Apple Creator Studio: No Pixelmator Pro upgrade, double subscription issue

Bad news for purchasers of the Photoshop alternative Pixelmator Pro: While the one-time purchase versions of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, MainStage, Compressor, and Motion continue to be updated despite the new subscription package Apple Creator Studio, this does not seem to be the case with the image editing software. It has so far remained in the App Store at the old version 3.7.1, while the Creator Studio variant has reached version 4.0. Another problem affects existing subscribers of the iPad versions of Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro, which were previously only available via subscription: If you order Creator Studio, you suddenly have two subscriptions because there is no automatic cancellation.

Pixelmator Pro: Trapped in the Past

Apple's switch to a subscription model for its creative apps is, as is well known, causing confusion overall. One reason: all affected apps now suddenly have a second version. This also applies to the iWork programs, which remain free but receive premium paid content via subscription. The programs are therefore possibly duplicated on the SSD, distinguishable at first glance only by their icon. For the one-time purchase versions of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Co., users are not initially bothered by Creator Studio: the App Store provided regular updates without further notice. However, if you update Pages, Numbers, or Keynote, you will receive a notification immediately after the update that you should download the Creator Studio version, including an App Store link.

However, nothing is happening with Pixelmator Pro. No update is offered at all for the one-time purchase version, which costs a hefty 60 Euros, but it is still available in the App Store. It remains at the aforementioned version 3.7.1, last updated in November. In parallel, there is now the new Pixelmator Pro 4.0, which can only be used as a subscriber. In addition to "premium content" such as stock photos, it features a new distortion tool with layer deformations. Furthermore, Pixelmator Pro appears on the iPad for the first time – exclusively for Creator Studio subscribers and including Pencil support. Apple has not commented on the future of the paid version of Pixelmator Pro. It was actually expected that it would continue to be maintained, just like Final Cut Pro & Co. If the lack of updates persists, loyal users of the Photoshop alternative would now be pressured into a subscription. This costs 12.99 Euros per month or 129 Euros per year (including family option).

Double Subscription on the iPad

Another problem affects Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on the iPad. Both were recently available for 4.99 Euros per month or 49 Euros per year – a moderate price for such professional apps. As mentioned, Apple never offered one-time purchase versions. The difficulty here is that users might get the idea that existing subscriptions will be integrated into the Creator Studio subscription when they sign up for it. This is not the case: you may simply have two subscriptions running.

The solution is to first cancel the subscription for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, ideally continue using the apps until their expiration (until the end of the month), and then enter the trial period of the Creator Studio subscription. This lasts for one month, or three months for newly purchased devices (Macs, iPads). Thereafter, the fee will be charged. Why Apple does not offer a migration option from one subscription to another here is unclear.

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