Compositor
Free, open-source Mac image editor modelled on a Photoshop-style compositing workflow.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About Compositor
Compositor is a free, open-source image editor for the Mac, built by an independent developer who wanted something that felt closer to Photoshop than GIMP does. It focuses on compositing and post-processing: stacking images on layers, organising them in folders, and masking and blending them into a finished picture. The feature list covers layer masks, clipping masks, blend modes, adjustment layers and selection tools, plus filters such as Gaussian and motion blur, lens correction, grain, liquify, spot healing, clone stamp and background removal. Because the Xcode project is public under the MIT licence, you can build it yourself and change features. It is a young, one-person project, so expect fewer file formats, plugins, tutorials and community help than the established editors. There is no Windows, Linux or iPad version. It suits Mac users who want a familiar layer-based editor without a subscription.
Best for: Mac users who want a free, Photoshop-like layer editor for compositing.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and MIT-licensed, no subscription
- Layer masks, clipping masks, adjustment layers and blend modes
- Retouching tools such as healing, clone stamp and liquify
Why people leave
- Mac only
- Young one-person project with a small community
- No plugin ecosystem or large tutorial library like GIMP or Photoshop
Top Compositor alternatives
See all 6- 1
Pixelmator Pro68.8Polished native Mac editor with layers and ML tools, for a one-time purchase instead of free.
- 2
GIMP64.8Free, open-source and cross-platform, with far more plugins and tutorials, at the cost of a less Photoshop-like feel.
- 3
Photopea59.7Free browser editor that closely copies Photoshop's layout and opens PSD files on any computer.
- 4AcAcorn57.5
Long-running indie Mac editor with layers and filters, sold as a low one-time purchase.
- 5
Adobe Photoshop55.9The industry standard, if you need its full toolset, plugins and file compatibility.
Why people left Compositor
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Compositor: common questions
Is Compositor free?
Yes. Compositor is free, open-source software.
Is Compositor open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at robbietilton/Compositor.
What platforms does Compositor run on?
Compositor is available for macOS.
What are the best alternatives to Compositor?
The highest-ranked Compositor alternatives right now are Pixelmator Pro, GIMP and Photopea. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.