Adobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro

Adobe Photoshop9.4Visit Pixelmator Pro7.9Visit

Higher score Adobe Photoshop #1 in Photo Editing Software 9.4/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 6 features Try Adobe Photoshop

vs

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

• Adobe Photoshop fits best

  Professional compositing and advanced editing

• Pixelmator Pro fits best

  Affordable Apple-native layer editing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Adobe Photoshop 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Pixelmator Pro 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	7.9
Ranking	#1 in Photo Editing Software	#21 in Photo Editing Software
Best for	Professional compositing and advanced editing	Affordable Apple-native layer editing
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$29.99/yr
Free plan	—	—
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 · 24/7	Docs, Community
Integrations	4 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Photoshop 6/6 · Pixelmator Pro 5/6
RAW photo support	✓	✓
Layer editing	✓	✓
Masking tools	✓	✓
Batch editing	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Cloud sync	✓	✓
AI retouching	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Multi-platform	Multi-platform
Our review
Pros	Editable layers, masks, Smart Objects, and Camera Raw support Batch processing, automated conversion, and cloud documents Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and AI-powered Harmonize	RAW processing supports more than 750 RAW formats Nondestructive layers, masks, and compositing tools Machine-learning enhancement, denoise, and background removal
Cons	Desktop, web, and mobile versions have different feature sets Web and full desktop access require a plan or trial Cloud storage ranges from 100GB to 1TB by plan	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 Photoshop is an image-editing application for creating, retouching, compositing, and transforming photos and graphics. It is aimed at professionals and advanced editors who need editable layers, masks, RAW adjustments, batch… 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 Photoshop — where it wins

  • Editable layers, masks, Smart Objects, and Camera Raw support
  • Batch processing, automated conversion, and cloud documents
  • Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and AI-powered Harmonize

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop, web, and mobile versions have different feature sets
  • Web and full desktop access require a plan or trial
  • Cloud storage ranges from 100GB to 1TB by plan

• 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 Photoshop9.4/10 · 7-day trial

  A deep, multi-platform editor for compositing, retouching, RAW work, and AI-assisted edits.

  Try Adobe PhotoshopFull 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 →