How do I install GIMP on Mac?

Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run `brew install --cask gimp`. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run `gimp` from Terminal.

Yes, GIMP is completely free to use. It is also open source, so you can inspect and contribute to the code.

How do I uninstall GIMP?

Open Terminal and run `brew uninstall --cask gimp`. Homebrew will remove GIMP and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running `brew list`.

What are alternatives to GIMP?

There are several design & creative apps available for macOS. Browse the Design & Creative category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.

How do I update GIMP to the latest version?

Run `brew upgrade --cask gimp` in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run `brew outdated` to check if an update is available.

Does GIMP work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?

Yes, GIMP can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.

GIMP for Mac (2026) — Review, Download & Install

Name: GIMP
Availability: InStock

GIMP screenshot — GIMP — Official Website

What is GIMP?

Free and open-source image editor

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask gimp

How to Install GIMP on Mac

Follow these steps to install GIMP using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
3
Run brew install --cask gimp
Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask gimp
4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm gimp is installed, then try `gimp --version` to check the version number.
5
Launch GIMP
Run `gimp` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

• If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
• If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
• On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).

Key Features

Easy installation via Homebrew

Regular updates and maintenance

Free to use

Open source codebase

Pros

✓Simple one-command installation
✓Well-maintained and regularly updated
✓Completely free to use

Cons

✗Requires Homebrew to be installed
✗macOS only

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About the Author

Maya Rodriguez

Creative Software Expert

Design & Graphics SoftwarePhoto & Video EditingUI/UX Design Tools

10+ years in graphic design · Former creative director

What is GIMP?

Install with Homebrew

How to Install GIMP on Mac

Open Terminal

Install Homebrew

Run brew install --cask gimp

Verify Installation