Adobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading photography solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Adobe Photoshop if you need Advanced photo editing and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Pixelmator Pro if you prioritize ML-powered editing and want plans starting at $49.99/once. Pixelmator Pro has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.5).
Adobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro: At a Glance
| Criteria | Adobe Photoshop | Pixelmator Pro |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Pricing | $22.99/month | $49.99/once |
| Pricing Model | subscription | perpetual |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Ipad | Mac |
| Category | Photography | Photography |
| Founded | 1982 | 2007 |
Feature Comparison: Adobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro
| Feature | Adobe Photoshop | Pixelmator Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced photo editing | ||
| Layer-based editing | ||
| Selection tools | ||
| Color correction | ||
| Digital painting | ||
| 3D design | ||
| Typography tools | ||
| Batch processing | ||
| Adobe Creative Cloud | ||
| Lightroom | ||
| Illustrator | ||
| After Effects | ||
| Stock photos | ||
| Behance | ||
| Creative Cloud Libraries | ||
| ML-powered editing | ||
| Non-destructive editing | ||
| RAW support | ||
| Layer styles | ||
| Color adjustments | ||
| Photos app | ||
| iCloud | ||
| Apple Silicon optimization | ||
| Sandboxed app | ||
| No data collection | ||
| Mac support |
Adobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro: Pricing Breakdown
Adobe Photoshop Pricing
Model: subscription
- Photoshop
- Lightroom
- 20GB cloud storage
- Portfolio website
- Photoshop desktop
- Photoshop on iPad
- 100GB cloud storage
- Premium fonts
- 20+ Creative Cloud apps
- 100GB cloud storage
- Portfolio website
- Premium fonts
Pixelmator Pro Pricing
Model: perpetual
- Full software access
- Free updates
- All features included
Pros and Cons
Adobe Photoshop
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Windows, Macos, Ipad)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Advanced photo editing functionality
- Strong Layer-based editing functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Pixelmator Pro
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.7/5)
- Rich feature set with 11+ capabilities
- Strong ML-powered editing functionality
- Strong Non-destructive editing functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Mac only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Adobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro?
Choose Adobe Photoshop if you:
- Need Advanced photo editing
- Have a budget of $22.99/month+
- Work primarily on Windows and Macos
- Value Layer-based editing
Choose Pixelmator Pro if you:
- Need ML-powered editing
- Have a budget of $49.99/once+
- Work primarily on Mac
- Value Non-destructive editing
Frequently Asked Questions: Adobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro
Is Adobe Photoshop better than Pixelmator Pro?
It depends on your needs. Adobe Photoshop has a 4.5/5 user rating while Pixelmator Pro has 4.7/5. Adobe Photoshop excels in Advanced photo editing and Layer-based editing, while Pixelmator Pro stands out with ML-powered editing and Non-destructive editing. Consider your budget ($22.99/month vs $49.99/once), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Adobe Photoshop or Pixelmator Pro?
Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99/month. Pixelmator Pro starts at $49.99/once. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Adobe Photoshop and Pixelmator Pro together?
While both are photography tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core photography needs.
What are the main differences between Adobe Photoshop and Pixelmator Pro?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs perpetual), platform support (Windows, Macos, Ipad vs Mac), and feature focus. Adobe Photoshop emphasizes Advanced photo editing, Layer-based editing, Selection tools while Pixelmator Pro focuses on ML-powered editing, Non-destructive editing, RAW support. User ratings differ slightly: 4.5 vs 4.7 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Adobe Photoshop and Pixelmator Pro.