Print & Publishing · head to head
GIMP vs Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro
Photography
Professional image editing for Mac
- From
- $49.99/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only GIMP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: GIMP gPLv3 licence requires derivative works to be open-source and freely distributed; Pixelmator Pro macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support
- They diverge on capability: GIMP covers Photo editing, Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GIMP and Pixelmator Pro actually diverge.
| Attribute | GIMP | Pixelmator Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $49.99/one-time |
| Pricing model | open-source | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows | macOS |
| Category | Print & Publishing | Photography |
| Founded | 1995 | 2007 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
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 GIMP
- Photo editing
- Digital painting
- Image processing
- Batch editing
- Filters
- Color correction
- Layer support
- Script-fu automation
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.
GIMP
- Photo editing and retouching with professional colour managementnot Pixelmator Pro
- Digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformationnot Pixelmator Pro
- Icon and UI element design for application developmentnot Pixelmator Pro
- Batch image processing through Python, C, C++, and Scheme scriptingnot Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro
- Photo editingnot GIMP
- Graphic designnot GIMP
- Digital artnot GIMP
- Image retouchingnot GIMP
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GIMP
- GPLv3 licence requires derivative works to be open-source and freely distributed
- Community-driven development with no commercial support tier
- No native CMYK support for professional print workflows
- Ecosystem depends on community plugins and scripts for advanced features
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
GIMP
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the GIMP review.
Pixelmator Pro
$49.99/one-timeNo published plan breakdown. See the Pixelmator Pro review.
Which should you pick?
Choose GIMP if
- You need photo editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows.
- You also want digital painting.
Choose Pixelmator Pro if
- You need ml-powered editing.
- You work on macOS.
- You also want non-destructive editing.
Questions people ask
- Is GIMP or Pixelmator Pro better?
- Neither clearly leads. GIMP 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, GIMP or Pixelmator Pro?
- GIMP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GIMP and $49.99/one-time for Pixelmator Pro.
- Does GIMP or Pixelmator Pro run on more platforms?
- GIMP runs on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows. Pixelmator Pro runs on macOS.
- Can I use GIMP for free?
- Yes. GIMP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pixelmator Pro starts at $49.99/one-time.
- What is GIMP best used for?
- GIMP is most often used for photo editing and retouching with professional colour management, digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformation, icon and ui element design for application development, batch image processing through python, c, c++, and scheme scripting. Of those, photo editing and retouching with professional colour management and digital art creation with power and flexibility for image transformation are not what Pixelmator Pro is typically brought in for.
- What can GIMP do that Pixelmator Pro cannot?
- GIMP covers Photo editing, Digital painting, Image processing, Batch editing. Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, Non-destructive editing, RAW support, Layer styles.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
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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