There are also powerful colour and level correct options, path creation, masking options and so much more. Both GIMP and Paint.NET support layers, and both have all of the basic image editing options and tools you would reasonably expect to find.īut even a cursory glance at the menus and toolbars of GIMP makes it clear that this is the more feature-packed of the two, and you'll find numerous Photoshop-style tools such as the healing brush, the perspective tool and much more besides. Of the two, there's no denying that GIMP is the more powerful of the two programs, but that does not necessarily mean it is the best. Paint.NET offers limited interface personalisation through the ability to show and hide different tool panels, and there are also a handful of color schemes to choose from so you can make the program match the rest of your system. Even so, for Windows users, GIMP has a far less familiar feel, and this can take a while to get used to. The software now defaults to a single window mode, but it is possible to break out into multiple parts if this is your preference. In fact, it was the interface that many people used to find off-putting about GIMP – particularly the way it was made up of multiple individual windows. Paint.NET looks like fairly traditional Windows program, while GIMP is a little more unusual thanks to the fact that it started life on other platforms.

Take a look at GIMP and Paint.NET and you'll notice a marked difference in appearance. Speaking of which, let's take a look to see how these two image editors compare. It's immensely powerful and often billed as an alternative to Photoshop, but it has something of a learning curve, which can prove off-putting to newcomers. GIMP is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. But there is absolutely no obligation to opt for the paid-for version, and you miss out on literally nothing if you choose not to pay. It remains a Windows-only program, and while it is possible to download the software free from the developer's website, you also have the option of buying it from the Microsoft Store if you like the idea of making a financial contribution.

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