Apple's professional image editing software Pixelmator Pro is coming to iPad for the first time, featuring a redesigned touch interface, full Apple Pencil integration, and cross-platform workflow continuity.
Nearly a year after Apple's acquisition of Pixelmator, the company has announced Pixelmator Pro is expanding beyond macOS to iPadOS. This marks the first major product evolution since Apple brought the Lithuania-based development team in-house in late 2024. The iPad version launches January 28 alongside Apple Creator Studio, requiring iPadOS 26 and devices with A16, A17 Pro, or M-series chips.
The iPad edition isn't a scaled-down companion app but a full-featured adaptation of the desktop experience. According to Apple's announcement, Pixelmator Pro for iPad includes:
- Touch-optimized workspace redesigned specifically for iPad interaction
- Complete layer system supporting images, shapes, text, and video
- Advanced selection tools for precision editing
- Bitmap/vector masking capabilities
- Apple Pencil integration with pressure-sensitive brushes and gesture controls (hover, squeeze, double-tap)
- Hardware-accelerated features like Super Resolution for image upscaling and Deband for artifact removal
Performance leverages Apple silicon with optimizations for iPad hardware. The app maintains workflow continuity through iCloud, allowing projects to move seamlessly between iPad and Mac versions. Notably, the Mac version remains available as a $49.99 one-time purchase via the App Store.
However, Apple is introducing feature segmentation through its new Apple Creator Studio subscription. Subscribers gain access to exclusive tools like the Warp feature for advanced layer manipulation and professional product mockups. This subscription model also extends premium features to Apple's productivity apps including Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
The hardware requirements indicate Pixelmator Pro targets professional workflows. Compatible devices include iPad Pro (M-series), iPad Air (M1+), and iPad mini (A16+), excluding entry-level iPads with older chips. This positions the app as a premium creative tool rather than a casual editor, aligning with Apple's professional app strategy.
Longtime Pixelmator users should note this replaces the older Pixelmator for iOS app, which received minimal updates in recent years. The Pro version's arrival on iPad finally brings feature parity between Apple's mobile and desktop creative ecosystems, though the subscription requirement for advanced tools may prove controversial among pro users accustomed to perpetual licenses.
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