Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

sxiv VS GIMP

Compare sxiv VS GIMP and see what are their differences

sxiv logo sxiv

Simple X Image Viewer. Contribute to muennich/sxiv development by creating an account on GitHub.

GIMP logo GIMP

GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.
  • sxiv Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-18
  • GIMP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

sxiv features and specs

  • Lightweight
    sxiv is a simple and minimalistic image viewer that doesn't require many system resources, making it ideal for users who prefer lightweight applications.
  • Keyboard-Oriented
    The application is designed to be used efficiently with keyboard shortcuts, offering a fast and fluid user experience for power users.
  • Scriptable
    sxiv allows for scripting capabilities, which lets users customize and extend its functionalities using shell scripts.
  • Thumbnail Mode
    It provides a built-in thumbnail mode, allowing users to browse through a large number of images quickly.
  • Minimal Dependencies
    Having minimal dependencies, sxiv can be easily compiled and installed on a wide range of systems without requiring extensive package installations.

Possible disadvantages of sxiv

  • Limited Features
    sxiv focuses on simplicity and minimalism, so it lacks advanced features found in more comprehensive image viewers.
  • No Native Wayland Support
    It primarily supports X11, and users running environments based on Wayland might encounter issues or need additional configurations.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    The reliance on keyboard shortcuts can be intimidating for new users unfamiliar with terminal-based applications.
  • No Longer Actively Maintained
    As of the latest updates, sxiv is not actively maintained, which could mean fewer enhancements, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements in the future.
  • Limited File Format Support
    Compared to some modern image viewers, sxiv might not support as wide a variety of image formats without additional configuration or support.

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.

Analysis of GIMP

Overall verdict

  • GIMP is generally considered a good alternative to commercial image editing software, especially for those who are looking for a cost-effective solution. While it may not have all the advanced features or polished interface of some paid options, it is powerful enough for most editing tasks and keeps improving with regular updates.

Why this product is good

  • GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editor that offers a wide range of tools and features for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. It is highly customizable and supports various plugins, making it a flexible option for different design needs. Its active community provides extensive support and resources for users.

Recommended for

    GIMP is recommended for beginners, hobbyists, and professionals who need a robust image editor without a financial commitment. It's suitable for users who are comfortable with learning open-source software and those who need a tool for basic to mid-level image editing tasks.

sxiv videos

sxiv: The Suckless Image Viewer for GNU/Linux

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to sxiv and GIMP)
Image Editing
7 7%
93% 93
Graphic Design Software
0 0%
100% 100
Photos & Graphics
100 100%
0% 0
Digital Drawing And Painting

User comments

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Reviews

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

sxiv Reviews

We have no reviews of sxiv yet.
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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.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GIMP should be more popular than sxiv. 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.

sxiv mentions (9)

  • What are you rewriting in rust?
    i'm just start exploring Rust GUI world and currently I try to write an image viewer like sxiv with iced. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Switching from Linux. Need help.
    I tried that and didn't like it, I highly recommend checking out sxiv. Source: over 2 years ago
  • The X11 Conservancy Project
    You can also try feh (https://feh.finalrewind.org/) feh is an X11 image viewer aimed mostly at console users. And sxiv (https://github.com/muennich/sxiv) Simple X Image Viewer (but this one was archived on github since Nov. 9th, 2022). - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Show HN: Svix – open-source webhooks service written in Rust
    Https://github.com/muennich/sxiv Well this is going to be confusing. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Could someone explain me what is Xresources file for?
    I'm in Linux since summer and I just discovered the Xresource file by customizing the SXIV image viewer and I don't really know what this is used for. Is it a .config file? Wich programs can I customize in this file? Thanks in advance! Source: over 3 years ago
View more

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: over 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

What are some alternatives?

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

qimgv - Simple image viewer written in qt. Supports webm playback.

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

nomacs - nomacs is a free, open source image viewer, which supports mu

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.

Eye of Gnome (eog) - Simple image viewer for the GNOME desktop.

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