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When it comes to picking the right data storage, there are two mainstream options available: SSD (Solid State Drives) and HDD (Hard Disk Drives). Then there is the amalgamation of both that is a Hybrid drive, also referred to as an SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive). HDDs have been the go-to storage choice for years, providing a solid balance of storage capacity and price — a balance that has only gotten stronger in recent years. However, SSDs have been catching up of late, offering better value for money. SSD vs HDD is a hot contest right now, and hybrid drives offer solid middle ground.

As of now, picking between SSDs, HDDs, and SSHDs is quite tricky. While it seems all black and white, there’s no absolute winner in the SSD vs HDD vs hybrid debate and it all comes down to the use cases in question. Let’s dive into the differences between the three to see which one would be better for your needs.

Relevant: The best HDDs you can buy right now

SSD vs HDD vs hybrid drives

The three types of drives have a few key elements that set them apart from each other. They differ in terms of how they operate, their performance, and their pricing.

What is an SSD?

Samsung

An SSD uses a much simpler design. It has a bunch of NAND chips that store the data. These NAND chips are high-speed flash memory chips. However, unlike another popular flash storage technology that is DRAM, NAND chips are not volatile. This means that NAND chips can retain the charge, and thus the data, even when powered off.

See also: The best solid state drives (SSDs) you can buy

What is a hybrid drive (SSHD)?

Western Digital

A hybrid drive, often referred to as SSHD, uses both SSD and HDD technology. It is basically an HDD with a NAND chip integrated into it. The faster SSD acts as a cache for the data stored on the slower mass storage that is the HDD. An SSHD aims to identify elements on the disk that pertain to performance, like any file that is related to booting, or data of a similar priority that may affect performance. This data is then cached and stored in the SSD component of the drive to increase speed over typical HDDs.

What are the differences?

HDD: Pros and cons

Western Digital

HDDs may seem like an old and obsolete choice for storage, but that is not quite the case. Hard disks are still a great storage solution for many use cases. To begin with, if capacity is your priority, HDDs are the way to go. Hard disks offer a much better value at higher capacities, making them perfect for mass storage.

On the other hand, HDDs are more susceptible to failure. Hard disks have moving parts, which means that a certain amount of shock or vibration can damage one. Magnetic force can also cause hard disks to malfunction. In addition to this, HDDs also consume more power. The slow data speeds also mean that hard disks are terrible as boot drives in modern systems.

Related: The best external hard drives you can buy

See also: The best hard drives & solid state drives you can buy for the Playstation 5

Hybrid drive: Pros and cons

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Dropbox Vs. Google Drive: Which Cloud Storage Is Right For You?

Unsurprisingly, Google Drive works best if you’re heavily invested in Google’s other systems: Android, Chrome OS, and the Google Workspace suite of web apps. It’s also a better value in general. Dropbox is a better choice if you’re more concerned with speed and performance, and are willing to pay for it. 

Note: You might also be interested in our comparison of Google Drive vs. Microsoft OneDrive.

Pricing 

At the consumer level, both companies offer at least one approximately comparable plan for cloud storage. Here’s a quick breakdown of the various plans and prices: 

Storage tierGoogle Drive/Google OneDropbox2GB–Free (bonuses available)15GBFree–100GB$2 a month–200GB$3 a month–2TB $10 a month$12 a month (one user only), $20 a month for 6 users3TB–$20 a month (one user only)5TB$25 a month$45 per month/3 user minimum, $15 for each extra user10TB$50 a month–20TB$100 a month–30TB$150 a month–Unlimited– $75 per month/3 user minimum, $25 for each extra user

As you can see, Google Drive (also known as Google One) offers both more initial, free storage, and more and cheaper options at different levels of storage. Dropbox users can boost their free storage by getting friends to sign up with referral codes, up to 16GB. But making users essentially do your marketing for you to get what’s free elsewhere isn’t a great value proposition. 

Both companies offer discounts for paying yearly instead of monthly. But in terms of bang for your buck, Dropbox really only makes sense for individual users who want up to two terabytes of storage, or for teams of users who need an absolutely huge amount: more than Google Drive’s maximum 30TB.

Also, while Google allows free users to access Drive from anywhere and on unlimited devices, Dropbox makes users pay for more than three devices to have easy access via dedicated apps. You can get around this limit by using the Dropbox browser tool, but it’s a pretty huge barrier for free users.

