Pixelmator Pro review

Pixelmator Pro is the most polished option on this list for Apple users. Apple sells the Mac version as a one-time purchase for $49.99, and it is also part of Apple Creator Studio, which bundles it with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for $12.99 a month or $129 a year after a free trial, with education pricing at $2.99 a month. Editing is non-destructive, with more than 60 effects, adjustment layers and color tools that work by range or selection. Select and Mask finds fine edges such as hair, Super Resolution upscales images, and one-click background removal handles product shots. RAW photos and video clips can sit in the layer stack, and Pixelmator Pro reads and writes PSD, SVG, PDF and Illustrator files, which helps when you exchange work with Photoshop users. The limits are platform and hardware: there is no Windows version, and some Creator Studio features need an Apple Intelligence capable device.

Who it is for

Mac and iPad users who want a one-time purchase

Price

$49.99 one-time purchase for Mac; also in Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 per month.

Pixelmator Pro for Mac is also available as a one-time purchase for $49.99.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Over 60 effects such as Blur, Distortion, Halftone and Tile
• Select and Mask detects fine edges such as hair or fur
• Super Resolution upscales images and enhances detail
• RAW photos and video clips can be added and edited as layers
• Supports PSD, SVG, PDF, Adobe Illustrator and Illustrator EPS files

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: One-time Mac purchase at $49.99, with no subscription required
• Strength: Apple Creator Studio bundles it with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for $12.99 a month or $129 a year
• Strength: Works across Mac and iPad
• Weakness: No Windows or web version
• Weakness: Some Apple Creator Studio features require an Apple Intelligence capable device
• Weakness: The iPad version comes through the Apple Creator Studio subscription

Key facts

• One-time price: $49.99 (Mac)
• Subscription: Apple Creator Studio, $12.99 a month
• Platforms: Mac, iPad
• Effects: Over 60

Where it ranks

Pixelmator Pro is No. 3 in our Best Photoshop Alternatives verdict.