Photomator v. Pixelmator Pro
2023-05-16 14:20:57
I have used Pixelmator Pro for years and am happy with it ... what does Photomator offer to me, should I decide to purchase, that I do not already have? Is it the AI tools, and if so will they eventually come to PPro?
2023-05-16 14:23:20
2023-05-16 14:42:30
Thanks LaurentP ... I did that but it's not clear about what Photomator does that Pixelmator does not.
For example, if I have sharpening issues after PPro work I use Topaz ... I see that Photomator offers an AI tool to increase resolution, is that better than Pro plus Topaz? I am happy to pay, cost is not the issue, but I would like to know what it does better ... and if it is not better that PPro then what is the point of it?
For example, if I have sharpening issues after PPro work I use Topaz ... I see that Photomator offers an AI tool to increase resolution, is that better than Pro plus Topaz? I am happy to pay, cost is not the issue, but I would like to know what it does better ... and if it is not better that PPro then what is the point of it?
2023-05-16 15:13:38
I think that PPro has the same upscaler than Photomator...
During my tests I found that the upscaler is not as good as freescaler for example (you can found it on the App Store) ... and I'm pretty sure that Topaz is better too.
During my tests I found that the upscaler is not as good as freescaler for example (you can found it on the App Store) ... and I'm pretty sure that Topaz is better too.
2023-05-16 15:20:59
Selection using AI and cataloging are for me the biggest differences.The adjustment tools seems the same. Lets hope the apply to all / syncing will be on bar with Lightroom. Pixelmator Pro is a Photoshop, Photomator is Lightroom at least thats how I read it.
2023-05-16 15:23:18
Thank you ... in that case worth looking into
2023-06-17 13:14:44
According to your personal review, which one is worth using?
2023-08-26 09:17:57
Slightly older post but I see this question posted often, so here's my response. As a disclaimer, I use Pixelmator and have purchased Photomator in the hopes of being able to replace my current software, but am using Capture One Pro instead of Photomator until Photomator supports external libraries.
Both are potentially worth using, depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Because while they both roughly do the same thing, it's kind of like saying that a motorcycle and a tractor trailer truck can both move you from one place to another. They can, but the fine details matter.
Pixelmator is your choice if you are either heavily editing and manipulating your photos, and if you only edit a small number of photos at a time.
Photomator should be your choice if you are reviewing larger numbers of photos, and want to apply adjustments to multiple photos at once.
The two should complement each other. My general workflow is to process hundreds or thousands of photos in Capture One (eventually will use Photomator for this). For photos I really like, that might require more involved editing, or that I intend to print (instead of just throwing into a virtual album) I will take them into Pixelmator and work on them further, after I have used Capture One to cull and perform the general adjustments.
2024-02-10 16:32:51
You had me at external libraries.
That is the same reason that I use Capture One.
That being said, I have used Photomator on my phone and liked it for some personal editing, but lack of external library support will keep me from using it on my Mac for any client work.
That is the same reason that I use Capture One.
That being said, I have used Photomator on my phone and liked it for some personal editing, but lack of external library support will keep me from using it on my Mac for any client work.
2024-02-12 13:06:00
External libraries currently works in the beta I'm testing - we are on Beta 9 at the moment, it was hoped to roll out before the year end, but didn't happen.... But I would think we are very close to the 3.3 release.
Shelton.
Shelton.
2024-07-17 13:47:23
Greetings and salutations!
Seeing that there's still a bit of confusion left here, I thought I'd jump in and try to clear it up as best as I could.
First and foremost, I can see that there was mention of separate libraries for Photomator here - I’m glad to say that since Photomator 3.3 for macOS, we’ve integrated the Files browser, which allows you to work with your files separately from the Photos app.
You can find our blog post on the update here
As for the main question - Pixelmator Pro is more geared towards heavy image manipulation, design creation and graphics work. It has a comprehensive set of tools suitable for users who find themselves needing features beyond photo editing like vector editing, making designs compatible for printing, layer-based editing and much more.
