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Design · head to head

Linearity Curve vs Pixelmator Pro

Linearity Curve logo

Linearity Curve

Design

Professional vector design for Mac and iPad

From
Free
Rated
-
Pixelmator Pro logo

Pixelmator Pro

Photography

Professional image editing for Mac

From
$49.99/one-time
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Linearity Curve has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Linearity Curve limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support; Pixelmator Pro macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support
  • They diverge on capability: Linearity Curve covers Vector 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 Linearity Curve and Pixelmator Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where Linearity Curve and Pixelmator Pro differ
AttributeLinearity CurvePixelmator Pro
Starting priceFree$49.99/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMac, IosmacOS
CategoryDesignPhotography
Founded20172007

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Linearity Curve

  • Vector editing
  • Auto Trace
  • Typography tools
  • Pen tool
  • iCloud sync
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Sketch
  • Figma

Only in Pixelmator Pro

  • ML-powered editing
  • Non-destructive editing
  • RAW support
  • Layer styles
  • Color adjustments
  • Photos app
  • iCloud
  • Apple Silicon optimization

Both cover

  • Mac support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Linearity Curve

  • Vector illustrationnot Pixelmator Pro
  • Logo designnot Pixelmator Pro
  • UI designnot Pixelmator Pro
  • Print designnot Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro

  • Photo editingnot Linearity Curve
  • Graphic designnot Linearity Curve
  • Digital artnot Linearity Curve
  • Image retouchingnot Linearity Curve

Where each one falls short

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

Linearity Curve

  • Limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support
  • Requires annual or monthly subscription for commercial use, unlike competitors offering lifetime purchase options
  • Free plan is severely limited to only 3 Curve files and 5GB storage

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

Linearity Curve

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 50 lifetime credits
    • 3 Curve files
    • 5GB storage
  • Pro$11.99/month
    • 250 monthly credits
    • Unlimited files
    • 100GB storage
  • Business$65/month
    • 500 monthly credits
    • 500GB storage
    • Brand management

Pixelmator Pro

$49.99/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Pixelmator Pro review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Linearity Curve if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Ios.
  • You also want auto trace.

Choose Pixelmator Pro if

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

Questions people ask

Is Linearity Curve or Pixelmator Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. Linearity Curve 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, Linearity Curve or Pixelmator Pro?
Linearity Curve has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Linearity Curve and $49.99/one-time for Pixelmator Pro.
Does Linearity Curve or Pixelmator Pro run on more platforms?
Linearity Curve runs on Mac, Ios. Pixelmator Pro runs on macOS.
Can I use Linearity Curve for free?
Yes. Linearity Curve has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pixelmator Pro starts at $49.99/one-time.
What is Linearity Curve best used for?
Linearity Curve is most often used for vector illustration, logo design, ui design, print design. Of those, vector illustration and logo design are not what Pixelmator Pro is typically brought in for.
What can Linearity Curve do that Pixelmator Pro cannot?
Linearity Curve covers Vector editing, Auto Trace, Typography tools, Pen tool. Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, Non-destructive editing, RAW support, Layer styles. Both handle Mac support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have a free plan?

Yes, Linearity offers a free Starter plan with 50 lifetime credits, 1 basic brand kit, and 5GB cloud storage. No credit card is required to access the free tier.

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
Linearity Curve: Can I use Linearity Curve on multiple devices?

Yes, Linearity Curve is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, with real-time collaboration allowing teams to see changes instantly across devices.

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
Linearity Curve: What file formats can I export from Linearity Curve?

Linearity Curve supports exporting to industry-standard formats including .ai, SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG, and TIFF, making it compatible with other design tools.

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
Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have AI-powered vectorization?

Yes, Linearity Curve includes an Auto Trace feature with three modes (Sketch, Photography, Illustration) that uses AI to instantly vectorize images into editable paths. It also includes AI-powered background removal.

Source
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