# Creative studio

> A complete, native creative suite for photos, vectors, video and motion. 8 native Mac apps, hand-picked by MacWorthy. Facts checked 2026-10-19.

## Compared

| App | Price | Mac App Store | Homebrew | Open source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pixelmator Pro](https://macworthy.com/apps/pixelmator-pro/) | One-time purchase | Yes | No | No |
| [Affinity](https://macworthy.com/apps/affinity/) | Free | No | `affinity` | No |
| [Photomator](https://macworthy.com/apps/photomator/) | Subscription | Yes | No | No |
| [Sketch](https://macworthy.com/apps/sketch/) | Subscription | No | `sketch` | No |
| [Rotato](https://macworthy.com/apps/rotato/) | Subscription | No | `rotato` | No |
| [CleanShot X](https://macworthy.com/apps/cleanshot-x/) | One-time purchase | No | `cleanshot` | No |
| [Permute 3](https://macworthy.com/apps/permute-3/) | One-time purchase | No | `permute` | No |
| [Squash](https://macworthy.com/apps/squash/) | One-time purchase | No | `squash` | No |

## The apps

- **[Pixelmator Pro](https://macworthy.com/apps/pixelmator-pro.md)** (editor's pick): A pro image editor, built entirely for the Mac. Layer-based editing, machine-learning tools and a gorgeous interface on Metal. Pixelmator Pro is image editing that feels at home on macOS.
- **[Affinity](https://macworthy.com/apps/affinity.md)**: Pro vector, pixel and layout tools in one app. The Affinity suite merges vector design, photo editing and page layout into a single professional app, now free to use.
- **[Photomator](https://macworthy.com/apps/photomator.md)**: Powerful photo editing for your Photos library. Edit straight from Apple Photos with pro color tools, AI selection and batch edits, non-destructively.
- **[Sketch](https://macworthy.com/apps/sketch.md)**: The native interface design tool. Sketch designs interfaces, prototypes and design systems with a fast native editor and a web workspace for teams.
- **[Rotato](https://macworthy.com/apps/rotato.md)**: Animated 3D device mockups in minutes. Drop a screenshot or video into a phone, laptop or tablet, add camera moves and export a polished product animation.
- **[CleanShot X](https://macworthy.com/apps/cleanshot-x.md)** (editor's pick): The screenshot tool that does everything. Capture areas, windows or scrolling pages, annotate, blur, record video or GIF, hide desktop icons and share to the cloud. Over fifty features, all fast.
- **[Permute 3](https://macworthy.com/apps/permute-3.md)**: Convert video, audio and images by drag and drop. Permute converts media with hardware acceleration, merges files and batch-processes folders behind a friendly face.
- **[Squash](https://macworthy.com/apps/squash.md)**: Batch image compression and conversion. Squash resizes, converts and compresses whole folders of images to WebP, AVIF, JPEG and PNG while you get on with your day.

HTML version: https://macworthy.com/collections/creative-studio/