Softwr

Photography · head to head

darktable vs Pixelmator Pro

darktable logo

darktable

Photography

Free open-source RAW photo editor and digital darkroom

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pixelmator Pro logo

Pixelmator Pro

Photography

Professional image editing for Mac

From
$49.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only darktable has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: darktable open-source with no vendor pricing: Darktable is released under GPL 3.0; no cost or licensing applies; Pixelmator Pro macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support
  • They diverge on capability: darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing, Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which darktable and Pixelmator Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where darktable and Pixelmator Pro differ
AttributedarktablePixelmator Pro
Starting priceFree$49.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
Platformswindows, mac, linuxmacOS
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: 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 darktable

  • Non-destructive RAW editing
  • Virtual lighttable
  • Wide camera RAW support
  • Tethered shooting
  • Color management and modules

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.

darktable

  • Processing RAW photos without paying for a subscription editornot Pixelmator Pro
  • Organizing and cataloging large personal photo librariesnot Pixelmator Pro
  • Tethered shooting directly into an editing workflownot Pixelmator Pro
  • Applying non-destructive edits that preserve the original RAW filenot Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro

  • Photo editingnot darktable
  • Graphic designnot darktable
  • Digital artnot darktable
  • Image retouchingnot darktable

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

darktable

  • Open-source with no vendor pricing: Darktable is released under GPL 3.0; no cost or licensing applies
  • Self-hosted photography workflow: customers bear full responsibility for hosting, maintenance, and support outside community
  • No commercial support model published: community-driven project with mailing lists and forums only; no commercial SaaS alternative
  • Community contribution required for feature development: no vendor roadmap for prioritized feature work; community volunteers drive development

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

darktable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full RAW editing and lighttable features
    • Open-source under GNU GPL v3
    • No account or subscription required

Pixelmator Pro

$49.99/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Pixelmator Pro review.

Which should you pick?

Choose darktable if

  • You need non-destructive raw editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want virtual lighttable.
darktable review

Choose Pixelmator Pro if

  • You need ml-powered editing.
  • You work on macOS.
  • You also want non-destructive editing.
Pixelmator Pro review

Questions people ask

Is darktable or Pixelmator Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. darktable 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, darktable or Pixelmator Pro?
darktable has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for darktable and $49.99/one-time for Pixelmator Pro.
Does darktable or Pixelmator Pro run on more platforms?
darktable runs on windows, mac, linux. Pixelmator Pro runs on macOS.
Can I use darktable for free?
Yes. darktable has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pixelmator Pro starts at $49.99/one-time.
What is darktable best used for?
darktable is most often used for processing raw photos without paying for a subscription editor, organizing and cataloging large personal photo libraries, tethered shooting directly into an editing workflow, applying non-destructive edits that preserve the original raw file. Of those, processing raw photos without paying for a subscription editor and organizing and cataloging large personal photo libraries are not what Pixelmator Pro is typically brought in for.
What can darktable do that Pixelmator Pro cannot?
darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing, Virtual lighttable, Wide camera RAW support, Tethered shooting. Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, Non-destructive editing, RAW support, Layer styles.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

darktable: How much does Darktable cost?

Darktable is free and open-source under the GPL 3.0 license. There are no licensing fees, subscription costs, or commercial restrictions.

Source
Pixelmator 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.

Source
darktable: Is Darktable created by a commercial vendor?

No. Darktable is a community-driven open-source project 'created for photographers, by photographers.' It has no commercial vendor or SaaS model.

Source
Pixelmator Pro: What is the price for Pixelmator Pro?

Pixelmator Pro costs $49.99 as a one-time purchase with perpetual license, not a subscription.

Source
darktable: How can I get support for Darktable?

Darktable is supported through community channels including mailing lists and forums. There is no commercial support option published on the website.

Source
Pixelmator 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.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on darktable

More on Pixelmator Pro

Keep looking

Other head to heads