Adobe Lightroom vs Pixelmator Pro

Adobe Lightroom9.2Visit Pixelmator Pro7.9Visit

Higher score Adobe Lightroom #2 in Photo Editing Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 6 features Try Adobe Lightroom

vs

Pixelmator Pro #21 in Photo Editing Software 7.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Pixelmator Pro

• Adobe Lightroom fits best

  RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing

• Pixelmator Pro fits best

  Affordable Apple-native layer editing

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Side by side

Feature	Adobe Lightroom 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Pixelmator Pro 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.9
Ranking	#2 in Photo Editing Software	#21 in Photo Editing Software
Best for	RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing	Affordable Apple-native layer editing
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$29.99/yr
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	7 days	30 days
Free trial length	7 days	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	macOS, iOS
Support	Community, Docs	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Lightroom 5/6 · Pixelmator Pro 5/6
RAW photo support	✓	✓
Layer editing	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Masking tools	✓	✓
Batch editing	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Cloud sync	✓	✓
AI retouching	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Multi-platform	Multi-platform
Our review
Pros	Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android	RAW processing supports more than 750 RAW formats Nondestructive layers, masks, and compositing tools Machine-learning enhancement, denoise, and background removal
Cons	Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows	The one-time purchase applies to Mac, not iPad No free plan is available Its workflow is not focused on batch editing
Our verdict	Adobe Lightroom combines photo organization with editing tools for photographers, creators, and anyone managing digital image libraries. It supports exposure, color, effects, cropping, presets, selective adjustments, masking, RAW import… Read the review →	Pixelmator Pro is an image-editing and creative design application for Mac and iPad. It is aimed at photographers, designers, illustrators, and other Apple users who need RAW processing, nondestructive layer editing, compositing, color… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Adobe Lightroom — where it wins

  • Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments
  • AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal
  • Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors
  • Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows

• Pixelmator Pro — where it wins

  • RAW processing supports more than 750 RAW formats
  • Nondestructive layers, masks, and compositing tools
  • Machine-learning enhancement, denoise, and background removal

  Where it doesn't

  • The one-time purchase applies to Mac, not iPad
  • No free plan is available
  • Its workflow is not focused on batch editing

• Adobe Lightroom9.2/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad Lightroom workflow for RAW editing, masking, organization, and synchronized access.

  Try Adobe LightroomFull verdict →
• Pixelmator Pro7.9/10 · 30-day trial

  A capable Apple-focused editor with layers, RAW support, and a one-time Mac option.

  Visit Pixelmator ProFull verdict →