We stand with Ukraine to help keep people safe. Join us
All Apps
Best AppsReviewsComparisonsHow-To
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission

Pixen for Mac

Pixel art and animation editor

Free
In English
Version 5.4.6
4.5
Based on 19 user rates

Pixen overview

Pixen is a professional pixel art editor designed for working with low-resolution raster art, such as those 8-bit sprites found in old-school video games. With features like a unique color palette system, patterns, layers, and high-zoom support, Pixen packs all the tools pixel artists need in an intuitive, Mac-native interface. Pixen also makes creating frame-by-frame animations fun and easy.

What’s new in version 5.4.6

  • Added a preset for the Playdate's screen size in the Create New Image / Animation window
  • Added different algorithms as options to the Filter -> Convert to 1-bit command, with thresholding and dithering settings included
  • Added different algorithms as options to the Filter -> Convert to Grayscale command
  • Added a 1-bit color palette to the default set of color palettes, which can be docked in the sidebar
  • Added a button for inverting colors to the Pattern Editor window
  • Added an option for creating patterns from 1-bit images in the Pattern Editor

Pixen for Mac

Free
In English
Version 5.4.6
Write a detailed review about Pixen

Write your thoughts in our old-fashioned comment

MacUpdate Comment Policy. We strongly recommend leaving comments, however comments with abusive words, bullying, personal attacks of any type will be moderated.
4.5

(41 Reviews of Pixen)

  • Comments

  • User Ratings

RogerKatz
RogerKatz
Apr 24 2022
4.1.5
0.0
Apr 24 2022
0.0
Version: 4.1.5
The current version at the Mac App Store is 4.1.6
Beamy
Beamy
Feb 8 2021
4.1.3
0.0
Feb 8 2021
0.0
Version: 4.1.3
On the Macupdate page you can read "Free • Absolutely Free", well that is not correct. On the MacAppStore and on the Pixen website the program costs $ 10. That is not really the definition of "free". I have not found a test or demo version of Pixen. What about "try before you buy" ? The pixel paint program PikoPixel is really free !
Digitalvanilla
Digitalvanilla
Jan 5 2016
3.8.1
0.5
Jan 5 2016
0.5
Version: 3.8.1
Keep crashing and I cannot open any animate gif file at all.
DonkeyKong
DonkeyKong
Sep 16 2012
3.5.7b3
5.0
Sep 16 2012
5.0
Version: 3.5.7b3
I like Pixelmator a lot but if you need to edit small pictures this is much better imo Very easy for pixel perfection. Both essential graphics apps!
idyll
idyll
Aug 10 2012
3.5.6b3
5.0
Aug 10 2012
5.0
Version: 3.5.6b3
Versions after 3.5.3 no longer work with Mac OS X 10.6. The developer only provides links to the latest version, but this is no good for those of us still using Snow Leopard. To MacUpdate and/or the developer: Please provide a link to Pixen 3.5.3!
Pixen-Project
Pixen-Project
Oct 23 2022
5.0.1
5.0
Oct 23 2022
5.0
Version: 5.0.1
Emile-b
Emile-b
Apr 25 2022
4.1.6
5.0
Apr 25 2022
5.0
Version: 4.1.6
Digitalvanilla
Digitalvanilla
Jan 5 2016
0.5
Jan 5 2016
0.5
Version: null
hced
hced
Apr 17 2014
5.0
Apr 17 2014
5.0
Version: null
Leonledragon
Leonledragon
Sep 15 2013
5.0
Sep 15 2013
5.0
Version: null
DonkeyKong
DonkeyKong
Sep 16 2012
5.0
Sep 16 2012
5.0
Version: null
Quiiick
Quiiick
Sep 5 2012
4.0
Sep 5 2012
4.0
Version: null
idyll
idyll
Aug 10 2012
5.0
Aug 10 2012
5.0
Version: null
tinyWorld
tinyWorld
Aug 1 2012
5.0
Aug 1 2012
5.0
Version: null
Grug
Grug
Jun 1 2012
5.0
Jun 1 2012
5.0
Version: null
Tommy-Gun
Tommy-Gun
Mar 18 2012
3.0
Mar 18 2012
3.0
Version: null
Kharntiitar
Kharntiitar
Jan 10 2012
5.0
Jan 10 2012
5.0
Version: null
Teak42
Teak42
Dec 18 2011
5.0
Dec 18 2011
5.0
Version: null
vostro5
vostro5
Apr 5 2011
5.0
Apr 5 2011
5.0
Version: null
Straw000
Straw000
Sep 17 2007
5.0
Sep 17 2007
5.0
Version: null
Cocoua
Cocoua
Nov 14 2006
4.0
Nov 14 2006
4.0
Version: null
Aname
Aname
May 5 2006
4.5
May 5 2006
4.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Oct 5 2004
4.8
Oct 5 2004
4.8
Version: null
Dojob
Dojob
Jul 13 2004
5.0
Jul 13 2004
5.0
Version: null