GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source desktop image editor for photographers, illustrators, designers and anyone who needs image retouching or compositing.

Main features

• Retouch photos with selections, masks, painting, healing and color adjustments.
• Build layered compositions and keep editable projects in the native XCF format.
• Paint illustrations using brushes and supported graphics-tablet input.
• Work with text, paths and vector layers alongside raster images.
• Apply non-destructive filters and use color-management tools.
• Extend workflows through plug-ins and scripts, subject to compatibility with the installed GIMP version.

Install and start

Install the macOS cask with brew install --cask gimp, or download the official Intel or Apple Silicon DMG and move GIMP.app into Applications. Open an image, edit with layers and save an XCF project to preserve editable work; export a separate PNG, JPEG or other supported output for sharing. Back up important projects before major upgrades and check third-party plug-in compatibility.

Requirements, dependencies and platforms

The official 3.2.6 macOS download supports macOS 11 Big Sur or newer and offers separate Intel and Apple Silicon packages. The current Homebrew record declares a conflict with gimp@dev; choose the stable or development cask rather than installing both. Its dependency field is empty, which does not establish that every workflow is dependency-free: optional third-party plug-ins, fonts, tablets and particular file formats may have separate requirements.

Official packages also cover Linux x86-64/ARM64 and Windows x86-64/ARM64. The Linux AppImage requires Debian 13 or a newer distribution; other Linux packaging methods have their own requirements. Windows requirements vary by distribution channel, and the Microsoft Store build has a separately documented minimum build. GIMP is a desktop application; no official iOS or Android edition is established by these sources. The upstream project explicitly warns that Apple App Store listings are third-party packages, not official GIMP releases.

The official Apple Silicon 3.2.6 DMG is 185,680,887 bytes, verified from the download response; download size is not installed space. No universal RAM or installed-space minimum was confirmed. Basic editing can be performed locally without an online account; downloads, updates and remote-file workflows require network access.

Price and license

GIMP is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later. It does not require a subscription for the official application; donations are optional. Third-party support, services and plug-ins may have separate pricing and licenses.

The screenshot is an official historical GIMP 3.0 desktop photo-editing example showing a layered gull photograph, histogram and tools. Its platform is not confirmed; it is not a current macOS 3.2.6 screenshot.

Sources: GIMP overview, Official downloads and system requirements, Official source repository, GIMP documentation, Official screenshot collection.