Source: https://mactoolbox.app/vs/toolbox-vs-pixelmator-pro

# Toolbox vs Pixelmator Pro

By Nikhil Barik · Published November 3, 2026 · Prices and features checked November 5, 2026

## Quick answer

Pixelmator Pro is a full layer-based image editor. Toolbox is not an editor. It has small tools for jobs like removing a background, resizing, compressing and converting images. Use Pixelmator Pro for real editing and Toolbox for quick, repeatable jobs.

## What each one is

Toolbox is a set of 96 small Mac tools for video, audio, images, PDFs, text and Mac housekeeping. It runs on your Mac, needs no account and costs from $19 once.

Pixelmator Pro is an image editor from Apple for Mac and iPad.

## Feature by feature

Only the areas where the two overlap are compared here.

| Feature | Toolbox | Pixelmator Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove background | Remove Background tool | One-click background removal |
| Resize and crop | Resize Images tool | Full editing tools |
| Layers and adjustment layers | Not included | Nondestructive layer-based editing |
| Retouching and RAW | Not included | Repair, clone stamp, RAW support |
| Requirements | See the Toolbox site | Apple's page lists macOS 26 for the Mac version |
| Price | From $19 one-time, no subscription | Included in Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 per month or $129 per year; the Apple page also lists a one-time $49.99 Mac App Store purchase |

## When Pixelmator Pro is the better choice

Choose Pixelmator Pro for anything beyond a quick fix: layers, retouching, RAW photos, vector shapes, text and design work. Toolbox is not a substitute.

Pixelmator Pro is the better choice for creative work.

## When Toolbox is the better choice

Choose Toolbox when you need to process many images the same way or do a quick task without opening a full editor.

## Frequently asked questions

**Can Toolbox edit photos like Pixelmator Pro?**

No. It handles single-purpose jobs such as background removal, resizing, compressing, converting, blurring faces and removing metadata.

**Is Pixelmator Pro a subscription?**

Apple's page lists it as part of the Apple Creator Studio subscription and also mentions a one-time purchase on the Mac App Store. Check Apple's page for current terms.

## Tools mentioned

- [**Remove Background**: Lift the subject out of photos and save it with a transparent or solid background.](https://mactoolbox.app/remove-background-from-image-mac)
- [**Resize Images**: Scale photos by percentage, longest side or exact size.](https://mactoolbox.app/resize-images-mac)
- [**Compress Images**: Make photos smaller without visible loss in quality.](https://mactoolbox.app/compress-images-mac)
- [**Convert Images**: Save photos as JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF or WebP.](https://mactoolbox.app/heic-to-jpg-mac)

## Keep reading

- [All guides](https://mactoolbox.app/guides)