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Head-to-head · Photoshop Alternatives for Mac

Pixelmator Pro vs Luminar Neo

  • 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
Luminar Neo #4 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Luminar Neo

Pixelmator Pro leads on 0 checks, Luminar Neo 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 trialboth

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 #4.

Pixelmator Pro is the better fit for mac users seeking polished photo editing and design. Luminar Neo is the better fit for mac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync.

  • Pixelmator Pro fits best

    Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design

  • Luminar Neo fits best

    Mac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync

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 ↗ Luminar Neo 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.9
Ranking #2 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac #4 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for Mac users seeking polished photo editing and design Mac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $29.99/yr $129 one-time
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days 7 days
Free trial length 30 days 7 days · no card needed
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms macOS, iOS Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs, Community Live chat, Email, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 3 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Pixelmator Pro 0/6 · Luminar Neo 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 RAW processing with non-destructive layers and several masking tools.
  • AI tools cover portrait retouching, generative edits and sky replacement.
  • Higher plans add mobile editing, cross-device editing and web galleries.
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.
  • No free plan; the trial lasts 7 days.
  • Desktop Only costs $129 USD as a one-time purchase.
  • Generative AI tools are included for one year with Desktop Only.
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 Mac photographers seeking an alternative to Photoshop, Luminar Neo pairs RAW photo processing and non-destructive layers with AI editing tools. Its editing toolkit includes brush, gradient, radial and AI masking, batch edits through…

Read the review →
  1. Pixelmator ProPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 8.830-day trial
  2. Luminar NeoPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.97-day trial

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.

  • Luminar Neo — where it wins

    • Combines RAW processing with non-destructive layers and several masking tools.
    • AI tools cover portrait retouching, generative edits and sky replacement.
    • Higher plans add mobile editing, cross-device editing and web galleries.

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the trial lasts 7 days.
    • Desktop Only costs $129 USD as a one-time purchase.
    • Generative AI tools are included for one year with Desktop Only.

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