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.
Follow Figma vs GIMP and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
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.
Canva1st
Adobe Illustrator2nd
Adobe Photoshop3rd
Affinity4th
Adobe Express5th
GIMP6th
Figma7th
Inkscape8th
Adobe InDesign9th
Photopea–- +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
See every answer about graphic design software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which graphic design software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best graphic design software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best graphic design software for marketing graphics?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“graphic design software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“graphic design app”
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.
Share of searches by month for Figma, GIMP. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Canva | Figma | Photopea | Adobe Photoshop | Adobe Express | Picsart | Pixlr | GIMP | Inkscape | Adobe Illustrator | CorelDRAW | Adobe InDesign | Fotor | Affinity | Kittl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 89.9% | 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 2025 | 87.9% | 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 2025 | 87.6% | 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 2026 | 89.4% | 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 2026 | 89.8% | 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 2026 | 89% | 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 2026 | 88.9% | 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 2026 | 89.1% | 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 2026 | 88.4% | 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 2026 | 86.6% | 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 2026 | 89.2% | 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 2026 | 90.2% | 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
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.
Other head-to-heads among graphic design software

Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.