Pixelmator ProvsProcreate

App

Score Comparison

Overall

Pricing

Usability

Performance

Support

Reliability

Onboarding

Mobile

Security

Integrations

Pixelmator ProProcreate

Signals Comparison

Integrations

Pixelmator Pro

Cannot edit or import vector files (EPS/AI)(7/10)
Very limited plugin ecosystem(6/10)

Procreate

CMYK export is fake - files open as RGB in Photoshop(9/10)

Usability

Pixelmator Pro

Text cannot retain editability after transforms(7/10)
Brush tapering issue with pressure sensitivity(7/10)
Feather tool requires mask workaround(5/10)
No native highlighted text feature(5/10)
Subject selection not always precise(4/10)
Missing panorama stitching(5/10)

Procreate

PSD export loses layer masks entirely(7/10)
No undo history after closing artwork(6/10)
No vector graphics support limits scalability(7/10)
Missing paint bucket tool surprises users(5/10)
Text tool requires rasterization for effects(5/10)

Reliability

Pixelmator Pro

Warp reverts rotated objects(5/10)

Procreate

No signals

Mobile

Pixelmator Pro

iPad version has buggy UI and save issues(8/10)

Procreate

No signals

Pricing

Pixelmator Pro

Apple Creator Studio subscription concerns(6/10)

Procreate

Separate purchases required for iPad and iPhone versions(4/10)

Onboarding

Pixelmator Pro

Some features hard to find or use(4/10)

Procreate

No signals

Customization

Pixelmator Pro

No signals

Procreate

iPad-only app locks out Android and desktop users(9/10)
No adjustment layers like Photoshop(6/10)

Performance

Pixelmator Pro

No signals

Procreate

Layer limits based on iPad RAM frustrate complex projects(8/10)
Apple Pencil lag on some iPad models(7/10)
App crashes and freezes lose unsaved work(8/10)

Pricing Comparison

Pixelmator Pro

One-Time Purchase

Popular

$49.99/mo

Users: Up to 6 Macs (same Apple ID/Family Sharing)

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: Mac-only (macOS 13.0+), iPad version sold separately or via Apple Creator Studio

None - all features included

Apple Creator Studio

$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: iCloud integration

Limits: Subscription model - stops working if cancelled

Annual commitment may be required for discounts

iPad Version

Free

Users: Unlimited

Storage: Device storage + iCloud

Limits: iPad only, some stability issues reported

May require Apple Creator Studio subscription for full features

Procreate

Procreate for iPad

Popular

$12.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Layer count limited by iPad RAM. No CMYK export that works with Photoshop. iPad-only, no Android or desktop version.

Separate purchase needed for iPhone version ($5.99). Premium brush packs from creators cost $2-$25 each. Requires iPad purchase ($449+).

Procreate Pocket (iPhone)

$5.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Smaller screen limits precision. Fewer layers than iPad due to less RAM. Some advanced features unavailable.

Not included with iPad version - separate purchase required. Some features reduced compared to iPad version.

Procreate Dreams

$19.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Frame rate can only be changed when creating new project. Large animations may cause performance issues on older iPads.

Separate from main Procreate app. Full animation workflow may require both apps ($32.98 total).

Feature Comparison

Feature	Pixelmator Pro	Procreate
Core Features
RAW editing Non-destructive
Layer-based editing Full layer support
Panorama stitching Not available
Focus stacking Not available
HDR merge Not available
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
AI Features
ML-powered enhancements ML Enhance, Denoise, Super Resolution
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app Not available
File Formats
Vector file editing Cannot edit EPS/AI
PSD compatibility Basic support
Extensibility
Plugin support Very limited
Features
Vector graphics Raster only
Animation Basic, Dreams app for advanced
3D painting 3D model texturing
Time-lapse recording Built-in
Brush customization Extensive options
Cloud sync Manual iCloud only
AI features Committed to never adding
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
Platforms
Windows version Mac-only
iPad version Has stability issues
Performance
Apple Silicon optimization Excellent M-chip support

