Apple describes Pixelmator Pro as an image editor for Mac and iPad and lists macOS 26 and iPadOS 26 requirements.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20
Pixelmator Pro
Professional image editing and design software for Mac and iPad, with photo retouching, vector tools, painting, video layers, and AI-assisted workflows.
At a glance
Quick Verdict
Apple documents broad photo, design, vector, painting, video, AI, and Apple ecosystem capabilities. Product Hunt reviews also report strong performance, polish, and Mac integration. The main trade-off is Apple-only platform availability.
Overview
Pixelmator Pro is an image editor for macOS and iPadOS. It combines photo retouching, RAW processing, graphic design, illustration, vector drawing, painting, and video-layer editing.
Apple acquired the Pixelmator Team in 2025. The product remains available as a $49.99 Mac purchase or through Apple Creator Studio, which also provides the iPad version.
Key Features
Photo tools include nondestructive color adjustments, adjustment layers, RAW processing, repair and cloning, background removal, subject selection, Super Resolution, Denoise, Deband, and machine-learning enhancements.
Design tools include layer-based composition, templates, mockups, typography, Smart Shapes, Pen and Freeform Pen tools, vector masks, more than 60 effects, and support for PSD, SVG, PDF, AI, and Illustrator EPS files.
The application supports painting with customizable brushes, pressure and tilt input, Apple Pencil, video layers, animated GIFs, MP4, MOV, HDR media, and exports for common image and video formats.
Apple Creator Studio adds natural-language image generation, generated vector shapes, Content Hub assets, and a Warp Tool. It also connects Pixelmator Pro with Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.
Pricing
Pixelmator Pro for Mac costs $49.99 as a one-time purchase through the Mac App Store. This option does not include the iPad version or subscription-only Apple Creator Studio features.
Apple Creator Studio costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Verified college students and educators can pay $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year. New subscribers receive a one-month free trial.
Eligible Mac and iPad purchases can provide three months of Apple Creator Studio at no charge. Apple Creator Studio supports Family Sharing for standard subscriptions.
Pros & Cons
Pros: It combines raster, vector, painting, typography, and compositing tools. It supports extensive file compatibility and more than 750 RAW formats. The Mac and iPad versions share an Apple-centered workflow.
Cons: It requires Apple hardware and operating systems. The iPad version requires Apple Creator Studio. Subscription projects require an active subscription for later editing.
Alternatives
Adobe Photoshop is a broader cross-platform alternative with extensive plugins, cloud services, and professional imaging workflows. Affinity Photo is a comparable non-subscription option for Mac, Windows, and iPad. Photopea provides browser-based PSD editing. Canva is better suited to template-led marketing and collaborative content production.
FAQ
Does Pixelmator Pro run on Windows?
Apple documents Pixelmator Pro for macOS and iPadOS. No Windows version was verified.
Is there a free trial?
Apple Creator Studio includes a one-month free trial for new subscribers. A separate trial for the $49.99 Mac purchase was not verified.
Does Pixelmator Pro have an API?
No public web API was identified. Apple documents AppleScript, Shortcuts, and system integrations for supported workflows.
Can Pixelmator Pro edit Photoshop files?
Yes. Apple documents opening and exporting layered PSD files.
Can Pixelmator Pro edit video?
Yes. It supports video layers and common formats including MP4 and QuickTime Movie, but it is not positioned as a full nonlinear video editor.
What happens if Apple Creator Studio ends?
Projects remain on devices and can be copied or shared, but active subscription access is required to open or edit Pixelmator Pro projects.
Features
Photo Editing
- RAW processing for more than 750 formats
- Nondestructive color adjustments and adjustment layers
- Repair, cloning, retouching, and object removal
- AI-assisted background removal and subject selection
- Super Resolution, Denoise, Deband, ML Enhance, and Match Colors
- More than 40 photo presets
Graphic Design
- Layer-based image composition
- More than 200 templates
- Customizable mockups
- Typography with path and circular text
- Smart Guides, alignment, distribution, and layer styles
- More than 60 nondestructive effects
Vector and Illustration
- Pen and Freeform Pen tools
- Smart Shapes and premade shape collections
- Vector masks and editable paths
- SVG and PDF import and export
- PSD, Adobe Illustrator, and Illustrator EPS support
Painting and Video
- Customizable dual-texture brushes
- Pressure and tilt support for graphics tablets
- Apple Pencil support on iPad
- Video layers and animated image support
- MP4, MOV, HDR, GIF, and PNG sequence workflows
AI and Automation
- Machine-learning image enhancement
- Natural-language image generation through Apple Creator Studio
- Generated vector shapes through Apple Creator Studio
- AppleScript and Shortcuts support
- Core ML and Apple Intelligence integrations on supported systems
Integrations and File Compatibility
- Apple Photos editing extension
- Mac and iPad project continuity
- Final Cut Pro frame transfer
- Keynote, Pages, and Numbers image editing workflows
- iCloud, Versions, Sidecar, AirDrop, and Apple Pencil support
- PSD, HEIF, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, WebP, AVIF, PDF, AI, MP4, and MOV support
Specifications
| Platform | macOS and iPadOS |
|---|---|
| Mac requirement | macOS 26 or later for the current Apple Creator Studio version |
| iPad requirement | iPad with Apple M1 or later, iPad with A16, or iPad mini with A17 Pro, running iPadOS 26 or later |
| Deployment | Native desktop and tablet applications |
| License | One-time Mac purchase or Apple Creator Studio subscription |
| Free trial | One month for new Apple Creator Studio subscribers |
| API | No public API identified |
| Automation | AppleScript and Shortcuts |
| Integrations | Apple Photos, Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, iCloud, Versions, Sidecar, AirDrop |
| File formats | PSD, SVG, PDF, AI, Illustrator EPS, RAW, HEIF, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, WebP, AVIF, GIF, MP4, and MOV |
| App ownership | Apple acquired Pixelmator Team in 2025 |
Demo & Screenshots
Screenshots are not available yet.TechZella will add verified product images when suitable official screenshots are found.
Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
8.8/10Moderate confidence
Apple documents broad photo, design, vector, painting, video, AI, and Apple ecosystem capabilities. Product Hunt reviews also report strong performance, polish, and Mac integration. The main trade-off is Apple-only platform availability.
Methodology v1.0. This is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Research transparency
Editorial Evidence
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
Best fit
Mac and iPad users who need one application for photo editing, illustration, vector design, compositing, and lightweight motion graphics.
Potential poor fit
Users who require Windows, Android, browser access, a broad plugin marketplace, or a fully independent professional video editor.
What TechZella adds
- Combines raster editing, vector drawing, typography, painting, and video layers in one Apple-native application.
- Works across Mac and iPad, with Apple Pencil support, Photos integration, and linked workflows with Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.
- Offers both a $49.99 Mac purchase and access through Apple Creator Studio, which includes additional Apple creative applications.
Important limitations
- The application is limited to macOS and iPadOS, with no verified Windows, Android, or web version.
- The one-time Mac purchase does not provide the Apple Creator Studio subscription features, including the subscription version's Warp Tool access.
- Apple Creator Studio projects remain available on devices after subscription cancellation but require an active subscription to open or edit.
Evidence-backed claimsPixelmator Pro is available on Mac and iPad. Pixelmator Pro supports more than 750 RAW formats. The software includes vector tools and support for PSD, SVG, PDF, Adobe Illustrator, and Illustrator EPS files. Apple Creator Studio includes Pixelmator Pro for Mac and iPad. Pixelmator Pro integrates with Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. Apple Creator Studio offers natural-language image generation and generated vector shapes in Pixelmator Pro. The Pixelmator Team was founded in 2007 and was based in Vilnius. Pixelmator Pro has a 5.0 Product Hunt rating based on seven reviews.
Apple's product page states that the application supports over 750 RAW formats.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20Apple documents Pen and Path tools, Smart Shapes, typography tools, and supported vector file formats.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20Apple states that the subscription includes Pixelmator Pro alongside Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and other creative applications.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20Apple documents sending Final Cut Pro frames to Pixelmator Pro and opening document images directly in Pixelmator Pro from Apple's iWork applications.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20Apple's June 2026 update describes advanced image generation, Content Hub access, and vector shape generation in Pixelmator Pro.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20The Pixelmator Team LinkedIn profile lists 2007 as its founding year and Vilnius as headquarters.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20Product Hunt displays a 5.0 score and seven reviews for Pixelmator Pro.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-20Pricing
Mac standalone purchase
$49.99
one-time
Pixelmator Pro for Mac through the Mac App Store. The standalone version does not include the iPad version or subscription-only Apple Creator Studio features.
Check current pricing →Apple Creator Studio Individual
$12.99
month
Includes Pixelmator Pro on Mac and iPad, plus Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, MainStage, and premium features in supported Apple apps. Includes a one-month free trial.
Check current pricing →Apple Creator Studio Individual Annual
$129.00
year
Annual Apple Creator Studio subscription with access to Pixelmator Pro and the included Apple creative applications.
Check current pricing →Apple Creator Studio Education
$2.99
month
Education pricing for verified college students and educators. Includes a one-month free trial.
Check current pricing →Apple Creator Studio Education Annual
$29.99
year
Annual education subscription for verified college students and educators.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Combines photo editing, graphic design, vector drawing, painting, and compositing.
- Supports more than 750 RAW formats and layered Photoshop files.
- Includes strong Apple ecosystem integration across Mac, iPad, Photos, and iWork applications.
- Offers a one-time Mac purchase alongside the broader Apple Creator Studio subscription.
- Supports Apple Pencil, pressure-sensitive tablets, video layers, and nondestructive editing.
Cons
- No verified Windows, Android, or web version.
- The iPad version is tied to Apple Creator Studio rather than a separate one-time purchase.
- Subscription-created projects require an active subscription to open or edit later.
- No public web API was identified.
- The product is less suitable than dedicated video editors for complex timeline-based production.
Alternatives
Photopea
Top Competitors
Adobe Illustrator
Photopea
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