GimplogoThe free, open-source image editor GIMP is now available for OS X as a native application. It is available for download from Gimp.org.

GIMP is a popular and fairly powerful free image editor from the linux world that is basically like a freeware version of Photoshop, complete with many of the tools used for photo retouching and image manipulation that you’d expect. It’s a great free PS alternative, but Mac users have long had to install X11 to get it to run. But not anymore! The newest version of Gimp for Mac OS X is bundled as a self-contained native app, that means no X11 installations, no Xcode, nothing but a simple dmg download.

Previously, GIMP required the installation of X11, a windowing system for some specialized software -- something that is difficult for more inexperienced users to accomplish. Pixelmator is an excellent alternative image editor for most users, though it currently costs $15.

Top Rated Comments

avanpelt Avatar
141 months ago
Pixelmator got me away from the GIMP about a year ago, and I won't be switching back.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Akarin Avatar
141 months ago
...this application is open source. I use it since years on PC. If you feel like it is bugged, you have two choices: Help to make it better by either reporting bugs or contributing fixing bugs - or just wait. It will be fixed. I would understand if you complain about a program you paid for - but you didn't for this one, so be patient.

Aaaaah... but you see, as a developer of an open-source framework for PHP, this is exactly the kind of answers I hate: "it's free so don't complain".

Mediocrity and sloppy releases give a bad name to open source projects. You then hear things like "deal with a crappy open source software or pay big bucks to have quality". I disagree. Strongly.

First, any open source developer should be open to criticism and even more to complaints. Serious complaints, I mean, not childish ones. Reading this thread, my current feeling is that Gimp crashes a lot. Open source or not, this is not giving good publicity to the software as now, I won't even bother downloading it.

Anyway, to cut it short, "open source" should not mean "free therefore buggy".
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justinfreid Avatar
141 months ago
Looking forward to uninstalling X11...

Thanks GIMP team.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
141 months ago
Pixelmator got me away from the GIMP about a year ago, and I won't be switching back.
But for a free app, it's decent enough for most people.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad-B-One Avatar
141 months ago
Well, guys...

...this application is open source. I use it since years on PC. If you feel like it is bugged, you have two choices: Help to make it better by either reporting bugs or contributing fixing bugs - or just wait. It will be fixed. I would understand if you complain about a program you paid for - but you didn't for this one, so be patient.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
141 months ago
Bring out the GIMP.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)