Signals Comparison

Integrations

Pixelmator Pro

Cannot edit or import vector files (EPS/AI)(7/10)
Very limited plugin ecosystem(6/10)

Procreate

CMYK export is fake - files open as RGB in Photoshop(9/10)

Usability

Pixelmator Pro

Text cannot retain editability after transforms(7/10)
Brush tapering issue with pressure sensitivity(7/10)
Feather tool requires mask workaround(5/10)
No native highlighted text feature(5/10)
Subject selection not always precise(4/10)
Missing panorama stitching(5/10)

Procreate

PSD export loses layer masks entirely(7/10)
No undo history after closing artwork(6/10)
No vector graphics support limits scalability(7/10)
Missing paint bucket tool surprises users(5/10)
Text tool requires rasterization for effects(5/10)

Reliability

Pixelmator Pro

Warp reverts rotated objects(5/10)

Procreate

No signals

Mobile

Pixelmator Pro

iPad version has buggy UI and save issues(8/10)

Procreate

No signals

Pricing

Pixelmator Pro

Apple Creator Studio subscription concerns(6/10)

Procreate

Separate purchases required for iPad and iPhone versions(4/10)

Onboarding

Pixelmator Pro

Some features hard to find or use(4/10)

Procreate

No signals

Customization

Pixelmator Pro

No signals

Procreate

iPad-only app locks out Android and desktop users(9/10)
No adjustment layers like Photoshop(6/10)

Performance

Pixelmator Pro

No signals

Procreate

Layer limits based on iPad RAM frustrate complex projects(8/10)
Apple Pencil lag on some iPad models(7/10)
App crashes and freezes lose unsaved work(8/10)

Pricing Comparison

Pixelmator Pro

One-Time Purchase

Popular

$49.99/mo

Users: Up to 6 Macs (same Apple ID/Family Sharing)

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: Mac-only (macOS 13.0+), iPad version sold separately or via Apple Creator Studio

None - all features included

Apple Creator Studio

$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: iCloud integration

Limits: Subscription model - stops working if cancelled

Annual commitment may be required for discounts

iPad Version

Free

Users: Unlimited

Storage: Device storage + iCloud

Limits: iPad only, some stability issues reported

May require Apple Creator Studio subscription for full features

Procreate

Procreate for iPad

Popular

$12.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Layer count limited by iPad RAM. No CMYK export that works with Photoshop. iPad-only, no Android or desktop version.

Separate purchase needed for iPhone version ($5.99). Premium brush packs from creators cost $2-$25 each. Requires iPad purchase ($449+).

Procreate Pocket (iPhone)

$5.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Smaller screen limits precision. Fewer layers than iPad due to less RAM. Some advanced features unavailable.

Not included with iPad version - separate purchase required. Some features reduced compared to iPad version.

Procreate Dreams

$19.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Frame rate can only be changed when creating new project. Large animations may cause performance issues on older iPads.

Separate from main Procreate app. Full animation workflow may require both apps ($32.98 total).

Feature Comparison

Feature	Pixelmator Pro	Procreate
Core Features
RAW editing Non-destructive
Layer-based editing Full layer support
Panorama stitching Not available
Focus stacking Not available
HDR merge Not available
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
AI Features
ML-powered enhancements ML Enhance, Denoise, Super Resolution
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app Not available
File Formats
Vector file editing Cannot edit EPS/AI
PSD compatibility Basic support
Extensibility
Plugin support Very limited
Features
Vector graphics Raster only
Animation Basic, Dreams app for advanced
3D painting 3D model texturing
Time-lapse recording Built-in
Brush customization Extensive options
Cloud sync Manual iCloud only
AI features Committed to never adding
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
Platforms
Windows version Mac-only
iPad version Has stability issues
Performance
Apple Silicon optimization Excellent M-chip support