official installation of GIMP takes about 200 MB. The least recommended memory space for Adobe is 8 GB, and a maximum of 16 GB of RAM memory. I’ve tried Photoshop with 4 GB of RAM, and it works, although it’s a bit sluggish. GIMP, on the other hand, only requires roughly 20 MB of memory. It’s worth noting that the memory requirements of both GIMP and Photoshop can vary greatly depending on the processing photos you’re working with, so keep that in mind.
Tools and system
GIMP is open-source, whereas Photoshop is proprietary software, as I indicated at the outset. This means you can change GIMP in any way you want, from adding new tools to modifying the source code directly.
Plug-ins
Modifying a program is excellent, but you won’t be able to take advantage of GIMP’s open-source design if you don’t understand the technology behind it. Installing GIMP plug-ins can be complicated; without them, you’ll be left with a program far too empty to be appealing.
However, this flexibility can be beneficial if you get the hang of it. GIMP also has a large community behind it, and many individuals continually add new features to the application. You don’t have to delay your work till the next GIMP update; instead, you’ll be able to use community members’ programming to improve your own GIMP software.
Photoshop is offered as a complete package. You can’t make unlimited modifications, but it also doesn’t necessitate a lot of improvements. You can customize your workspace and add plug-ins, but that’s all. On the plus side, as part of your Adobe membership, you get regular upgrades. With each version, you get high-quality improvements and innovations due to a large staff that has kept Photoshop’s standing as the industry standard for decades.
On the other hand, Photoshop can create graphics and 3D designs, which is a huge plus if you’re a designer. Otherwise, these features would take up a lot of space on your system, and you won’t be able to uninstall them and only keep what you need.
When it comes to tools, it’s difficult for to pick a clear winner. Photoshop is more powerful, while GIMP is more adaptable.
Compatibility
The PSD, or Photoshop Document, is Photoshop’s native format. In a similar vein, GIMP supports native XCF files.
While the PSD is exclusive to Photoshop, it is compatible with other Adobe applications, CorelDraw, and even GIMP.
Other image editing apps, on the other hand, do not support the CXF file format. This makes sharing original CXF files problematic.
Users can export the file in one of the standard formats, such as JPEG or TIFF. However, the lack of CXF support causes issues if you want the file recipient to build on your alterations (assuming they don’t use GIMP).
Also, by default, GIMP does not open RAW files. To deal with RAW files in GIMP, you’ll need to download and install the UFRaw plugin.
Adobe Camera RAW, a built-in companion software to Photoshop, handles RAW files easily.
Regarding file management, you should also think about color profiles.
Gimp can only work with the sRGB color profile, but Photoshop offers much more. This is critical when you want your photographs to look their best on the web and in print.
File formats and colors
Regarding filing formats and color profiles, Photoshop has more possibilities and is more interoperable with other programs.
Plug-ins, actions, and presets are all supported by both programs. Many excellent solutions are available for no cost. The only difference is that Photoshop offers a broader range of options because it is more widely used.
Photoshop has adjustment layers and smart objects, which are essential for serious editing and give Photoshop the edge.
Price
There are no hidden costs or membership fees when you download GIMP. You get a free photo-editing application. However, GIMP enhancements must be downloaded separately.
A Photoshop subscription offers access to Adobe Fresco, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Spark, as well as cloud storage space, a free customizable website on Adobe Portfolio, and Adobe Fresco, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Spark. If you choose the Photography package, you’ll also get Adobe Lightroom. You would have access to all of the benefits of Adobe’s scale and experience. These benefits include thousands of high-quality, creative brushes developed by Kyle T. Webster and the most cutting-edge tools that a large team of specialists can create.
Accessibility
GIMP is accessible every term, and you get top-notch software in return.
You must pay for Photoshop, but considering the low cost, good quality, and extras, the application represents excellent value.
It is down to what you require and how much you can spend.
In conclusion, if you’re into photography post-production, Photoshop, in my opinion, is a must-have. Of course, this is only if you can afford it. If you can’t do it right now, GIMP is a fantastic alternative. Some tasks are more accessible to complete in a software than in others. Having both Photoshop and GIMP allows you to have the best of both worlds!
This GIMP vs. Photoshop comparison should have provided enough information to help you choose the best program for your needs and budget. Keep in mind that your passion is the most crucial factor.
