Pixelmator Pro vs Krita

Pixelmator Pro8.8Visit Krita7.9Visit

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

vs

Krita #6 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Krita

• Pixelmator Pro fits best

  Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design

• Krita fits best

  Digital painters and animators on Mac

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Side by side

Feature	Pixelmator Pro 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Krita 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	7.9
Ranking	#2 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac	#6 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for	Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design	Digital painters and animators on Mac
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$29.99/yr	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	macOS, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Docs, Community	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Pixelmator Pro 0/6 · Krita 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.	Configurable brush engines, painting assistants and stabilizers Layers, masks, vector tools and reusable document templates Frame-by-frame animation with export to image sequences and video
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 painting focus is less suited to broad photo-editing workflows Support channels are community resources and documentation Store editions on some platforms are paid, unlike the free download
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 →	For illustrators, comic artists, concept artists and texture painters, Krita is a free, open-source painting program with a desktop app for macOS as well as Windows and Linux. It also has Android builds. Its toolset is centered on making… Read the review →

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.

• Krita — where it wins

  • Configurable brush engines, painting assistants and stabilizers
  • Layers, masks, vector tools and reusable document templates
  • Frame-by-frame animation with export to image sequences and video

  Where it doesn't

  • Its painting focus is less suited to broad photo-editing workflows
  • Support channels are community resources and documentation
  • Store editions on some platforms are paid, unlike the free download

• Pixelmator Pro8.8/10 · 30-day trial

  A Mac-focused Photoshop alternative with RAW layers, masking, and a one-time purchase option.

  Visit Pixelmator ProFull verdict →
• Krita7.9/10 · Free plan

  A free Mac painting and animation app with configurable brushes, layers and color tools.

  Visit KritaFull verdict →