Compositor is a free, open-source image editor for Apple-silicon Macs, built around Photoshop-style compositing and post-processing. It may suit layer-based edits, retouching and image adjustments, but it is not a universal Photoshop replacement: it requires macOS 26 or later, and its PSD/PSB support has specific limits. The word “lightweight” in the original title is not backed by a published app-size or performance measurement.
What Compositor does
The developer describes Compositor as an editor for compositing and post-processing, with tools for assembling and editing images in layers. Its feature list includes:
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- Layers and folders, layer and clipping masks, and blend modes.
- Selection tools, adjustment layers and filters.
- Background removal, blur, lens correction, grain and noise.
- Liquify and smear, spot healing, clone stamp and brushes.
- Non-destructive transforms, content-aware fill, editable text and shapes, Camera Raw adjustments, and canvas layout tools.
These are capabilities described by the developer, not independently verified results. The product page calls the app “Free, open source, and always yours.” Its project README says its goal is a full-featured image editor that is completely free and open source. Compositor product page · Compositor GitHub repository
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Compositor is worth considering if your work centers on layers, masks, selections, retouching and post-processing on a supported Mac. The developer’s feature list gives a concrete basis for evaluating that fit, but does not establish Photoshop feature parity or prove that the app can replace every Photoshop workflow.
#1 Best Overall
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The published requirement is macOS 26.0 or later on a Mac with Apple silicon. Intel Macs and Macs that cannot run macOS 26 do not meet that stated requirement. The project lists Xcode 26 or later for building Compositor from source. Requirements can change; check the project’s current information before installing. Project requirements · Homebrew cask listing
What happens when you open Photoshop files
The repository lists JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF, SVG, camera RAW and Photoshop PSD/PSB among supported imports. Camera RAW files require a develop step, and PSD/PSB support is limited to 8-bit RGB; CMYK is not supported.
Rank #2
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
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Some Photoshop content can remain editable: folders, masks, blend modes, fill rectangles and ellipses, and simple horizontal text. Other vectors and vertical text are converted to pixels. The project says Compositor shows a conversion report before applying changes, so review it before proceeding. If a file depends on CMYK, complex vector content or vertical text, test a copy and inspect the result rather than assuming it will transfer intact. Import and conversion details
How to download Compositor
The developer points users to its download page and GitHub Releases. Releases are described as signed and notarized DMG packages. If you prefer Homebrew, the documented installation command is:
Rank #3
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
brew install --cask robbietilton-compositor
At the Homebrew cask listing’s October 4, 2026 snapshot, the listed version was 1.4.5. That is a dated listing, not a promise that the same version remains current. Check the cask or GitHub Releases for the version available when you install. Developer download page · GitHub Releases and project information · Homebrew cask
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Compositor a Photoshop alternative?
It is a plausible free option to investigate for Mac users who want a layer-based editor and whose files fit its stated import limits. The MIT license and downloadable Xcode project also allow users to inspect or modify the software, according to the repository and developer.
Rank #4
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
That does not establish equivalent behavior to Photoshop across workflows. No independent comparison or performance benchmark is available here, so there is no verified basis for calling Compositor faster, smaller, or a drop-in replacement. Check the Mac requirement, then try it with copies of the files and editing tasks that matter to you before making it part of a production workflow. Repository and MIT license
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Best Value
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
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