Smarterware

Free or Cheap Image Editors for Mac (More than Preview, Less Than Photoshop)

I tweeted:
Free/cheap image editor for the Mac? Something more than Preview, less than Photoshop... what do you use?

You said:
robpegoraro: How many people have already suggested Graphic Converter? ($34.95 shareware, lemkesoft.com)
monagrayson: I wish Irfanview existed for the Mac. I loved that thing for my Sony Vaio.
kiala: We use Lightroom. Love it!
mattforsythe: Pixelmator.
mtechman: scroll down to "if you need more powerful..." http://bit.ly/41Gc9z
barrysaunders: seashore.
dougkaye: Free/cheap image editor for the Mac? Seashore: Free/cheap image editor for the Mac?
dougkaye: Free/cheap image editor for the Mac? Seashore: http://seashore.sourceforge.net/
lawduck: GIMP is open source and very usable for Mac. Photoshop-level in some bits, less so in others.
StephenFleming: Acorn. Bought all of them, happiest with Acorn.
mheerema: Pixelmator?
herbg: http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/ is the fist thing that comes to mind.
kimbui: I've always used Imagewell or picnik for simple editing.
JoelEsler: iPhoto.
williamsmith: Pixelmator is pretty cool
chicageek: I use Pixelmator: powerful enough for editing, yet fast and simple to use - http://www.pixelmator.com/
joshfraser: skitch.com
allysonrobinson: ImageWell. It's fast and lean, just like they say. One of my top apps...couldn't get along without it.
lwaldal: i use iphoto and http://www.picnik.com
tcabeen: The GIMP isn't much less than photoshop, but it's free. Open Source, even. And super robust.
jeffmacintyre: Gimp
njashanmal: re free image editor: GIMP is a good, if slightly complex one. Several simpler online ones like Picnik
BRoodman: Xee or Skitch http://bit.ly/2NFnV7
mattg: Seashore
EricaFenik: I've had good luck with Paintbrush for image editing... though a bit rough for photo work
mattthomas: http://www.flyingmeat.com/acorn/
raawmarkus: Check out Pixelmator!
raawmarkus: Pixelmator is great, many more simular alternatives here: http://alternativeto.net/desktop/pixelmator/
EricJD: Pixelmator! http://pixelmator.com
turkchgo: Pixelmator or Acorn ($50). Cheaper than that, Skitch ($free).
jmoo2: Pixlr.com. I thought u were "Cloud Girl"?
paulidin: GraphicConverter is my go-to for tons of minor image editing, including giving an image transparency.
john_cozen: picasa for mac, skitch
winnjr: Gimp
charlesjbarry: GIMP? Isn't that on OS X?
jasmeet: ToyViewer.
NoahGK: I use GIMP with x11 which is OSS and I've heard folks dig Acorn for $50, http://tinyurl.com/396ggs
flpatriot: Acorn for Photoshop-esque editing, LittleSnapper for screenshots/annotation.
alexchoi: seashore is ok, gimpshop is painful and so is aqua gimp but doable
kylekeesling: sometimes I use Seashore, great for resizing and some other basic editing, has layers too http://bit.ly/mS3Cj
simplynutty: Check out Acorn, which isn't free but I don't remember it costing anything close to Photoshop.
johnnychadda: Pixelmator perhaps?
azrael: imagewell
ppival: Pixelmator? http://www.pixelmator.com/
tom_murphy: gimp
johnrambow: For my low-tech needs (clip n resize, basically), I like ToyViewer.
alexknight: Pixelmator
billturner: Give Acorn a spin. Nice and simple image editor for easier tasks: http://flyingmeat.com/acorn/
robsheppard: Gimp. http://www.gimp.org/
NekoNick: I love Acorn. I got the registered version as part of the last MacHeist bundle, but the free version is exactly the same.
bradheintz: GIMP? http://www.gimp.org/
signaleleven: Seashore
jonnyskov: I use Seashore for quick minor image edits. The UI is a bit clunky but it runs well on my aging Powerbook.
lloyddoppler: Pixelmator is a great value proposition for Mac image editing.
1lenore: Putting in my vote for GraphicConverter.
rajeshja: The GIMP + Inkscape for vector-based stuff. Both work on Mac.
kyleejohnson: pixelmator. Like $70 and very nice GUI.
