GIMP vs Clip Studio Paint: Which One Is Better in 2024?

GIMP and Clip Studio Paint are essential tools for businesses and designers due to their robust features and cost-effectiveness. We'll compare GIMP and Clip Studio Paint to determine which one offers the best value and functionality for your needs.

A Quick Overview of GIMP and Clip Studio Paint

What is GIMP?

GIMP is a free and open-source image editor available for multiple operating systems, including GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. It allows users to modify and distribute its source code.

GIMP offers tools for high-quality photo manipulation, original artwork creation, and graphic design elements. Its status as free and open-source software, allowing users to modify and distribute its source code, sets it apart from many competitors.

What is Clip Studio Paint?

Clip Studio Paint is a software company that provides a powerful drawing and painting application designed for artists, illustrators, and animators. The software offers a wide range of tools and features to create high-quality digital art, including comics, manga, webtoons, and animations.

One unique feature that sets Clip Studio Paint apart from its competitors is its fully customizable 3D tools. These tools allow users to draw over 3D models, customize face and body types, and use a hand scanner to draw different hand positions from any angle.

Features of GIMP and Clip Studio Paint

Similarities

GIMP and Clip Studio Paint share several key features that make them both powerful tools for digital artists. Despite their differences, they offer similar functionalities that cater to a wide range of creative needs.

• Brush Customization: Both programs provide extensive options for customizing brushes, allowing artists to create unique strokes and effects.
• Layer Management: They support multiple layers, enabling complex compositions and non-destructive editing.
• Color Adjustments: Each software includes robust tools for color correction and transformation, essential for high-quality digital art.
• Plugin Support: Both GIMP and Clip Studio Paint allow for extended functionality through plugins and scripts, enhancing their versatility.
• Community Resources: Users of both programs benefit from a wealth of community-contributed resources, including tutorials, brushes, and other assets.

Differences

GIMP and Clip Studio Paint each offer unique features that cater to different creative needs. While GIMP excels in image manipulation and graphic design, Clip Studio Paint is tailored for digital painting and comic creation.

• 3D Tools: Clip Studio Paint includes customizable 3D models and a hand scanner for drawing from any angle, which GIMP lacks.
• Animation: Clip Studio Paint offers professional animation tools, including frame-by-frame animation and onion-skinning, features not available in GIMP.
• Vector Layers: Clip Studio Paint supports vector layers for preserving line art quality, a feature not found in GIMP.
• Brush Engine: Clip Studio Paint has an advanced brush engine with realistic textures and color mixing, whereas GIMP's brush customization is less sophisticated.
• Open Source: GIMP is free and open-source, allowing users to modify and distribute its source code, unlike Clip Studio Paint.

User Interface and Usability

GIMP's user interface is highly customizable but can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive array of tools and options. The user experience is functional but may feel cluttered, especially for those unfamiliar with open-source software. Overall usability is decent, but the learning curve can be steep, making it less accessible for beginners.

Clip Studio Paint offers a more streamlined and intuitive user interface, with modes tailored for both beginners and advanced users. The user experience is enhanced by its specialized tools and efficient workspace customization. Overall usability is superior, providing a smoother and more user-friendly experience.

Clip Studio Paint has better user interface and usability over GIMP.

Collaboration

GIMP does not offer built-in tools for real-time collaboration, making it challenging for teams to work simultaneously on the same project. While it integrates well with other software like Scribus and Inkscape, this setup requires additional steps and coordination outside the program itself. The focus remains on individual customization and extensibility, which can indirectly support teamwork but lacks direct collaborative features.

Clip Studio Paint also lacks real-time collaboration tools, focusing instead on individual use and extensive customization options. The software supports multi-page project management, which can be useful for teams working on different parts of a project. However, the absence of direct collaboration features means that users must rely on external methods to share and combine their work.

Neither GIMP nor Clip Studio Paint is particularly strong in facilitating direct collaboration.

GIMP and Clip Studio Paint Pricing

GIMP is entirely free and open-source, relying on voluntary donations for support. Users can contribute through various methods, including Patreon, Liberapay, and PayPal. There are no subscription fees or one-time costs associated with using GIMP, making it a cost-effective option for those on a budget.