Integration 

Google

Dropbox is also available pretty much everywhere, but its integration is less seamless on mobile and Chrome OS. While it’s possible to upload and download to Dropbox on almost any platform (via the browser if not a dedicated app), it may take a few more steps. The three-device limit on a free Dropbox account is a big limiter here, too. 

Both Google Drive and Dropbox integrate with a variety of other often-used services, like Microsoft Office, Slack, Adobe Creative Cloud, Zoom, et cetera. Dropbox even lets you sign in with a Google or Apple account, if you like.

Usability

While Google is a clear winner on value, and they’ve made it easy to access your files on multiple platforms, Dropbox still has an edge on usability, in my opinion. Google Drive tends to treat its storage as one big pool of data, and while it has support for the basic directory system of folders most PC users are used to, the platform would prefer you to use its built-in search tools. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Dropbox, on the other hand, assumes that you generally know where you put your stuff, and makes it easy to navigate through folders and sub-folders either on an app or in a desktop directory. It’s not effortlessly intuitive, but it’s familiar to anyone who’s been using desktops and laptops for most of their adult lives. It’s a PC-first approach, rather than the (perhaps understandable) mobile-style interface of Drive. 

Performance 

While Google Drive is by no means slow, Dropbox gets the edge in performance, too. When trying to upload massive amounts of both large and small data, Dropbox gave me consistently faster upload speeds. That’s a notable consideration if you plan on hitting your storage hard and frequently. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Dropbox also has a feature that makes it faster to send files around your local network: LAN sync. This tool allows files added to your Dropbox account to start copying over local Ethernet or Wi-Fi connections even before they’re fully uploaded to the cloud. In practical terms, this makes a file added on your phone (say, a new photo you took of your pet) appear almost instantaneously in the Dropbox folder on your Windows or MacOS computer, so long as both devices are connected to the local network. 

Sharing storage and PC backup 

As you might expect, Google comes out ahead in terms of sharing storage between family members. While Google One plans can be shared with up to five extra family members (for a total of six users) on the cheapest $2 a month tier, Dropbox only unlocks this option once you start paying $20 a month for 2TB of storage. 

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Individual files can be shared easily on both platforms, and there’s not much of a difference between Google Drive and Dropbox if you’re sharing accounts. But unless you need a truly massive amount of storage on Dropbox, Google Drive is better in terms of value if you want to share that storage between two or more users. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Both systems offer tools to back up your PC’s files to the cloud in a system-wide fashion… sort of. While it’s certainly possible to treat Google Drive or Dropbox as a cloud backup system, these platforms really aren’t designed for a regular emergency backup. Their slow upload speed and cumbersome backup tools put them well behind dedicated services like Carbonite or Backblaze. I wouldn’t give either one extra points of this feature. (For more on this topic, see our roundup of the best cloud backup services.)

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Extras 

Shared space for Gmail messages/attachments and Google Photos 

Free access to the Google One VPN on Android 

Discounts on purchases in the Google Store 

Occasional deals on travel and other items 

How about Dropbox? Once again, Dropbox is more stingy with its tools, unlocking some of its more premium options under more expensive consumer or business accounts. Even the full text search, a fairly basic tool that you can perform yourself on local files in just about any OS, isn’t available at the free tier. Once again Dropbox’s more stingy nature is hurting it in this comparison. 

Google Drive is the clear winner 

While Dropbox has a superior interface and user experience (at least for people who prefer conventional PC-style file systems), and its performance and LAN sync tools can leave the competition in the dust, Google is offering a better product and a better value on almost all other points of comparison. 

From the price of premium storage, to integration with desktop and mobile operating systems, to less tangible bonuses as part of the Google One system, Drive is a clear winner. That’s doubly true if you’re looking to stick to free tools. 

Which isn’t to say that Dropbox is necessarily a bad choice. That extra performance and better interface might be worth it, especially for users who don’t necessarily need the massive amount of storage Google offers. Just be aware of the trade-off in value.

Prince2 Vs Pmp: Which Is Right For You? (Certification)

Difference Between PRINCE2 vs PMP

You are quite aware that the vitality or value of certification programs has recently increased, specifically in the IT industry. However, many students aspiring to serve the IT sector need clarification regarding the appropriate choice of course. When you search on the internet, you will come across several certifications. Therefore, it is important to have extensive knowledge of these courses and then choose one which is best for your career. The following article concentrates on the two most important project management certifications; PMP and Prince2. To simplify the process of choosing between them, you need to be familiar with their differences.

