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Photography · head to head

Corel PaintShop Pro vs GIMP

Corel PaintShop Pro logo

Corel PaintShop Pro

Photography

One-time purchase photo editor from Corel, positioned as a budget Photoshop alternative with no subscription

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GIMP logo

GIMP

Publishing

Free and open-source image editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GIMP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Corel PaintShop Pro corel has slowed its release cadence, so buyers researching a current edition often find the newest widely sold version is PaintShop Pro 2023, not a genuinely new annual release.; GIMP gPLv3 licence requires derivative works to be open-source and freely distributed
  • They diverge on capability: Corel PaintShop Pro covers Layer-based editing, GIMP covers Photo editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Corel PaintShop Pro and GIMP actually diverge.

Attributes where Corel PaintShop Pro and GIMP differ
AttributeCorel PaintShop ProGIMP
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelOne-time purchase, paid upgradesopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsGNU/Linux, macOS, Windows
CategoryPhotographyPublishing
FoundedUnknown1995

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Corel PaintShop Pro

  • Layer-based editing
  • RAW processing
  • AI selection tools
  • Batch processing scripts
  • HDR merge and photo restoration tools
  • Perpetual licensing with paid upgrades

Only in GIMP

  • Photo editing
  • Digital painting
  • Image processing
  • Batch editing
  • Filters
  • Color correction
  • Layer support
  • Script-fu automation

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Corel PaintShop Pro

  • A Windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an Adobe subscriptionnot GIMP
  • A long-time PaintShop Pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the productnot GIMP
  • Someone restoring old family photos who wants the bundled restoration and HDR tools rather than assembling a plugin stacknot GIMP
  • A budget-conscious small studio doing basic compositing that does not require Photoshop plugin compatibilitynot GIMP

GIMP

  • Photo editing and retouching with professional colour managementnot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • Digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformationnot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • Icon and UI element design for application developmentnot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • Batch image processing through Python, C, C++, and Scheme scriptingnot Corel PaintShop Pro

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Corel PaintShop Pro

  • Corel has slowed its release cadence, so buyers researching a current edition often find the newest widely sold version is PaintShop Pro 2023, not a genuinely new annual release.
  • It is Windows-only, ruling it out for Mac-based photographers entirely.
  • Its RAW processing and colour engine trail Lightroom, Capture One and DxO PhotoLab in independent quality comparisons, particularly on noise and dynamic range.
  • The plugin and brush ecosystem is much smaller than Photoshop, so third-party workflows built around Adobe filters do not transfer.
  • Paid upgrades to major new versions mean the true cost over several years can approach a Photoshop Elements-style total, eroding the one-time-purchase advantage.

GIMP

  • GPLv3 licence requires derivative works to be open-source and freely distributed
  • Community-driven development with no commercial support tier
  • No native CMYK support for professional print workflows
  • Ecosystem depends on community plugins and scripts for advanced features

Pricing, plan by plan

Corel PaintShop Pro

On request
  • PaintShop Pro$79.99/one-time
    • Layer-based editing and RAW processing
    • Perpetual licence, no subscription
    • Paid upgrade for the next major version
  • PaintShop Pro Ultimate$99.99/one-time
    • Everything in the standard edition
    • Bundled AI and utility add-ons
    • Extra brush and effect packs

GIMP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the GIMP review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Corel PaintShop Pro if

  • You need layer-based editing.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want raw processing.
Corel PaintShop Pro review

Choose GIMP if

  • You need photo editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want digital painting.
GIMP review

Questions people ask

Is Corel PaintShop Pro or GIMP better?
Neither clearly leads. Corel PaintShop Pro starts at On request and GIMP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Corel PaintShop Pro or GIMP?
GIMP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Corel PaintShop Pro and Free for GIMP.
Does Corel PaintShop Pro or GIMP run on more platforms?
Corel PaintShop Pro runs on Windows. GIMP runs on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows.
Can I use GIMP for free?
Yes. GIMP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Corel PaintShop Pro starts at On request.
What is Corel PaintShop Pro best used for?
Corel PaintShop Pro is most often used for a windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an adobe subscription, a long-time paintshop pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the product, someone restoring old family photos who wants the bundled restoration and hdr tools rather than assembling a plugin stack, a budget-conscious small studio doing basic compositing that does not require photoshop plugin compatibility. Of those, a windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an adobe subscription and a long-time paintshop pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the product are not what GIMP is typically brought in for.
What can Corel PaintShop Pro do that GIMP cannot?
Corel PaintShop Pro covers Layer-based editing, RAW processing, AI selection tools, Batch processing scripts. GIMP covers Photo editing, Digital painting, Image processing, Batch editing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Corel PaintShop Pro: Is PaintShop Pro a subscription like Photoshop?

No, it is sold as a one-time purchase; major new versions are separate paid upgrades rather than a recurring subscription.

GIMP: How much does GIMP cost?

GIMP is completely free to use and distribute. The software is released under the GNU General Public License v3 (GPLv3), an open-source license that guarantees freedom to use, modify, and distribute.

Source
Corel PaintShop Pro: Does PaintShop Pro edit RAW files?

Yes, it imports and processes camera RAW files, though its RAW engine is less capable than dedicated tools like Lightroom or Capture One.

GIMP: Can I modify and distribute GIMP?

Yes, GIMP's source code is available for modification and redistribution according to the terms of the GPLv3 license.

Source
Corel PaintShop Pro: Is there a Mac version?

No, PaintShop Pro is Windows-only.

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