Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsApple announced an agreement to acquire Pixelmator Team on November 1, 2024, subject to regulatory approval. The announcement promised no material changes to Pixelmator’s apps “at this time.” By 2026, Apple had brought Pixelmator Pro into Apple Creator Studio, expanded it to iPad, and connected it with several Apple apps. Pixelmator Pro is still available: Mac users can choose a one-time purchase or the subscription bundle, while iPad access comes through Creator Studio.
What happened when Apple announced the acquisition?
Pixelmator Team announced on November 1, 2024 that it had signed an agreement to be acquired by Apple. The deal was subject to regulatory approval. The announcement did not disclose a purchase price or establish when the transaction legally closed.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
At the time, Pixelmator Team said: “There will be no material changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps at this time.” That was a statement about the plans then; it was not a promise that the apps or their business models would never change.
What changed after the announcement?
Apple’s later product releases show a broader role for Pixelmator Pro within Apple’s creative software lineup. Apple Creator Studio includes Pixelmator Pro for Mac and iPad, and Apple has added ways to use Pixelmator tools alongside its productivity and video-editing apps.
#1 Best Overall
Pixelmator Pro arrived on iPad
Apple describes Pixelmator Pro on iPad as designed for touch and Apple Pencil, with precision editing and pressure sensitivity. This gives iPad users a touch-first option rather than limiting the product to Mac.
More connections to Apple apps
In an update dated June 30, 2026, Apple said users could open images from Keynote, Pages, and Numbers in Pixelmator Pro, send frames from Final Cut Pro to Pixelmator Pro, and use Pixelmator tools from those apps. These integrations let users move image work into a dedicated editor from within an existing Apple workflow.
Rank #2
Is Pixelmator Pro still available, and does it require a subscription?
Yes. Apple lists Pixelmator Pro in Apple Creator Studio, and also offers a one-time purchase for the Mac version. The choice is between the bundle’s recurring access and a standalone Mac license:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →| Option | Price listed by Apple | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Creator Studio | $12.99 per month or $129 per year; one-month free trial | Pixelmator Pro on Mac and iPad as part of the bundle |
| Apple Creator Studio education pricing | $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year | Discounted bundle pricing for college students and educators |
| Pixelmator Pro for Mac | $49.99 one-time purchase | Standalone Mac purchase |
These are Apple’s listed prices in the 2026 information cited here; check Apple’s current store for availability and regional pricing before buying. The education rate applies to college students and educators.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which option makes sense: Mac purchase or Creator Studio?
Choose the Mac purchase if
- You want Pixelmator Pro on Mac without signing up for the Creator Studio subscription.
- You do not need the bundle’s iPad version or its other included creative apps.
Choose Creator Studio if
- You want Pixelmator Pro on both Mac and iPad.
- You expect to use the Apple app integrations or other software included in the bundle.
- You prefer a monthly or annual subscription and value the one-month trial listed by Apple.
The key platform distinction is that Apple lists the standalone $49.99 purchase for Mac, while Pixelmator Pro on iPad is included through Creator Studio.
What did Apple acquire—and what about Photomator?
The announcement concerned Pixelmator Team, the company behind Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator. The available official information does not state the deal’s value or give a legal closing date, so those details should not be inferred from the product changes that followed.
Pixelmator Pro is the product Apple folded into its Creator Studio strategy. Photomator remains a separate App Store purchase, rather than being identified as part of Pixelmator Pro’s Creator Studio offering. The products should not be treated as interchangeable when comparing access or purchases.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
