GIMP vs Adobe Illustrator | TrustRadius

What users are saying about

Score 8.3 out of 10

Based on 20 reviews and ratings

Score 9.2 out of 10

Based on 690 reviews and ratings

Pros

Customizable interface.
Powerful tools for image editing.
It is a light and multiplatform software.
It can work with many editable formats.

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Senior Web Developer

NSG FlowerDesign, 51-200 employees

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Extremely robust vector editing tools are superior to most other vector graphics software. Illustrator has been the standard for two decades and continues to be.
Artboard flexibility. The addition of multiple, editable artboards a few generations ago allowed a single Illustrator file to be much more comprehensive, both for concept work and for multi-page/screen projects.
Integration with other Creative Cloud products is increasingly seamless.

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Creative Director

Frontline EducationComputer Software, 501-1000 employees

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Cons

It would be nice to have the keyboard shortcuts match Photoshop as that is what designers are used to. The transition from Photoshop to GIMP would be a lot easier.
When saving images for the web, it would be nice to have a side-by-side view of the full pixel image and the image you're trying to save showing what it will look like as you lessen the resolution.

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Verified User

Professional in Information Technology

Insurance Company, 51-200 employees

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Illustrator has so many features and can feel like learning a new language if you're a beginner (thankfully, tutorial videos are everywhere).
With such a high level of sophistication, it can sometimes be tempting to use a simpler program (such as Paint) when the full suite feels like overkill.
The sheer scale of Illustrator's offerings can be daunting, so it requires some stick-to-it-iveness to not feel mired in it.

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Public Information Officer

Betty Hardwick CenterMental Health Care, 201-500 employees

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Likelihood to Renew

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Adobe Illustrator 9.5

Based on 2 answers

While Adobe Illustrator CC is one of the only true design software out there, it really stands heads above the other products. It's clean UI and menu structure is easy to navigate.

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Creative Director

Ada Bible ChurchReligious Institutions, 51-200 employees

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Usability

GIMP 10.0

Based on 1 answer

I interface GIMP with other software--I need to. I generally use the major calculation, CAD, word processing, and photo editing programs. In my office, my use of this software is not limited to computer-aided design. However, I am sure that if I needed this software for other purposes, it would have no interface problems.

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Stiavetti Daniele

Architetto

Libero professionistaArchitecture & Planning, 1-10 employees

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Adobe Illustrator 7.2

Based on 4 answers

Illustrator has become easier in recent years to use with more intuitive tools and controls for them. Illustration software has improved but Adobe Illustrator has kept up and keeps the edge with its extensive toolset. Newly added collaboration tools with Adobe make it even better and the expectation is that is to continue.

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Creative Director

Links Technology SolutionsInternet, 51-200 employees

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Support Rating

GIMP 7.8

Based on 5 answers

The support has always been able to solve my problems, which have been relatively simple and minor in my case, but can take some time due to the fact it is a free platform

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Digital Marketing Specialist

MyselfMarketing & Advertising, 1-10 employees

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Adobe Illustrator 8.2

Based on 29 answers

I've only had to reach out to their support team one time and they were able to answer my question fairly quickly. It must have been a common issue because they made it seem like several people had the same issue. The only down side to their support was that it took awhile to get in touch with someone.

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Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology

Education Management Company, 51-200 employees

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Alternatives Considered

The full Photoshop application is an extremely good program, but costly. GIMP stacks up fairly well against Photoshop in regard to functionality, and the developers are agile and adding updates to functions frequently. In comparing the two programs and our need for relatively low-level image manipulation, the free application (GIMP) far outweighs the extra functionality of the paid application (Photoshop).

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Adam Jackson FGCLP MAHRI

Founder & Co-Owner

Randy Sanchez Sauce CoFood & Beverages, 1-10 employees

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Photoshop is much easier to learn and utilize, but Adobe Illustrator definitely has more features and customizations. For basic day-to-day designing, I'd choose Photoshop any day, just because of its ease of use and how simple it is to find tutorials and assistance online. For more in-depth designers, I could see how Illustrator could be a preference with more features.

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Marketing and Social Media Coordinator

Becovic Management GroupReal Estate, 11-50 employees

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Return on Investment

It can be run on low-resource computers.
It is cross-platform software.
It has excellent support and an active community that keeps you updated.

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Senior Web Developer

NSG FlowerDesign, 51-200 employees

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We are now able to create original illustrations for our marketing campaigns rather than having to rely on stock graphics. A lot of our competitors don't do this, so it helps us stand out.
We are now able to create original infographics rather than having to outsource this service. We save money by doing more in-house.

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Verified User

Employee in Marketing

Computer Software Company, 51-200 employees

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Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

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Free/Freemium Version

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Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

GIMP Editions & Modules

—

Additional Pricing Details

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General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

Adobe Illustrator Editions & Modules

Edition

Annual	$20.99¹
Monthly	$31.49¹

per month

Additional Pricing Details

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