GIMP vs Zoner Photo Studio X

GIMP8.7Visit Zoner Photo Studio X8.4Visit

Higher score GIMP #5 in Photo Editing Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit GIMP

vs

Zoner Photo Studio X #8 in Photo Editing Software 8.4/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Zoner

• GIMP fits best

  Free layered editing and extensibility

• Zoner Photo Studio X fits best

  Windows photo management and editing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	GIMP 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Zoner Photo Studio X 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.4
Ranking	#5 in Photo Editing Software	#8 in Photo Editing Software
Best for	Free layered editing and extensibility	Windows photo management and editing
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$59/yr
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	7 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Cloud
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Support	Docs	Email, Phone, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features GIMP 3/6 · Zoner Photo Studio X 6/6
RAW photo support	—	✓ (best)
Layer editing	✓	✓
Masking tools	✓	✓
Batch editing	✓	✓
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
AI retouching	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Platform	Multi-platform	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, and Linux Layers, masks, high-bit-depth processing, and broad format support Extensible through plug-ins, scripting, and command-line batch processing	Combines RAW editing, layers, masks, and local adjustments Batch tools and organization support large photo libraries Includes AI enhancement, video editing, and cloud services
Cons	RAW workflows require darktable or RawTherapee plug-ins Desktop-focused rather than a cloud-based editing workflow Volunteer-community maintenance may not suit buyers seeking a commercial vendor	Available only for Windows Requires a paid plan after the seven-day trial Monthly access costs more over time than annual billing
Our verdict	GIMP is a free, open-source desktop application for creating, editing, retouching, and composing images. It is aimed at photographers, artists, designers, and other image creators who need layered editing without a paid license. Its core… Read the review →	Zoner Photo Studio X is Windows software for importing, organizing, editing, sharing, printing, and managing photos and videos. It is aimed at photographers from beginners to experienced users who want one desktop application for library… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• GIMP — where it wins

  • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Layers, masks, high-bit-depth processing, and broad format support
  • Extensible through plug-ins, scripting, and command-line batch processing

  Where it doesn't

  • RAW workflows require darktable or RawTherapee plug-ins
  • Desktop-focused rather than a cloud-based editing workflow
  • Volunteer-community maintenance may not suit buyers seeking a commercial vendor

• Zoner Photo Studio X — where it wins

  • Combines RAW editing, layers, masks, and local adjustments
  • Batch tools and organization support large photo libraries
  • Includes AI enhancement, video editing, and cloud services

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for Windows
  • Requires a paid plan after the seven-day trial
  • Monthly access costs more over time than annual billing

• GIMP8.7/10 · Free plan

  A capable free editor for layered work, masking, scripting, and plug-in-based RAW workflows.

  Visit GIMPFull verdict →
• Zoner Photo Studio X8.4/10 · 7-day trial

  A broad Windows editor for photographers who want organization, advanced editing, and cloud services.

  Visit ZonerFull verdict →