Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Classic

Modern single‑window interface

Palette-based interface

Dark and light appearances

Dark appearance

Runs natively on M1 Macs

Translated using Rosetta 2 on M1 Macs

Modern painting engine with dual‑texture brushes and realistic paint blending

Classic painting engine with single‑texture brushes

Extensive collection of nondestructive color adjustments and native RAW editing

Destructive color adjustments, RAWs imported as regular images

Enhanced vector editing tools, SVG import and export

Vector editing tools, no vector format import or export

Photos extension with every Pixelmator Pro tool (over 40 tools) and ability to save edits nondestructively

Two extensions with a selection of retouching and reshaping tools (12 tools)

Metal 2-powered image editing engine

OpenGL-powered image editing engine

Single-window interface

Palette-based UI

Dark and light appearances

Dark appearance

Hidden interface mode

GPU-accelerated zooming and scrolling with asynchronous rendering

Image preview must be fully rendered before zooming

Canvas rotation

Zoom tool with navigator

Zoom tool

Intelligent automatic image centering with ability to scroll image beyond edges of app window

Automatic centering, no scrolling beyond document window

Designed using native macOS interface elements

Custom UI elements

Customizable interface, including toolbar, tool list, and sidebar position

Customizable tools palette

Workspace presets created for photography, illustration, painting, and design as well as the ability to create custom presets

Interactive split comparison view for comparing nondestructive edits

Toolbar color well with primary and secondary colors and ability to quickly swap them

Pixel grid

Available in 12 languages

Available in 5 languages

Tools available in app menu for keyboard shortcut customization

Video tooltips that appear when hovering over tools

Create designs using text, shape, image, RAW, color adjustments, and effects layers

Create designs using text, shape, and image layers

Hide, lock, and group layers

Hide, lock, and group layers

Adjust layer opacity and blend layers using 26 blending modes

Adjust layer opacity and blend layers using 26 blending modes

Live blending mode previews

Use color adjustments and effects layers to nondestructively change the look of entire layered compositions

Adjust size of layer thumbnails

Mask layers using layer masks and clipping masks

Mask layers using layer masks and clipping masks

Automatically remove the background from any image using an AI-powered algorithm

Decontaminate colors at the edges of object that have been cut out from other images

Apply clipping masks to group layers

Open masks included in photos taken in Portrait mode

Open masks included in photos taken in Portrait mode

Automatic, machine learning-powered layer naming

Tag layers using color tags

Search layer list

Filter layers according to layer type or tag

Copy styles, adjustments, and effects between layers

Copy styles between layers

Replace image layers while keeping all their nondestrutive edits

Choose image scaling algorithm (Bilinear, Lanczos, Nearest Neighbor, and ML Super Resolution) when resizing images and transforming layers

Bilinear scaling used for images and layers (nearest neighbor resizing available as a hidden option for image resizing)

Soft proof images using a variety of color profiles

Soft proof images using a variety of color profiles

Convert image colors to RGB, CMYK, and Grayscale color profiles when exporting

Increase the resolution of images using the machine learning-powered ML Super Resolution

Adjust image colors using White Balance, Lightness (Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Brightness, Contrast, Black Point), Hue & Saturation, Color Balance, Selective Color, Levels, Curves, Replace Color, Fade, Black & White, Color Monochrome, Sepia, Channel Mixer, Invert, Custom LUT, Vignette, Sharpen, and Grain adjustments

Adjust image colors using Brightness, Levels, Curves, Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Hue, Colorize, Replace Color, Color Balance, Channels, Invert, Desaturate, Black & White, and Sepia Tone adjustments

Nondestructive color adjustments

Destructive color adjustments

Save color adjustment presets and share them with others

Over 40 color adjustment presets designed by the Pixelmator Team included by default

Live, always visible histogram with RGB, Luminance, and Colors views

View static histogram when applying certain adjustments

Intelligent, machine learning-powered image enhancement based on a photo’s contents

