Pixelmator, a photo editing app for Macs, revealed that it has been bought by Apple. It is Apple’s first foray into professional editing since ceasing development of Aperture in 2014.

The proposed acquisition comprises Pixelmator for iOS, Pixelmator Pro, and the Photomator apps. The statement was made on Pixelmator’s blog, and it indicates that its team intends to join Apple and that it has signed an agreement to be acquired by the Silicon Valley tech behemoth, subject to regulatory approval.

“We’ve been influenced by Apple since the beginning, and we build our products with the same razor-sharp focus on design, usability, and performance. And looking back, it’s incredible what a tiny group of committed people from Vilnius, Lithuania, have accomplished over the years. “Now, we’ll be able to reach an even larger audience and have a greater impact on the lives of creative people all over the world,” the company adds.

“Pixelmator has reached an acquisition agreement with Apple, subject to regulatory approval. There will be no significant modifications to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, or Photomator apps at this time. It closes with “stay tuned for exciting updates to come.”

Pixelmator has grown greatly in strength over the last several years, both on desktop and mobile, becoming a popular alternative to Adobe’s products among Mac users. Its most recent upgrades include AI-powered masking, complete HDR compatibility, improved noise reduction, and support for Peakto and Fujifilm compressed RAW.

Pixelmator Photo, Pixelmator’s photo-specific editor, will become Photomator in April 2023. The apps are extremely similar, however Pixelmator Pro is more like Adobe Photoshop, which not only supports photo editing but also other graphic design tools. Photomator is exclusively a photo editor.

Details of the acquisition were not disclosed at the time of publication, but if authorized, Apple will be required to announce the purchase price because the company is publicly traded.