Updated March 2026 · Independent Analysis
Adobe IllustratorvsGIMP
Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/mo; GIMP is free. Adobe Illustrator is rated higher at 4.6/5 vs GIMP's 4.3/5.
Adobe Illustratorvs GIMP
★ 4.6/5+0.3 vs GIMP
Only in Adobe Illustrator
- ✦ Vector Design
- ✦ Pen Tool
- ✦ Typography
From $22.99/moPart of Creative Cloud (30M+) users · est. 1987
Try Adobe Illustrator Free →
GIMPvs Adobe Illustrator
★ 4.3/5-0.3 vs Adobe Illustrator
Only in GIMP
- ✦ Photo Editing
- ✦ Layer Support
- ✦ Masks & Channels
✓ Free plan10M+ downloads users · est. 1996
Try GIMP Free →Ratings Breakdown
Adobe Illustrator
4.6/5 avg
G2 Score4.6/5
Capterra Score4.7/5
G2 Rating4.6/5
GIMP
4.3/5 avg
G2 Score4.3/5
Capterra Score4.4/5
G2 Rating4.3/5
Quick Stats
Feature Comparison
Adobe Illustrator uniquely offers Vector Design, Pen Tool, Typography. GIMP uniquely offers Photo Editing, Layer Support, Masks & Channels. Both share 0 features.
Feature
Adobe Illustrator
GIMP
Vector Design
✓
✗
Pen Tool
✓
✗
Typography
✓
✗
Color Management
✓
✗
Artboards
✓
✗
Symbols
✓
✗
Patterns
✓
✗
Image Trace
✓
✗
3D Effects
✓
✗
Variable Fonts
✓
✗
Cloud Documents
✓
✗
Creative Cloud Libraries
✓
✗
Plugins
✓
✗
iPad Version
✓
✗
AI-powered Features (Generative)
✓
✗
Photo Editing
✗
✓
Layer Support
✗
✓
Masks & Channels
✗
✓
Advanced Color Tools
✗
✓
Customizable Interface
✗
✓
Filters & Effects
✗
✓
Scripting (Python/Script-Fu)
✗
✓
Plugin Support
✗
✓
PSD Support
✗
✓
Brushes & Gradients
✗
✓
Path Tool
✗
✓
Clone & Heal
✗
✓
Batch Processing
✗
✓
Cross-platform
✗
✓
Export Formats
✗
✓
Total Features
15
15
Quick Verdict
Independent analysis based on features, pricing, and user ratings
Choose Adobe Illustrator if you need:
- ✓ Vector Design
- ✓ Pen Tool
- ✓ Typography
- ✓ Color Management
- ✓ Artboards
Choose GIMP if you need:
- ✓ Photo Editing
- ✓ Layer Support
- ✓ Masks & Channels
- ✓ Advanced Color Tools
- ✓ Customizable Interface
Pricing Comparison
Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/mo; GIMP is free.
Adobe Illustrator Plans
Paid plans only
IllustratorBest Value
$22.99/mo- • Single app
- • 100GB storage
All Apps
$59.99/mo- • 20+ Creative Cloud apps
GIMP Plans
Free tier available
Free
Free- • Full featured
- • Cross-platform
- • Open source
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