Pixelmator Pro
Layer-based image and photo editor for macOS, now owned by Apple.
Recommended as an intuitive, quick-loading native Mac image editor12 and as a one-time-purchase alternative to Photoshop.345 The most common caveat is that it is Mac-only, with no Linux version67, and it lacks some advanced tools like puppet mesh warp.8
Why people recommend it
Intuitive interface · 2
Commenters call its layer-based interface very intuitive and lightweight.
“Pixelmator - 1000%. Native MacOS - quick to load and very intuitive layer-based paint interface.”
“closest lightweight super-intuitive alternative to Paint.net I've ever messed around with”
Photoshop alternative · 2
Commenters suggest it to people leaving Photoshop, both casual users and some pros.
“Pixelmator - 1000%. Native MacOS - quick to load and very intuitive layer-based paint interface.”
“For casual users and likely some pro users, there’s still Pixelmator Pro and Acorn.”
One-time purchase · 2
It is sold for $50 as a one-time purchase rather than a subscription.
“You can otherwise buy Pixelmator Pro for $50 from Apple.”
“Pixelmator - 1000%. Native MacOS - quick to load and very intuitive layer-based paint interface.”
Native and fast · 1
It is a native macOS app that loads quickly.
“Pixelmator - 1000%. Native MacOS - quick to load and very intuitive layer-based paint interface.”
Caveats and dissent
Mac-only · 2
It is not available on Linux, which former Mac users say they miss.
“closest lightweight super-intuitive alternative to Paint.net I've ever messed around with”
“The other app was pixelmator”
Missing advanced tools · 1
It lacks some fancier features such as puppet mesh warp.
“Pixelmator - 1000%. Native MacOS - quick to load and very intuitive layer-based paint interface.”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Software may be getting worse, but it used to be horrible 1 mention
- Seam Cutter 1 mention
- Paint.net 5.2 alpha now runs on Linux 1 mention
- LittleSnitch for Linux 1 mention
- GrobPaint: Somewhere Between MS Paint and Paint.net. Multiplatform by Default 1 mention
- Affinity enshittification: How Canva's "Four Pledges" aged like milk 1 mention
Also written as Pixelmator. Data: pixelmator-pro.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 6
“You can otherwise buy Pixelmator Pro for $50 from Apple.”
“I use a tool called Pixelmator Pro for this”
“closest lightweight super-intuitive alternative to Paint.net I've ever messed around with”
“The other app was pixelmator”
“Pixelmator - 1000%. Native MacOS - quick to load and very intuitive layer-based paint interface.”
“For casual users and likely some pro users, there’s still Pixelmator Pro and Acorn.”