GIMP Download: Get the Free Image Editor Safely

The official home of GIMP is gimp.org. Its downloads page detects your operating system and shows the matching installer, with links for the other systems underneath. At the time of writing the current stable release is GIMP 3.2.6, dated 10 September 2026. Older 3.2 installers are kept on download.gimp.org, which is the project's own file server.

GIMP is free software released under the GNU General Public License. There is no paid edition, no trial period and no licence key. The About page describes it as a freely distributed program developed by a community of volunteers. If a website asks you to pay for GIMP, to enter a serial number, or to run a separate "downloader" first, you are not on the official site.

The downloads page offers each installer in two ways: a direct download and a BitTorrent link. Both deliver the same file. Most people should simply use the direct link.

The official page groups the files by operating system:

• Windows: one installer (a .exe file) that covers both x86_64 and ARM64 PCs, so you do not have to work out your processor type first. The page also links an official Microsoft Store listing.
• macOS: separate .dmg files for Intel Macs and for Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs. Pick the one that matches your Mac; Apple menu, About This Mac tells you which chip you have.
• Linux: AppImage files for x86_64 and ARM64, plus links to the Flathub and Snap Store packages. GIMP is also packaged by most distributions.

If you are unsure whether your Windows PC is 64-bit, our 32-bit vs 64-bit guide shows how to check. For GIMP on Windows it matters less than usual, because the single installer handles both architectures.

The downloads page lists these minimum operating systems for GIMP 3.2.6:

• Windows installer: Windows 10 version 1903 or newer.
• Microsoft Store version: Windows 11, or Windows Server 2022 or newer.
• macOS: macOS 11 Big Sur or newer.
• Linux AppImage: Debian 13 or a newer distribution.

The page does not set firm processor or memory minimums. In practice, image editing uses more memory as images get larger and as you add layers, so a PC with plenty of RAM and an SSD will feel smoother when you work on big photos. If you still run Windows 7 or 8, the current release will not install; consider whether it is time to upgrade the operating system rather than hunting for old builds on unofficial sites. Our guide to reading system requirements explains what these lines mean in practice.

1. Type gimp.org into your browser yourself and open Download, or use the link in the official source box on this page.
2. Click the direct download link for Windows. The file name starts with gimp- and ends in -setup.exe.
3. Optional but recommended: compare the file's SHA256 hash with the one printed on the downloads page (see the next section).
4. Run the installer and choose whether to install for all users or just for you. The official installer does not offer toolbars, browser changes or extra programs. If you see bundled offers, you have a re-packaged copy, so cancel and start again from gimp.org.
5. If Windows shows a SmartScreen prompt, confirm the file came from gimp.org before continuing. Our SmartScreen guide explains the warning.

On a Mac, open the .dmg file and drag GIMP into Applications. The first launch can take a little longer while macOS checks the app.

The genuine GIMP is safe to download and use. The official page goes further than most projects: for every installer it prints a SHA256 hash and a link to check the file on VirusTotal. A hash is a fingerprint of the file; if the one you calculate matches the one on gimp.org, the download is complete and unaltered. On Windows you can run certutil -hashfile followed by the file name and SHA256 in Command Prompt. Our guides on checksums and verifying downloaded files walk through it step by step.

One warning on the official page deserves attention: the GIMP team states that it does not provide any package on Apple's App Store, and that any GIMP downloads there are made by third parties and are not connected to the team. The same caution applies to paid "GIMP" listings in other app stores and to search ads. On Windows, the Microsoft Store listing linked from gimp.org is the one to use if you prefer a store install.

There is also no official GIMP app for Android or iPhone on the downloads page. Apps using the name on phones are unofficial, so treat them with the same caution you would apply to any unknown publisher. For more habits that keep you out of trouble, read our guide to avoiding fake download buttons.

GIMP vs Photoshop is the comparison most people search for. GIMP covers layers, masks, selections, colour correction, retouching tools, filters and plug-ins, and it opens and exports common formats such as PNG, JPEG, TIFF and WebP. It can also open Photoshop PSD files, although complex PSDs with adjustment layers or effects may not look identical. Photoshop remains the industry standard in many studios and has deeper integration with Adobe's other apps, but it requires a paid subscription.

If your main interest is drawing and painting rather than photo editing, our Krita download guide covers a free tool built for digital artists. For logos and other scalable artwork, a vector editor is the better fit; our graphic design software guide explains the difference between raster and vector tools. Photographers who mainly develop RAW files may prefer a dedicated RAW processor, which the photo editor guide also covers.

Whichever you choose, be wary of anything advertised as "free Photoshop". Cracked copies of paid software are a common source of malware, and GIMP gives you a capable, legal editor at no cost.