Updated March 2026 · Independent Analysis
GIMPvsAdobe Illustrator
GIMP is free; Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/mo. Adobe Illustrator is rated higher at 4.6/5 vs GIMP's 4.3/5.
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 →
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 →Ratings Breakdown
GIMP
4.3/5 avg
G2 Score4.3/5
Capterra Score4.4/5
G2 Rating4.3/5
Adobe Illustrator
4.6/5 avg
G2 Score4.6/5
Capterra Score4.7/5
G2 Rating4.6/5
Quick Stats
Feature Comparison
GIMP uniquely offers Photo Editing, Layer Support, Masks & Channels. Adobe Illustrator uniquely offers Vector Design, Pen Tool, Typography. Both share 0 features.
Feature
GIMP
Adobe Illustrator
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
✓
✗
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)
✗
✓
Total Features
15
15
Quick Verdict
Independent analysis based on features, pricing, and user ratings
Choose GIMP if you need:
- ✓ Photo Editing
- ✓ Layer Support
- ✓ Masks & Channels
- ✓ Advanced Color Tools
- ✓ Customizable Interface
Choose Adobe Illustrator if you need:
- ✓ Vector Design
- ✓ Pen Tool
- ✓ Typography
- ✓ Color Management
- ✓ Artboards
Pricing Comparison
GIMP is free; Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/mo.
GIMP Plans
Free tier available
Free
Free- • Full featured
- • Cross-platform
- • Open source
Adobe Illustrator Plans
Paid plans only
IllustratorBest Value
$22.99/mo- • Single app
- • 100GB storage
All Apps
$59.99/mo- • 20+ Creative Cloud apps
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