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Head-to-head · Photoshop Alternatives for Mac

Pixelmator Pro vs GIMP

  • 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
GIMP #3 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit GIMP

Pixelmator Pro leads on 0 checks, GIMP on 1, and 0 are 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 planonly GIMP
  • Free trialonly Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro scores higher on our rubric for photoshop alternatives for mac: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

GIMP offers free plan; Pixelmator Pro doesn't.

Pixelmator Pro is the better fit for mac users seeking polished photo editing and design. GIMP is the better fit for users who want a free, open-source editor.

  • Pixelmator Pro fits best

    Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design

  • GIMP fits best

    Users who want a free, open-source editor

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 ↗ GIMP 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.5
Ranking #2 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac #3 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design Users who want a free, open-source editor
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $29.99/yr Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms macOS, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs, Community Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Pixelmator Pro 0/6 · GIMP 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.
  • Layers, masks, selections and filters support detailed image composition.
  • Scripting and command-line operations enable batch processing.
  • Plug-ins extend its capabilities across Windows, macOS and Linux.
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.
  • It does not natively process camera RAW files.
  • It is a desktop editor rather than a web-based tool.
  • Support channels listed are documentation.
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 →

GIMP is a free, open-source desktop image editor for photographers, designers, illustrators and others creating or editing raster images. Available for macOS, Windows and Linux, it covers retouching, restoration, compositing and graphic…

Read the review →
  1. Pixelmator ProPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 8.830-day trial
  2. GIMPPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 8.5Free plan

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.

  • GIMP — where it wins

    • Layers, masks, selections and filters support detailed image composition.
    • Scripting and command-line operations enable batch processing.
    • Plug-ins extend its capabilities across Windows, macOS and Linux.

    Where it doesn't

    • It does not natively process camera RAW files.
    • It is a desktop editor rather than a web-based tool.
    • Support channels listed are documentation.

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