Pixelmator vs PhotoFiltre Studio X

Pixelmator's interface is pleasant to look at, easy to use and specifically optimized for OS X users, making it very intuitive for long-time Mac users.

Not only does Piexelmator provide easy to use tools that you should expect in any image editor, it also has rare tools such as layer styles, liquify tools and OS X optimized, fast image manipulation engine among others.

Layer styles allow non-destructively applying effects to a layer.

Dozens of visual effects available, easily discovered from the visual Effects Browser, broken into categories. Effects have interactive dialogs and live preview.

Pixelmator can be used across any number of monitors.

Gives you common image editing capabilities almost instantly.

Pixelmator's image engine is specifically optimized for use with Macs, providing one the best performance results available on OS X.

Pixelmator costs just $30 on the App Store. Additionally, it often comes bundled with other software that you might also find useful bringing the price down.

The layout is intuitive allowing you to find and use tools without having to spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of the program.

A portable version can be held on an external drive such as a usb stick and run from it so you can use it on any Windows machine without needing to install it.

PhotoFiltre has round, square and oblique line brushes of different sizes and allows custom shapes to be used as brushes. Gradient colors as well as effects such as 3D, pastels, charcoal can be used with brushes.

A toolbar at the top of the interface allows quick access to predefined folders that allow quick access to selections, masks, patterns.

Portable version available