STUDIO 08 · MOVEMENT SERIESMAKE THE NEXT VERSION14—22 OCTOBER
Make the next version possible
Your payment buys focused time for the small fixes and larger ideas that make Gesso more useful.
Keep Gesso. Pay what you can.
Gesso for macOS is planned as a one-time contribution when the current release is ready. Hosted Gesso is a separate service for working in the browser.
Choose a contribution
Pay once. Keep the same Gesso.
This page is for Gesso for macOS. Your payment supports the app; hosted accounts, storage, and online services are separate.
Help keep a useful tool independent.
Paying is optional. If you do contribute, it gives Gesso more time to become a tool you can keep.
$0Same app. Same tools.
Keep $0 a real option
People who can pay make room for people who cannot right now. Everyone is offered the same macOS release when it is ready.
GESSO PROJECTEditable source included
- poster-print.pdf
- campaign-set.zip
- working-source.gesso
Back independent creative software
Your money goes to the person building the tool and the creators around it, instead of into a rent cycle you never stop paying.
BRAND BOOK12 active rules
Aa
- Color roles
- Type system
- Access checks
Pay for care, not access
Accessibility, compatibility, support, and maintenance are part of making a tool worth keeping.
Photography: Israyosoy S. / Pexels · NorrieXF / Pexels
Where your contribution goes
A contribution is not a tip. It pays for the work and the infrastructure that keep an independent tool alive, including a sustainable living for the person building it.
- Development and long-term maintenance
- Hosting, storage, backups, monitoring, and domains
- Privacy, security, accessibility, and reliability work
- Support, documentation, and testing
- Tools, accounting, legal, and payment processing
- Taxes, and a sustainable living for the person building Gesso
Creator Reinvestment
At $129.99 and above, a quarter of net proceeds is set aside for paid work with independent creators and small businesses — copywriting, illustration, templates, documentation, localization, accessibility, and research. Gesso should put money back into the ecosystem it depends on.
Net proceeds means what remains after taxes collected, payment processing, chargebacks, and direct delivery costs. Allocated funds may roll over and are spent as projects are scoped and completed. Gesso selects the projects and collaborators. This is not a charitable donation, an escrow arrangement, or a fund contributors can direct.
Reported publicly twice a year.
Local by default. Hosted when it helps.
The macOS app does not need Gesso to store every file. Keep projects where you already work, or choose managed hosting when sync and sharing are worth it.
Keep it with you
Use Gesso locally for as long as you like. Your storage stays yours, and there is no hosted bill to carry.
- A folder on your Mac
- iCloud, Dropbox, or Drive
- A NAS or storage you manage
Let Gesso manage it
Hosted Gesso is optional convenience with real continuing costs. It will be priced separately from the macOS contribution.
- Managed sync and backup
- Cross-device access
- Sharing and collaboration
Keep creating after checkout.
A contribution supports the tool. It does not start a meter, unlock a better edition, or make your work dependent on another payment.
NO RENEWAL DATECOME BACK WHENEVERYour next project can wait for you.
Different tools, different models.
These products solve different problems. This comparison is about how individuals, teams, and enterprises pay—not which tool is better.
One payment. No subscription. Pay $0 or contribute up to $999; the product and its features do not change.
Published price × people × selected period. Quote-only plans stay uncalculated.
| Product and plan | Total at this horizon | Published billing | Annual savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figma Professional, Full seat | $192.00 | $16 / month, billed annually | $48.00 (20%) |
| Canva Pro | $144.00 | $144 / year | $72.00 (33%) |
| Gesso for macOS, suggested amount | $49.99 | Once; choose $0 to $999 | — |
| Adobe Illustrator, individual | $275.88 | $22.99 / month, annual commitment | $138.00 (33%) |
| Sketch Mac-only license | $120.00 | Once per seat; one year of updates | — |
| Affinity | $0.00 | Without charge; Canva account required | — |
Annual prices use at least a 12-month commitment, even when the selected horizon is shorter.
US list prices checked Aug. 12, 2026. Prices exclude tax, vary by location, and can change. Totals use only published list prices; negotiated contracts, minimums, mixed seat types, add-ons, promotions, and taxes are not estimated. These products are not feature-equivalent.
Questions about paying for Gesso
The macOS contribution and Hosted Gesso are separate. Here is what that means before you choose.
Is Gesso a subscription?
Gesso for macOS is not a subscription. Download the complete app for $0 or make one optional contribution from $1 to $999.
Will a $0 contribution use the same macOS release?
Yes. Paying more does not unlock another edition or a different set of features when that release is ready.
What changes when I contribute more?
Your access does not change. A contribution gives independent development, accessibility work, compatibility, and support more room.
What is Creator Reinvestment?
At $129.99 and above, a quarter of net proceeds funds paid work with independent creators and small businesses. It is a spending commitment, reported publicly twice a year — not a donation, and not a fund you can direct.
Does this payment include Hosted Gesso?
No. Hosted accounts, managed sync, storage, sharing, and collaboration have continuing costs and will be priced separately.
Can I store projects somewhere else?
Yes. Gesso is local-first, so you can keep projects in a folder, iCloud, Dropbox, Drive, a NAS, or storage you manage.
Do I need an account to use Gesso?
No account is required for browser-local editing. An account is only needed for optional hosted services.