Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GIMP VS Procreate

Compare GIMP VS Procreate and see what are their differences

GIMP logo GIMP

GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.

Procreate logo Procreate

Procreate is the most powerful and intuitive digital illustration App available for iPad®.
  • GIMP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • Procreate Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-23

GIMP features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    GIMP is completely free to use and open source, allowing users to download, modify, and distribute the software without any cost.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    GIMP is compatible with multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users on different platforms.
  • Extensive Plugin Support
    GIMP supports a wide range of plugins, which can be used to enhance functionality and customize the software to suit specific needs.
  • Powerful Editing Tools
    GIMP offers a comprehensive set of image editing tools for tasks such as photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring, suitable for both beginners and advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of GIMP

  • Complex Interface
    The user interface can be overwhelming and not as intuitive as other commercial software, which can pose a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience performance issues, such as slow rendering times, especially when working with large files or applying multiple layers and effects.
  • Limited Professional Features
    Compared to industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP lacks some advanced features and tools that professionals might need for high-end work.
  • Inconsistent Updates
    Updates and new features can be inconsistent, as the development relies on a community of volunteers rather than a dedicated team.

Procreate features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Procreate offers a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced artists.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Procreate comes with a comprehensive set of tools including brushes, filters, and effects that cater to various artistic needs.
  • High Performance
    The app is optimized for iPad, ensuring smooth and fast performance even when handling large files and complex compositions.
  • Customizable Brushes
    Procreate allows users to customize and create their own brushes, providing greater flexibility and control over their artwork.
  • One-Time Purchase
    Unlike many other professional software programs that require a subscription, Procreate is available for a one-time purchase, making it cost-effective in the long run.

Possible disadvantages of Procreate

  • iOS Exclusive
    Procreate is only available on iOS devices, which limits its accessibility to users who do not own an iPad or iPhone.
  • Learning Curve
    Although the interface is user-friendly, the vast array of features and tools can be overwhelming for new users, requiring time and practice to master.
  • Limited Vector Support
    Procreate primarily focuses on raster graphics and lacks robust support for vector-based designs, which may be a drawback for some types of graphic work.
  • No Desktop Version
    Procreate does not have a desktop version, meaning users cannot seamlessly switch between their mobile device and a computer for their projects.
  • File Compatibility
    While Procreate supports many file formats, it can have compatibility issues when transferring files to certain other graphic design software.

GIMP videos

Gimp vs Photoshop - Photo Editing Software - COMPARISON 2018

More videos:

  • Review - GIMP 2020 Preview and GIMP 2019 Recap
  • Review - 10 Reasons to Use GIMP in 2020 Over Photoshop

Procreate videos

I Try PROCREATE - iPad Pro Art: is it Actually Professional?

More videos:

  • Review - Ipad Pro, Apple Pencil & Procreate - Artist Review
  • Review - Review: Procreate for the iPad

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GIMP and Procreate)
Graphic Design Software
82 82%
18% 18
Digital Drawing And Painting
Image Editing
86 86%
14% 14
Photo Editing
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using GIMP and Procreate. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare GIMP and Procreate

GIMP Reviews

  1. Clipping Path universe
    · Working at Clipping Path ·
    A great site

    This is a great site for photo editing and the software is supper.

    👍 Pros:    Trusted

12 Best Free PosterMyWall Alternatives and Competitors
You can use GIMP as a basic paint tool, a high-quality photo editor, a tool to process many images at once online, a way to make lots of images, or even to change the format of an image. GIMP can do even more because you can add extra features to it using plugins and extensions. You can make it do just about anything you like.
Source: mockey.ai
10 Best Photopea Software Alternatives in 2024 (Free & Paid)
There are 1,439 votes for GIMP and 14 votes for Photopea. GIMP gets 4.3/5, and Photopea gets 4.8/5. These rankings come from real user reviews and can help you choose between the two based on your industry’s needs.
Best Adobe Photoshop alternatives of 2024
In our experience, GIMP was slightly less responsive and used a few more resources than its proprietary counterpart, but this can be easily forgiven on the basis that GIMP always has been and always will be free and open source.
10 Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives
Check out GIMP, one of the best free Illustrator alternatives which is ideal for any creative.
16+ Best Web Design Software in 2022 (Ranked by a Trusted Expert)
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It’s a free and open-source software for editing images and a valuable tool to have in your arsenal.

Procreate Reviews

10 BEST Procreate Alternatives For Android For 2023
Procreate undoubtedly has some of the coolest features you will ever find in Procreate. But you can enjoy most of its features in its alternatives for Android.
7 BEST Procreate Alternatives for Android (2023)
It allows you to create flipbooks and import from and export to other apps like Photoshop. It offers a user-friendly interface with tools for color-filling, using rulers, symmetry, and more to enhance the drawing process. It is one of the strong replacements for Procreate, which also support a stylus, allowing you to make precise drawings.
Source: www.guru99.com
15 Best Procreate Alternatives For Android 2023
The Android app is ideal for designers hoping to create complex artwork. Concepts has complex tools that allow vector manipulation. On the contrary, Procreate is raster based, so you have to use it with other apps like Illustrator, so that images don’t lose quality when scaled larger.
10 Best Procreate Alternatives For Windows & Mac [Top Picks]
If you are a designer, you must be aware of Procreate and how useful it is to you. It has a bunch of features and tools to explore and choose from and actually, there are just too many. So, the next question is, what is the problem? The problem is, Procreate doesn’t offer a free version at all. So, you cannot proceed with it without purchasing it.
Source: fixingport.com
The Best 6 Alternatives to Procreate for Android
Procreate is a professional application designed for sketching, painting, and drawing. But it doesn’t work on Android. To help you find wonderful alternatives to Procreate for Android, this post will provide 6 Procreate alternatives for Android. Want a free and simple video editor? Try MiniTool MovieMaker.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GIMP seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 59 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

GIMP mentions (59)

  • Yurt Calculator
    Image Creative Commons (CC) BY-SA-NC 2005-2017, developed, designed and written by René K. Müller Graphics & illustrations made with Inkscape, Tgif, Gimp, PovRay, GD.pm Web-Site powered by FreeBSD & Debian/Linux - 100% Open Source. Source: about 2 years ago
  • I just cannot understand why they did Paint so bad
    Paint.NET for a familiar paradigm with nicer features. Pinta for an old school, simple Paint experience. Krita for more advanced drawing. Gimp for editing/manipulating photos. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Had to make This after seeing all the post over and over again
    If you don't want to pay for photoshop, check out the Gnu Image Manipulation Program at http://gimp.org which is free. It has most of what you'd want photoshop for. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Super, just Super.
    As good as this suggestion is, without proper links and explanation it means nothing. GEGL is a type of plugins for GIMP, which can adjust the settings of already present effects and create new ones. The most notable ones are made by LinuxBeaver. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Useful apps for Ux designers
    GIMP: FOSS alternative to Photoshop. Like Inkscape, it’s not directly related to UI, but might be handy. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Procreate mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Procreate yet. Tracking of Procreate recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing GIMP and Procreate, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Photoshop is a webtop application for editing images and photos online.

Krita - Krita is a professional FREE and open source painting program. It is made by artists that want to seaffordable art tools for everyone. Concept art. texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.

Clip Studio Paint - The artist's software for drawing and painting.

Affinity Photo - Affinity is the imaging and design suite for creative professionals exclusively for Mac.

MediBang Paint - The official site for MediBang Paint, the free digital painting and manga creation software. You can download the latest version of MediBang Paint here, and get news and tutorials.

Pixelmator - Pixelmator is an image-editing application for Mac and iPad.