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Adobe Illustrator CC VS Pixelmator

Compare Adobe Illustrator CC VS Pixelmator and see what are their differences

Adobe Illustrator CC logo Adobe Illustrator CC

Adobe Illustrator CC is a commercial vector graphics editor.

Pixelmator logo Pixelmator

Pixelmator is an image-editing application for Mac and iPad.
  • Adobe Illustrator CC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-14
  • Pixelmator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

Adobe Illustrator CC features and specs

  • Industry Standard
    Adobe Illustrator CC is widely recognized as the industry standard for vector graphic design, making skills and files easily transferable to other professionals and clients.
  • Advanced Tools
    Offers a comprehensive suite of advanced tools and features for creating intricate and scalable vector designs.
  • Regular Updates
    Regularly receives updates that add new features, improve performance, and fix bugs, ensuring the software stays current.
  • Creative Cloud Integration
    Integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, like Photoshop and InDesign, for a streamlined workflow.
  • Extensive Learning Resources
    Extensive tutorials, forums, and a large community make it easier for beginners to learn and for professionals to find advanced techniques.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available on both Windows and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of Adobe Illustrator CC

  • Cost
    Requires a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, which can be expensive for freelancers and small businesses over time.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Can be intimidating and complex for beginners due to its array of advanced tools and features.
  • Resource Intensive
    Can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer to run smoothly, especially with large and complex files.
  • Interface Clutter
    The extensive features can lead to a cluttered interface, making it harder to find and use essential tools.
  • File Compatibility
    While it integrates well with other Adobe software, files may not always be fully compatible with non-Adobe applications.
  • Subscription Model
    The subscription model can be a turn-off for users who prefer one-time purchases over ongoing payments.

Pixelmator features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Pixelmator Pro is designed with a clean and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible even for beginners while still being powerful enough for professionals.
  • Integration with macOS
    The software is built exclusively for macOS, allowing seamless integration with other Apple applications and services like iCloud, Photos, and AppleScript.
  • Affordability
    Pixelmator Pro is a one-time purchase, making it more affordable in the long run compared to subscription-based software like Adobe Photoshop.
  • Performance Optimization
    It takes advantage of the latest macOS technologies such as Metal, Core Image, and OpenGL, ensuring smoother performance and faster processing times.
  • AI-Powered Tools
    Pixelmator Pro includes a variety of AI-driven tools like ML Super Resolution, which enhances image quality using machine learning algorithms.

Possible disadvantages of Pixelmator

  • macOS Exclusivity
    Pixelmator Pro is only available for macOS, which limits its accessibility to users who are on Windows or other operating systems.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the software has a variety of advanced features that can require a learning curve to fully understand and utilize.
  • Limited Third-Party Integration
    Compared to industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Pixelmator Pro has fewer integrations with third-party plugins and services.
  • No Vector Drawing Tools
    The software lacks comprehensive vector drawing tools, which can be a drawback for users who need robust vector graphic capabilities.
  • Feature Gaps
    While Pixelmator Pro covers a wide range of functionalities, it still lacks some advanced features and functionalities offered by competitors such as Adobe Photoshop.

Analysis of Adobe Illustrator CC

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Adobe Illustrator CC is considered a good choice for professionals and hobbyists who need a robust platform for vector design. Its capabilities make it a leading tool in the design industry, supporting complex projects with ease.

Why this product is good

  • Adobe Illustrator CC is widely regarded as a powerful vector graphic design tool. It provides an extensive range of tools for creating detailed and scalable graphics. Users appreciate its precision, diverse feature set, and integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. The software is frequently updated, ensuring it remains current with the latest design trends and technology advancements. Additionally, Adobe Illustrator is supported by a vast resource of tutorials and community forums, which can be beneficial for both beginners and advanced users.

Recommended for

    Adobe Illustrator CC is recommended for graphic designers, artists, and illustrators looking for detailed and scalable graphic design capabilities. It's particularly useful for those involved in digital illustration, logo design, web graphics, and print production.

Analysis of Pixelmator

Overall verdict

  • Pixelmator is a strong choice for those seeking a versatile and affordable image editing tool. Its seamless integration with Apple hardware and software ecosystems enhances its functionality for Mac users.

Why this product is good

  • Pixelmator is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface, extensive toolset, and integration with macOS features. It provides a robust set of photo editing tools, enabling tasks like retouching, painting, and graphic design. It is particularly praised for its speed and efficiency, making it a great choice for users wanting a powerful but accessible editing software.

Recommended for

  • Casual users who want powerful editing tools without a steep learning curve.
  • Mac users looking for software that's optimized for Apple hardware and OS.
  • Graphic designers and artists who need a tool for creative work that offers both vector and raster graphics editing features.
  • Small business owners who need an efficient tool for basic to advanced photo editing and graphic design tasks.

Adobe Illustrator CC videos

Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 NEW Features!

More videos:

  • Review - Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 NEW FEATURES (AWESOME)

Pixelmator videos

Pixelmator Photo 2019 for iPad - Full Guide & Review!

More videos:

  • Review - Pixelmator Photo Review
  • Review - Pixelmator Pro Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Adobe Illustrator CC and Pixelmator)
Graphic Design Software
22 22%
78% 78
Image Editing
12 12%
88% 88
Vector Graphic Editor
100 100%
0% 0
Digital Drawing And Painting

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Adobe Illustrator CC and Pixelmator

Adobe Illustrator CC Reviews

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Pixelmator Reviews

10 Best Photopea Software Alternatives in 2024 (Free & Paid)
Pixelmator Pro is one of the best Photopea alternatives for macOS that lets businesses change, improve, and tailor pictures using tools, colors, and workspaces. It comes with pre-made shapes like circles, speech bubbles, lines, and stars that designers can use to finish their work. It supports non-destructive editing, meaning you can make changes without altering the...
Best Photo Editing Software for Mac: 5 Pro Alternatives to Adobe
Leveraging Apple Tech: Pixelmator Pro is built from the ground up for macOS. It deeply integrates with core technologies like Metal (for graphics acceleration), Core ML (for machine learning), improving performance and responsiveness.
Affinity Alternative
Pixelmator Pro, like Photolemur, boasts machine learning to make photo editing quick and easy. In addition, it contains many advanced editing tools as well as a fresh workflow that’s bound to attract many users.
Source: skylum.com
We tested 4 photo editing alternatives to Photoshop
Next up was Pixelmator, a slick OSX app with a pleasingly unslick $29.99 price point. To test Pixelmator we gave Max a copy of the Stone Roses’ eponymously titled 1989 album ‘The Stone Roses‘. With it’s distinctive cover art by Roses’ guitarist John Squire, ‘The Stone Roses’ should pose a worthy challenge to Pixelmator.
Source: diginate.com
12 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives You Should Try
Pixelmator is a macOS only photo editing tool that brings with it a ton of Photoshop like features and tools, and it also supports some of the latest features that Apple has brought to macOS such as editing and exporting images stored in the High Efficiency Image File format. There are the usual features like support for layers and blending modes, a plethora of tools to use...
Source: beebom.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Adobe Illustrator CC and Pixelmator, you can also consider the following products

Inkscape - Inkscape is a free, open source professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Photoshop is a webtop application for editing images and photos online.

Sketch - Professional digital design for Mac.

GIMP - GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite - Empower your creativity with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2018, packed with powerful features and updates to transform creative ideas into visually stunning designs! Learn more or download a free trial today!

Affinity Photo - Affinity is the imaging and design suite for creative professionals exclusively for Mac.