Apple Snaps Up Popular Photo Editing App Pixelmator

Apple looks to be taking the next step in photo-editing, by acquiring the popular editing software, Pixelmator.

Pixelmator announced today that it plans to join Apple, marking a major step for the Vilnius, Lithuania-based team. “We’ve been inspired by Apple since day one, crafting our products with the same razor-sharp focus on design, ease of use, and performance,” the Pixelmator Team said in a blog post.

By joining Apple, they aim to “reach an even wider audience and make an even bigger impact on the lives of creative people around the world.”

The acquisition, which still requires regulatory approval, won’t affect Pixelmator’s core apps—Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator—just yet, and fans can “stay tuned for exciting updates to come,” according to the company.

Pixelmator also took a moment to thank its loyal users who’ve supported them over 17 years, saying “Your feedback has played a huge role in shaping our apps into what they are today.”

Last month, Pixelmator Pro 3.6 was released, which brings powerful new masking tools, including AI-driven background masking, double-click mask creation, vector mask support, and on-canvas controls for easier editing. The update included a fully redesigned masking experience, allowing users to quickly hide backgrounds, mask layers into shapes, and work seamlessly with vector masks across various file formats, including PDF, PSD, and AI.

Pixelmator Pro costs $69.99 in Canada, and the app has been previously awarded Mac App of the Year by Apple, is an Editors’ Choice on the Mac App Store with a global rating of 4.8 and has over 43,000 five-star reviews.

It’s unclear what’s next, but Pixelmator might either become a standalone app or its features built into a new app for Apple devices.