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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
1Adobe Photoshop logoAdobe PhotoshopPaidNoWindows, macOS, Web +25 of 562.6
2AcAcornPaidNomacOS4 of 459.6
3Photomator logoPhotomatorPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 457.2
4GIMP logoGIMPOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.3
5Affinity logoAffinityFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS0 of 044.0
  1. Adobe Photoshop logo

    1. Adobe PhotoshopTop pick

    Best for: Professionals who need the standard retouching and compositing tool and PSD compatibility

    PaidWindows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pixelmator Pro

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

    Pros

    • Deepest retouching, masking and compositing toolset available
    • PSD is the de facto exchange format for layered images
    • Generative Fill and other AI tools built into the normal workflow
    • Huge pool of tutorials, plug-ins and trained users

    Cons

    • Subscription only, with no perpetual licence
    • Steep learning curve for occasional users
    • Heavy on system resources for large documents
    Visit Adobe Photoshop Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    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 Adobe Photoshop a good Pixelmator Pro alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Purchase options
    Subscription only (Creative Cloud)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund window
    14 days after trial ends
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free mobile version
    Yes, with paid premium features
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Generative AI
    Generative Fill and Generative Expand
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Ac

    2. Acorn

    Best for: Mac users who want a capable, inexpensive editor without a subscription

    PaidmacOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pixelmator Pro

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

    Pros

    • One-time purchase from an independent developer
    • Non-destructive filters, layers and vector tools
    • Automation with Shortcuts and AppleScript

    Cons

    • Mac only
    • No AI generative tools
    • Less depth than Pixelmator Pro or Affinity
    Visit Acorn Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    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 Acorn a good Pixelmator Pro alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Subscription
    None (one-time purchase)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flyingmeat.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flyingmeat.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    macOS 14 Sonoma or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flyingmeat.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Developer
    Flying Meat (independent)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flyingmeat.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Photomator logo

    3. Photomator

    Best for: Apple users who want serious photo edits without leaving their Photos library

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pixelmator Pro

    Same team's photo-focused editor for Apple Photos libraries and batch editing.

    Pros

    • Edits the Apple Photos library directly with no import step
    • AI masks, Denoise and Repair tool built in
    • One licence across Mac, iPhone and iPad

    Cons

    • Apple platforms only
    • No layers for compositing
    • Long-term future less certain now Apple owns it
    Visit Photomator Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    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 Photomator a good Pixelmator Pro alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    RAW support
    750+ formats
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    One licence for Mac, iPad, iPhone and Vision Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apple Photos sync
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Batch editing
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. GIMP logo

    4. GIMP

    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)
  5. Affinity logo

    5. 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.