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Publishing · head to head

GIMP vs TickTick

GIMP logo

GIMP

Publishing

Free and open-source image editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TickTick logo

TickTick

Productivity

Stay organized, stay creative

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; TickTick recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools
  • They diverge on capability: GIMP covers Photo editing, TickTick covers Task management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GIMP and TickTick actually diverge.

Attributes where GIMP and TickTick differ
AttributeGIMPTickTick
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsGNU/Linux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows
CategoryPublishingProductivity
Founded19952013

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 TickTick

  • Task management
  • Calendar integration
  • Pomodoro timer
  • Habit tracking
  • Natural language input
  • Collaboration
  • Voice input
  • Location reminders

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 TickTick
  • Digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformationnot TickTick
  • Icon and UI element design for application developmentnot TickTick
  • Batch image processing through Python, C, C++, and Scheme scriptingnot TickTick

TickTick

  • Personal task managementnot GIMP
  • Team collaborationnot GIMP
  • Project planningnot GIMP
  • Habit trackingnot GIMP
  • Time managementnot 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

TickTick

  • Recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools
  • Reporting and analytics are minimal, providing little productivity trend visibility
  • Calendar sync can be slow and unreliable, sometimes causing sync issues across devices
  • API capabilities are basic, limiting direct integrations beyond Zapier and IFTTT
  • Habit tracking becomes less useful once routines are well-established

Pricing, plan by plan

GIMP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the GIMP review.

TickTick

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 9 lists
    • Up to 99 tasks per list
    • Basic reminders
  • Premium$35.99/year
    • Up to 299 lists
    • Up to 999 tasks per list
    • Advanced collaboration for up to 30 members

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 TickTick if

  • You need task management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows.
  • You also want calendar integration.
TickTick review

Questions people ask

Is GIMP or TickTick better?
Neither clearly leads. GIMP starts at Free and TickTick at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GIMP or TickTick?
GIMP starts at Free and TickTick at Free.
Does GIMP or TickTick run on more platforms?
GIMP runs on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows. TickTick runs on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows.
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 TickTick is typically brought in for.
What can GIMP do that TickTick cannot?
GIMP covers Photo editing, Digital painting, Image processing, Batch editing. TickTick covers Task management, Calendar integration, Pomodoro timer, Habit tracking.

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
TickTick: What is TickTick?

TickTick is a cross-platform task management and productivity app that combines to-do lists, calendar views, habit tracking, reminders, and a Pomodoro timer. It helps users organize personal and work tasks across 10+ platforms including Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, and web.

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
TickTick: What are TickTick's pricing options?

TickTick offers a permanent free plan and a premium plan at $35.99/year (listed price $49.99, currently discounted). The free plan includes up to 9 lists and basic features, while premium unlocks up to 299 lists, advanced collaboration for up to 30 members, and calendar subscriptions.

Source
TickTick: Does TickTick have team features?

TickTick does not offer a dedicated team or family plan. Each user needs their own premium subscription. Premium users can share lists with up to 30 members for collaboration.

Source
TickTick: What integrations does TickTick support?

TickTick supports integrations with 2,000+ apps through third-party platforms like Zapier, Make, n8n, and Integrately. It also supports calendar subscriptions with Google Calendar and Outlook, and has a basic OAuth API for developers.

Source
TickTick: Is TickTick available offline?

TickTick requires an internet connection for syncing across devices. Offline functionality depends on the platform, with some mobile apps offering limited offline access but requiring connectivity for full features.

Source
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