Photo & Video

Best Apps Like Pixelmator Pro in 2026

Edit photos, create graphics, and retouch images with ML-powered tools designed exclusively for Mac.

Why People Look for Pixelmator Pro Alternatives

Pixelmator Pro was acquired by Apple in 2024, creating uncertainty about the product's long-term direction.
CMYK color mode support has historically been limited, which is a dealbreaker for print designers.
Some advanced retouching workflows (e.g., frequency separation) are not as well-supported as in Photoshop.
The iPad version (Pixelmator for iPad) has fewer features than the Mac version.

6 Best Alternatives to Pixelmator Pro

Each app below addresses a specific gap in Pixelmator Pro's offering. We picked them based on real user review patterns and feature differentiation.

Adobe Photoshop

The industry standard for photo editing and digital art.

Adobe Photoshop is the most widely used professional image editor, supporting layers, masking, retouching, compositing, and print-ready CMYK workflows. Available on Mac, Windows, and iPad.

Professional photographers and designers who need industry-standard tools and full CMYK support. From $22.99/month (Creative Cloud)
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Affinity Photo 2

Professional photo editing without a subscription.

Affinity Photo 2 is a professional-grade photo editor with full CMYK support, RAW editing, focus stacking, HDR merging, and advanced retouching tools. One-time purchase on Mac, Windows, and iPad.

Professional retouchers who want Photoshop-level features without a monthly subscription. $69.99 one-time (Mac/Windows); $18.49 (iPad)
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Darkroom

Fast photo and video editor for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Darkroom is a non-destructive photo editor with RAW support, custom filters, batch editing, and a polished mobile-first interface. It integrates with Photos and Files.

Photographers who want a fast, non-destructive RAW editor with great mobile and Mac integration. Free with Darkroom+ subscription at $19.99/year
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GIMP

Free and open-source raster image editor.

GIMP is a free, open-source image editor available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It supports layers, masks, scripting, and a wide range of plugins.

Users who need a free, powerful image editor with no subscription or purchase cost. Free (open source)
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Photomator

Machine learning photo editor for iPhone, iPad, and Mac from the Pixelmator team.

Photomator is the photography companion app from Pixelmator, focused on photo editing rather than graphic creation. It features ML-powered automatic adjustments and deep Photos library integration.

Mac and iPhone users who want AI-assisted photo editing deeply integrated with the Photos app. $29.99/year subscription
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Sketch

Vector design tool for UI/UX and digital design on Mac.

Sketch is a vector-focused design tool for Mac, primarily used for UI/UX design, icon creation, and digital asset production. It is not a photo editor but overlaps for graphic design workflows.

UI/UX designers who use Pixelmator Pro primarily for interface and digital graphic work. From $9/month
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How we found these alternatives

Pixelmator Pro is highly regarded among Mac users who want a powerful Photoshop alternative without a subscription, offering deep macOS integration and ML-based editing features.

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