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Publishing · head to head

GIMP vs iA Writer

GIMP logo

GIMP

Publishing

Free and open-source image editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
iA Writer logo

iA Writer

Productivity

Distraction-free markdown writer with powerful focus mode

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GIMP gPLv3 licence requires derivative works to be open-source and freely distributed; iA Writer pricing varies by platform: Windows $29.99 while Mac/iPhone/iPad cost $49.99, creating $20 premium for Apple platforms
  • They diverge on capability: GIMP covers Photo editing, iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GIMP and iA Writer actually diverge.

Attributes where GIMP and iA Writer differ
AttributeGIMPiA Writer
Pricing modelopen-sourceone-time
PlatformsGNU/Linux, macOS, WindowsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web
CategoryPublishingProductivity
Founded19952008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 GIMP

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

Only in iA Writer

  • Distraction-free writing
  • Markdown editing
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Dark and light themes
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Typewriter mode
  • Focus mode
  • Statistics

What people use each for

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

GIMP

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

iA Writer

  • Distraction-free writing and note-taking applicationnot GIMP
  • Markdown document creation and editingnot GIMP
  • Cross-platform writing with iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Windows supportnot GIMP

Where each one falls short

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

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

iA Writer

  • Pricing varies by platform: Windows $29.99 while Mac/iPhone/iPad cost $49.99, creating $20 premium for Apple platforms
  • One-time purchase model means major version updates may require additional payment beyond initial purchase
  • Update schedule uncertain, making it unclear when new versions become available and whether paid upgrades will be required

Pricing, plan by plan

GIMP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the GIMP review.

iA Writer

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • 7-day free trial
    • Mac and Windows
    • No credit card required
  • Windows$29.99/one-time
    • One-time purchase
    • Own it forever
    • No subscription fees
  • Mac$49.99/one-time
    • One-time purchase
    • Own it forever
    • No subscription fees
  • iPhone & iPad$49.99/one-time
    • One-time purchase via App Store
    • Own it forever
    • No subscription fees

Which should you pick?

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

Choose iA Writer if

  • You need distraction-free writing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want markdown editing.
iA Writer review

Questions people ask

Is GIMP or iA Writer better?
Neither clearly leads. GIMP starts at Free and iA Writer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GIMP or iA Writer?
GIMP starts at Free and iA Writer at Free.
Does GIMP or iA Writer run on more platforms?
GIMP runs on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows. iA Writer runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web.
Can I use GIMP for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GIMP best used for?
GIMP is most often used for photo editing and retouching with professional colour management, digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformation, icon and ui element design for application development, batch image processing through python, c, c++, and scheme scripting. Of those, photo editing and retouching with professional colour management and digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformation are not what iA Writer is typically brought in for.
What can GIMP do that iA Writer cannot?
GIMP covers Photo editing, Digital painting, Image processing, Batch editing. iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown editing, Syntax highlighting, Dark and light themes.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
iA Writer: How much does iA Writer cost?

iA Writer costs $29.99 one-time for Windows, $49.99 one-time for Mac, and $49.99 one-time for iPhone & iPad. A 7-day free trial is available with no credit card required.

Source
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
iA Writer: What is iA Writer's licensing model?

iA Writer uses a one-time purchase model where customers pay once per platform and own the software forever with no subscription required, though major updates may require additional payment.

Source
iA Writer: Do minor updates cost extra for iA Writer?

Minor updates are included with the one-time purchase, while major updates may require additional payment. The update schedule is uncertain.

Source
iA Writer: Are there educational discounts for iA Writer?

Educational customers receive a 20% discount on Mac and Windows purchases made directly from iA, equaling approximately $39.99 for Mac and $23.99 for Windows.

Source
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