Paint.NET vs GIMP: Which One Is Better in 2024?

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

A Quick Overview of Paint.NET and GIMP

What is Paint.NET?

Paint.NET develops and maintains free image and photo editing software for Windows PCs. The software includes an intuitive user interface, support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a variety of powerful tools.

One unique feature of Paint.NET is its origin as a college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, which sets it apart from competitors. Additionally, the software's active online community offers extensive help, tutorials, and plugins, enhancing its usability for consumers.

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 sophisticated image editing tasks.

GIMP offers extensive customization options and supports third-party plugins to enhance productivity. Its status as free and open-source software allows users to modify and distribute its source code, fostering a community-driven development environment.

Features of Paint.NET and GIMP

Similarities

Paint.NET and GIMP share several key features that make them popular choices for image editing. Both are free and offer robust tools for various editing tasks.

• Layer Support: Both programs allow users to work with multiple layers, essential for advanced image editing.
• Special Effects: They offer a range of special effects to enhance images.
• Powerful Tools: Both provide a variety of tools for detailed and complex image editing.
• Community Support: Both have active online communities that offer tutorials, plugins, and help to users.
• Customization Options: Both allow users to customize the interface and functionality to suit their workflow needs.

Differences

While both Paint.NET and GIMP are powerful image editing tools, they cater to different user needs and preferences. Here are the key differences in their features:

• Ease of Use: Paint.NET is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners. GIMP, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve but offers more advanced features.
• Cross-Platform Availability: GIMP is available on multiple operating systems, including GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. Paint.NET is limited to Windows PCs.
• Customization and Scripting: GIMP supports extensive customization and scripting in multiple languages (C, C++, Perl, Python, Scheme). Paint.NET does not offer this level of scripting support.
• Integration with Other Software: GIMP integrates well with other free software like Scribus and Inkscape, enhancing its utility in a desktop publishing workflow. Paint.NET lacks this integration.
• Community Plugins: Both programs support plugins, but GIMP's open-source nature allows for a broader range of community-created scripts and plugins, offering greater extensibility.

User Interface and Usability

Paint.NET's user interface is designed to be intuitive and straightforward, making it accessible for beginners. The layout is clean, with essential tools easily accessible, which simplifies the editing process. However, its limited customization options may not meet the needs of advanced users. The user experience is enhanced by an active online community that provides tutorials and plugins, but the software's Windows-only availability restricts its usability for non-Windows users.

GIMP offers a more complex user interface with extensive customization options, catering to advanced users. The interface can be overwhelming for beginners, and the learning curve is steeper compared to Paint.NET. Despite this, GIMP's cross-platform availability and support for third-party plugins make it a versatile tool for various image editing tasks. The overall usability is bolstered by comprehensive documentation and community support, although the complexity may deter some users.

GIMP has a more versatile user interface and usability, but it is more complex than Paint.NET.

Collaboration

Paint.NET does not explicitly mention features that facilitate collaboration. The software's focus is on providing a user-friendly interface and powerful editing tools for individual use. There is no indication of built-in collaboration tools or features that support teamwork directly within the application.

GIMP also lacks explicit collaboration features. While it offers extensive customization and integration with other software, these aspects do not directly translate to enhanced collaborative capabilities. The focus remains on individual productivity and flexibility rather than teamwork.

Neither Paint.NET nor GIMP stands out as better for collaboration.

Paint.NET and GIMP Pricing

Paint.NET offers a free classic desktop version, with an option to purchase the Windows Store version for additional benefits like automatic updates. Users can also support the software through donations, typically suggested at $10 or $15. There are no subscription costs or specific one-time purchase prices mentioned.

GIMP is entirely free and open-source, with no costs associated with downloading or using the software. Users can support GIMP through donations via platforms like Patreon and Liberapay, or directly through the GNOME Foundation. There are no subscription fees or purchase prices involved.

GIMP has better pricing as it is completely free to use.

Comparing Paint.NET and GIMP 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, saving you time and effort.
• Extensive Template Library: Access a wide variety of templates for different use cases, making it easy to produce professional-looking designs.
• Customizable Text and View Properties: Tailor your videos and visuals by adjusting text properties and view settings, including background color and aspect ratios.
• Comprehensive Visual and Video Tools: Utilize tools like the Infographic Maker, Banner Maker, and Social Media Video Maker to meet all your content needs.
• Automatic Video Transcription: Transcribe videos to any language automatically, enhancing accessibility and reach.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro:
  • $29 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • $14 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Business:
  • $49 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • $24 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (Contact for details)
• Campus: Custom Pricing (Minimum 3000 seats, contact for details)

What Are Others Saying?

Paint.NET Reviews

Overall, users have given Paint.NET a rating of 4.1 out of 5. While many appreciate its ease of use and free availability, frustrations include frequent crashes and missing features. Here are some specific reviews:

• "This program is GARBAGE. EVERY single time I try saving my edited file it crashes." - David BeCraft, 1/5
• "Missing some features from the competition: 3D Viewer, Texture editor, Extra tools." - Evgenii ilev, 3/5
• "Not the best with drawing tablets." - Evgenii ilev, 3/5

Find more of Paint.NET reviews on G2!

GIMP Reviews

GIMP has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5. Users appreciate its free services but find the learning curve and limited features frustrating.

• "It's user interface is little complex to be understood by any new user. Other than that it's a good tool." - Verified User in Market Research, 3/5
• "The user interface is not very friendly like other alternatives but seemingly does the job." - Vishal L., 3/5
• "It's a bit heavy: if you want to do just a quick change it might take more time to load GIMP than really doing the job." - Verified User in Entertainment, 3/5

Find more of GIMP reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. They find the platform incredibly useful for creating professional visuals quickly and easily. Here are some of the sentiments shared by our users:

• "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 Choose Paint.NET:

• Consumers who prioritize an intuitive and user-friendly interface might prefer Paint.NET over GIMP. This software is ideal for beginners and Windows PC users seeking a straightforward yet powerful image editor.

Why Choose GIMP:

• Consumers who need advanced features and extensive customization options might opt for GIMP over Paint.NET. This software is perfect for graphic designers, photographers, and open-source enthusiasts who require sophisticated tools and cross-platform availability.

Why Choose Piktochart:

• Consumers who want to create professional visuals quickly and easily might choose Piktochart over GIMP and Paint.NET. This platform is ideal for marketers, educators, and small teams who need user-friendly tools with AI-powered design capabilities.

Paint.NET, GIMP, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

Whether you're a beginner looking for simplicity with Paint.NET, an advanced user seeking extensive features with GIMP, or someone who wants to create stunning visuals effortlessly, there's a tool for you. At Piktochart, we believe our platform offers the perfect blend of ease-of-use and powerful design capabilities, making it an excellent choice for anyone. Give Piktochart a try and see how it can transform your visual content creation experience.