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Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

Of the various project management courses, PMP is one of the highly preferred certificates for establishing your career as a project manager. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers this valuable certification. By availing of this certificate, you get comprehensive knowledge about tackling and managing a project professionally and effectively, producing optimum results. Project management professionals often consider the PMP certification as a comprehensive source of knowledge, often referred to as the encyclopedia of project management. Although PMI is headquartered in Texas, USA, the course is widely conducted in other continents, including Europe and Asia. Indeed, you can apply your knowledge and experience in whichever industry you work in.

Certificates offered by the PMI

The Project Management Institute (PMI), the apex body offering the PMP certification has introduced a number of programs to enhance the career prospects of the candidates. However, before enrolling in any of them, you must acquaint yourself with the specific requisites, especially the examinations; you must qualify in the process. These globally recognized certificates will help you attain the best-paying jobs as a project manager. You must prepare exceedingly well to pass the exam with a good percentage. Some essential credentials besides PMP include the following-

Agile Project Management Practitioner Certification offered by PMI has a different curriculum and a different set of exams.

Program Management Professional whose responsibility is to manage a program.

Project Management Institute (PMI) Scheduling Professional

Portfolio Management Professional

OPM3 Professional Certification

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), the junior level of PMP.

Risk Management Professional again offered by PMI.

Project IN Controlled Environment (Prince2) Certification

The Project IN Controlled Environment Certificate is a program that usually focuses on technique-related project management. Here you learn about a systematic approach and ways to complete a successful project. Earlier, the UK’s cabinet office was supposed to be the certification owner, but it is currently owned by AXELOS. It is a new joint venture company. While perusing this certification, you will learn about several topics, such as MSP program management, portfolio, and risk management, value and IT service management, and more.

They have readily categorized the Prince2 Certification into three levels of difficulty based on their complexity. It includes-

Prince2 Professional is regarded as the hardest of all.

Project management professionals consider the Prince2 Practitioner as the most crucial of all the levels.

Prince2 Foundation, which is a very simple course

Out of the three, the Foundation and the Practitioner levels are the most important and popular among the candidates. However, if you are willing to clear the examination, you need to emphasize the officially published document ‘Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2.’

The High Points of Prince2

First of all, it is a very elaborate and descriptive program. It primarily touches on all the important aspects of the project management process, including its associated problems. This will help you strategize your plans more skilfully, considering all the vital factors.

Secondly, it gives due importance to the particular techniques adopted for completing the project. The approach is quite clear right from the beginning of the task. This enables you to save ample time and resources.

There is always a scope for a higher salary if you have gained experience in this field. However, the pay is less than what PMP managers get, but still, you can be sure of getting a lucrative income.

Now let us make a comparative study between Project Management Professional and Prince2 based on the following parameters.

#1. Industry Needs and Area Distribution

We know that both PMP and Prince2 Project Management Certification have gained a reputation worldwide, but there are certain countries where one is preferred over the other. If one talks about PMP is given priority in the United States and other American countries. On the other hand, Prince2 is more popular in the UK, Australia, and other countries of the European continent. Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are equally important to PMP and Prince2. Therefore, there is almost an equivalent distribution among the various areas regarding the first certification choice.

#2. Higher Pay: PMP or Prince2? #3. Disparity between PMBOK Guide and Prince2

Both are quite dissimilar to each other. While the former focuses more on the perspective aspects of knowledge, the last resorts to a more vivid technique. When you sit down to prepare for the questions, you will encounter more ‘W’ based questions (when, whom, what, etc.) in Prince2. However, if one talks about PMBOK Guide, one will encounter more How questions. Now the question arises, which is better? Well, the answer is both certifications.

However, if you want to know more, you can refer to the PMBOK Guide and the Prince2 to make out the differences. The technique or approach for completing the project has to be chosen by you. Do not think that PMP and Prince2 are pitching against one another, but you will need both to implement your project framework.

#4. Advantages

Firstly, PMP certifications make you an eligible candidate who can expect flourishing pay on the completion of the course.

Your professional skills and deep knowledge will help you undertake and manage the projects more efficiently.

By enrolling for PMP, you become a member of PMI. It facilitates you to join a vast global network of professionals. The links are fruitful, specifically if you work as a freelance project manager. You can obtain more projects with their contact.

