Freedom251 › Pixel Art Software
Pixen
What Pixen is
Pixen is a native pixel art editor for low-resolution raster artwork, including 8-bit game sprites. It runs on macOS and iOS, with a free plan and a Pro one-time purchase priced at $9.99, paid once. Drawing tools include Pencil, Eraser, Text, Eyedropper, Magic Wand, Lasso, Fill, Line, Rectangle, and Ellipse. Artwork can use layers, opacity, blend modes, grayscale, dithering, sepia, hue, and brightness adjustments. Pixen includes an animation timeline, frame arrangement, onion skinning, indexed color tools, and sprite-sheet export. It imports and exports palettes in Adobe Color Table, Microsoft Palette, JASC Palette, and GIMP Palette formats. Supported files include PNG, JPEG, GIF, ICO, BMP, TIFF, SVG, PSD, APNG, MP4, MOV, and sprite sheets. iPhone and iPad versions sync with Mac through iCloud. The Mac app supports JavaScript automations and Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Who it suits
Pixen suits pixel artists creating low-resolution graphics, including Playdate assets. It also fits users who need animation, palette handling, or Apple Pencil support.
What it does well
- Free plan available
- Animation timeline and onion skinning
- Exports sprite sheets and multiple formats
- iCloud sync across Apple devices
- JavaScript automations on Mac
What to know first
- Supports only macOS and iOS
- Pro features cost 9.99 USD one time
- iOS app may collect usage data and diagnostics
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pro: One Time Purchase | One Time Purchase · Unlock all features, file types, and more | $9.99, paid once |
As pixenapp.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Pixen combines pixel-art drawing, animation, indexed color, palette exchange, and broad export options. Apple-device users get iCloud syncing, while Mac users also receive scripting and macOS integrations.
Facts from Pixen's own pages
- Animation
- It can import animated GIFs, animated PNGs, and sprite sheets, and export animations as GIFs, PNGs, movies, image sequences, and sprite sheets. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Apple Pencil
- The iOS app supports Apple Pencil tools and double-tap gestures, and Apple Pencil Pro hover previews. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Automation
- The Mac app supports custom actions and automations with JavaScript. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Cloud sync
- Pixen for iPhone and iPad syncs with the Mac app over iCloud. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Color palettes
- It can import and export palettes in Adobe Color Table, Microsoft Palette, JASC Palette, and GIMP Palette formats. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Company pricing approach
- Furnace Creek says most of its apps are one-time purchases and that it dislikes subscriptions; this statement does not specify Pixen's price. · furnacecreek.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The Mac app is compatible with Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Cross-device sync
- Pixen for iPhone and iPad syncs with its Mac counterpart over iCloud. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Drawing tools
- Its tools include Pencil, Eraser, Brightness, Text, Eyedropper, Zoom, selections, Magic Wand, Lasso, Move, Fill, Line, Rectangle, and Ellipse. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- File formats
- Artwork can be exported in PNG, JPEG, GIF, ICO, BMP, TIFF, SVG, and PSD formats. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Free availability
- The iOS App Store listing labels Pixen Free with in-app purchases. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The Mac app integrates with iCloud Drive, Quick Look, Versions, Auto Save, Sidecar, Dark Mode, full screen mode, and document tabs. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Pixen as a tool for pixel artists working with low-resolution raster art and highlights its use for creating graphics for the Playdate console. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Layers and filters
- Users can organize artwork into layers, adjust opacity and blend modes, and apply filters such as grayscale, dithering, sepia, and hue or brightness adjustments. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Mac scripting
- The Mac app supports JavaScript custom actions and automations. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Maker and location
- Pixen is made by Furnace Creek Software, which describes itself as a small indie software shop based in California. · furnacecreek.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Maker location
- Furnace Creek Software describes itself as a small indie software shop based in California. · furnacecreek.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Palettes
- Pixen imports and exports palettes in Adobe Color Table, Microsoft Palette, JASC Palette, and GIMP Palette formats. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Playdate
- The Mac app is described as a tool for creating graphics for Panic's Playdate console. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Apple's App Store listing says the iOS app may collect usage data and diagnostics that are not linked to the user. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- Pixen is a native pixel art editor for creating low-resolution raster art such as 8-bit game sprites. · pixenapp.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The product pages direct support inquiries to [email protected]. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Pixen is a native pixel art editor for low-resolution raster art such as 8-bit video game sprites. · pixenapp.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where Pixen stands on Freedom251
- Pixel Art Software#37 of 70