GIMP vs Inkscape

GIMP

GNU Image Manipulation Program

Inkscape

Professional vector graphics editor

Feature GIMP Inkscape
Category Media & Files Media & Files
Sub-category Image Editor Design
Maturity mature mature
Complexity beginner beginner
Performance tier medium medium
License GPL-3.0 GPL-2.0
License type copyleft copyleft
Pricing fully free fully free
GitHub stars 0 0
Contributors 0 0
Commit frequency weekly weekly
Plugin ecosystem none none
Docs quality good good
Backing org GNOME Foundation Inkscape Project
Funding model foundation foundation
Min RAM 512 MB 512 MB
Min CPU cores 1 1
Scaling pattern single_node single_node
Self-hostable Yes Yes
K8s native No No
Offline capable Yes Yes
Vendor lock-in none none
Languages C C++
API type REST REST
Protocols HTTP HTTP
Deployment binary, apt binary, apt
SDK languages
Team size fit solo, small, medium solo, small, medium
First release 2020 2020
Latest version

When to use GIMP

  • Primary: photo-editing
  • Primary: graphic-design
  • Primary: image-manipulation

When to use Inkscape

  • Primary: vector-design
  • Primary: svg-editing
  • Primary: logo-creation
Full GIMP profile → Full Inkscape profile → All comparisons