Software · head to head
GIMP vs QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress
Software
The original desktop publishing software for print and digital design
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
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; QuarkXPress quarky AI assistant and AI font pairing require a subscription license or a perpetual license with an active maintenance and support contract from v21.1 onward
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GIMP and QuarkXPress actually diverge.
| Attribute | GIMP | QuarkXPress |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows | Web |
| Founded | 1995 | Unknown |
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 QuarkXPress
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 QuarkXPress
- Digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformationnot QuarkXPress
- Icon and UI element design for application developmentnot QuarkXPress
- Batch image processing through Python, C, C++, and Scheme scriptingnot QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress
No use cases recorded yet. See the QuarkXPress 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
QuarkXPress
- Quarky AI assistant and AI font pairing require a subscription license or a perpetual license with an active maintenance and support contract from v21.1 onward
Pricing, plan by plan
GIMP
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the GIMP review.
QuarkXPress
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the QuarkXPress 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 QuarkXPress if
Nothing in the data separates QuarkXPress from GIMP on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is GIMP or QuarkXPress better?
- Neither clearly leads. GIMP starts at Free and QuarkXPress at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GIMP or QuarkXPress?
- GIMP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GIMP and On request for QuarkXPress.
- Does GIMP or QuarkXPress run on more platforms?
- GIMP runs on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows. QuarkXPress runs on Web.
- Can I use GIMP for free?
- Yes. GIMP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. QuarkXPress 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 QuarkXPress is typically brought in for.
- What can GIMP do that QuarkXPress cannot?
- GIMP covers Photo editing, Digital painting, Image processing, Batch editing.