Pixelmator today updated its pro image editing software, Pixelmator Pro, to version 1.1.4 to add new effects, a new Auto Selective Color adjustment tool that's powered by Core ML, and more.

The Auto Selective Color feature allows selective color adjustments to be applied automatically to images to improve specific colors using machine learning.

pixelmatorpro
A new Light Leak effect adds a sunny, vintage feel to photos, while a Bokeh effect can add artistic camera blur. There's a new Spin Blur to create circular motion effects, and a Noise effect lets you add digital noise to photos.

Other new effects include Threshold, Mask to Alpha, Clouds, and other Tile and Distort effects pulled from the original Pixelmator app.

A long list of improvements have been made to existing tools. Auto White Balance and Auto Lightness, for example, better preserve skin tones and are 30 percent faster. The Color Adjustments and Effects submenus offer up Copy, Paste, Reset and Flatten Adjustment options, and there's a new keyboard shortcut (O) for Show Original when using various tools.

A full list of improvements and bug fixes are available in the Pixelmator Pro release notes.

In celebration of back to school, Pixelmator is discounting Pixelmator Pro to $29.99, a $30 discount off of the original $59.99 price tag. Pixelmator Pro can be downloaded from the Mac App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

macintoshmac Avatar
97 months ago
$30 is really a low price for the software. Pixelmator is usually at the forefront of latest technologies Apple brings out, IIRC.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
97 months ago
It looks good but I'm a fan of the Affinity Photo/Design lineup.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R10k Avatar
97 months ago
In order or capabilities...

Pixelmator
Pixelmator Pro
Affinity Photo
Photoshop

Pixelmator is a beginners app. Pixelmator Pro is Pixelmator with a few more functions. It’s not a pro level app at all, but it is very accessible, especially if you’re familiar with Apple’s Photos. Both apps can do do a lot - neither is bad, but they lack advanced options.

Affinity Photo is where you start getting options to do pro level work. Photoshop’s algorithms are superior in many areas compared to Affinity, but for many, many people, Affinity is more than enough.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
peterh988 Avatar
97 months ago
Been using Pixelmator for a few years now. But have been looking at Affinity Photo.

So what to do. Buy Pixelmator Pro while on discount, or is Affinity Photo worth the extra? I've heard very good things about it.
I've been hanging on, waiting for Affinity to release, or at least confirm or deny, their supposedly upcoming "Lightroom" type app.

Then I'll probably make the jump to Affinity Photo, although Pixelmator standard does everything I need right now.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikir Avatar
97 months ago
Is there any way to purchase it from AppStore while it's on discount but without having access to a Mac.. on w Windows PC? Apparently, it sells only on the AppStore and no way to purchase from outside on PixelMator's website.
Plan to get updated MacBook later, so it would be good to get this app while on discount
If you have an AppleID already you can create a temporary user on a friend’s Mac login only in Mac App Store (don’t setup iCloud for example) and buy it. Then delete the account.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JesperA Avatar
97 months ago
$30 is really a low price for the software. Pixelmator is usually at the forefront of latest technologies Apple brings out, IIRC.
Exactly, especially considering this is a "one time buy" and not an absurd overpriced subscription based app like some other apps.

So kudos to the Pixelmator team for not falling into the subscription model fad (yet, atleast)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
Apple Creator Studio

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...