Software · head to head
Adobe XD vs Pixelmator Pro
Adobe XD
Software
Design, prototype, and share user experiences
- From
- $54.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Adobe XD standalone subscription eliminated - now requires expensive Creative Cloud All Apps plan; Pixelmator Pro macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support
- They diverge on capability: Adobe XD covers Vector design tools, Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Adobe XD and Pixelmator Pro actually diverge.
| Attribute | Adobe XD | Pixelmator Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $54.99/month | $49.99/one-time |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows | macOS |
| Founded | 2015 | 2007 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 XD
- Vector design tools
- Responsive resize
- Auto-animate
- Voice prototyping
- 3D transforms
- Design systems
- Component states
- Coediting
Only in Pixelmator Pro
- ML-powered editing
- Non-destructive editing
- RAW support
- Layer styles
- Color adjustments
- Photos app
- iCloud
- Apple Silicon optimization
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Adobe XD
- Web designnot Pixelmator Pro
- Mobile app designnot Pixelmator Pro
- Design systemsnot Pixelmator Pro
- Interactive prototypesnot Pixelmator Pro
- User testingnot Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro
- Photo editingnot Adobe XD
- Graphic designnot Adobe XD
- Digital artnot Adobe XD
- Image retouchingnot Adobe XD
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Adobe XD
- Standalone subscription eliminated - now requires expensive Creative Cloud All Apps plan
- Mac-first design tool with more limited Windows support
- Collaboration features are less mature compared to Figma
- Not open source unlike alternatives like Penpot
- Higher price point than competing standalone design tools
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 XD
$54.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Adobe XD review.
Pixelmator Pro
$49.99/one-timeNo published plan breakdown. See the Pixelmator Pro review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Adobe XD if
- You need vector design tools.
- You work on Web, macOS, Windows.
- You also want responsive resize.
Choose Pixelmator Pro if
- You need ml-powered editing.
- You work on macOS.
- You also want non-destructive editing.
Questions people ask
- Is Adobe XD or Pixelmator Pro better?
- Neither clearly leads. Adobe XD starts at $54.99/month 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 XD or Pixelmator Pro?
- Adobe XD starts at $54.99/month and Pixelmator Pro at $49.99/one-time.
- Does Adobe XD or Pixelmator Pro run on more platforms?
- Adobe XD runs on Web, macOS, Windows. Pixelmator Pro runs on macOS.
- What is Adobe XD best used for?
- Adobe XD is most often used for web design, mobile app design, design systems, interactive prototypes. Of those, web design and mobile app design are not what Pixelmator Pro is typically brought in for.
- What can Adobe XD do that Pixelmator Pro cannot?
- Adobe XD covers Vector design tools, Responsive resize, Auto-animate, Voice prototyping. Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, Non-destructive editing, RAW support, Layer styles.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Adobe XD: Can I use Adobe XD without a full Creative Cloud subscription?
No. Adobe XD is no longer available as a standalone subscription. It is only available as part of Creative Cloud All Apps plan priced from $54.99 to $69.99 per month.
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 XD: What file formats does Adobe XD support?
Adobe XD supports XD format natively, with import/export capabilities for other design formats and vector graphics.
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.
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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Pixelmator Pro
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