Brandwave

Figma vs GIMP:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Figma had more branded searches than GIMP among graphic design software worldwide. Figma had about 5 million branded searches, while GIMP had 880,000. Figma made up 2.4% of all graphic design software searches we track, and GIMP accounted for 0.42%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about graphic design software, Figma appeared in four of the five answers and GIMP in three. Figma was mentioned before GIMP in three out of five answers.

Among graphic design software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Figma, about 6 searches for every 1 for GIMP

Figma 5M searchesGIMP 880K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Figma, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, GIMP in 3

Figma in 4 of 5GIMP in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Figma, named ahead of GIMP in 3 of 5 answers

Figma first in 3GIMP first in 2

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Top graphic design software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Figma was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the 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. Figma was listed before GIMP in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Canva1st
  2. Adobe Illustrator2nd
  3. Adobe Photoshop3rd
  4. Affinity4th
  5. Adobe Express5th
  6. GIMP6th
  7. Figma7th
  8. Inkscape8th
  9. Adobe InDesign9th
  10. Photopea–
  11. +5 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Canva5 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
  • Adobe Illustrator5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Figma4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Express4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Affinity4 of 5Named in 2 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
  • Inkscape3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe InDesign2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Photopea0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+5 more

See every answer about graphic design software

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Figma or GIMP more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Figma and GIMP by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 32 graphic design software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Figma and GIMP among graphic design software worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCanvaFigmaPhotopeaAdobe PhotoshopAdobe ExpressPicsartPixlrGIMPInkscapeAdobe IllustratorCorelDRAWAdobe InDesignFotorAffinityKittl
Oct 202589.9%2.4%1.6%1.4%0.79%0.79%0.6%0.44%0.27%0.27%0.25%0.16%0.24%0.26%0.16%
Nov 202587.9%2.9%1.6%1.6%0.93%0.98%0.74%0.53%0.33%0.33%0.29%0.19%0.24%0.71%0.16%
Dec 202587.6%2.9%2%1.8%0.93%1.2%0.69%0.53%0.33%0.33%0.3%0.18%0.34%0.31%0.16%
Jan 202689.4%2.4%1.6%1.4%0.93%0.98%0.57%0.53%0.34%0.27%0.3%0.19%0.19%0.25%0.16%
Feb 202689.8%2.4%1.6%1.4%0.93%0.94%0.5%0.44%0.34%0.27%0.25%0.16%0.17%0.18%0.13%
Mar 202689%2.9%1.7%1.4%0.93%1.1%0.56%0.44%0.34%0.28%0.25%0.19%0.2%0.19%0.14%
Apr 202688.9%2.9%1.6%1.3%0.94%1.5%0.47%0.42%0.33%0.27%0.25%0.15%0.19%0.16%0.13%
May 202689.1%2.9%1.6%1.3%0.91%1.6%0.48%0.35%0.33%0.27%0.25%0.15%0.13%0.14%0.12%
Jun 202688.4%2.9%2%1.3%0.9%1.7%0.48%0.43%0.34%0.27%0.3%0.17%0.16%0.19%0.13%
Jul 202686.6%3.4%2.4%1.6%0.88%1.7%0.61%0.51%0.4%0.32%0.37%0.18%0.17%0.22%0.16%
Aug 202689.2%2.4%2%1.4%0.91%1.2%0.48%0.43%0.34%0.27%0.3%0.16%0.24%0.17%0.13%
Sep 202690.2%2.4%1.7%1.2%0.91%0.82%0.46%0.42%0.34%0.27%0.25%0.24%0.19%0.18%0.09%

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

3 findings
  • Figma was ahead of GIMP in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Figma’s share of searches among graphic design software worldwide held steady at 2.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.1M to 5M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GIMP’s share of searches among graphic design software worldwide moved from 0.44% to 0.42%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.1M to 880K.

How did search popularity change for graphic design software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for GIMP worldwide fell 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 1.1M to 880K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Figma worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 6.1M to 5M in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

18 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Figma’s and GIMP’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.

Figma

1 branded search term

  • figma

GIMP

17 branded search terms

  • gimp
  • gimp ai
  • gimp android
  • gimp app
  • gimp design software
  • gimp graphic design
  • gimp image editor
  • gimp ipad
  • gimp linux
  • gimp mac
  • gimp photo editor
  • gimp pro
  • gimp program
  • gimp software
  • gimp vector editor
  • gimp vector graphics
  • gimp windows

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among graphic design software

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