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Head-to-head · Photoshop Alternatives for Mac

Pixelmator Pro vs Clip Studio Paint

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Pixelmator Pro #2 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 8.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Pixelmator Pro
Clip Studio Paint #5 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit site

Pixelmator Pro leads on 0 checks, Clip Studio Paint on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePixelmator Pro · 8.8/10
  • Free trialonly Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro scores higher on our rubric for photoshop alternatives for mac: 8.8 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Pixelmator Pro is the better fit for mac users seeking polished photo editing and design. Clip Studio Paint is the better fit for illustrators and comic artists using Mac.

  • Pixelmator Pro fits best

    Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design

  • Clip Studio Paint fits best

    Illustrators and comic artists using Mac

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. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Pixelmator Pro 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Clip Studio Paint 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.9
Ranking #2 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac #5 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design Illustrators and comic artists using Mac
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $29.99/yr $0.99/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms macOS, iOS Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Integrations 3 integrations 1 integrations
Features Pixelmator Pro 0/6 · Clip Studio Paint 0/6
Layer support Not checked yet Not checked yet
RAW processing Not checked yet Not checked yet
PSD compatibility Not checked yet Not checked yet
Non-destructive editing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Plugin support Not checked yet Not checked yet
iPad version Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Maximum color depth Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Edits RAW files with RAW layers and nondestructive layer-based workflows.
  • Combines masking, retouching, vector tools, templates, and typography.
  • Syncs editing across Mac and iPad through Apple’s ecosystem.
  • Combines raster and vector drawing with customizable brushes and editable vector linework.
  • Comic tools include paneling, speech balloons, tones, and multi-page projects.
  • The EX plan adds multi-page management and full-length 2D animation features.
Cons
  • The one-time purchase option is for Mac; Apple Creator Studio is subscription-based.
  • The app is limited to Apple platforms: macOS and iOS.
  • Support channels are documentation and community.
  • Its core focus is illustration and comics rather than general photo editing.
  • The $0.99 monthly starting price applies to the PRO plan, not every edition.
  • Perpetual licenses are limited to Windows and macOS and cover Version 5.0.
Our verdict

Pixelmator Pro brings photo editing and creative design tools to Mac and iPad, aimed at photographers, designers, illustrators, and other creators. Its workflow centers on layers and includes RAW editing, color adjustments, masking,…

Read the review →

Clip Studio Paint is digital art software for illustrators, comic and manga artists, concept artists, designers, and animators. On Mac, it offers raster and vector drawing, customizable brushes, editable vector linework, layers, masks, 3D…

Read the review →
  1. Pixelmator ProPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 8.830-day trial
  2. Clip Studio PaintPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Pixelmator Pro — where it wins

    • Edits RAW files with RAW layers and nondestructive layer-based workflows.
    • Combines masking, retouching, vector tools, templates, and typography.
    • Syncs editing across Mac and iPad through Apple’s ecosystem.

    Where it doesn't

    • The one-time purchase option is for Mac; Apple Creator Studio is subscription-based.
    • The app is limited to Apple platforms: macOS and iOS.
    • Support channels are documentation and community.

  • Clip Studio Paint — where it wins

    • Combines raster and vector drawing with customizable brushes and editable vector linework.
    • Comic tools include paneling, speech balloons, tones, and multi-page projects.
    • The EX plan adds multi-page management and full-length 2D animation features.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its core focus is illustration and comics rather than general photo editing.
    • The $0.99 monthly starting price applies to the PRO plan, not every edition.
    • Perpetual licenses are limited to Windows and macOS and cover Version 5.0.

More comparisons

All photoshop alternatives for mac comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update