Pixelmator Pro is a professional image editor for macOS that combines vector and raster editing with AI-powered enhancement tools — all in a native Mac app optimized for Apple Silicon. It offers Photoshop-compatible editing capabilities including layers, masks, blending modes, and RAW support, alongside AI tools for object removal, background replacement, and color enhancement. At a one-time purchase price, it is popular with Mac users wanting a professional creative tool without Adobe's subscription model.
Pixelmator Pro
Powerful photo editor and design tool for Mac.
Best for: Mac users who want professional photo editing and graphic design without the Adobe subscription model.
- $49.99 one-time
4.8/5 ratingEditorial score 95/100pixelmator.com
Starts at
$49.99 one-time
Visit Pixelmator Pro
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Editorial score95/100
The editorial note
What to know about Pixelmator Pro
Is it right for you?
Who Pixelmator Pro suits
Choose it if
- Mac users who want professional photo editing and graphic design without the Adobe subscription model.
Look elsewhere if
- Windows users or teams requiring cross-platform collaboration — Affinity Photo or Adobe Photoshop are necessary for professional image editing outside the Apple ecosystem
What you get
Key features
- Layer-based raster and vector editing
- Photoshop PSD import and export
- RAW file support
- ML Super Resolution upscaling
- AI object removal and color enhancement
- Nondestructive effects
- Color correction and grading
- Batch processing
Works with
Integrations5
macOS ecosystemApple Photos extensioniCloudPhotoshop PSD compatibilityHEIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF formats
What it costs
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| One-time | $49.99 one-timeBilled monthly | Full professional image editor for Mac — one-time purchase, lifetime updates on Mac App Store |
Prices are recorded from the vendor's public pricing page and can change. Check before you buy.
The trade-off
Pros and cons
Pros
- One-time purchase at $49.99 — no subscription required unlike Adobe products
- Native Apple Silicon optimization delivers exceptional performance on M1/M2/M3 Macs
- Photoshop PSD import and export ensures professional workflow compatibility
- ML Super Resolution AI upscaler enhances image quality without quality loss
- Nondestructive editing preserves originals while enabling complex layer compositions
Cons
- macOS only — not available on Windows or iOS without iPad-specific version
- Less feature-complete than Photoshop for advanced compositing and retouching workflows
- Plugin ecosystem is significantly smaller than Photoshop's extensive marketplace
- Limited text and typography tools compared to professional design applications
Quick read
At a glance
- Category
- Design & Creative
- Pricing model
- One time
- Entry plan
- $49.99 one-time
- Free plan
- Not listed
- Free trial
- Not listed
- Website
- pixelmator.com
The verdict
Our take on Pixelmator Pro
The best Mac photo editor without a subscription — ML Super Resolution and ML Enhance delivering AI-powered editing Photoshop charges monthly for.
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