Clip Studio Paint offers multiple pricing options, including a perpetual license for $54.00 (PRO) or $237.00 (EX), and subscription plans starting at $0.99/month. Additionally, there are annual plans and upgrade options available. While Clip Studio Paint provides more features, GIMP's free model is more accessible for users seeking no-cost solutions.

GIMP has better pricing due to its free and open-source nature.

Comparing GIMP and Clip Studio Paint to Piktochart

Piktochart transforms complex ideas into captivating visuals that inform and engage your audience. With Piktochart AI, you can create stunning infographics, reports, and presentations in seconds, perfectly aligned with your brand. No design experience required.

Pros of Piktochart

• AI-Powered Design Generator: Piktochart's AI-powered design generator allows users to create stunning visuals quickly and effortlessly, making it a standout feature for those needing fast, high-quality results.
• Extensive Template Library: With a wide range of templates for infographics, presentations, flyers, and more, Piktochart saves users time and effort, enabling them to produce professional-looking graphics without formal design training.
• Customizable Video Tools: Piktochart offers a suite of video tools, including a screen recorder, social media video maker, and video to text converter, providing comprehensive solutions for video content creation and repurposing.
• Sector-Specific Support: Piktochart caters to various sectors such as education, healthcare, marketing, and nonprofits, offering tailored solutions and discounted plans for students, teachers, and registered nonprofits.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform's intuitive drag-and-drop functionality and easy-to-navigate interface make it accessible for users of all skill levels, ensuring a smooth and efficient design experience.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro: $14 per member/month, billed annually (originally $29 per member/month)
• Business: $24 per member/month, billed annually (originally $49 per member/month)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (requires contacting for a quote)

What Are Others Saying?

GIMP Reviews

Overall, users have given GIMP a rating of 4.3 out of 5. While many appreciate its free and open-source nature, they find the learning curve steep and the interface unintuitive.

"The user interface is not very intuitive and can be confusing." - John D., 3.5/5

"Limited features compared to Photoshop." - Sarah K., 3/5

"Technical issues like multilayer selection and transformations." - Alex P., 3.8/5

Find more of GIMP reviews on G2!

Clip Studio Paint Reviews

Overall, users have given Clip Studio Paint a rating of 4.5 out of 5. While many appreciate its features, some find the lifetime license misleading and experience lag issues with the new version.

"Frustration with the lifetime license not being honored and the move to a subscription model." - Rogelio A., 1/5

"Difficulty with the complexity of the program and cluttered screen." - Kevin O., 3/5

"Issues with the lifetime license and lag with the new version 2.0." - Tofiq H., 4.5/5

Find more of Clip Studio Paint reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5. They find the platform incredibly useful for creating professional visuals quickly and easily. Here are some of the sentiments from our users:

• "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jennifer K.
• "My Go-To for ALL Professional Presentations!" - Jessica D.
• "Piktochart is very easy and simple to use online graphics creation tool." - ASHESHWAR Y.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why a consumer might want to use GIMP over Clip Studio Paint:

• Consumers who prioritize cost-effectiveness and open-source flexibility might prefer GIMP. This is ideal for graphic designers, photographers, and developers who need advanced image manipulation tools without any financial investment.

Why a consumer might want to use Clip Studio Paint over GIMP:

• Consumers who need specialized tools for digital painting, comics, and animation might choose Clip Studio Paint. This software is perfect for professional illustrators, animators, and comic artists who require high-quality brushes and 3D drawing figures.

Why a consumer might want to use Piktochart over Clip Studio Paint and GIMP:

• Consumers looking for an all-in-one solution for creating infographics, presentations, and videos might opt for Piktochart. This platform is ideal for educators, marketing professionals, and small businesses who need user-friendly, AI-powered design tools.

GIMP, Clip Studio Paint, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

Whether you're a graphic designer, digital artist, or educator, GIMP, Clip Studio Paint, and Piktochart each offer unique strengths to meet your creative needs. While GIMP and Clip Studio Paint are excellent for specialized tasks, we believe Piktochart stands out for its versatility and ease of use. With our AI-powered tools and extensive template library, creating stunning visuals has never been easier. Give Piktochart a try and see how it can transform your projects!