# Affinity Photo vs GIMP

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Affinity Photo

| Attribute | Affinity Photo | GIMP |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 83 (38% (low)) | 34.5 (75% (high)) |
| deployment.options | - | `{"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | A free, feature-rich photo editor with non-destructive editing, RAW processing, advanced retouching tools, batch automation, and layer compositing. | GIMP is a free, open-source cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows and other operating systems. It provides sophisticated tools for photo manipulation, artwork creation, graphic design, and desktop publishing workflows. |
| features.capabilities | `{"psd_ai_import":true,"free_available":true,"raster_editing":true,"digital_painting":true,"platform_breadth":"macOS, Windows, iOS"}` | `{"cmyk_print":false,"dtp_layout":false,"pricing_model":"open_source","free_available":true,"raster_editing":true,"digital_painting":true,"platform_breadth":"GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, and more operating systems","plugin_ecosystem":"Python, Scheme, C, C++ with extensive community-developed plugins and scripts","vector_illustration":false}` |
| integrations.count | - | 2 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Scribus"},{"name":"Inkscape"}]` |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"GB","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"ios":true,"mac":true,"windows":true}` | `{"cli":true,"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"free","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Affinity Photo","summary":"Completely free","features":["Non-destructive editing","RAW development with lens correction and noise reduction","Layer compositing","Advanced retouching and frequency separation","Liquify tools","HDR Merge, Focus Merge, Astrophotography Stacking","Batch processing","Macros","Unlimited layers","PSD import with layer fidelity","Live filters and instant previews","Brush library","Fine selection tools"],"contactSales":false}],"summary":"Completely free","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-03T12:04:35.509Z"}` | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.gimp.org/news/2011/01/11/plans-for-28-and-beyond/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-13T16:58:40.245Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | free | open_source |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |

## Capabilities (Design & Creative Software)

| Capability | Affinity Photo | GIMP |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Discipline** |  |  |
| Raster / photo editing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vector illustration | - | ✗ |
| DTP / page layout | - | ✗ |
| Digital painting | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Platform** |  |  |
| Platform breadth | macOS, Windows, iOS | GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, and more operating systems |
| **Output** |  |  |
| CMYK / print production | - | ✗ |
| **Interoperability** |  |  |
| PSD / AI import | ✓ | - |
| **Collaboration** |  |  |
| Real-time collaboration / cloud | - | - |
| **AI** |  |  |
| Generative AI features | - | - |
| **Extensibility** |  |  |
| Plugin / template ecosystem | - | Python, Scheme, C, C++ with extensive community-developed plugins and scripts |
| **Pricing** |  |  |
| Pricing model | - | Open-source (free) |
| Free / open-source available | ✓ | ✓ |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T15:16:48.480Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*