GIMP vs MyPaint: Which One Is Better in 2024?

GIMP and MyPaint are essential tools for businesses and designers due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility. We'll compare GIMP and MyPaint to determine which offers the best features, user interface, and performance for your needs. This comparison will help you choose the right software for your digital art and design projects.

A Quick Overview of GIMP and MyPaint

What is GIMP?

GIMP is a free and open-source image editor available for multiple operating systems, including GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. It provides tools for graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, and scientists to perform high-quality image manipulation, create original artwork, and produce graphic design elements.

GIMP offers advanced tools for graphic design, photo retouching, and creative composites. Unlike many competitors, GIMP is completely free and open-source, allowing users to access, modify, and distribute its source code.

What is MyPaint?

MyPaint is a digital painting application that focuses on providing a natural painting experience. It is designed for artists and offers a range of tools and features to create digital artwork.

MyPaint uses its own brushstroke rendering code, libmypaint, which can also be used by other programs. The application supports multiple operating systems, including Windows and various Linux distributions.

Features of GIMP and MyPaint

Similarities

GIMP and MyPaint share several key features that make them both powerful tools for digital artists. Here are the most important similarities:

• Open-Source Nature: Both GIMP and MyPaint are free and open-source, allowing users to modify and distribute the software.
• Brush Dynamics: They utilize the libmypaint brushstroke rendering code, providing advanced brush dynamics and customization options.
• Cross-Platform Support: Both applications are available on multiple operating systems, including Windows and Linux.
• Community-Driven Development: Each software has a strong community that contributes to its development and improvement.
• Focus on Digital Art: While GIMP offers broader image manipulation tools, both programs excel in creating original digital artwork.

Differences

GIMP and MyPaint cater to different needs within the digital art community. While GIMP is a comprehensive image editor, MyPaint focuses on providing a natural painting experience. Here are the key differences in their features:

• Photo Manipulation: GIMP excels in high-quality photo retouching and creative composites, a feature not available in MyPaint.
• Brush Engine: MyPaint uses the advanced libmypaint brush engine, offering a more natural painting experience compared to GIMP.
• Plug-ins: GIMP supports a wide range of community-created scripts and plug-ins for various purposes, whereas MyPaint does not emphasize plug-in support.
• Programming Support: GIMP allows scripted image manipulation using multiple programming languages, a feature absent in MyPaint.
• User Interface: MyPaint offers a minimalistic interface designed to keep the artist focused on painting, unlike GIMP's more complex UI.

User Interface and Usability

GIMP's user interface is feature-rich but can be overwhelming for new users. The complexity of its tools and options may require a steep learning curve. On the other hand, MyPaint offers a minimalistic interface designed to keep the artist focused on painting, which can be more intuitive for users who prioritize simplicity. Both applications provide extensive documentation and community support, but GIMP's broader range of features can make navigation more cumbersome.

In terms of user experience, GIMP's extensive capabilities in photo manipulation and graphic design offer flexibility but can be daunting for those unfamiliar with advanced image editing. MyPaint, with its focus on natural painting, provides a more straightforward experience, making it easier for artists to dive into their work without distraction. While GIMP's usability benefits from its extensive plugin support, MyPaint's streamlined approach may appeal to users seeking a more direct and less cluttered interface.

MyPaint has a 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 supports customization and integration with other software, these features do not directly facilitate teamwork. The absence of cloud integration further limits collaborative efforts, requiring users to rely on external methods for sharing and version control.

MyPaint also lacks direct collaboration features within the application. Although it encourages community engagement through forums and GitHub, these platforms focus more on development and support rather than real-time teamwork. The reliance on external tools for collaboration means that users cannot work together on the same canvas simultaneously.

Neither GIMP nor MyPaint is particularly strong in facilitating direct collaboration.

GIMP and MyPaint Pricing

GIMP is entirely free to download and use, with no subscription or one-time purchase costs. The project relies on donations to sustain its development, offering various methods for users to contribute financially. These include direct funding to core developers and donations through the GNOME Foundation.

MyPaint, like GIMP, is also free and open-source, with no associated subscription or purchase costs. The official website does not mention any pricing details, focusing instead on updates and community involvement. Both GIMP and MyPaint offer excellent value as free tools, making their pricing equally advantageous for users.

Comparing GIMP and MyPaint 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: Create stunning visuals quickly with the help of AI, which simplifies the design process and ensures professional-quality results.
• Wide Range of Visual Tools: From infographics to social media videos, Piktochart provides a comprehensive suite of tools to meet all your visual communication needs.
• Customizable Templates: Access a variety of templates that can be easily customized to fit different use cases and industries, saving you time and effort.
• Support for Multiple Sectors: Whether you're in education, healthcare, marketing, or nonprofits, Piktochart offers tailored solutions to enhance your visual storytelling.
• Discounted Plans for Education and Nonprofits: Benefit from special pricing plans designed for students, teachers, and registered nonprofits, making high-quality design accessible to all.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro: $14 per member/month, billed annually (Regular Price: $29 per member/month)
• Business: $24 per member/month, billed annually (Regular Price: $49 per member/month)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (Contact for details)

What Are Others Saying?

GIMP Reviews

Overall, users have given GIMP a rating of 4.3 out of 5. While many appreciate its extensive features and open-source nature, frustrations include a steep learning curve and a less intuitive interface.

"The interface is not user-friendly, and it takes time to learn." - John D., 3/5

"Limited features compared to Photoshop, and navigation can be cumbersome." - Sarah L., 3.5/5

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

Find more of GIMP reviews on G2!

MyPaint Reviews

MyPaint has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5. Users appreciate its ease of use but find the software slow and the interface needing improvement.

"It comes with many needs already solved. I want vectorial alternatives for practically the same interface. Some tools work slow." - Nicolás Damián V., 3.5/5

"Can draw a picture on the computer. Software is slow and working badly. The interface should be improved." - CIHAN D., less than 4/5

"This is a very useful tool for making quick drawings and edits to pictures and shapes. Nothing in particular as this is an improved application of the older paint application." - Verified User in Information Technology and Services, 4/5

Find more of MyPaint reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use and the professional quality of the visuals it helps create. Here are some of the sentiments from our customers:

• "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jessica D.
• "My Go-To for ALL Professional Presentations!" - Jennifer K.
• "Incredibly intuitive design app." - Katie S.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why a consumer might want to use GIMP over MyPaint:

• Consumers who need advanced photo manipulation and graphic design tools would prefer GIMP. This includes graphic designers, photographers, and scientists who require sophisticated features and customization options.

Why a consumer might want to use MyPaint over GIMP:

• Artists seeking a natural painting experience with a focus on brush dynamics would choose MyPaint. This software is ideal for digital painters and illustrators who prioritize simplicity and a streamlined interface.

Why a consumer might want to use Piktochart over MyPaint and GIMP:

• Users who need to create professional-quality visuals quickly and easily would opt for Piktochart. This includes marketing professionals, educators, and small business owners who benefit from its AI-powered design generator and customizable templates.

GIMP, MyPaint, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

Whether you're a graphic designer, digital artist, or someone who needs to create stunning visuals quickly, GIMP, MyPaint, and Piktochart each offer unique strengths. While GIMP and MyPaint are excellent for specialized tasks, we believe Piktochart stands out for its ease of use and versatility. With our AI-powered design tools and customizable templates, creating professional-quality visuals has never been easier. Give Piktochart a try and see how it can transform your visual storytelling.