Since PMP certifications are globally recognized, the big giants will give you a preference over others when you have the certificate.

#5. Examination Format

The exams are the most crucial and indispensable part of obtaining a PMP or the Prince2 Certification. The basic difference between the two exam formats is that while PMP tests your knowledge of project management, Prince2 will examine the methodologies of project management. You are required to answer about 200 Multiple Choice Questions in four hours when attempting PMP and secure 62 percent marks to qualify for the exams. Here questions will be related to planning, implementation, and controlling the project. Apart from these, there will be some other topics as well that are directly associated with project management, such as quality, materials, risk management, etc.

For a candidate perusing Prince2, there are many levels of certification testing. The examination of the Foundation and the Practitioner levels are different. You must attend about 75 MCQs, and the allotted time is one hour. The person has to answer nine questions at the practitioner level in about 150 minutes. The passing percentage is 50 in the foundation and 55 in practitioner-level exams.

#6. Criteria for Appearing in the Exam

But no such hard and fast rule exists for appearing in a Prince2 certification exam. Prince2 Foundation does not require you to satisfy any criterion, but if you are applying for the Practitioner level, you must possess a Prince2 Foundation level certificate.

The registration procedure for the PMP exam is very simple. After paying the fee, you must log on to the PMI training center and register online. However, be cautious while registering for the Prince2 exam, as you cannot do so directly at AXELOS. Different training centers charge differently for offering their services. So, the choice should be made attentively.

#7. Examination Fee

Now it’s time to compare the exam fee you must deposit to appear in it. The exam fee of PMP is different for members and non-members. The non-members need to pay $555, while members pay $405. So, if you want to become a member of PMI, then the membership fee is around $100.

On the other hand, the cost of Prince2 may be different. It largely depends on the test center you opt for to appear in the exam. For the Foundation level, you need to deposit $365; for the Practitioner level, it is $485.

#8. Renewal of your Certificate

Comparing PMP and Prince2 Certifications based on this point, you will find that Prince2 is more flexible as the candidates do not need to renew their certificates. But the practitioner-level certification is valid for five years.

As far as PMP is concerned, the candidate should have about sixty Professional Development Units (PDUs) after alternative three years.

Conclusion

So, the choice is yours when picking a certification program between PMP and Prince2. Both have good career prospects and will help in shaping your bright future. However, the selection should be made only after considering all the vital factors.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to PRINCE2 vs PMP Certification. Here we have discussed the basic concept and a comparative study between Project Management Professional and Prince2 based on the following parameters. You may look at the following articles to learn more –

Emby Vs Plex: Which Media Server Is Right For You?

Plex

Cord-cutting can be a scary change. Most of us want to keep our entertainment collections and services as streamlined as possible — like with one cable subscription. Moving online doesn’t have to mean a chaotic assortment of apps though. You can organize Netflix and its many competitors into a more manageable library. Media servers like Emby and Plex can help you keep everything in one place. So, which should you choose between Emby vs Plex?

Below, we break down how these two services work, how they compare to each other, and which one might be best for you.

What are Emby and Plex?

Emby vs Plex: Pricing

Emby

Emby and Plex are both free, but they do have paid tiers too.

If you just want the bare-bones service, just download either one and get started free of charge.

If you want some of the bells and whistles that really make these services shine, then there are a few differences to keep in mind, mentioned in the next section. Broadly speaking, both services offer similar paid tiers, which give you access to features like cloud syncing and DVR storage.

The two services both come in at $4.99 per month.

If you want to pay for a whole year, though, Emby is $54, while Plex offers the discounted rate of $39.99.

Both also offer users the option of a lifetime subscription with a one-time payment of $119.

Emby vs Plex: Some special features

One of Emby’s standout exclusive features is Cinema Mode, which comes with a paid subscription. That gives you trailers and custom intros before films and gives you a sense that you’re at the movies in your home. It’s nothing huge in terms of general functionality, but it’s definitely a fun bonus for those who want it. Similarly, you get more customizability with the user interface on Emby.

Plex, on the other hand, offers more add-ons, like the popular “Unsupported App Store,” where you can access unofficial extra channels with even more content. Its newest feature also allows you to jump right into the content you want to watch from a centralized search function. Can’t remember where Seinfeld is streaming? Type into Plex and it’ll take you right to the show, provided you subscribe to the appropriate service. It’s also generally easier to use and set up than Emby.

