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Photography · head to head

NightCap vs Pixelmator Pro

NightCap logo

NightCap

Photography

Long-exposure camera app for iOS aimed at night sky, star trail and light trail photography

From
On request
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

  • Each has a real cost: NightCap it is iOS-only, so Android photographers cannot use it at all.; Pixelmator Pro macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support
  • They diverge on capability: NightCap covers Manual exposure control, Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where NightCap and Pixelmator Pro differ
AttributeNightCapPixelmator Pro
Starting priceOn request$49.99/one-time
Pricing modelOne-time purchaseUnknown
PlatformsiOSmacOS
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 NightCap

  • Manual exposure control
  • Star trail mode
  • Light trail mode
  • Northern lights mode
  • Meteor shower mode
  • Astro mode with stacking

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.

NightCap

  • An iPhone owner wanting star trail or Milky Way photos without buying a dedicated cameranot Pixelmator Pro
  • A hobbyist photographing the northern lights who needs exposure control the stock camera app lacksnot Pixelmator Pro
  • Someone capturing light trail shots of traffic or fireworks at nightnot Pixelmator Pro
  • A photographer who prefers a one-time purchase app over yet another photography subscriptionnot Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro

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

Where each one falls short

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

NightCap

  • It is iOS-only, so Android photographers cannot use it at all.
  • Results are still limited by the physical sensor size and aperture of an iPhone, so it cannot match a dedicated mirrorless camera for astrophotography.
  • It requires a tripod or other stabilisation for most of its long-exposure modes, which is an extra cost and inconvenience beyond the app itself.
  • Its manual controls have a learning curve for someone used to a fully automatic point-and-shoot camera app.
  • As a niche app from a small developer, update cadence and long-term support are less predictable than a major platform vendor camera app.

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

NightCap

On request
  • NightCap$2.99/one-time
    • Full manual exposure control
    • All shooting modes included
    • No subscription

Pixelmator Pro

$49.99/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Pixelmator Pro review.

Which should you pick?

Choose NightCap if

  • You need manual exposure control.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want star trail mode.
NightCap 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 NightCap or Pixelmator Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. NightCap starts at On request 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, NightCap or Pixelmator Pro?
NightCap starts at On request and Pixelmator Pro at $49.99/one-time.
Does NightCap or Pixelmator Pro run on more platforms?
NightCap runs on iOS. Pixelmator Pro runs on macOS.
What is NightCap best used for?
NightCap is most often used for an iphone owner wanting star trail or milky way photos without buying a dedicated camera, a hobbyist photographing the northern lights who needs exposure control the stock camera app lacks, someone capturing light trail shots of traffic or fireworks at night, a photographer who prefers a one-time purchase app over yet another photography subscription. Of those, an iphone owner wanting star trail or milky way photos without buying a dedicated camera and a hobbyist photographing the northern lights who needs exposure control the stock camera app lacks are not what Pixelmator Pro is typically brought in for.
What can NightCap do that Pixelmator Pro cannot?
NightCap covers Manual exposure control, Star trail mode, Light trail mode, Northern lights mode. Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, Non-destructive editing, RAW support, Layer styles.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

NightCap: Is NightCap still maintained?

Yes, it remains listed and updated on the App Store, including a rebuilt version offered free to existing customers.

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
NightCap: Is it a subscription?

No, it is sold as a one-time purchase.

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
NightCap: Does it work on Android?

No, NightCap is iOS-only.

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
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