AppBreakup
Submit an app

Pixelmator Pro alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Pixelmator Pro: apple devices only, and iPad version and some features need the Creator Studio subscription. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Pixelmator Pro, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Adobe Photoshop currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1GIMP logoGIMPOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.3
2Photopea logoPhotopeaFree plan + paidNoWeb2 of 345.5
3Affinity logoAffinityFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS0 of 044.0
  1. GIMP logo

    1. GIMPTop pick

    Best for: Anyone who wants a capable layered image editor at no cost, especially on Linux

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pixelmator Pro

    Free and open source, for Mac users who would rather not pay at all.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no account or licence fees
    • Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS
    • Extensible with scripts and plug-ins

    Cons

    • Interface and terms differ a lot from Photoshop
    • Limited CMYK and print-production support
    • Fewer AI-assisted tools than commercial editors
    Visit GIMP Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is GIMP a good Pixelmator Pro alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Licence
    GNU GPL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, macOS, Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Main uses
    Retouching, composition, image authoring
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Photopea logo

    2. Photopea

    Best for: Occasional photo editing and opening PSD files without Photoshop

    Free plan + paidWeb

    45.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pixelmator Pro

    Browser-based and free, handy for PSD editing on any machine.

    Pros

    • Free and runs in the browser
    • Opens PSD and many other formats
    • Familiar Photoshop-style interface

    Cons

    • Ads in the free version
    • Large files can be slow in the browser
    Visit Photopea Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.334
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Photopea a good Pixelmator Pro alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free with ads; premium removes ads
    Not checked yetphotopea.com(opens source in a new tab)
    PSD support
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026photopea.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Install required
    No (browser)
    Checked Oct 24, 2026photopea.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Affinity logo

    3. Affinity

    Best for: Designers who want professional vector, photo and layout tools without an Adobe subscription

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS

    44.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pixelmator Pro

    Free for individuals and also available on Windows, with deeper pro-level tools.

    Pros

    • Free for individuals with no subscription
    • Vector, pixel and layout tools in one app
    • Opens PSD, AI and IDML files with layers

    Cons

    • AI features need a paid Canva plan
    • Requires a Canva account to use
    • No iPad version yet after the merger
    Visit Affinity Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.360
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1515
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Affinity a good Pixelmator Pro alternative?

    Verified facts

    0 of 0 verified

    No sourced facts yet.

The best Pixelmator Pro alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Adobe Photoshop logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for most people

Adobe Photoshop

The full industry standard, if you need maximum features and cross-platform files.

GIMP logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for a free option

GIMP

Free and open source, for Mac users who would rather not pay at all.

Photopea logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Photopea

Browser-based and free, handy for PSD editing on any machine.

GIMP logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for open source

GIMP

Free and open source, for Mac users who would rather not pay at all.

Ac

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for Mac

Acorn

A smaller, cheaper Mac editor from an indie developer, bought once.

Affinity logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for Windows

Affinity

Free for individuals and also available on Windows, with deeper pro-level tools.

GIMP logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for Linux

GIMP

Free and open source, for Mac users who would rather not pay at all.

Adobe Photoshop logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for iPhone and Android

Adobe Photoshop

The full industry standard, if you need maximum features and cross-platform files.

Adobe Photoshop logo

Best Pixelmator Pro alternative for working in the browser

Adobe Photoshop

The full industry standard, if you need maximum features and cross-platform files.

Pixelmator Pro alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Pixelmator Pro?

Adobe Photoshop ranks first right now. The full industry standard, if you need maximum features and cross-platform files. Acorn and Photomator follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Pixelmator Pro?

Yes. GIMP (open source), Photopea (free plan + paid) and Affinity (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Pixelmator Pro?

Yes: GIMP.

Which Pixelmator Pro alternatives work on Linux?

GIMP runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Pixelmator Pro?

The complaints we hear most: apple devices only; iPad version and some features need the Creator Studio subscription; missing some advanced Photoshop features for pro retouching.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Pixelmator Pro, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.