Compare Add Grains with GIMP for adding film grain to photos. See why a free specialized grain tool is easier and more authentic than GIMP's manual noise workflow.
Free online film grain editor with 34+ authentic film stock emulations, real-time preview, and complete browser-based privacy.
Free, open-source image editor with comprehensive editing tools including HSV Noise filter for manual grain creation through layer blending.
Both tools are free, but they serve different needs. GIMP is a powerful general editor with a complex manual grain workflow. Add Grains provides one-click authentic film grain emulations that are faster, easier, and more realistic. For grain specifically, Add Grains is the clear choice.
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In GIMP, create a new layer filled with gray, apply Filters > Noise > HSV Noise, set the layer blend mode to Overlay or Grain Merge, and optionally apply Gaussian Blur. This multi-step process produces generic noise rather than film-specific grain.
No, GIMP does not include any film grain presets or film stock emulations. All grain must be created manually using the HSV Noise filter and layer blending. Scripts and plugins may automate some steps but still cannot emulate specific film stocks.
Add Grains is dramatically easier. It requires one click to apply authentic film grain, while GIMP requires a multi-step manual process involving layers, noise filters, and blend modes. Add Grains also produces more realistic film-specific results.
Yes, this is a great workflow. Apply authentic film grain in Add Grains, then open the result in GIMP for additional editing like color correction, retouching, or compositing. Both tools are free, so there is no cost barrier to using them together.
The best free alternative for adding film grain to your photos.
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