Pixelmator
{{Short description|Series of graphics editors}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Pixelmator
| logo = {{Multiple image|width=100
| align = center
| image_style = border:none;
| background color = #f8f9fa;
| image1 = Pixelmator_Pro_Icon.png
| caption1 = Pixelmator Pro
| image2 = Pixelmator_iOS_Icon.png
| caption2 = Pixelmator (iOS)
}}
| caption =
| author = Pixelmator Team
| developer = Apple Inc.
| released = 25 September 2007
| programming language = Swift, Objective-C
| operating system = macOS and iOS
| genre = Graphics software
| license = Proprietary
| website = {{URL|http://www.pixelmator.com/}}
}}
Pixelmator is a series of graphics editors developed by Apple for macOS and iOS. It was founded by brothers Saulius and Aidas Dailidė in 2007. Apple acquired the company in February 2025. Pixelmator apps are largely built on Apple-specific technologies such as CoreML and Metal.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-05 |title=Pixelmator Pro image tool with CoreML, Metal 2 enhancements coming in the fall to iOS, macOS |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/17/09/05/pixelmator-pro-image-tool-with-coreml-metal-2-enhancements-coming-in-the-fall-to-ios-macos |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=AppleInsider |language=en}} Pixelmator uses a proprietary format across their apps (.PXD), but supports a variety of file types including Photoshop, RAW, and WebP.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Pixelmator |title=Tech Specs - Pixelmator Pro |url=https://www.pixelmator.com/pro/tech-specs/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Tech Specs - Pixelmator Pro |language=en}} All Pixelmator apps support image editing, but Pixelmator Pro also supports video and vector graphics.{{Cite web |title=Pixelmator 3.2 released: Affordable Mac image editing app adds video editing |url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/8985965503/pixelmator-3-2-released-affordable-mac-image-editing-app-adds-video-editing |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=DPReview}}
It was created by the Lithuanian company Pixelmator Team, based in Vilnius, and was acquired by Apple in 2025.
History
Pixelmator Team was founded in 2007 by Lithuanian brothers Saulius and Aidas Dailidė.{{Cite web |title=New Mac Company Introduces the World's First GPU-powered Image Editor - Pixelmator Blog |url=https://www.pixelmator.com/blog/2007/05/29/new-mac-company-introduces-the-worlds-first-gpu-powered-image-editor/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.pixelmator.com}} and released Pixelmator (now Pixelmator Classic) 1.0 in September of the same year.{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2007 |title=More image editors for the rest of us {{!}} Macworld |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/60264/2007/09/pixelmator.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212125057/http://www.macworld.com/article/60264/2007/09/pixelmator.html |access-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2011 |website=Macworld |url-status=dead }} The company resided in Vilnius, Lithuania.{{Cite web |title=Pixelmator Team |url=https://www.pixelmator.com/team/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=www.pixelmator.com}} In November 2024, Pixelmator Team agreed to be acquired by Apple for an unknown monetary amount, which was completed on February 11, 2025.{{Cite news |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=1 November 2024 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/1/24285443/apple-pixelmator-acquisition-image-editing |title=Apple is acquiring the popular image editing app Pixelmator |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=1 November 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Zac |date=2025-02-11 |title=Apple officially owns Pixelmator and Photomator |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/11/apple-officially-owns-pixelmator-and-photomator/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}
Pixelmator Classic
{{Main|Pixelmator Classic}}
Pixelmator Classic was the original version of Pixelmator released for Mac on September 25, 2007. It uses a palette-style interface compared to Pixelmator Pro's single-window interface. It is no longer being updated and has been delisted from the Mac App Store.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Pixelmator |title=Upgrade to Pixelmator Pro - Pixelmator |url=https://www.pixelmator.com/mac/upgrade/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Upgrade to Pixelmator Pro - Pixelmator |language=en}}
Pixelmator iOS
Pixelmator for iOS launched on October 23, 2014 as an iPad-exclusive app with touch-optimized versions of Pixelmator's desktop features.{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Jason |title=Pixelmator for iPad review: The best image editor on the iPad |url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/pixelmator-ios-review/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=CNET |language=en}} In May 2015, Pixelmator for iOS 2.0 was released with support for the iPhone.{{Cite web |title=Pixelmator for iPhone Is Now Available - Pixelmator Blog |url=https://www.pixelmator.com/blog/2015/05/28/pixelmator-for-iphone-is-now-available/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=www.pixelmator.com}}
Pixelmator Pro
{{Main|Pixelmator Pro}}Pixelmator Pro is an image, video,{{Cite web |date=2022-12-06 |title=Pixelmator Pro 3.2 for Mac Introduces Video Editing Support |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2022/12/06/pixelmator-pro-3-2-video-editing-support/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=MacRumors |language=en}} and vector{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Pixelmator Pro updated with Touch Bar support, SVG editing, advanced web export and slicing tools |work=9to5Mac |url=https://9to5mac.com/2018/05/31/pixelmator-pro-updated-with-touch-bar-support-svg-editing-advanced-export-and-slicing/ |access-date=August 5, 2023}} editing software for macOS that launched on November 29, 2017. It was a paid upgrade for Pixelmator Classic users, featuring a redesigned interface, a graphics pipeline rewritten using Metal, Apple silicon support and a greater focus on ML/AI editing features.{{Cite web |author1=Jackie Dove |date=2018-01-23 |title=Pixelmator Pro Review: Still a Powerful Bargin |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pixelmator-pro,review-5077.html |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Tom's Guide |language=en}}
Photomator
Photomator (Formerly Pixelmator Photo{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |date=April 12, 2023 |title=Pixelmator Photo renamed to Photomator, adds AI-powered subject selection and more |url=https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/12/photomator-new-update-pixelmator-photo/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=9to5Mac}}) is a photo-oriented editing app which launched on iOS in 2021{{Cite web |author1=Stephen Warwick |date=2021-12-16 |title=Pixelmator Photo arrives on iPhone |url=https://www.imore.com/pixelmator-photo-arrives-iphone |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=iMore |language=en}} and macOS in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Mendez |first=Andrew |date=2022-08-18 |title=Pixelmator Photo is coming to Mac with sub-based model |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/18/pixelmator-photo-is-coming-to-mac-with-a-new-subscription-based-model/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} After launching the macOS version, the app moved from a one-time purchase to a subscription, however, a lifetime license can still be purchased for $99.
Photomator differentiates itself from other Pixelmator apps with features such as batch editing of full photoshoots and AI-powered color correction. Edits in Photomator are made on a single layer and are non-destructive.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-16 |title=Photomator Photo Editor Now Available on Mac |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/16/photomator-mac-released/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}