Emby vs Plex: Privacy

All jokes aside, there are plenty of very valid reasons to want digital privacy that have nothing to do with breaking the law. Even if you’re using Emby and Plex to do entirely legal stuff, you’ll want to know if you’re protected.

Emby is an open-source platform. Everything you do on Emby is stored on your own server and Emby won’t track it. You don’t even need to be connected to the internet while using it. (Remote streaming via Emby Connect requires internet access, as do all web-based streaming uses, of course.)

There are plenty of reasons to want privacy beyond illegal downloading.

Plex, on the other hand, does collect user information. The stated purpose of this is to improve services, but if you’re at all skittish about how your personal streaming data (legal or otherwise) might be used, it’s important to know that.

Oneplus 8T Vs Samsung Galaxy S20 Fe: Which Is Right For You?

David Imel / Android Authority

The OnePlus 8T is 2023’s affordable flagship from OnePlus. It packs a ton of high-end hardware and software, despite its relatively affordable price tag of just $749. Of course, there are a lot of great affordable flagships out there these days, including the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition). The 2023 S20 variant has much in common with the Galaxy S20 but makes a few concessions to reach the low price of $699. The real question comes down to this: In the battle between the OnePlus 8T vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, which phone should you buy?

We’ve already reviewed the S20 FE and OnePlus 8T, but let’s take a closer look at how the two phones compare.

OnePlus 8T vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: Specs

Hardware

Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority

You’ll find plenty of power regardless of which phone you choose. Both devices feature the same Qualcomm 865 chipset with 5G support. For those outside the US, there’s also an optional 4G-only version of the Galaxy S20 FE with Samsung’s in-house Exynos 990 chip. If 5G does matter to you, the Galaxy S20 FE is the more robust choice, offering sub-6 and mmWave support. The 8T only supports sub-6, meaning it won’t work with certain carriers like Verizon.

Turning to the rest of the specs, you’ll find several differences. For starters, the OnePlus 8T has two configurations: 8GB of RAM with 128GB of storage, or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Galaxy S20 FE comes with 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB onboard storage. While there isn’t a model with more RAM or storage, you also can add up to 1TB of additional storage via microSD.

Further reading: Oxygen OS vs One UI

Price

OnePlus 8T with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage — £549/42,999 Rs

OnePlus 8T with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage — £649/$749/45,999 Rs

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE — $699/£699/€759

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (4G only) — £599/€659

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE will set you back $699 in the US. Verizon Wireless is selling its own variant, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G UW which costs $749, and can connect to the carrier’s “ultra-wideband” 5G network. You can get the 5G model in the UK for £699 and the 4G version for £599. In Europe, the 4G model costs €659, and the 5G version costs €759.

As for the OnePlus 8T? The US only offers the 12GB/256GB version, priced at $749. Other regions will carry the 8GB/128GB version, where it is priced at £549 (~$709) in the UK.

OnePlus 8T

Better than the OnePlus 8, but still not as good as the OnePlus 8 Pro

The latest flagship from OnePlus features some relatively subtle upgrades over the OnePlus 8. However, it does feature a huge new feature: Warp Charge 65, which will allow the 8T to charge faster than any other OnePlus phone.

See price at OnePlus

See price at OnePlus

See price at OnePlus

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

All the best features of the Galaxy S20 series at a lower price

If you don’t mind cutting a few corners, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (which stands for “Fan Edition”) might be the phone you are looking for. It offers most of the flagship specs and features of the Galaxy S20 family but trims things down to keep the price low.

See price at Amazon

See price at Samsung

See price at Verizon

See price at AT&T

Want to check out some other options? These are the best Android phones you can buy today

That’s our look at the OnePlus 8T vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. Which one are you considering?

Which phone would you choose?

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Gimp Vs Photoshop – Which Should You Choose?

There have been many months that I’ve questioned why I’m paying the monthly subscription to Photoshop when there are programs like GIMP that seem to do almost the same thing for free. So with the idea of saving a few bucks every month, I tried GIMP to see if it could replace Photoshop in my regular editing workflow. Although there were some pretty great things about GIMP, I can’t say it offered enough to make me jump ship from Photoshop.

However, for some, GIMP could be a perfect option to get started with, depending on what you need out of an editing program. So here’s everything you need to know about GIMP Vs Photoshop, what to consider about each program, and why I’m not going to be canceling my Adobe subscription anytime soon.

