GIMP vs Clip Studio Paint

GIMP8.5Visit Clip Studio Paint7.9Visit

Higher score GIMP #3 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit GIMP

vs

Clip Studio Paint #5 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit site

• GIMP fits best

  Users who want a free, open-source editor

• Clip Studio Paint fits best

  Illustrators and comic artists using Mac

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Side by side

Feature	GIMP 8.5/10 Visit ↗	Clip Studio Paint 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac	#5 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for	Users who want a free, open-source editor	Illustrators and comic artists using Mac
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$0.99/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Features GIMP 0/6 · Clip Studio Paint 0/6
Layer support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
RAW processing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
PSD compatibility	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Non-destructive editing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Plugin support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
iPad version	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Maximum color depth	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Layers, masks, selections and filters support detailed image composition. Scripting and command-line operations enable batch processing. Plug-ins extend its capabilities across Windows, macOS and Linux.	Combines raster and vector drawing with customizable brushes and editable vector linework. Comic tools include paneling, speech balloons, tones, and multi-page projects. The EX plan adds multi-page management and full-length 2D animation features.
Cons	It does not natively process camera RAW files. It is a desktop editor rather than a web-based tool. Support channels listed are documentation.	Its core focus is illustration and comics rather than general photo editing. The $0.99 monthly starting price applies to the PRO plan, not every edition. Perpetual licenses are limited to Windows and macOS and cover Version 5.0.
Our verdict	GIMP is a free, open-source desktop image editor for photographers, designers, illustrators and others creating or editing raster images. Available for macOS, Windows and Linux, it covers retouching, restoration, compositing and graphic… Read the review →	Clip Studio Paint is digital art software for illustrators, comic and manga artists, concept artists, designers, and animators. On Mac, it offers raster and vector drawing, customizable brushes, editable vector linework, layers, masks, 3D… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• GIMP — where it wins

  • Layers, masks, selections and filters support detailed image composition.
  • Scripting and command-line operations enable batch processing.
  • Plug-ins extend its capabilities across Windows, macOS and Linux.

  Where it doesn't

  • It does not natively process camera RAW files.
  • It is a desktop editor rather than a web-based tool.
  • Support channels listed are documentation.

• Clip Studio Paint — where it wins

  • Combines raster and vector drawing with customizable brushes and editable vector linework.
  • Comic tools include paneling, speech balloons, tones, and multi-page projects.
  • The EX plan adds multi-page management and full-length 2D animation features.

  Where it doesn't

  • Its core focus is illustration and comics rather than general photo editing.
  • The $0.99 monthly starting price applies to the PRO plan, not every edition.
  • Perpetual licenses are limited to Windows and macOS and cover Version 5.0.

• GIMP8.5/10 · Free plan

  A capable free desktop editor for layered work, retouching and scripted batch processing.

  Visit GIMPFull verdict →
• Clip Studio Paint7.9/10 · Paid

  A Mac-capable drawing suite built around illustration, comics, and animation.

  Visit siteFull verdict →