Open Source Image Editor GIMP Now Available as a Native OS X App - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Open Source Image Editor GIMP Now Available as a Native OS X App

by

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
177 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
177 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
177 months ago
Looking forward to uninstalling X11...

Thanks GIMP team.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
177 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
177 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
177 months ago
Bring out the GIMP.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...