Head-to-head · Pixel Art Software
Pro Motion NG vs Pixen
Pro Motion NG leads on 0 checks, Pixen on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scorePro Motion NG · 8.7/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresPro Motion NG · 5 of 5
Pro Motion NG scores higher on our rubric for pixel art software: 8.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #21.
Pro Motion NG is the better fit for pixel artists needing palette and tilemap depth. Pixen is the better fit for mac and iOS pixel-art workflows.
- Pro Motion NG fits best
Pixel artists needing palette and tilemap depth
- Pixen fits best
Mac and iOS pixel-art workflows
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Side by side
| Feature | Pro Motion NG 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | Pixen 7.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 7.1 |
| Ranking | #7 in Pixel Art Software | #21 in Pixel Art Software |
| Best for | Pixel artists needing palette and tilemap depth | Mac and iOS pixel-art workflows |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $19 one-time | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | macOS, iOS |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs | Docs |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 1 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features Pro Motion NG 5/5 · Pixen 4/5 | ||
| Animation timeline | ✓ | ✓ |
| Indexed color tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sprite-sheet export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Onion skinning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilemap tools | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS via Wine, Linux via Wine | macOS, iOS |
| Export formats | BMP, PNG, JPEG, TGA, GIF | PNG, JPEG, GIF, ICO, BMP, TIFF, SVG, PSD, APNG, MP4, MOV, sprite sheets |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Pro Motion NG is desktop software for creating pixel-art images, animations, sprites, tilesets and level maps. It is aimed at pixel artists, game developers, educators and studios producing graphics for games, handheld systems and web… Read the review → |
Pixen is a native pixel-art and animation editor for macOS and iOS. It is aimed at artists creating low-resolution raster artwork, game sprites, animated frames, palettes, and spritesheets. Its toolset covers drawing and selection, layers,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Pro Motion NG — where it wins
- Indexed palettes, tilemaps, tilesets and bitmap font tools
- Animation timeline with key frames, delays and onion skinning
- Commercial-use free edition and a $19 one-time full license
Where it doesn't
- The Free Edition has limited features
- macOS and Linux run the Windows application through Wine
- Wine compatibility limitations may affect non-Windows setups
Pixen — where it wins
- Animation tools include onion skinning, filmstrip view, and broad exports
- Layers, palettes, grids, patterns, and pixel-perfect drawing support detailed work
- iCloud synchronization connects projects across macOS and iOS
Where it doesn't
- Designed for macOS and iOS rather than broader platform coverage
- The Pro plan is required to unlock all features and file types
- It does not include AI features
- Pro Motion NG8.7/10 · Free plan
A deep pixel-art toolkit with a free edition and a low-cost one-time full license.
Visit Pro Motion NGFull verdict → - Pixen7.1/10 · Free plan
A focused pixel-art editor with animation, export, and Mac–iOS synchronization.
Visit PixenFull verdict →
Pro Motion NG vs Pixen: questions
Which is better for pixel art software, Pro Motion NG or Pixen?
Pro Motion NG scores higher on our rubric for pixel art software: 8.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #21.
How do Pro Motion NG and Pixen compare?
All 6 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.
Do Pro Motion NG and Pixen have a free plan?
Pro Motion NG: Yes. Pixen: Yes.
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All pixel art software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update