# GIMP / Krita

Raster graphics you run locally. GIMP is GPL; Krita is GPL-3.0 — Adobe Photoshop without the seat. Photopea is not open source, so it is not this path.

**Replaces:** Adobe Photoshop

**Tier:** Easy

## Problem

Adobe Photoshop is a Creative Cloud seat. You wanted pixels on a machine you control. GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GPL, gimp.org). Krita is GPL-3.0 if the job is painting and illustration more than photo retouch. This is a workstation install, not a Railway web app. Photopea is a hosted editor — skip it when you want OSS. Figma-shaped product design stays on /replace/figma.

## Stack

- [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/) — GPL raster image editor (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
- [Krita](https://krita.org) — GPL-3.0 digital painting if the job is illustration, not photo retouch

## Estimated SaaS cost saved

| You stop paying | Typical / year | Self-host instead |
|---|---:|---|
| Adobe Photoshop (Creative Cloud, one seat) | $1,200 | GIMP or Krita on the workstation |

**About $1,200 / year** on a small team, before you count lock-in.

## Deploy on Railway

This is a workstation install, not a hosted app. Start on Railway only if you also want a file share — that stack is /stacks/files-you-own. No one-click desktop template in this repo.

[Start on Railway](https://c17.io/go/railway/gimp-photo?from=%2Fstacks%2Fgimp-photo.md)

[Penpot if this is product design (Figma), not raster pixels](https://c17.io/stacks/penpot-design)

## AGENT_PROMPT

```
Replace Adobe Photoshop with GIMP (preferred for photo/raster) or Krita (painting).

- Install on the workstation from the official site. Open one PSD or export you still have. Do not claim every Photoshop plugin or generative-fill feature.
- Photopea is not open source — do not install it and call it the OSS path.
- Write AGENT_PROMPT.md. Product design stays on /stacks/penpot-design.
```

## FAQ

### GIMP or Krita?

GIMP for photo retouch and general raster. Krita for painting and illustration. Pick one as the daily driver.

### Why not Photopea?

Photopea is not open source. This site only lists OSS/self-host paths.

### Can I deploy this on Railway?

No. The editor stays on the workstation. Railway is useful for the files you share, not for GIMP itself.

Source: https://c17.io/stacks/gimp-photo