Gyroscope352: Seashore. Based on GIMP, but is native! No X11 required. Hasn't had an update in a long time, but is supposedly still supported
kottkrig: Pixelmator is nice but a tad expensive. Seashore is the best free alternative.
rinserepeat: I like LiveQuartz...
domr: http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/
tofumatt: The Gimp is a good cross-platform choice if you want free (as in beer and freedom).
alpha1beta: GIMP.
greenido: http://seashore.sourceforge.net/ is 'ok'... not more - but it's fine.
dannystewart: I'm a loyal devotee of Pixelmator.
sarahloyd: Picasa does what I need it to do - color-correct and touch up family photos. Makes it easy to share w/family, too.
rjsmith608: pixlr.om is online photoshop style http://pixlr.com
leifnordberg: GIMP 2.6 via X11
holyspidoo: photoshop... Oh right. Crap.
ansate: Seashore http://seashore.sourceforge.net/ it's... ok. I want something with a little more drawing ability. Like MS Paint.
chrisdaida: pixlr.com. it's a webapp, but it's great!
nomaded: I like Pixelmator for some quickie image editing.
eaitken: Image editor - picnik.com
matthewlang: Pixelmator is the best! Lots of great functionality and cheaper than Photoshop.
squealingrat: Seashore http://seashore.sourceforge.net/
nealschmitt: picnik!
vincetran: Pixelmator. Not totally cheap, but compared to Photoshop it's quite cheap.
rubywhite: Image editors. Gimp, Pixlr, Aviary, Skitch - gotta watch the explanatory video to learn how to really pronounce Skitch.
thesp0nge: pixelmator works fine imho and it's not expensive
blee27: Gimp ftw
dlimiter: Don't have a mac, but I use the GIMP for everything. It's not light, but certainly lighter than Photoshop and free as in beer
kylepott: GIMP FTW!
markdr: Since I usually am only doing small stuff like adding text or arrows to images, I like skitch.
tismey: all about the GIMP surely? Although if there's anything close to good as that doesn't require X11 I'd love to know about it.
jtwilkins: Pixelmator is a great program. Very fast and easy even on my old machine.
peterhellberg: I use Pixelmator http://www.pixelmator.com/
refulgentis: Gimp
BushWilliams: Gimp
darrinholst: I use pixelmator, $60, but I picked it up off of a macheist so it qualifies as cheap to me
andusa: iPhoto :)
TheRealDamo: Don't worry about an image editor app! This site is amazing: http://www.pixlr.com and does everything an app does.
emilerl: how about Pixelmator? http://bit.ly/pXgBw
nhancox: You could always use Gimp if you want to go oldschool X11.
inactinique: The Gimp!
DanielGenser: I've been impressed with Pixelmator ( http://www.pixelmator.com )
danpalmer: Acorn and Pixelmator both have their strengths. I would go with Pixelmator I think.
cpharmston: Pixelmator & Acorn.
bloodsugarwilks: That's a really really tough question. Retweet when you get some consensus. I'd like to know! :)
tone_def: Check out LiveQuartz. I love it. It's lightweight and does a great job. http://tinyurl.com/29zaqx
jmccyoung: I use Seashore for simple stuff: http://seashore.sourceforge.net/
rachaelr: lightroom!
deniswalker: Pixelmator ftw!
thtlvlmidnight: Acorn, got it with MacHeist bundle.
Ledlow: I need one too for Mac, love Paint.NET on Windows.
saadware: Gimp for OS X - http://gimp.org/macintosh/
fabien_schwob: Pixelmator is really good (http://bit.ly/f6kQg) but it costs 59$.
slashdev: $60 for Pixelmator is cheapish.
EddieVal: Thats a good question. I was on the hunt for one this weekend myself! Eager to hear what you find out.
crumpy: Pixelmator
namp: Gimp! It's open source and works for Mac
ibuys: seashore?
macosxguru: Pixelmator. RT @ginatrapani: Free/cheap image editor for the Mac? Something more than Preview, less than Photoshop... what do you use?
spag: there is a mac port of GIMP: http://gimp.lisanet.de/Website/Download.html
solesby: Acorn by @flyingmeat
tuxedobuford: The GIMP of course
liamh: pixelmator
derekrose: Pixelmator
chiefted: Iris http://nolobe.com/iris/ or Pixelmator http://www.pixelmator.com/
cbandes: Pixelmator, Acorn, Graphic Converter, GIMP, ChocoFlop...
Cornfedtech: Pixen right up until I installed Snow Leopard.
DaveHendrix: Acorn (FlyingMeat.com) and/or Pixelmator (pixelmator.com) each win in different areas.
rickhuizinga: One of the few apps I run under Windows is Paint.NET. It supports layers. Let us know if you find something similar for OSX.
ibaldr: I use Gimp for Windows and Linux. There is a version for Mac http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/ Oh, it's free (open source).
b82: Seashore http://seashore.sourceforge.net/
papplegate: Always use photoshop. Shotgun to kill a fly :)
henrylim: I use picturesque when i need to quickly crop pictures or add simple effects : shadows, perspective, reflection...
siancu: Pixelmator. Hands-down the best.
roberthodapp: Hi Gina.. Pixelmator http://www.pixelmator.com is quite cheap and powerful piece of software or the great GraphicConverter :-)
Oakwright: gimp
LeslieBright: um, iPhoto?