Algorithmic image enhancement based on colors

Intelligent color matching of different photos using Core ML-powered algorithm

Full RAW editing including extended dynamic range

RAW images imported as 16-bit without extended dynamic range

RAW layers

Support for Apple ProRAW photos

High-precision algorithms to prevent artifacts

White Balance adjustment

Ability to adjust luminance using Levels and Curves

Shadows and highlights can be both lightened and darkened

Shadows can only be lightened, highlights can only be darkened

Wheel-based Color Balance adjustment inspired by professional color grading using in cinema and video industry

Slider-based Color Balance

Selective Color adjustment with a Color histogram that displays the amount of each color range

Hue adjustment for editing colors selectively with the ability to choose the size of the selected range

Replace Color adjustment replaces any color

Replace Color adjustment replaces colors except black, white, and shades of grey

Custom LUT adjustment to apply LUT files to images, live previews for LUTs, a built-in collection of LUT files, and the ability to convert LUTs into adjustments using machine learning

Grain adjustment that realistically applies film-style grain

Double-click to reset sliders

Intelligent noise removal using Core ML

Blur-based noise reduction

Automatic layer selection

Automatic layer selection

Choose whether to automatically select individual layers or layer groups

Drag to select multiple layers

Nondestructively resize layers, resetting them to original size at any time

Align and distribute layers

Align and distribute layers

Set exact layer position and angle using coordinates

Quick commands for flipping and rotating layers

Quick commands for flipping and rotating layers

Change position of layer in layer stack

Use rulers and persistent guides to position layers

Use rulers and persistent guides to position layers

Change color of persistent guides

Use dynamic smart guides to align and position layers

Use dynamic smart guides to align and position layers

Change color of smart guides

Change color of smart guides

Freely resize image, shape, and text layers

Freely resize image, shape, and text layers

Skew, distort, and change perspective of image, shape, and text layers

Skew, distort, and change perspective of image layers

Nondestructively skew and distort text and shape layers

Transform layers using 4 algorithms – Bilinear, Lanczos, Nearest Neighbor, and ML Super Resolution

View transform grid

Nondestructively change between transform modes

Adjust perspective using sliders

View warning and reset transformation when it is mathematically impossible

GPU-powered painting engine

CPU-powered painting engine

Dual-texture brushes with advanced painting dynamics

Single-texture brushes

Realistic watercolor paint blending

Full graphics tablet support, including ability to control brush size and opacity using pen pressure as well as angle and size using tilt

Graphics tablet support with ability to use pen pressure to control brush size, scatter, or flow

Adjustable brush stroke smoothing that reduces unintended shake when painting

Automatically paint brush strokes along paths, shapes, selections, and image layers using Stroke with Brush

Simulate tablet pressure when painting brush strokes automatically

36 brush customization controls

22 brush customization controls

Over 100 brush presets, including a variety of paintbrushes, pencils, crayons, sprays, markers, watercolors, and more

50 brush presets, mostly abstract and pattern-based brushes

Max brush size of 5000 pixels

Max brush size of 1000 pixels

Support for Adobe Photoshop brushes

Support for Adobe Photoshop brushes

Export brushes and brush collections

Export brushes

Choose from over 70 nondestructive effects

Choose from over 100 destructive effects

Nondestructively apply effects to layer masks, clippings masks, text, and shape layers

Destructively apply effects to image layers

Save effect combinations as effect presets to use in any image and share effect presets with others

6 effect preset collections with over 40 presets come with Pixelmator Pro

Batch apply effect presets to images using Shortcuts actions

9 Blur effects: Gaussian, Box, Disc, Motion, Zoom, Spin, Bokeh, Tilt-Shift, Focus

6 Blur effects: Gaussian, Motion, Zoom, Median, Soften, Miniaturize

8 Distortion effects: Bump, Pinch, Displacement Map, Circle Splash, Hole, Light Tunnel, Twirl, Vortex

15 Distortion effects: Bump, Linear Bump, Pinch, Hole, Ripple, Page Curl, Capsule, Glass Ring, Circle Splash, Displacement, Glass, Bar Swipe, Twirl, Vortex, Circular Wrap