What Is GIMP?

GIMP, short for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free, open-source raster-based image processor. The program is commonly used for photo editing, manipulation, and retouching, as well as free-form drawing and converting files into different formats.

GIMP was not designed for digital drawing and graphic design. However, the program has tools and features available for these functions, but not on a professional level. The program is well-suited for individuals doing a one-off image editing project for an assignment or showing a mock-up.

The program is also a good starting point for beginners who want to try photo editing and basic graphic design tasks before committing to a subscription-based program. It can also be used to make minor adjustments for clients by a freelancer trying to break into the industry.

However, the downside is that the program may experience glitches and bugs occasionally since it’s open source. You may also find limitations with the software when editing photos as the features, capabilities, and tools are limited compared to other programs such as Photoshop.

GIMP will likely be complex for users who aren’t familiar with any graphics editing programs. However, the interface is clean, and each tool offers a lengthy description to help you learn the various functions.

Pros

Free and open-source software

Raster-based editing capabilities

Easy learning curve for beginners

Similar interface to Adobe products

Cons

Limited editing tools and features

Capabilities not at an industry-level standard

What Is Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop is a raster-based photo editing, manipulation, and retouching program that is used by creative professionals worldwide. The software has been labeled the industry-standard leader among photographers and graphic designers.

The program allows you to edit images down to individual pixels while preserving quality. You can also do certain graphic design processes, such as website design, as there are certain vector processing capabilities.

Photoshop is a useful tool for users who want to create professional work in the photography, graphic design, or digital marketing industry, as well as many others. The program is used by interior designers and architects too.

Not only can users use the program to manipulate photos on a high level, such as removing objects, adding objects, or manipulating features, but they can also use Photoshop as a tool for creating mockups, text effects, and so much more.

Photoshop constantly evolves and offers more in-depth tools and features, including many AI functions that speed up your workflow and seamlessly complete complex tasks. The program has several tools, features, and capabilities, and even experts need to consistently learn the new functions and features as the program evolves.

While Photoshop offers several capabilities, it is a steep learning curve for users to get used to the program.

Pros

Industry-standard program

High-level editing and graphic design tools and features

Constant updates and bug fixes by a dedicated Adobe team

Regular intuitive AI developments

Cons

Subscription-based and costly for beginners

A steep learning curve, especially for users new to editing software

Comparing Features Of GIMP Vs Photoshop

To decide which program is the best for you, it helps to compare the features of both programs head-to-head. I will compare the general photo editing, graphic design, and drawing capabilities and features to show you what each program offers.

Whether you are new to design software or looking to upgrade your programs, the comparisons below will help you see which program is better for you.

General Capabilities

GIMP is primarily a photo editing program, so the general capabilities relate to editing raster-based images. Users can manipulate and edit photos in various ways, such as cropping, resizing, and creating new image compositions.

The program has a crop tool, multiple selection tools, a path tool, a type tool, and various color tools, which provide users with the necessary functions to apply basic edits and create new compositions.

GIMP is limited in vector-based tools as there are no shape tools, so users can’t create logos or vector graphics unless drawing freehand or by using paths.

GIMP offers limited adjustment layers, such as Curves, Levels, Saturation, and more. This enables users to add effects and adjust the colors on images.

The program also has several filters, such as noise, animation, and web filters. You can use these filters on photos to create unique effects.

Users can edit and save files in multiple common formats, including PSD, PNG, JPEG, WebP, PDF, GIF, and more.

The interface is relatively clean and straightforward, which helps beginners learn the program more efficiently. The tools offer a description for new users to know what the tool will accomplish. There is also a large online community with helpful tutorials and experienced users to assist new users.

Photoshop is primarily a photo editing program but offers vector-based tools and other functions that allow for specific graphic design and digital drawing possibilities. This enables users to crop, re-color, and manipulate photos and create digital marketing material, such as social media posts and website banners.

There are currently over 69 tools in Photoshop, and every Photoshop tool has a function to work on photos or new designs. You will find more tools and processes in Photoshop than GIMP, as you also have specific vector tools in Photoshop, such as shape tools.

There are several selection tools in Photoshop, including more tools than GIMP. In addition, many of Photoshop’s selection tools are taking on AI capabilities, such as the Select Subject feature.

