GIMP
Adobe Lightroom
GIMP
Adobe Lightroom
GIMP
Adobe Lightroom
GIMP
Adobe Lightroom
GIMP
Adobe Lightroom
No signals
GIMP
No signals
Adobe Lightroom
GIMP
No signals
Adobe Lightroom
GIMP
No signals
Adobe Lightroom
Users: Unlimited
Storage: Local storage only
Limits: No official support, community-driven help only, some features require plugins
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1TB cloud
Limits: No Photoshop included; cloud-dependent for full functionality
Users: 1 user
Storage: 20GB cloud
Limits: Very limited cloud storage; may not be available to new users
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1TB cloud
Limits: Still limited for large professional libraries
Users: 1 user
Storage: 100GB cloud
Limits: Overkill for photography-only users; less storage than dedicated photo plans
Users: 1 user
Storage: 2GB local
Limits: No cloud sync; missing key features; essentially a trial/demo
| Feature | GIMP | Adobe Lightroom |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | ||
| Layer-based editing Full layer support | ||
| Non-destructive editing Very limited | ||
| Layer effects/styles Must create manually | ||
| Editing | ||
| Non-destructive RAW editing Industry-standard XMP sidecar approach | ||
| AI-powered masking Select Subject, Sky, Background automatically | ||
| AI Denoise Excellent results but RAM-intensive | ||
| HDR panorama merge Lightroom Classic only, not mobile | ||
| Video editing Basic color/exposure only, no timeline | ||
| CMYK color mode Plugin workarounds only | ||
| Photography | ||
| RAW file support Requires external software | ||
| Sync | ||
| Cloud sync across devices Lightroom cloud version; Classic requires setup | ||
| AI Features | ||
| AI/Content-aware tools Not available | ||
| Mobile | ||
| Mobile app iOS and Android with most desktop features | ||
| Professional | ||
| Tethered capture Lightroom Classic only | ||
| Extensibility | ||
| Plugin support Limited ecosystem | ||
| Export | ||
| Print/Book modules Lightroom Classic only | ||
| File Formats | ||
| PSD compatibility Partial support | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Cross-platform Linux, Mac, Windows | ||
| Mobile version Not available | ||
| Organization | ||
| Face recognition Works but accuracy issues reported | ||
| Licensing | ||
| Open source GPL license | ||
| Usability | ||
| Offline editing Classic fully offline; cloud version limited | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Perpetual license option Subscription only since Lightroom 6 | ||
| Workflow | ||
| Batch processing Scripting required | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Multi-user catalog Single-user catalogs only | ||