2 Sharpen effects: Sharpen, Sharpen Luminance

3 Sharpen effects: Sharpen, Edges, Unsharp

9 Color Adjustment effects: Exposure Adjust, Color Controls, Hue Adjust, Color Monochrome, Sepia Tone, False Color, Gradient Map, Invert, Threshold (A significantly extended collection of color adjustments is available in the Color Adjustments tool)

13 Color Adjustment effects: Levels, Auto Enhance, Curves, Color Balance, Brightness, Hue, Desaturate, Colorize, Replace Color, Channels, Exposure, Invert, Light & Dark

15 Tile effects: Kaleidoscope, Triangle Kaleidoscope, Snowflake, Tessera, Pinwheel, Shutters, Brickwork, Op, Funhouse, Lattice, Windmill, Triangle, Hexagon, Affine, Perspective

15 Tile effects: Kaleidoscope, Triangle, Brickwork, Hexagon, Pinwheel, Bug Eye, Shutters, Windmill, Snowflake, Funhouse, Tessera, Perspective, Affine Clamp, Affine, Mirror

13 Stylize effects: Light Leak, Bokeh, Vignette, Pixelate, Pointillize, Crystallize, Bloom, Gloom, Spot Light, Posterize, Grain, Noise, Comics

20 Stylize effects: Crystallize, Honeycomb, Pixelate, Pointillize, Noise, Rain, Snow, Vintage, Light Leak, Twilight, Fog, Gloom, Spotlight, Coating, Edge Work, Sketch, Edges, Comics, Threshold

5 Halftone effects: Circular Screen, CMYK Halftone, Dot Screen, Hatched Screen, Line Screen

5 Halftone effects: Circular, Hatched, Line, Dot, CMYK

6 Generator effects: Checkerboard, Stripes, Halo, Star, Sunbeams, Clouds

9 Generator effects: Chess, Bars, Stroke, Halo, Sunbeams, Star Shine, Fill, Clouds, Random

4 Fill effects: Color, Gradient, Pattern, Image

3 Other effects: Perspective Transform, Mask to Alpha, High Pass

23 Other effects: Black and White, Sepia Tone, Gamma, Swipe, Vibrance, False Color, Mask to Alpha, Mosaic Flip, Fall, Wall, Defocus, Image Hose, Grid, Floor, Gradient, Forms, Projectile, Photocopy, Cube, Dissolve, Mask, Mod, Push, Swing

Create effects from custom Core Image units

Retouch images using Repair, Clone, Lighten, Darken, Saturate, Desaturate, Sharpen, Soften, and Smudge tools (renamed for ease of use)

Retouch images using Repair, Clone Stamp, Sharpen, Blur, Dodge, Burn, Sponge, and Smudge tools

Revert retouching changes while editing

Retouch shadows, midtones, and highlights individually when using Soften and Sharpen tools

Reshape images using Warp, Bump, Pinch, and Twirl tools

Reshape images using Warp, Bump, Pinch, and Twirl tools

Revert reshaping changes while editing

Support for using multi-touch gestures

Select image areas using the Rectangular Selection, Elliptical Selection, Row Selection, Column Selection, Free Selection, Polygonal Selection, Magnetic Selection, Quick Selection, and Color Selection tools

Select image areas using the Rectangular Marquee, Elliptical Marquee, Column Marquee, Row Marquee, Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Selection, Quick Selection, and Color Selection tools

Use the Select Subject feature to automatically select the main subject of images with a click

Make advanced selections of hair, fur, and other objects with complex edges using a dedicated Select and Mask tool

Output selections to new layers and masks

View selections and masks as colored overlays

Use the machine learning-enhanced Quick Selection tool to quickly make accurate selections

Use the machine learning-enhanced Quick Selection tool to quickly make accurate selections

