Free forever
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GIMP
A free, open-source desktop image editor for photo retouching, image composition and graphics work.
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Last checked Aug 9, 2026
What is free?
GIMP is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License v3 or later. The complete desktop image editor can be downloaded and used without an account, subscription, export quota or watermark on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its tools cover photo retouching, image composition, painting, selections, layers, masks, paths and extensibility through plug-ins.
What are the limitations?
GIMP is a desktop application and the project does not provide an official Android or iOS version. Its interface and workflow can take time to learn. Camera RAW files use integrations such as darktable or RawTherapee rather than a fully independent built-in RAW workflow, while advanced print-production needs such as native CMYK editing remain less complete. Third-party plug-ins and unofficial downloads require separate trust and licence checks.
Who is it best for?
Photographers, designers and small businesses that want capable local image editing without a subscription or cloud account.
Muft verdict
A genuinely free, unrestricted desktop image editor with no artificial export limits. It is strongest for users willing to learn a traditional desktop workflow and handle specialised RAW or print work with supporting tools.