GIMP vs Gravit Designer: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between GIMP and Gravit Designer is a common decision for design tools buyers in 2026. GIMP has been in the market since 1996, giving it a 18-year head start over Gravit Designer (founded 2014). GIMP serves 10M+ users while Gravit Designer has 2M+ users globally. GIMP differentiates with image editing and photo retouching, while Gravit Designer leads with vector design and cross-platform. In this head-to-head comparison, GIMP earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 86/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🖌️
GIMP
Design Tools
86
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
🔷
Gravit Designer
Design Tools
84
hiltonsoftware.co Score

Quick Comparison

GIMP
Gravit Designer
Starting Price
Free
$49/yr
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
10M+
2M+
Founded
1996
2014
Rating
4.3/5
4.2/5
Best For
Users wanting a free, open-source Photoshop altern...
Designers needing a free, cross-platform vector ed...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

GIMPGravit Designer
88Ease of Use81
88Features87
95Value for Money86
82Customer Support80
84Integrations78
92Scalability87
84Learning Curve89

Pros & Cons at a Glance

GIMP
+Completely free and open-source
+Very powerful for a free tool
-Outdated interface
-Steep learning curve
Gravit Designer
+Free cross-platform vector editor
+Works in browser and desktop
-Less feature-rich than Illustrator
-Acquired by Corel, future unclear
AI Verdict

After comparing GIMP and Gravit Designer across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, GIMP takes the lead with a score of 86/100 versus Gravit Designer's 84/100. GIMP's key advantages include "completely free and open-source" and "very powerful for a free tool". That said, Gravit Designer has its own strengths — particularly "free cross-platform vector editor" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both GIMP and Gravit Designer offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. GIMP's paid plans start at Free while Gravit Designer begins at $49/yr. Evaluate which paid features — Batch processing, Plugin support (GIMP) vs SVG editing, Cloud storage (Gravit Designer) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose GIMP if you need users wanting a free, open-source photoshop alternative for image editing. Go with Gravit Designer if your priority is designers needing a free, cross-platform vector editor including chromebook. Both are strong design tools tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.

CHOOSE GIMP IF:

Users wanting a free, open-source Photoshop alternative for image editing.

CHOOSE GRAVIT DESIGNER IF:

Designers needing a free, cross-platform vector editor including Chromebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GIMP better than Gravit Designer in 2026?
GIMP scores 86/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Gravit Designer's 84/100. GIMP stands out for "completely free and open-source" and is best for Users wanting a free, open-source Photoshop alternative for image editing. Gravit Designer is known for "free cross-platform vector editor" and suits Designers needing a free, cross-platform vector editor including Chromebook. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between GIMP and Gravit Designer?
Both offer free plans. GIMP starts at Free and Gravit Designer at $49/yr. When comparing value, consider that GIMP (founded 1996, 10M+ users) includes features like Image editing, Photo retouching, Batch processing. Gravit Designer (founded 2014, 2M+ users) offers Vector design, Cross-platform, SVG editing. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between GIMP and Gravit Designer?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. GIMP excels at Image editing, Photo retouching, Batch processing, while Gravit Designer focuses on Vector design, Cross-platform, SVG editing. GIMP's main advantage is "completely free and open-source", though some users note "outdated interface". Gravit Designer's strength is "free cross-platform vector editor", but "less feature-rich than illustrator" can be a drawback. Both serve the Design Tools market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from GIMP to Gravit Designer?
Switching between GIMP and Gravit Designer is possible since both operate in the Design Tools space. Before migrating, export your data from GIMP and check Gravit Designer's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Image editing, Photo retouching, Batch processing (GIMP) vs Vector design, Cross-platform, SVG editing (Gravit Designer). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: GIMP or Gravit Designer?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. GIMP is ideal for Users wanting a free, open-source Photoshop alternative for image editing, while Gravit Designer fits Designers needing a free, cross-platform vector editor including Chromebook. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

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