kitio.aiAdobe Lightroom vs Pixelmator Pro
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Pixelmator Pro starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- AI masking
- Denoise
- Generative Remove
- Adaptive presets
- Cloud sync
- Nondestructive layers
- AI upscaling and denoise
- Automatic background removal
- Vector graphics tools
- Design templates
| Feature | Adobe Lightroom | Pixelmator Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Photo editing and organizing app with AI masking and denoise | Apple's image editor for Mac and iPad with built-in AI tools |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $11.99/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | No, trial available |
| Made by | Adobe | Apple |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Pixelmator Pro starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- Lightroom mobile app
- Basic editing tools
Lightroom
$11.99/mo
- Annual plan, billed monthly
- Lightroom on all devices
- 1TB cloud storage
Photography
$19.99/mo
- Annual plan, billed monthly
- Lightroom, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
- 1TB cloud storage
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Adobe Lightroom
- Excellent RAW editing
- One-click AI masks
- Syncs across devices
- Subscription only for full features
- Cloud storage limits
- Two desktop versions confuse users
Pixelmator Pro
- One-time purchase option on Mac
- AI tools run on device
- Clean, approachable interface
- Apple devices only
- No Windows or web version
- Less plugin support than Photoshop
Which one should you choose?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you want:
- Excellent RAW editing
- One-click AI masks
- Syncs across devices
Watch out: subscription only for full features.
Choose Pixelmator Pro if you want:
- One-time purchase option on Mac
- AI tools run on device
- Clean, approachable interface
Watch out: apple devices only.
Adobe Lightroom vs Pixelmator Pro FAQ
What is the difference between Adobe Lightroom and Pixelmator Pro?
Adobe Lightroom: Photo editing and organizing app with AI masking and denoise. Pixelmator Pro: Apple's image editor for Mac and iPad with built-in AI tools. Both are image tools.
Is Adobe Lightroom or Pixelmator Pro cheaper?
Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Pixelmator Pro starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Adobe Lightroom and Pixelmator Pro have free plans?
Adobe Lightroom: Yes. Pixelmator Pro: No, trial available.
Who makes Adobe Lightroom?
Adobe Lightroom is made by Adobe, based in United States.
Who makes Pixelmator Pro?
Pixelmator Pro is made by Apple, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Adobe Lightroom or Pixelmator Pro?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you value excellent raw editing and one-click ai masks. Choose Pixelmator Pro if you value one-time purchase option on mac and ai tools run on device.