Open Source Image Editor GIMP Now Available as a Native OS X App - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
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
182 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
182 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
182 months ago
Looking forward to uninstalling X11...

Thanks GIMP team.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
182 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
182 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
182 months ago
Bring out the GIMP.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...
imac video apple feature

Apple Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever This Year

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:03 pm PDT by
Apple this year acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019. Q.ai...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Twelve Changes Coming to Apple's Next Flagship

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:43 am PDT by
We're less than two months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a dramatic change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year,...

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors