Brandwave

GIMP vs Pixlr:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Pixlr had more branded searches than GIMP among photo editing software worldwide. Pixlr had about 1 million branded searches, while GIMP had 851,000. Pixlr made up 10.2% of all photo editing software searches we track, and GIMP accounted for 8.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about photo editing software, GIMP appeared in three of the five answers and Pixlr in none.

Among photo editing software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Pixlr, about 23% more searches than GIMP

Pixlr 1M searchesGIMP 851K searches

Who does AI mention more?

GIMP, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Pixlr in 0

GIMP in 3 of 5Pixlr in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

GIMP, the only one of the two named

GIMP first in 3Pixlr never named

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Top photo editing software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, GIMP was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pixlr did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Adobe Photoshop1st
  2. Adobe Lightroom2nd
  3. Capture One3rd
  4. Affinity4th
  5. Luminar Neo4th
  6. GIMP6th
  7. CyberLink PhotoDirector7th
  8. DxO PhotoLab8th
  9. RawTherapee9th
  10. +3 more
  11. Pixlr–
  12. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Adobe Lightroom5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Photoshop5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Capture One5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Affinity5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • GIMP3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Luminar Neo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • RawTherapee2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • DxO PhotoLab2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • CyberLink PhotoDirector2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Pixlr0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+4 more

See every answer about photo editing software

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is GIMP or Pixlr more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for GIMP and Pixlr by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 photo editing software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

GIMP and Pixlr among photo editing software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Pixlr, GIMP. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPhotopeaPicsartAdobe LightroomPixlrGIMPVSCOAdobe PhotoshopSnapseedCapture OneAffinityLuminar NeoRawTherapeeDxO PhotoLabCyberLink PhotoDirector
Oct 202531.9%16.7%9.7%12.7%8.4%6.6%6.4%3.2%0.86%1.6%0.86%0.39%0.26%0.47%
Nov 202527.2%17.9%9.7%13.6%8.9%6.8%6.7%3.2%1.1%2.7%1.1%0.4%0.27%0.4%
Dec 202529.1%19.1%10.4%11.4%7.7%7.3%7.2%3.5%0.96%1.2%0.96%0.35%0.19%0.53%
Jan 202629.2%18.8%10.6%11.4%9.2%7.4%5.9%3.5%0.96%1.2%0.96%0.35%0.19%0.43%
Feb 202631.3%19.5%11%10.8%8.2%6.5%6.3%3.1%0.69%0.9%0.85%0.31%0.17%0.38%
Mar 202629.8%19.2%11%11.4%7.9%7.5%6%3.6%0.98%1%0.8%0.29%0.2%0.29%
Apr 202630%22.5%11%9.8%7.7%6.2%6%3.6%0.66%0.72%0.99%0.3%0.2%0.24%
May 202630.9%22.4%10.8%10.3%6.5%6.5%5.1%4.6%0.68%0.74%0.83%0.31%0.2%0.25%
Jun 202632.2%22.2%11.1%8.9%6.8%6.7%5.3%3.4%1.1%0.93%0.71%0.32%0.21%0.12%
Jul 202632.8%22.3%9.7%9.4%7.1%6.8%5.4%3.3%0.89%0.94%0.73%0.32%0.22%0.1%
Aug 202632.7%22%11.3%8.7%7%6.8%5.4%3.3%0.88%0.78%0.59%0.32%0.22%0.1%
Sep 202632.6%17.5%11.3%10.2%8.3%6.7%6.5%3.2%1.3%1.1%0.48%0.32%0.26%0.1%

How has the GIMP and Pixlr comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Pixlr was ahead of GIMP in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GIMP’s share of searches among photo editing software worldwide moved from 8.4% to 8.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.1M to 851K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pixlr’s share of searches among photo editing software worldwide moved from 12.7% to 10.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.6M to 1M.

How did search popularity change for photo editing software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Pixlr gained share of searches among photo editing software worldwide, from 8.7% to 10.2%.

  2. In September 2026, GIMP gained share of searches among photo editing software worldwide, from 7% to 8.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

44 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using GIMP’s and Pixlr’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

GIMP

3 branded search terms

  • gimp
  • gimp image editor
  • gimp photo editor

Pixlr

41 branded search terms

  • collage maker pixlr
  • e pixlr
  • edit image pixlr
  • edit photo pixlr
  • edit photos pixlr
  • edit picture pixlr
  • editor by pixlr
  • editor photo pixlr
  • editor pixlr
  • face swap pixlr
  • https //pixlr editor
  • image editor pixlr
  • photo editing pixlr
  • photo editing software pixlr
  • photo editor by pixlr
  • photo editor pixlr
  • photoshop editor pixlr
  • pic editor pixlr
  • picture editing pixlr
  • picture editor pixlr
  • pixlr
  • pixlr ai
  • pixlr background remover
  • pixlr bg remover
  • pixlr collage maker
  • pixlr e
  • pixlr editing
  • pixlr editor
  • pixlr editor editor
  • pixlr editor image
  • pixlr editor photo
  • pixlr editor software
  • pixlr express
  • pixlr face swap
  • pixlr filter
  • pixlr image editor
  • pixlr photo editing software
  • pixlr photo editor
  • pixlr x
  • pixlr/e/e

1–40 of 41

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among photo editing software

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