Pixelmator began life as Pixelmator Classic, a photo-editing/design app created in 2007 by a Lithuanian company called Pixelmator. It evolved to become Pixelmator Pro in 2017. It’s no surprise that Apple had its eye on Pixelmator Pro, as it looked and behaved like a first-party Apple app, featuring a clean interface with side panels of tool icons and drop-down menu commands that could be summoned when required.
Apple awarded Pixelmator Pro Mac App of the Year in 2018 and 2023, so it makes sense that they would want to bring the app ‘in-house’. Apple acquired Pixelmator Pro (and its sister app Photomator) in 2025. Pixelmator Pro 4 was released as an Apple-branded product in January 2026.