WadeBiery: - gimp
celfyddwr: I love Pixelmator ($59) and there's Acorn ($49). I feel Gimp is awkward and not very intuitive.
egra: GIMP for photos, Inkscape for vector graphics (I make a lot of data plots)
curiousbiped: Have you looked at pixelmator? I've used it a bit, though I confess I end up going back to Photoshop out of habit
palmerjp: seashore!
mkchu84: I use Pixelmator which is $59. Does all I need from an Image Editor http://www.pixelmator.com/
wardepartment: I've been using GraphicConverter for years. http://bit.ly/3xKEZ3
daftviking: mostly GIMP, but occasionally Pixelmator (when I tire of the cognitive dissonance of X11 vs. Aqua)
augmentedfourth: Seashore... a Cocoa port of the GIMP. Works really well for mid-range editing.
yacoob: tell me, once you find out. Last night when I had to edit an image (just circle some things) I used ImageWell.
nonjo: Acorn is a nice, light, inexpensive pixel-pusher for the Mac.
dixoncrews: Acorn by Flying Meat
RyanSylvestre: picked up pixelmator with one of the macheists I think, works well
PodunkPaul: Gimp is what I use. Will be nice to see what you learn on this one!
noahpurdy: Acorn is a fantastic for just that purpose!
programzeta: There's always GIMP http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/ if you want something moderately powerful
cenglish: I haven't seen anything besides Gimp.
janinsanfran: RT @ginatrapani: Free/cheap image editor for the Mac? Something more than Preview, less than Photoshop... what do you use?//telll me too!
kbporter: GIMP all the way!
wubbels: Acorn or Pixelmator. I've heard okay things about Sumo Paint also.
MrSnowgarden: 'Gimp', Free. If you can handle X11.
petieg: pixelmator
TheSohnly: Doesn't the gimp come in osx flavor?
nicolaguidi: Pixelmator (http://www.pixelmator.com/) P.S. You rock!
mrappleton: Acorn is awesome.
3miliano: How about http://www.pixelmator.com/ ?
alanbarker: Acorn
toomNation: Pixen is good
velenux: Gimp? :) http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/
CapitalJigga: how about Aviary?
SeB_or_Sam: Acorn?
krasmus3: picasa for mac: http://picasa.google.com/mac_tools.html
davidhass: http://seashore.sourceforge.net/ Free Software. Based on GIMP (but much simpler) and OS X native (Cocoa)
juancmuller: The GIMP.
drsparris: : Go for Gimp http://bit.ly/VOGwX, works on all major OS:es and has the functionality you need. Oh, and it's free :-)
SuperRunt: I like Sumo, but it's online, not a local app... http://www.sumo.fi It's free.
kallistec: tried to GIMP but couldn't deal with X11--it's crappy enough on Linux. Seashore was too crashy; switched to acorn. Happy now.
sangrehirviendo: GIMP
jonasdowney: Pixelmator http://www.pixelmator.com/
j883376: The GIMP. I *think* it should have OS X builds. It's got a lot of photoshop-like features. And open source!
petermahler: Picasa for Mac. GIMP is great, though maybe more than what you're looking for.
mcepl: never tried, but there is http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/ :)
revjim1stUMC: Gimp or Pixelmator.
neil_: pixelmator - picked it up in a bundle and it's one of the few reinstalled apps after the Snow Leopard wipe & load weekend
peterangelos: Of course Gimp is what most people must have already mentioned. http://gimp.lisanet.de/Website/Download.html
littledrewsky: the Gimp
kkeithlea: Pixelmator http://bit.ly/HjhtM
quotingstu: does it count if Photoshop was free?
jthatcher79: doesn't Mac have a GIMP app?
ToddBryan: I don't use a Mac, put Picasa works great for both preview and quick editing. --> http://www.toddbryan.com
notagolfer: Acorn and Pixelmator. But after years with Photoshop it's hard to adjust to their UI.
hughscott: Not cheap, but I use Gus Mueller's Acorn. Switched after my old copy of Photoshop Elements didn't work with Leopard
gemarks: have you tried the online editor, at http://pixlr.com I don't know how it compares, but take a look.
Ray_Gunn: pixelmator. It makes image editing fun again

What's your Mac image editor of choice? Lemme know in the comments.