GIMP vs Luminar Neo

GIMP8.5Visit Luminar Neo7.9Visit

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

vs

Luminar Neo #4 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Luminar Neo

• GIMP fits best

  Users who want a free, open-source editor

• Luminar Neo fits best

  Mac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync

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Side by side

Feature	GIMP 8.5/10 Visit ↗	Luminar Neo 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac	#4 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for	Users who want a free, open-source editor	Mac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$129 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	7 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Live chat, Email, Docs · 24/7
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features GIMP 0/6 · Luminar Neo 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 RAW processing with non-destructive layers and several masking tools. AI tools cover portrait retouching, generative edits and sky replacement. Higher plans add mobile editing, cross-device editing and web galleries.
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.	No free plan; the trial lasts 7 days. Desktop Only costs $129 USD as a one-time purchase. Generative AI tools are included for one year with Desktop Only.
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 →	For Mac photographers seeking an alternative to Photoshop, Luminar Neo pairs RAW photo processing and non-destructive layers with AI editing tools. Its editing toolkit includes brush, gradient, radial and AI masking, batch edits through… 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.

• Luminar Neo — where it wins

  • Combines RAW processing with non-destructive layers and several masking tools.
  • AI tools cover portrait retouching, generative edits and sky replacement.
  • Higher plans add mobile editing, cross-device editing and web galleries.

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; the trial lasts 7 days.
  • Desktop Only costs $129 USD as a one-time purchase.
  • Generative AI tools are included for one year with Desktop Only.

• GIMP8.5/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit GIMPFull verdict →
• Luminar Neo7.9/10 · 7-day trial

  A layer-based Mac editor with AI tools, RAW processing and cross-device options.

  Visit Luminar NeoFull verdict →