Pixelmator Pro review

Pixelmator Pro sits between slider editors and full Photoshop-style tools, and it is the friendliest layer-based editor on this list. Apple now owns it and sells it two ways: inside Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 a month or $129 a year after a 30-day trial, or as a one-time $49.99 purchase for the Mac. The photo tools are strong. RAW files open as editable layers, Super Resolution enlarges images while keeping them sharp, Intelligent Denoise cleans up noise, and the Repair and clone stamp tools remove dust or whole objects. Select and Mask picks out hair and fur, and Auto Crop and Auto Straighten suggest a frame. Over 60 nondestructive effects and adjustment layers cover creative work and graphics. What it does not do is organize: there is no catalog, so most people pair it with Apple Photos. It is also Apple only, with no Windows or iPhone app.

Who it is for

Mac and iPad owners who want layers, RAW and AI retouching without a big learning curve.

Price

Apple Creator Studio $12.99 per month or $129 per year after a free trial; Pixelmator Pro for Mac also sold once for $49.99.

After your free trial, new subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $129 per year.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Full RAW support, added as editable layers
• Super Resolution, Deband, Auto Enhance and Intelligent Denoise
• Repair and clone stamp tools for removing distractions
• Select and Mask that detects fine edges such as hair or fur
• Over 60 nondestructive effects and adjustment layers

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: One-time $49.99 Mac purchase avoids a subscription
• Strength: Works on both Mac and iPad
• Strength: Creator Studio bundle adds Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro
• Weakness: No Windows, Android or iPhone app
• Weakness: Creator Studio subscription is the only route to the iPad version for most buyers
• Weakness: No built-in photo library or catalog

Key facts

• Platforms: Mac, iPad
• One-time price: $49.99 for Mac
• Creator Studio: $12.99 per month or $129 per year
• Free trial: 30 days of Apple Creator Studio
• Student price: $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year

Where it ranks

Pixelmator Pro is No. 5 in our Best Photo Editing Apps verdict.