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
180 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
180 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
180 months ago
Looking forward to uninstalling X11...

Thanks GIMP team.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
180 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
180 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
180 months ago
Bring out the GIMP.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

Apple Says macOS 27 Won't Be Compatible With These Macs

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:29 am PDT by
During WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. macOS 27 will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. Apple will unveil macOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote this Monday, June 8, and the...
MacBook Neo on Yellow Feature

MacBook Neo is So Popular That Apple Reportedly Doubled Production

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:24 am PDT by
On an earnings call in late April, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo was "off the charts," and the popularity of the laptop has reportedly led the company to significantly boost production. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week said he believes that MacBook Neo shipments to Apple were doubled from an initial target of 5 million units to 10...
iphone 18 pro blue%402x

iPhone 18 Pro: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Dark Gray Chassis Leaked [Update]

Thursday June 4, 2026 5:18 am PDT by
Update: Since publication, new information has come to light suggesting the images have been AI-manipulated and are not in fact iPhone 18 Pro chassis parts. The original article follows. The color options Apple is reportedly planning for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max have appeared online today in the form of images of chassis parts of unknown authenticity....