pixelmator.jpgImage editing software Pixelmator was updated to version 2.21 today, adding a multitude of new enhancements that increase the overall speed of the app.

Today we are happy to release the first Pixelmator 2.2.1 update. That may sound minor in numbers, but in our little Pixelmator world, it's a major one. We've done some radical improvements behind the scenes. One of them is a new Pixelmator file format. It's still the same file format you are used to, yet it now has a completely new architecture that takes advantage of the modern OS X technologies making your image editing even faster and more enjoyable.

Pixelmator documents now open twice as fast, iCloud saves are faster, and better Quick Look support allows users to preview documents without opening them. Background saves have been added, and a progress bar shows file status when opening and saving documents.

Quite a few improvements to effects have been added as well, designed to allow users to search, preview, and apply effects faster. Multiple effects have seen speed enhancements, and bug fixes that cause crashes have been applied. The full log of changes to Pixelmator 2.21 can be found on the company's support site.

Pixelmator can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $14.99. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

ValSalva Avatar
161 months ago
Keep fighting the good fight against Photoshop. For most of us Pixelmator is all we'll need. Let the pros with the big budgets pay for the perpetual Adobe CC licenses.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrbyu Avatar
161 months ago
One of the best, most user-friendly programs for OS X with an excellent price-value ratio. I'm really just an amateur and I can't even take full advantage of what this application is capable of, but it's my favourite piece of (third-party) software.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dweezle3 Avatar
161 months ago
Background saves? Finally! I love how even little "minor" x.1 updates with Pixelmator produce such big results! Really a great product, especially for it's price.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
the8thark Avatar
161 months ago
A very nice piece of software this is. I use it as an alternative to photoshop for the little photo edits I have. I really hope this enters the big game one day then I'll be able to ditch photoshop for good.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
morespce54 Avatar
161 months ago
Can we stop fighting over this already? ;)

I think everybody who tried Pixelmator just loves it!








(NO it's not a full PS replacement....yet. But beware... it might just be what you're looking for! And it's pretty good (and pretty too) at what it does)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Razeus Avatar
161 months ago
Still no 16-bit TIFFs?

Now is the time to add features for those leaving Photoshop's subscription world Pixelmator! NOW IS THE TIME!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, Macs, and More

Thursday January 15, 2026 11:19 am PST by
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the United States, according to the company's website. Most of the values declined slightly, but some of the Mac values increased. iPhone ...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

These 5 Apple Products Will Reportedly Be Upgraded With OLED Displays

Friday January 16, 2026 7:07 pm PST by
Apple plans to upgrade the iPad mini, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iMac, and MacBook Air with OLED displays between 2026 and 2028, according to DigiTimes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that the iPad mini and MacBook Pro will receive an OLED display as early as this year, but he does not expect the MacBook Air to adopt the technology until 2028 at the earliest. A new iPad Air is...
Verizon New

Verizon Offering $20 Credit After Major Outage, Here's How to Get It

Thursday January 15, 2026 7:37 am PST by
Verizon today announced it will be offering customers a $20 account credit after a major outage on Wednesday, and action is required to receive it. The carrier said affected customers can accept the credit by logging into the My Verizon app, but it might take some time before this option shows up in the app. Affected customers will receive a text message when the credit is available. On...