Best Photo & Video Apps for Mac

ImageFlow

Photo & Video · Free & open source

A node-based image editor for macOS

Atlas

Photo & Video · $39 · one-time (one-time, incl. 1 year of updates)

A native, local-first visual library for designers to collect and organize inspiration — images, videos, and links across Grid, Canvas, and Infinity views.

Backspace

Photo & Video · $8.99 · one-time (7-day free trial. One-time purchase. No subscription.)

Cinematic live wallpapers for your Mac.

CleanShot X

Photo & Video · $29 · one-time

Screenshot and screen-recording done right — hide desktop clutter, annotate, capture scrolling pages, record GIFs, and get a shareable link.

Pixelmator Pro

Photo & Video · $49.99 · one-time

A full image editor that is 100% native, Metal-accelerated, and packed with machine-learning tools — and an Apple Design Award winner.

Gifski

Photo & Video · Free & open source

Converts video to high-quality GIF on the Mac using a per-frame palette encoder that keeps gradients smooth at surprisingly small file sizes.

QuickRecorder

Photo & Video · Free & open source

A lightweight screen recorder built on ScreenCaptureKit — record a screen, window, app, or region with system audio, no kernel extension required.

IINA

Photo & Video · Free & open source

The modern video player for macOS — a free, open-source player built on mpv with a native interface, Force Touch, and full Touch Bar support.

Cap

Photo & Video · Free · Pro, billed annually; desktop-only license from $29/yr $8.16

An open-source Loom alternative for Mac that records, edits, and shares screen recordings with a link — with a local-first Studio Mode and full self-hosting if you want to own the data.

Amadine

Photo & Video · Free · Lifetime $29.99

A native vector illustration app for Mac — Bezier drawing, unlimited artboards, and full SVG/PDF/AI export, built as a Mac-first alternative to Illustrator.

Rotato

Photo & Video · $79 · one-time (Standard $89)

A native Mac app for 3D device mockups — drop in a screenshot and get a rotatable, animatable phone, laptop, or desktop render for App Store images, decks, and launch videos.

Sketch

Photo & Video · $120 · one-time (Mac-only license)

The native Mac app that defined modern UI design — vector editing, components, and prototyping, with a one-time Mac-only license alongside its cloud subscription.

Affinity

Photo & Video · Free

Canva's free, unified native design app for Mac — vector illustration, photo editing, and page layout (formerly Designer, Photo, and Publisher) in one window.

Equinox

Photo & Video · Free & open source

Turn your own photos into native macOS dynamic wallpapers that shift with the time of day, the sun's position, or light/dark mode.

Screendrop

Photo & Video · Free & open source

A self-hostable Loom + CleanShot X alternative for macOS — screenshots, screen recording, and shareable clips, on your own infrastructure.

PastPerfect - Photo editor

Photo & Video · Free

AI-powered photo restoration and enhancement for Mac

RasterFox

Photo & Video · $9.99 · one-time (14-day full-feature trial, then a free tier. One-time $9.99 Pro license covers three Macs.)

Compress images with pixel-perfect precision

VectorFox

Photo & Video · $9.99 · one-time (14-day full-feature trial, then a free tier. One-time $9.99 Pro license covers three Macs.)

Raster to SVG for macOS, with real gradients

RawNudge

Photo & Video · $50 · one-time (RawNudge app purchase: regular Global price $50, one-time. Applicable taxes may be added. AI service requirements and usage limits are separate.)

Native RAW photo editing for Mac, with manual sliders and JPEG export.

Sip

Photo & Video · Free · One-time $29.99

A native macOS color picker and manager — grab colors from anywhere, organize them into palettes, and check contrast and color-blind accessibility before you ship.