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Most buyers should pick Affinity Designer.
Pick Affinity if you want a free design, photo-editing, and page-layout app across Mac, Windows, and iPad, plus imports for PSD, AI, IDML, and DWG. Pick Pixelmator Pro if you work on Mac or iPad and prioritize photo retouching, layer-based design, Apple Pencil support, and AI editing tools. Affinity is the clearer value for individuals; Pixelmator costs $49.99 standalone or $12.99/month through Creator Studio. Check which version and plan includes the features you need.
01Side by side
| Affinity Designer | Pixelmator Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0 for individuals | $49.99 one-time; Creator Studio $12.99/month |
| Free plan | Yes, free for individuals | No; 7-day standalone trial |
| Best for | Cross-platform design, photo editing, and page layout | Mac and iPad photo editing and graphics |
| Core strength | Vector, pixel, and layout tools in one app | Retouching, AI editing, and layer-based graphics |
| Learning curve (ease score) | Review score: 7.5/10 | Review score: 8/10 |
| Integrations/data | Imports PSD, AI, IDML, DWG with structure | Apple Photos and Creator Studio integration; supported vector files |
| Team/seat costs | Enterprise quote; seat limits not published | Seat limits not published; Creator Studio $12.99/month |
| Support | Review support score: 5.5/10 | Review support score: 6/10 |
Affinity Designer Choose Affinity Designer if
- Choose Affinity Designer if you need design, photo, and layout together.
- Choose Affinity Designer if you want $0 individual use.
- Choose Affinity Designer if you need Windows support or broad imports.
Pixelmator Pro Choose Pixelmator Pro if
- Choose Pixelmator Pro if your workflow centers on Mac or iPad.
- Choose Pixelmator Pro if you want brush-based retouching and AI tools.
- Choose Pixelmator Pro if Apple Pencil support matters on iPad.
02Pricing compared
According to the pricing information checked on November 6, 2026, Affinity is free for individual use, with core vector, pixel, and layout tools listed without restrictions. Enterprise pricing is quote-based; seat limits and pricing are not published. Canva premium features, including AI tools, may add a separate subscription cost.
Pixelmator Pro costs $49.99 as a one-time Mac App Store purchase, with a seven-day trial. Or get it through Apple Creator Studio for $12.99 monthly or $129 annually, with a one-month trial. Eligible education subscribers pay $2.99 monthly or $29.99 annually. Seat and usage limits are not published for these options. For an individual who wants the core app without a subscription, Affinity is the lower-cost choice. Choose Pixelmator if its Mac app or Creator Studio plan fits your workflow and budget.
03Features and depth
Affinity combines vector design, illustration, photo editing, and page layout in one app. Its listed file imports include PSD, AI, IDML, and DWG, with layers and structure preserved. Edits are non-destructive, so you can adjust or remove them while keeping the original intact. Affinity is available for Mac, Windows, and iPad. Its AI tools are optional and require an eligible Canva premium plan.
Pixelmator Pro focuses on image editing and graphic design for Mac and iPad. Its listed tools include retouching, cloning, denoising, selective adjustments, vector shapes and paths, templates, and mockups. AI-powered features include background removal, Super Resolution, Deband, Auto Enhance, and crop suggestions. The iPad app supports Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity. The distinction is scope: Affinity covers page layout and imports more named file types, while Pixelmator lists more specific photo-retouching and AI tools. Check which Pixelmator version includes the features you need.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The available product information does not establish which app is easier for beginners, so we would not call a winner on learning curve alone. Affinity puts design, photo editing, and page layout in one app; that breadth may suit people who want to move between those tasks, but it also means more kinds of tools to learn.
Pixelmator Pro’s listed focus is image editing and graphic design, with specific retouching tools and templates. That may be a more direct fit if those are your main jobs, but it is not proof that the app is simpler. Choose based on your workflow and device: Affinity supports Mac, Windows, and iPad, while Pixelmator Pro is for Mac and iPad.
Questions people ask
Is Affinity Designer really free?
The pricing information lists Affinity as free for individual use, including its core vector, pixel, and layout tools. Enterprise pricing is quote-based and not published. Canva AI tools require an eligible Canva premium plan, so check that added cost if AI features matter to you.
Does Pixelmator Pro work on Windows?
No Windows version is listed in the published product information. Pixelmator Pro is described as software for Mac and iPad. Affinity is listed for Mac, Windows, and iPad, so it is the clearer option if Windows support is required.
Which app is better for photo editing?
Pixelmator Pro lists dedicated retouching tools, including repair, clone, denoise, and selective adjustments, as well as AI-powered features such as background removal and Super Resolution. Affinity also includes photo editing, but the published information gives fewer specific retouching tools. Compare the features you need before choosing.
Can Affinity open PSD and AI files?
Affinity lists PSD and AI among its supported imports, along with IDML and DWG. Its product information says layers and structure are preserved. The published Pixelmator information does not specify support for those same file formats, so confirm compatibility before moving an existing project.