Make selections using New, Add, Subtract, and Intersect modes

Make selections using New, Add, Subtract, and Intersect modes

Automatically smooth selection edges or keep them pixel-sharp

Automatically smooth selection edges or keep them pixel-sharp

Refine selections to resize them and adjust their softness and roundness

Refine selections to resize them and adjust their softness and roundness

Improve selections automatically using an updated, AI-powered Smart Refine algorithm designed to make accurate selections of complex edges like hair and fur

Improve selections automatically with Smart Refine and Edge Detection

Resize and move selections as you draw them

Transform selections using the Free Transform tool

Transform selections using the Free Transform tool

Draw selections in Quick Mask mode

Load layers as selection

Load layers as selection

Make selections of noncontiguous color ranges

Make selections of noncontiguous color ranges

Optimized selection outline design for improved accuracy and performance

Draw shapes using Pen and Freeform Pen tools

Draw shapes using Pen and Freeform Pen tools

Import and export vectors in SVG

Add and quickly customize pre-made Smart Shapes

Add and quickly customize pre-made Smart Shapes

10 shape collections with over 200 shapes

1 shape collection with 33 shapes

Convert selections into shapes

Convert selections into shapes

Merge shape components

View, edit, and remove individual shape paths in Layers sidebar

Save shapes to Shapes palette and share shapes with others

Save shapes to Shapes palette and share shapes with others

Apply effects and color adjustments to shapes nondestructively

Rasterize shapes before using effects or adjustments

Support for SF Symbols

Add and customize text using a full set of typography tools

Add and customize text using a full set of typography tools

Type text on paths and shapes to create curved or circular text text

Automatically identify and replace missing fonts

Convert text layers into vector shapes or pixels

Convert text layers into vector shapes or pixels

Save custom text styles as presets

SVG font support

SVG font support

Adjust paragraph spacing and indents

Adjust letter spacing between two characters

Automatically load newly-installed fonts while app is open

Type into rotated text boxes

Style layers using Stroke, Fill, Shadow, and Inner Shadow layer styles

Style layers using Stroke, Fill, Shadow, Inner Shadow, and Reflection layer styles

Nondestructive style layers

Nondestructive style layers

Save and share layer style presets

Save and share layer style presets

Apply multiple layer styles of the same type to a single layer

Open and save images in PSD, JPEG, HEIF, TIFF, PNG, SVG, WebP, PDF, GIF, BMP, JPEG-2000 formats

Open and save images in PSD, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, WebP, PDF, GIF, BMP, TGA, JPEG-2000 formats

Supports Photoshop images with layers

Supports Photoshop images with layers

Supports layered TIFFs with embedded PSDs

Supports PSB files (very large Adobe Photoshop documents)

Preserve vectors as shape layers when opening and exporting PSDs

Supports advanced PSD features such as certain adjustment layers, effect layers, and more

Export 16-bit PSDs

Export PSDs optimized for Apple pro apps like Final Cut Pro and Motion

Export files in Motion format to easily create motion graphics from your Pixelmator Pro designs

Open Portrait mode iPhone photos with included portrait mask

Convert images to CMYK or grayscale colors when exporting

Slice tool with standard slices and object-based slices

Slice tool with standard slices

Optimized live preview of image and slices

Optimized live preview of image and slices

View slices in Slice list

Advanced PNG compression with up to 60% size reduction with no drop in quality

Export images and slices at multiple scale factors

Export images and slices in multiple formats

Create export presets

Quickly export optimized images from the Share menu

High-quality dithering for indexed PNGs and GIFs

Full support for Shortcuts for Mac with 28 image editing actions

9 Automator actions: Apply Color Adjustments to Images, Apply Effects to Images, Auto Enhance Images, Auto White Balance Images, Change Type of Images, Denoise Images, Increase Resolution of Images, Scale Images, Trim Images

5 Automator actions: Change Type of Images, Crop Images, Fit Images, Trim Images, Watermark Images

Batch edit images using custom settings for every color adjustment and effect

RAW and layered PSD files supported for batch editing

Batch edits can be exported to PXD for further manual fine-tuning

Extensive AppleScript support with almost every feature exposed in the Pixelmator Pro scripting dictionary