Photoshop has a panel of adjustment layers, including Curves, Levels, Black-and-White, Hue/Saturation, and Color Balance. You can use these to correct colors or create unique photo effects.

The program also offers several filters, including Noise, Distort, and Blur. Photoshop offers better filters than GIMP when looking at Neural filters, which use AI to complete complex tasks, such as adding color to a black-and-white or sepia-tone photo when restoring old photos.

Photoshop is compatible with a more extensive range of common file formats than GIMP, which offers the main ones users likely need. You can open and export files as PSD, PDF, GIF, PNG, JPEG, WebP, PSB, TIFF, and more. The main format that stands out is the ability to open and process RAW image files.

Photoshop’s interface is complex and can be daunting to beginners unfamiliar with similar software. The learning curve is steep, but everything makes sense once you learn the program and get used to the interface.

Photoshop also has a fully customizable workspace to save different tools and panels for different workflows.

Both programs use layers to allow for selective edits, and the two programs also have general retouching tools. You can access various brushes in both programs, although Photoshop has more default brush presets available.

Personally, I find that GIMP is not as intuitive, and some of the processes are awkward, such as the text feature where each letter is placed in a separate box while editing it. The adjustment controls are busy and confusing. Photoshop is more straightforward in how you use tools and functions. The panels are cleaner and more straightforward to use and understand.

Photo Editing Capabilities

Since these two programs are designed for photo editing, it is the space where both programs shine. Both programs allow users to edit photos using non-destructive editing techniques. Common image editing processes include exposure edits, object removal, and color grading functions.

In GIMP, you can find exposure edits in the adjustment options, especially the Exposure, Curves, Levels, Shadows/Highlights, and Brightness/Contrast adjustments. You can use any of these features to edit the exposure by darkening, lightening, or changing the image’s contrast.

You can apply these effects to the entire image, a layer, or a selection for more selective edits.

GIMP also offers object removal features, which include the Clone Tool, Perspective Clone, and Healing Tool. These tools can all be used to remove objects or retouch certain areas of the photo.

Using the Levels or Curves adjustments, you can create color grading effects in GIMP. The Levels option works to correct the white balance of an image, while Curves allows you to add creative color grading effects to the photos by using the RGB curves.

In Photoshop, you can access the same adjustment options as GIMP to adjust the exposure of an image. In this regard, the exposure edit capabilities are tied. You can produce similar edits in both programs using the adjustment options.

For instance, you can use the Levels adjustment in Photoshop to adjust the image’s exposure.

Object removal in Photoshop is excellent, and there are several functions to achieve these edits. You have access to the same tools as GIMP, plus more, such as the Patch Tool and Content-Aware Fill.

Photoshop added a new tool in the May 2023 version 24.5 update called the Remove Tool, which uses AI to accurately remove objects by merely brushing over them, simplifying the process of removing objects from photos.

Graphic Design Capabilities

Photo editing and graphic design are often interchangeable practices used by many creative professionals. This is why having a program with certain graphic design capabilities is important.

GIMP offers limited graphic design capabilities and can be used to create basic designs for school, college projects, or once-off designs. However, the program isn’t suited for more complex and professional designs.

GIMP offers a text tool that allows you to add text to the canvas and format the text by changing the color, spacing, font, and more. The tool is relatively easy to use but slightly awkward in how you add and edit text in the design.

GIMP falls short in shape creation as there are no straightforward shape tools to use, which is limiting when designing web assets and posters. There is a workaround where you can use the selection tools or the pen tool to create shapes, but this limits the editing capabilities of the shapes.

Selection tools are essential when creating designs for web and print, as they allow you to cut out and rearrange objects in the layout. GIMP has basic selection tools, such as rectangle and ellipse select, freehand select, and color-based selection tools.

These tools allow for basic selections but make it challenging to create complex selections, such as selecting a subject to cut out of the background. This limits users in the graphic design capabilities.

GIMP only works with the RGB color mode, which limits users from designing artwork for print. Print projects must be in CMYK color mode to print correctly without any color inconsistencies.

Photoshop has vertical and horizontal type tools, which gives users more flexibility when adding text to designs. The Type Tools are straightforward and allow users to customize the text by changing the color, font, size, and other text formatting options, such as kerning and spacing adjustments. Users can also easily add images or patterns to the text.

The program has shape tools, including basic shapes and custom shapes. This allows users to easily draw shapes to add to the design and create logos and other marketing material using vector shapes.

