Pixelmator Pro is an image editor for Mac, now sold by Apple, that also has an iPad version. It suits people who want a one-time Mac purchase with machine-learning editing tools built in, and it suits less well anyone who wants CMYK color for print or a plugin system, since neither exists here.
What is Pixelmator Pro?
Apple is now the seller of record for Pixelmator Pro on the App Store, and the app's own marketing pages redirect into apple.com rather than standing on their own. It is sold two separate ways: a one-time $49.99 purchase for the Mac app, or as part of Apple Creator Studio, a subscription bundle that also includes Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. The subscription additionally unlocks Pixelmator Pro for iPad and adds a Warp Tool that the one-time Mac purchase does not have. Both routes install as a native app, with no browser version.
Editing images in Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro opens and develops camera RAW files directly as layers, and it opens and exports PSD files with layers preserved. Effects can be combined non-destructively, so they can be adjusted or reverted later without degrading the image. Pressure-sensitive input with Apple Pencil is supported, and over 200 templates give you a starting point for a design.
Its machine-learning tools, described as building on Apple Intelligence, cover background removal with an adjustable mask, an intelligent Select and Mask tool that detects edges automatically, and a Repair tool that removes unwanted objects by filling in the surrounding content. Super Resolution upscales an image using the same machine-learning approach. None of this extends to generating new images or content from a text prompt: there is no prompt-based image generation and no generative fill that adds new pixels beyond what Repair removes and fills in. There is no CMYK color profile, only RGB, no plugin or extension system beyond an OS-level Photos app extension, and no batch processing across multiple files.
Working with other people
Pixelmator Pro is a single-user app; there is no real-time collaboration or comment workflow, and no public developer API. The Photos app extension and iCloud handoff let you move between your own Mac and iPad, but there are no named third-party integrations.
Pixelmator Pro pricing: what each plan gives
Pixelmator Pro for Mac can be bought once for $49.99, with no subscription and no trial for that route: you keep it. Apple Creator Studio, the alternative route, is $12.99 a month or $129 a year (about $10.75 a month billed annually), and it is a bundle of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and Pixelmator Pro together, not a Pixelmator-only plan; it also adds the Warp Tool and the iPad version. Apple Creator Studio has a 30-day free trial.
Privacy and support
Apple's privacy policy, which now governs this app, states that private personal data and interactions are not used to train its foundation models unless you explicitly choose to help improve them, and it names an EEA controller entity along with a right to lodge a complaint with a regulator. Support runs through a built-in User Guide and Apple's own community forum.
Who Pixelmator Pro suits
Pixelmator Pro suits anyone on Mac who wants to buy an image editor once rather than subscribe, with RAW development, PSD compatibility and machine-learning tools such as background removal, object removal and upscaling built in. It also suits anyone already paying for Apple Creator Studio for Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro, since Pixelmator Pro and its iPad version come along with that bundle.
It suits less well anyone who needs CMYK color for print work, since only RGB is supported, or anyone who wants a plugin system or batch processing across many files at once, since neither is offered.
How Pixelmator Pro compares
Pixelmator Pro scores 6.4 out of 10 among the photo editors we rate. These three do the same job and are the closest to it, compared on what each vendor publishes.
Adobe Photoshop
Pixelmator Pro is bought once on the Mac, or comes inside Apple Creator Studio, a $12.99 a month bundle of several Apple apps, not a Pixelmator only plan. Photoshop's cheapest plan is the Photography plan, which also includes Lightroom, at $19.99 a month, and it generates images from a prompt, which Pixelmator Pro cannot do. Both automatically select a subject, remove backgrounds in one action and upscale with AI, and Photoshop works in CMYK for print, which Pixelmator Pro does not.
Pick Adobe Photoshop if you want prompt based image generation and full CMYK support.
Pick Pixelmator Pro if you want a one time Mac purchase with built in AI editing.
Affinity
Affinity is free, with AI features such as background removal and upscaling gated behind a paid Canva plan; Pixelmator Pro is bought once on Mac, or comes inside the $12.99 a month Apple Creator Studio bundle, with AI editing tools built in. Affinity opens layered PSDs but flattens them on export, while Pixelmator Pro opens and saves PSD files with layers intact. Affinity works in CMYK for print, which Pixelmator Pro does not.
Pick Affinity if you want a free app with CMYK support built in.
Pick Pixelmator Pro if you want layered PSD export and AI tools without a Canva plan.
Krita
Krita runs on Windows and Mac and costs nothing to download; Pixelmator Pro is bought once on Mac, or comes inside the $12.99 a month Apple Creator Studio bundle, and also runs on iPad and iPhone. Pixelmator Pro automatically selects a subject, removes backgrounds in one action, and upscales with AI, none of which Krita offers. Krita works in CMYK for print, which Pixelmator Pro does not, and both open and save layered Photoshop files.
Pick Krita if you want free open source software with native CMYK support.
Pick Pixelmator Pro if you want automatic subject select and one click AI editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Pixelmator Pro cost?
The Mac app can be bought once for $49.99. Alternatively, Apple Creator Studio, a bundle that also includes Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, costs $12.99 a month or $129 a year and adds the iPad version and a Warp Tool.
Does Pixelmator Pro open Photoshop's PSD files?
Yes, both opening and exporting PSD files with layers preserved.
Can Pixelmator Pro remove backgrounds and objects automatically?
Yes. It has machine-learning background removal with an adjustable mask, edge-detecting selection, and a Repair tool for removing unwanted objects, plus Super Resolution for upscaling. None of these generate new images from a text prompt.
Does Pixelmator Pro train on my images?
Apple's privacy policy, which now governs the app, states that personal data is not used to train its foundation models unless you explicitly opt in to help improve them.
