Pixelmator Pro
Mac photo editor with built-in ML features — AI subject selection, remove tool, and neural filters.
Overview
Pixelmator Pro is a professional-grade photo and image editing app for macOS that uses Apple's Core ML framework to power a suite of AI features. It combines traditional layer-based editing comparable to Photoshop with AI-powered tools that leverage the Neural Engine in Apple Silicon Macs for fast on-device AI processing.
The ML-powered features include smart selection (automatically selecting subjects, objects, or backgrounds with a single click), Remove Tool (AI inpainting to erase objects seamlessly), Super Resolution (upscaling images with detail generation), Denoiser (AI noise reduction), and Background Removal. These features run entirely on-device using Apple's Neural Engine, making them private and extremely fast on modern Macs.
Pixelmator Pro was acquired by Apple in January 2024, raising speculation about its future integration into macOS. The app is available exclusively on the Mac App Store and is the most capable native macOS photo editor available. At a one-time price of $49.99, it is significantly cheaper than an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for users who only need photo editing.
Pricing
Pricing shown for reference only. These figures reflect RECATOOLS research as of 8 May 2026 and may be out of date or incomplete. This is not financial or purchasing advice — always confirm the current price on the provider’s official website before making any decision.
Use cases
ASEAN Perspective
Pixelmator Pro in Southeast Asia
ASEAN-region availability and pricing notes coming soon. Drop the editorial team a note via /contact/ if you can supply local context (Singapore/Malaysia/Indonesia/Thailand/Vietnam).
Pixelmator Pro is a polished, Mac-native image editor with a sensible set of machine-learning tools, ML Super Resolution, denoise, smart repair, subject and background selection, baked into a fast, GPU-accelerated app. Now part of Apple, it offers a Photoshop-style toolset at a one-time price (no subscription historically), with deep macOS integration and excellent performance on Apple Silicon.
It suits Mac users who want serious raster editing without Adobe's subscription, hobbyists and prosumers especially. Caveats: it is Mac-only (no Windows, Linux or web), the post-acquisition roadmap and pricing model carry some uncertainty, and pro retouchers with complex pipelines may still need Photoshop. ASEAN readiness is fine via the global Mac App Store, but platform lock-in to macOS is the real limiter, and there is no API.
Notable facts
- Apple acquired Pixelmator in January 2024, making it the most prominent creative app acquisition by Apple since Final Cut Pro in 1998.
- Pixelmator Pro's ML tools run entirely on-device using the Mac's Neural Engine — all AI processing is done locally with no cloud connectivity required.
- The Remove Tool was one of the first AI inpainting tools available in a desktop photo editor, predating Adobe's Generative Fill by 2 years.
Frequently asked questions
About this listing
This entry was compiled from publicly available data including Pixelmator Pro's official website, press releases, documentation, and reputable third-party publications. RECATOOLS is not affiliated with Pixelmator Pro unless explicitly stated.
Third-party AI tools update their pricing, features, availability, and policies frequently. Information here may be outdated by the time you read this — we make reasonable efforts to keep listings current, but cannot guarantee absolute accuracy.
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