Photoshop has the same selection tools that GIMP has, plus more. The selection tools are more intuitive and allow users to make more selections in designs, such as using the Object Selection Tool to remove the background or isolate objects for edits.

Users can work in a fully CMYK color mode in Photoshop, allowing them to create designs for print that are correctly colored without causing any color deviations on print. This means Photoshop is more suited for digital and print graphic design purposes.

Photoshop is also easy to work in alongside Adobe’s other graphic design programs, such as Illustrator and InDesign, to create cohesive designs on a professional level.

Drawing Features

Neither of these programs is recommended for digital artists if drawing is the primary purpose. These programs weren’t designed for creating artwork. I recommend Adobe Fresco, Procreate, Krita, or Inkscape if you need a dedicated drawing app.

However, GIMP and Photoshop do offer basic drawing tools that you can use on digital projects and images.

GIMP offers a few tools for drawing, including the Paintbrush, Pencil, Airbrush, Ink, and MyPaint Brush tool. These tools all provide different types of drawing capabilities. The Paintbrush tool is similar to the Brush Tool in Photoshop.

Each brush tool offers the same brush presets, which is limited. However, the MyPaint Brush tool provides a more extensive selection of brush presets to create unique drawings on the canvas. The tool is linked to the free program called MyPaint.

When using the other brush tools, there are several settings to customize the brush presets, including Size, Angle, Jitter, Opacity, and more.

You can also change the blending mode of the brush. GIMP offers more blending mode options than Photoshop.

Photoshop also offers limited drawing tools, which include the Brush Tool, Pencil Tool, Color Replacement Tool, and Mixer Brush Tool. The Brush and Pencil tools offer simple brush strokes, but the Color Replacement and Mixer Tools offer more creative drawing functions.

The tools offer several brush presets to choose from, and users can create or load new brush presets.

You can adjust basic settings using the Options bar, such as the Brush Size, Flow, Smoothing, Opacity, and Hardness.

There is also a full Brush Settings panel for more complex setting adjustments, including Spacing, Jitter, Smoothing, and more.

Photoshop also offers several Blending Modes for the brushes.

While neither program offers in-depth tools for digital drawing on the level of creating Manga, Comics, or Animations, there are basic drawing tools in both programs with a decent amount of settings and brush presets to choose from.

Winner: Tied

GIMP Vs Photoshop – Which Is Better Overall?

Photoshop has several high-level photo editing and graphic design capabilities, with a decent range of drawing tools. The program also supports and saves files in multiple common and useful file formats. Photoshop is also a much-needed tool in a professional graphic designer’s toolkit as it works hand-in-hand with Adobe Illustrator and InDesign to offer a complete package.

The program works non-destructively on high-quality RAW images to produce stunning compositions and can also be used to create digital designs from scratch.

If you are looking for a once-off photo editor with a few graphic design and drawing capabilities, a free program such as GIMP is ideal, as you don’t need to commit to a yearly subscription.

GIMP offers all the essential tools and functions a beginner or hobbyist would need without the yearly price tag. The tools and features available in GIMP are impressive and can produce good results. However, the drawbacks prevent the program from being used professionally.

When it all boils down, Photoshop allows users to imagine and create professional-standard photo edits and designs using the almost endless tools, filters, and features available. However, while Photoshop offers a lot, there are instances where it won’t be the right program.

Who Should Use GIMP?

GIMP is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists who want to try out photo editing and graphic design to see if it is something they want to pursue. You can also use the program to start as a freelancer and gain some clients before spending money on a paid program.

GIMP is ideal for making quick one-off adjustments when you don’t need an extensive range of tools. For instance, it can be used for basic image adjustments such as cropping, exposure edits, and basic color grading.

This program is an excellent choice to use alongside free graphic design software such as Canva.

Who Should Use Photoshop?

If you are a serious hobbyist or professional needing to create industry-level compositions and designs, you need to have a capable program such as Photoshop. The program allows you to manipulate photos in ways you may not know are possible.

Photoshop also has the capacity to keep images high-quality while adding creative elements. The program is also suited for creating digital and print marketing materials. You can professionally design posters, websites, YouTube banners, and logos in Photoshop.

Photoshop is the best choice for professionals or businesses looking for a high-quality image editor capable of various graphic design tasks. The program is the right choice for anyone able to pay for the software, as Photoshop comes at a monthly fee with an annual commitment in most cases.

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