What users are saying about
20 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.3 out of 100
Based on 20 reviews and ratings
Top Rated
690 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 9.2 out of 100
Based on 690 reviews and ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
GIMP
GIMP is comparable to other image manipulation applications, and as it's free, it's a great alternative. It may not have the complete list of functionality that other applications have, but it does everything that we require it to do other than exporting in the CMYK colour format. We have worked around this obstacle though.
Founder & Co-Owner
Randy Sanchez Sauce CoFood & Beverages, 1-10 employees
Adobe Illustrator
Do not try and use this for multi-page designs—the multiple artboards you'd need to create within one doc are just a pure hassle and it's really a task better suited to InDesign in any case. This is great for any sort of design work where you want to be able to create quick and easy, highly editable vector graphics. It also pairs very nicely when used in tandem with Photoshop to do actual illustration. I think it shines the most when being used to create web assets (whether you export as JPEG, PNG or SVG), infographics, logos and flow charts.
Interactive Communications Director
Love & CompanyMarketing and Advertising, 11-50 employees
Pros
GIMP
- Customizable interface.
- Powerful tools for image editing.
- It is a light and multiplatform software.
- It can work with many editable formats.
Senior Web Developer
NSG FlowerDesign, 51-200 employees
Adobe Illustrator
- 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.
Creative Director
Frontline EducationComputer Software, 501-1000 employees
Cons
GIMP
- 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.

Verified User
Professional in Information Technology
Insurance Company, 51-200 employeesAdobe Illustrator
- 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.
Public Information Officer
Betty Hardwick CenterMental Health Care, 201-500 employees
Likelihood to Renew
GIMP
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Adobe Illustrator
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.
Creative Director
Ada Bible ChurchReligious Institutions, 51-200 employees
Usability
GIMP
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.
Architetto
Libero professionistaArchitecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
Adobe Illustrator
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.
Creative Director
Links Technology SolutionsInternet, 51-200 employees
Support Rating
GIMP
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
Digital Marketing Specialist
MyselfMarketing & Advertising, 1-10 employees
Adobe Illustrator
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.

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Education Management Company, 51-200 employeesAlternatives Considered
GIMP
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).
Founder & Co-Owner
Randy Sanchez Sauce CoFood & Beverages, 1-10 employees
Adobe Illustrator
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.
Marketing and Social Media Coordinator
Becovic Management GroupReal Estate, 11-50 employees
Return on Investment
GIMP
- 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.
Senior Web Developer
NSG FlowerDesign, 51-200 employees
Adobe Illustrator
- 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.

Verified User
Employee in Marketing
Computer Software Company, 51-200 employeesPricing Details
GIMP
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
GIMP Editions & Modules
—
Additional Pricing Details
—Adobe Illustrator
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