Pixelmator Pro review
A capable Apple-focused editor with layers, RAW support, and a one-time Mac option.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Pixelmator Pro is an image-editing and creative design application for Mac and iPad. It is aimed at photographers, designers, illustrators, and other Apple users who need RAW processing, nondestructive layer editing, compositing, color correction, retouching, masking, vector drawing, typography, templates, and mockups. Its feature set covers both photo work and broader graphics creation, making it suitable for users who want one application for images and design projects across Apple devices.
Pricing gives Mac users a straightforward ownership option: the Mac one-time purchase costs $49.99 USD and includes Pixelmator Pro for Mac. Apple Creator Studio adds Pixelmator Pro for Mac and iPad for $12.99 USD per month or $129 USD per year. New Apple Creator Studio subscribers receive a 30-day free trial. The Mac purchase is the lower-cost route for users who only need the desktop application, while the subscription is structured for users who also want the iPad version and the broader Apple Creator Studio offering.
Apple integration is a central part of the product’s fit. Pixelmator Pro works with Apple Photos, iCloud, Apple Creator Studio, and Universal Clipboard, and it supports export to JPEG, PNG, TIFF, HEIC, PSD, and SVG. RAW support for more than 750 formats, bitmap, vector, and clipping masks, selective color adjustments, and machine-learning-powered enhancement give it useful depth for individual image editing. Background removal and intelligent subject selection further support creative workflows. Users seeking Apple-native layer editing, RAW support, and design tools should consider it; users whose priority is batch editing should choose a tool oriented more directly around that workflow.
Pixelmator Pro pros and cons
- Where it wins
- RAW processing supports more than 750 RAW formats
- Nondestructive layers, masks, and compositing tools
- Machine-learning enhancement, denoise, and background removal
- Where it doesn't
- The one-time purchase applies to Mac, not iPad
- No free plan is available
- Its workflow is not focused on batch editing
Pixelmator Pro fact sheet, pricing and score →
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