# Image editing for Mac

> Layer-based photo and image editors, from free to pro.

From dockpicks (https://dockpicks.com/), a hand-picked, independent directory of Mac apps. Web page: https://dockpicks.com/image-editing/

Group: Create. 6 apps, listed best first. Prices are the vendor's wording, checked October 2026, and can change.

Built into macOS: Photos and Preview. For quick fixes you may not need anything extra. Photos on Mac handles light and color adjustments, cropping, filters, retouching and, with Apple Intelligence, Clean Up, while Preview can crop, resize, rotate, mark up and remove backgrounds. Neither offers layers, so for compositing, graphic design or detailed retouching you need a real image editor.

## 1. Pixelmator Pro

Full-featured Mac image editor with layers and AI tools

- Price: $49.99 one-time; or $12.99/mo Creator Studio
- Pricing model: Paid. A one-time purchase. A free trial may exist.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: Apple
- Website: https://www.apple.com/pixelmator-pro/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pixelmator-pro/id1289583905
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/image-editing/#pixelmator-pro

A layer-based image editor and graphic design app with retouching, vector tools, AI-assisted features and support for many file formats. It is sold as a one-time Mac purchase or as part of Apple Creator Studio.

Our take: The best fit for most Mac users who want a capable editor without a subscription. It feels native and fast, and the one-time price is reasonable. Some newer features, such as the Warp Tool, are reserved for the Creator Studio version.

## 2. Affinity

Free pro suite for photo editing, vector design and layout

- Price: Free; AI tools need Canva premium
- Pricing model: Free tier. A usable free version, with a paid upgrade for more.
- Usable without paying: Yes
- Open source: No
- Developer: Canva
- Website: https://www.affinity.studio/
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/image-editing/#affinity

One app that combines pixel photo editing, vector illustration and page layout, with non-destructive editing and PSD, AI, IDML and DWG import. It runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

Our take: The strongest free option for serious work, covering photo editing, illustration and layout in one app. Downloading it requires signing in with a Canva account, and the AI features are tied to a paid Canva plan.

## 3. Photomator

Photo editor that works directly on your Photos library

- Price: $7.99/mo, $29.99/yr or $119.99 lifetime
- Pricing model: Subscription. A recurring payment for real use.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: Apple
- Website: https://www.pixelmator.com/photomator/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/photomator-photo-editor/id1444636541
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/image-editing/#photomator

A photo-focused editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad with color adjustments, RAW support, batch editing and AI tools such as Repair and Denoise. Edits made in its browser sync with your Photos library.

Our take: A good step up from Photos if you mainly edit photographs rather than build designs, and a lighter alternative to Lightroom. It does not replace a layer-based editor like Pixelmator Pro.

## 4. Acorn

Affordable, no-subscription image editor for Mac

- Price: $29.99 one-time
- Pricing model: Paid. A one-time purchase. A free trial may exist.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: Flying Meat
- Website: https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/acorn-8/id6737921844
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/image-editing/#acorn

A layer-based image editor for macOS with filters, vector shapes and photo retouching tools. It is a universal app for Apple silicon and requires macOS 14 or later.

Our take: A solid, simple choice for people who want layers and filters without learning a pro tool. It is less powerful than Pixelmator Pro or Affinity for heavy work. A 14-day trial is available.

## 5. GIMP

Long-running free and open-source image editor

- Price: Free
- Pricing model: Free. No payment needed for the full app.
- Usable without paying: Yes
- Open source: Yes, GPL-3.0 (https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp)
- Website: https://www.gimp.org/
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/image-editing/#gimp

A free, cross-platform image editor for photo retouching, compositing and image creation. Native builds are offered for both Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

Our take: Capable and completely free, with an active project behind it. The interface feels less Mac-like than the paid options and takes time to learn. Only download it from gimp.org, since the team does not publish it on the App Store.

## 6. Adobe Photoshop

Industry-standard image editor, by subscription

- Price: US$22.99/month (annual, billed monthly)
- Pricing model: Subscription. A recurring payment for real use.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: Adobe
- Website: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/image-editing/#adobe-photoshop

Adobe's professional image editing and design app with AI-assisted compositing, selections and retouching. It is available on desktop, in the browser and on phones.

Our take: Worth it if you work with clients, studios or tutorials that assume Photoshop and PSD files. For personal use the subscription is hard to justify when Pixelmator Pro and Affinity cover most of the same ground.