Pixelformer

Free plan Windows

What Pixelformer is

Pixelformer is a free Windows bitmap editor for creating, changing, and converting small and medium-sized images such as icons, buttons, web graphics, and sprites. Projects can contain unlimited layers. The editor works in 32-bit RGBA and can produce output from 1 to 32 bits per pixel. In-place supersampling lets users draw at higher resolution and immediately resample the result. One workspace can combine image sizes, resolutions, and color depths before packing them into one ICO file. Pixelformer imports BMP, PNG, ICO, CUR, JPEG/JPG, TGA, PSD, and image containers in EXE, DLL, or ICL files. It exports BMP, PNG, ICO, and TGA, and can extract icons, cursors, and bitmaps from executable files and ICL libraries. A lossless PNG optimizer reduces export size, while compressed undo data preserves a long history with low memory use. The maker lists Windows XP through 10, in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Who it suits

Pixelformer suits Windows users creating or converting small graphics, especially icons and sprites. It also fits work involving executable icon extraction, multiple ICO variants, or layered bitmap projects.

What it does well

Unlimited layers in each project
Handles 1 to 32 bits per pixel
Packs multiple icon variants into one ICO
Imports and exports several bitmap formats
Includes lossless PNG optimization

What to know first

Windows-only desktop application
Listed release announcement dates to 2009
Minimum display requirement is 1024×768×15bpp

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Pixelformer	Stable free beta version · version 0.9.6.3 RC3	Free

As qualibyte.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Pixelformer provides a focused bitmap and icon workflow at no cost. Its broad format handling and icon tools are balanced by its Windows platform and dated listed release.

Facts from Pixelformer's own pages

Color: It works in 32-bit RGBA and can generate output at color depths from 1 bpp to 32 bpp. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Current version: The maker's home page lists version 0.9.6.3 RC3 and dates its release announcement January 15, 2009. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Desktop app: Yes · qualibyte.com, 22 Sept 2026
Feedback: The maker invites Pixelformer improvement suggestions at [email protected]. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
File formats: It imports BMP, PNG, ICO, CUR, JPEG/JPG, TGA, PSD, and image containers EXE, DLL, or ICL; it exports BMP, PNG, ICO, and TGA. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · qualibyte.com, 22 Sept 2026
Icon editing: It can work with multiple image sizes, resolutions, and color depths in one workspace and pack them into a single ICO file. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Icon extraction: It can extract icons, cursors, and bitmaps from executable files and ICL icon libraries. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Layers: A project image can contain an unlimited number of layers. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
PNG optimization: Its PNG optimizer selects compressor parameters to losslessly reduce PNG file size during export. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: Pixelformer is a bitmap editor for creating, modifying, and converting small and medium-sized images such as icons, buttons, web graphics, and sprites. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Supersampling: In-place supersampling lets users draw at higher resolution and immediately resamples the drawing to the output image. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs users with technical questions or problems to [email protected]. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
System requirements: The listed minimum requirements are a 500 MHz CPU, 256 MB RAM, and a 1024×768×15bpp display. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Undo: Pixelformer compresses undo data to keep a long operation history with a low memory footprint. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026
Windows support: The download page lists Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10, with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions supported. · qualibyte.com, 12 Oct 2026

Where Pixelformer stands on Freedom251

Graphic Design Software#116 of 150
Design tools#114 of 146