It's also worth pointing out that Pixelmator Pro is a macOS only app which integrates beautifully with the system, so it's compatible with system features like Shortcuts and AppleScript for automating workflows.
Pixelmator Pro is only available as a one-time purchase, so while that may be seen as a benefit for some, it also offers less room for pricing preferences.
Photomator on the other hand, caters more towards photography workflows and working with large batches of photos at once. Focus is placed on quick but powerful adjustments, photography enhancements, powerful AI-based tools as well as effortless photo-by-photo editing. Basically, it has every tool to make each shot you take look its’ absolute best.
Photomator is available on both macOS and iOS (visionOS too!), and even though you’ll feel right at home regardless of the version you use, they’re both quite different on a technical level. This is why they don’t share version numbers and some features are macOS only, like Frames or the Clone tool. The end goal is to create a seamless experience, so we’re working on bringing over the features to iOS as well. Both the macOS and iOS versions also make use of system features like Shortcuts, so the option for that is also present here.
Having that in mind, Photomator benefits workflows which involve working on multiple devices with functionality like syncing edits using iCloud Photos, syncing your LUT libraries between devices and more.
Though on the same note, both of the apps can be used in tandem for some great results, like starting editing on an iOS device with Photomator and making very fine adjustments later in Pixelmator Pro, all while retaining the editing information exactly as you left it.
Photomator also offers options for monthly, yearly and lifetime licenses so it’s a bit more flexible in that regard.
To round this off, Pixelmator Pro is better suited for users needing extensive editing capabilities across various types of graphic work, while Photomator offers a streamlined experience for those focused primarily on photo enhancements and adjustments with the benefit of being able to work between devices with ease.
I hope I was able to make it a bit clearer!
Seeing that there's still a bit of confusion left here, I thought I'd jump in and try to clear it up as best as I could.
First and foremost, I can see that there was mention of separate libraries for Photomator here - I’m glad to say that since Photomator 3.3 for macOS, we’ve integrated the Files browser, which allows you to work with your files separately from the Photos app.
You can find our blog post on the update here
As for the main question - Pixelmator Pro is more geared towards heavy image manipulation, design creation and graphics work. It has a comprehensive set of tools suitable for users who find themselves needing features beyond photo editing like vector editing, making designs compatible for printing, layer-based editing and much more.
It's also worth pointing out that Pixelmator Pro is a macOS only app which integrates beautifully with the system, so it's compatible with system features like Shortcuts and AppleScript for automating workflows.
Pixelmator Pro is only available as a one-time purchase, so while that may be seen as a benefit for some, it also offers less room for pricing preferences.
Photomator on the other hand, caters more towards photography workflows and working with large batches of photos at once. Focus is placed on quick but powerful adjustments, photography enhancements, powerful AI-based tools as well as effortless photo-by-photo editing. Basically, it has every tool to make each shot you take look its’ absolute best.
Photomator is available on both macOS and iOS (visionOS too!), and even though you’ll feel right at home regardless of the version you use, they’re both quite different on a technical level. This is why they don’t share version numbers and some features are macOS only, like Frames or the Clone tool. The end goal is to create a seamless experience, so we’re working on bringing over the features to iOS as well. Both the macOS and iOS versions also make use of system features like Shortcuts, so the option for that is also present here.
Having that in mind, Photomator benefits workflows which involve working on multiple devices with functionality like syncing edits using iCloud Photos, syncing your LUT libraries between devices and more.
Though on the same note, both of the apps can be used in tandem for some great results, like starting editing on an iOS device with Photomator and making very fine adjustments later in Pixelmator Pro, all while retaining the editing information exactly as you left it.
Photomator also offers options for monthly, yearly and lifetime licenses so it’s a bit more flexible in that regard.
To round this off, Pixelmator Pro is better suited for users needing extensive editing capabilities across various types of graphic work, while Photomator offers a streamlined experience for those focused primarily on photo enhancements and adjustments with the benefit of being able to work between devices with ease.
I hope I was able to make it a bit clearer!