Software · head to head
GIMP vs Lulu
The short version
- Only GIMP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: GIMP gPLv3 licence requires derivative works to be open-source and freely distributed; Lulu production requires 3-5 business days before shipping, with the first printing day starting only after the order is placed
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GIMP and Lulu actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Lulu
Nothing recorded that GIMP does not also cover.
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 Lulu
- Digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformationnot Lulu
- Icon and UI element design for application developmentnot Lulu
- Batch image processing through Python, C, C++, and Scheme scriptingnot Lulu
Lulu
No use cases recorded yet. See the Lulu review.
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
Lulu
- Production requires 3-5 business days before shipping, with the first printing day starting only after the order is placed
Pricing, plan by plan
GIMP
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the GIMP review.
Lulu
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Lulu review.
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.
Choose Lulu if
Nothing in the data separates Lulu from GIMP on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is GIMP or Lulu better?
- Neither clearly leads. GIMP starts at Free and Lulu at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GIMP or Lulu?
- GIMP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GIMP and On request for Lulu.
- Does GIMP or Lulu run on more platforms?
- GIMP runs on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows. Lulu runs on Web.
- Can I use GIMP for free?
- Yes. GIMP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lulu starts at On request.
- 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 Lulu is typically brought in for.
- What can GIMP do that Lulu cannot?
- GIMP covers Photo editing, Digital painting, Image processing, Batch editing.