Head-to-head
Pixelmator Pro vs Procreate
2 tools, 10 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
The verdict
Pixelmator Pro or Procreate?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
PPixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro for Mac
$49.99 one-time
Bought once on the Mac App Store
Apple Creator Studio
$12.99/mo · $129/yr
Subscription bundle with Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and more; adds the iPad app
PProcreate
Procreate
$12.99 one-time
Bought once on the App Store, no subscription
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
PPixelmator Pro
Pros
- The Mac app can be bought once, with no subscription, and you keep it.
- Machine-learning background removal, object removal and upscaling built in.
- Opens and develops camera RAW files directly as layers.
- Non-destructive effects that can be adjusted or reverted later.
Cons
- No CMYK color profile; only RGB is supported.
- No plugin or extension system beyond an OS-level Photos app extension.
- No batch processing across multiple files.
PProcreate
Pros
- Bought once for $12.99, with no subscription, and you keep it.
- Imports and exports PSD files with layers preserved.
- Non-destructive layer masks let you change edits without altering pixels.
- A native CMYK color profile alongside sRGB and P3 for print-facing work.
Cons
- Runs only on iPad; no Mac, Windows or Android version.
- No plugin or extension system for third-party tools.
- No batch processing across multiple files.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | — | 2011 |
| HQ | United States | Australia |
| Platforms | Mac, iPad | iPad |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | One-time purchase or subscription | One-time purchase |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes, 30 days (Apple Creator Studio) | No |
| Starting price | $49.99 one-time (Mac) | $12.99 one-time |
| All plans | Pixelmator Pro for Mac — $49.99 one-time Apple Creator Studio — $12.99/mo | Procreate — $12.99 one-time |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Mac photographers and designers who want raw editing and AI cleanup tools in an app they can buy once | Illustrators who paint on an iPad and want to buy the app once, with no subscription and no generative AI |
| Differentiator | Pixelmator Pro, now made by Apple, edits raw photos with built-in AI background and object removal. | Procreate is an iPad painting app bought once, with CMYK canvases, PSD support and no generative AI. |
| Competitors | Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, Krita | Krita, Pixelmator Pro, Adobe Photoshop |
Section 03
Pixelmator Pro vs Procreate: common questions
Is Pixelmator Pro or Procreate cheaper?
Pixelmator Pro's cheapest paid plan is $49.99 one-time (Mac) and Procreate's is $12.99 one-time. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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