Photography · head to head
Adobe Lightroom vs Pixelmator Pro
Adobe Lightroom
Photography
Photo editing and organization software for photographers
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Pixelmator Pro
Photography
Professional image editing for Mac
- From
- $49.99/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Adobe Lightroom has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Adobe Lightroom no layer support for complex edits, requiring Photoshop for advanced manipulation; Pixelmator Pro macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support
- They diverge on capability: Adobe Lightroom covers RAW photo editing, Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Adobe Lightroom and Pixelmator Pro actually diverge.
| Attribute | Adobe Lightroom | Pixelmator Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $49.99/one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV | macOS |
| Founded | 1982 | 2007 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Photography).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Adobe Lightroom
- RAW photo editing
- Batch processing
- Color correction
- Lens corrections
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Stock
- Adobe Portfolio
- Photoshop
Only in Pixelmator Pro
- ML-powered editing
- RAW support
- Layer styles
- Color adjustments
- Photos app
- iCloud
- Apple Silicon optimization
- Sandboxed app
Both cover
- Non-destructive editing
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Adobe Lightroom
- Photo editing
- RAW processingnot Pixelmator Pro
- Photo organizationnot Pixelmator Pro
- Client galleriesnot Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro
- Photo editing
- Graphic designnot Adobe Lightroom
- Digital artnot Adobe Lightroom
- Image retouchingnot Adobe Lightroom
Both are used for photo editing, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Adobe Lightroom
- No layer support for complex edits, requiring Photoshop for advanced manipulation
- Generative credits limited and require monthly replenishment, restricting AI features usage
- Cloud storage required for full functionality and syncing
- No dual monitor support within the application
Pixelmator Pro
- macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support
- Less comprehensive feature set compared to Photoshop
- Smaller community and fewer third-party plugins than Photoshop
- Less suitable for professional print workflows compared to industry standards
Pricing, plan by plan
Adobe Lightroom
Free- Lightroom Plan (1TB)$11.99/month
- Lightroom cloud storage with 1TB
- 100 generative credits per month
- Photography Plan$19.99/month
- Lightroom and Lightroom Classic
- Photoshop
- 1TB cloud storage
Pixelmator Pro
$49.99/one-timeNo published plan breakdown. See the Pixelmator Pro review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if
- You need raw photo editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV.
- You also want batch processing.
Choose Pixelmator Pro if
- You need ml-powered editing.
- You work on macOS.
- You also want raw support.
Questions people ask
- Is Adobe Lightroom or Pixelmator Pro better?
- Neither clearly leads. Adobe Lightroom starts at Free and Pixelmator Pro at $49.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Adobe Lightroom or Pixelmator Pro?
- Adobe Lightroom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Adobe Lightroom and $49.99/one-time for Pixelmator Pro.
- Does Adobe Lightroom or Pixelmator Pro run on more platforms?
- Adobe Lightroom runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV. Pixelmator Pro runs on macOS.
- Can I use Adobe Lightroom for free?
- Yes. Adobe Lightroom has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pixelmator Pro starts at $49.99/one-time.
- What is Adobe Lightroom best used for?
- Adobe Lightroom is most often used for photo editing, raw processing, photo organization, client galleries. Of those, raw processing and photo organization are not what Pixelmator Pro is typically brought in for.
- What can Adobe Lightroom do that Pixelmator Pro cannot?
- Adobe Lightroom covers RAW photo editing, Batch processing, Color correction, Lens corrections. Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, RAW support, Layer styles, Color adjustments. Both handle Non-destructive editing.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Adobe Lightroom: Can I edit photos offline in Lightroom?
Yes, you can edit locally stored photos without syncing to the cloud. Lightroom lets you access photos from your device through the Local tab and edit them independently of cloud connectivity.
SourcePixelmator Pro: Does Pixelmator Pro work offline?
Yes. Pixelmator Pro is a standalone macOS application that works entirely offline with no subscription or cloud connectivity required.
SourceAdobe Lightroom: What are generative credits and how many do I get?
Generative credits limit AI-powered edits like Generative Fill and Expand. Plans joined before June 17, 2025 receive 100 credits monthly; newer plans get 25 credits. The Photography Plan with 1TB includes 500 credits.
SourcePixelmator Pro: What is the price for Pixelmator Pro?
Pixelmator Pro costs $49.99 as a one-time purchase with perpetual license, not a subscription.
SourceAdobe Lightroom: Can I use Lightroom and Photoshop together?
Yes, you can open photos from Lightroom in Photoshop by right-clicking and selecting Edit in Photoshop. When saved from Photoshop, the edited image reappears in Lightroom automatically.
SourcePixelmator Pro: Does Pixelmator Pro support AI-powered editing?
Yes. Pixelmator Pro includes ML-powered features like automatic background removal, smart color adjustments, and ML-based auto-enhancement of photos.
SourceAdobe Lightroom: What platforms does Lightroom support?
Lightroom is available on desktop (macOS and Windows), mobile (iOS and Android), web browser, and Apple TV, allowing access across devices.
Source