Choosing the right app to edit your photos can be a tough decision, especially with so many great options available. This article will focus on two popular apps from the same company: Photomator vs Pixelmator. We’ll explore their key features and help you figure out which one is the better choice for your needs.
While they may seem similar, these apps are built for different purposes. Photomator is a powerful photo editor designed for photographers who need to quickly enhance and manage their image libraries. Pixelmator is a more versatile graphic design tool, closer to a Photoshop alternative, for those who create images from scratch.
What is Photomator?
Photomator is a fast and efficient photo editing application. It is specifically built to work seamlessly with Apple’s Photos app and iCloud, allowing users to make edits that sync instantly across all their devices. Its main goal is to be a modern and powerful tool for photographers.
This app is ideal for editing, organizing, and batch processing large photo libraries. It features a wide range of non-destructive color adjustments, AI-powered selection tools, and a magical repair tool for removing unwanted objects. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants a streamlined workflow for their photos.
What is Pixelmator?
Pixelmator is a robust, all-purpose image editing and graphic design software. Unlike Photomator, it is not just for photos. It is designed to be a complete creative suite, allowing users to combine photos with text, shapes, and other graphics to create posters, mockups, and more.
The purpose of Pixelmator is to offer a powerful and affordable alternative to more expensive design software. It provides a full set of tools, including layers, vector shapes, and a variety of brushes, making it suitable for both professional graphic designers and hobbyists. It is the go-to app for creating visual projects from the ground up.
Conclusion: Photomator vs Pixelmator
In short, Photomator is a specialized tool for photographers that focuses on fast, high-quality photo editing and management within the Apple ecosystem. Pixelmator is a general-purpose graphic design and image manipulation app with a wider range of creative tools. If your main job is editing photos and you want a streamlined workflow, choose Photomator. If you need a versatile tool for design and creating from scratch, Pixelmator is the better option.
FAQs
- Is one of these apps a replacement for the other?
No, they are two separate apps with different purposes. Photomator is a photo editor, similar to Adobe Lightroom, while Pixelmator is a full-featured image editor and design tool, like a lightweight Photoshop.
- Is one app more expensive than the other?
Photomator is available as a subscription or a one-time purchase. Pixelmator Pro is a one-time purchase, which many users prefer. The overall cost depends on which pricing model you choose.
- Do I need both Photomator and Pixelmator?
You may not need both, but they are designed to work together. For example, you can edit a photo in Photomator and then send it to Pixelmator Pro to add text or other graphic elements.
- Which app is better for beginners?
Both apps have a clean and modern interface, but Photomator’s focused feature set may be easier to learn for those new to photo editing. Pixelmator Pro has a wider range of tools that can be overwhelming for a beginner.
- Are these apps available on all Apple devices?
Photomator is available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad, with a consistent user experience. Pixelmator Pro is a Mac-only app, while Pixelmator for iOS is a separate app with a different feature set.
- Which app has better AI features?
Both apps leverage AI. Photomator’s AI is focused on photo editing tasks like automatically enhancing images, removing objects, and making selections. Pixelmator has AI features for tasks like background removal and smart replacement in templates.
- Can I edit RAW files with both apps?
Yes, both Photomator and Pixelmator Pro support editing RAW image formats from over 750 different cameras. Photomator’s RAW editing capabilities are more advanced for photographers.
- Which app is better for creating layered projects?
Pixelmator is the clear winner for layered projects. It has a full-featured layers panel and tools for vector shapes, text, and brushes that are not available in Photomator.
- Can I do batch editing in either app?
Yes, Photomator is specifically designed for batch editing, allowing you to quickly apply the same edits to an entire photoshoot. Pixelmator Pro offers a limited batch processing feature through Apple’s Automator.
- Do these apps work with the Apple Photos app?
Photomator has deep integration with Apple Photos, allowing you to edit images directly from your library and sync changes. Pixelmator Pro can open and edit photos from your Photos library but with a less integrated workflow.