Apple buys Pixelmator and brings a new image editor to its lineup

Apple announced it has acquired Pixelmator, a well-known image editing company that is a direct rival to Adobe’s Photoshop. Pixelmator makes Mac-only apps like Pixelmator, Pixelmator Pro, and Photomator. The acquisition is pending regulatory approval, however, it has been stated that the Pixelmator team will join Apple’s workforce.

Pixelmator Pro was originally launched as a simpler and more budget-friendly alternative to Adobe Photoshop. Over time, it has grown into a professional image editor. It includes many features needed for detailed image work, and while Adobe Photoshop remains a top choice for professionals, Pixelmator offers a good alternative.

Apple’s current Photos app on Mac and iOS has only basic editing tools. By acquiring Pixelmator, Apple can now offer more advanced editing options, giving users better editing tools on their devices. The Pixelmator team shared that joining Apple will let them “reach an even wider audience and make an even bigger impact on the lives of creative people around the world” while at the same time promising that there would be no real changes to the function or design of the apps.

Photoshop competitor

Apple may also plan to upgrade Pixelmator’s features to make it an even stronger Photoshop competitor. Pixelmator Pro is powerful but still lacks some features found in Photoshop, such as advanced layers, custom cropping ratios, and AI tools. This gap might be an area Apple is looking to close.

CineD has surmised that Apple may bundle Pixelmator Pro with another of its pro software, such as Final Cut Pro. Clearly, Pixelmator Pro is an excellent addition to Apple’s professional tools, alongside Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor. There’s already a limited Pixelmator app for iPad, but a full iPadOS version of Pixelmator Pro could be on the horizon. This version could be subscription-only, similar to how Final Cut Pro works on the iPad.

This acquisition shows Apple’s renewed interest in a professional image editor. Years ago, Apple had a tool called Aperture, which competed with Adobe Lightroom. Aperture and iPhoto were discontinued in 2015 in favour of the Photos app. Pixelmator Pro now offers new advanced features, making it an appealing choice for photographers, editors, and other creative professionals.

[via CineD]

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