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Photography · head to head

Pixelmator Pro vs GIMP

Pixelmator Pro logo

Pixelmator Pro

Photography

Professional image editing for Mac

From
$49.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GIMP logo

GIMP

Print & Publishing

Free and open-source image editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GIMP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Pixelmator Pro macOS only - no Windows, iPad, or mobile support; GIMP gPLv3 licence requires derivative works to be open-source and freely distributed
  • They diverge on capability: Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, GIMP covers Photo editing.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Pixelmator Pro and GIMP differ
AttributePixelmator ProGIMP
Starting price$49.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsmacOSGNU/Linux, macOS, Windows
CategoryPhotographyPrint & Publishing
Founded20071995

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 Pixelmator Pro

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

Only in GIMP

  • Photo editing
  • Digital painting
  • Image processing
  • Batch editing
  • Filters
  • Color correction
  • Layer support
  • Script-fu automation

What people use each for

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

Pixelmator Pro

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

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Pixelmator Pro

$49.99/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Pixelmator Pro review.

GIMP

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the GIMP review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Pixelmator Pro if

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

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.
GIMP review

Questions people ask

Is Pixelmator Pro or GIMP better?
Neither clearly leads. Pixelmator Pro starts at $49.99/one-time and GIMP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pixelmator Pro or GIMP?
GIMP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $49.99/one-time for Pixelmator Pro and Free for GIMP.
Does Pixelmator Pro or GIMP run on more platforms?
Pixelmator Pro runs on macOS. GIMP runs on GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows.
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 Pixelmator Pro best used for?
Pixelmator Pro is most often used for photo editing, graphic design, digital art, image retouching. Of those, photo editing and graphic design are not what GIMP is typically brought in for.
What can Pixelmator Pro do that GIMP cannot?
Pixelmator Pro covers ML-powered editing, Non-destructive editing, RAW support, Layer styles. GIMP covers Photo editing, Digital painting, Image processing, Batch editing.

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.

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
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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