Acorn

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2007
Developer: Flying Meat Inc
Pricing: $99.99 (one-time purchase)
Open source: No
Platforms: macOS

Indexes

Design Tools

Overview

Acorn is a raster graphics editor for macOS that combines bitmap editing with vector drawing capabilities. Designed for photo editing, digital art, and graphic design, it serves as a lightweight alternative to professional tools like Photoshop. The application emphasizes ease of use while providing professional-grade features including non-destructive editing, layer-based workflows, and GPU-accelerated processing through Metal 2.

Key Features

Non-destructive Editing - Apply stackable filters, curves, and levels that can be modified or removed without affecting the original image data.
Layer-Based Editing - Work with multiple layers, layer masks, and blending modes for complex compositions.
AI-Powered Tools - Use AI subject selection and background removal for precise image isolation and automated editing.
Brush Designer - Create custom brushes or import Photoshop brushes for painting and artistic effects.
Vector and Raster Integration - Combine vector shapes, Bézier pen tools, and text with bitmap editing in a single workspace.
Live Text Tool - Detect and extract text directly from images for copying and editing.
Data Merge Feature - Automate personalized design creation using data-driven graphics for batch processing.
Multi-Layer Screenshots - Capture and edit screenshots with layer preservation for detailed annotation and editing.
Web and Format Export - Export to multiple formats including web-optimized versions with smart layer export settings.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Acorn 8	$99.99	Full version with all features including AI subject selection, live text tool, data merge, and lifetime updates

Platforms & Requirements

Acorn runs exclusively on macOS 10.11 and later, leveraging Apple's Core Image framework and Metal 2 GPU acceleration. It includes native support for Retina displays and requires a Mac with sufficient RAM for image processing tasks. The application is not available for Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android.

Integrations & Ecosystem

Photoshop brush import
Automator support
RAW image import
SVG support
PDF import and export
Web export functionality
AppleScript support

Alternatives

App	Difference
Photoshop	Industry-standard professional tool with broader capabilities but significantly higher cost and steeper learning curve.
Pixelmator Pro	Similar macOS-focused raster editor with comparable features but different UI design and pricing model.
Affinity Photo	Professional-grade alternative with vector and raster integration, subscription-free model, and cross-platform availability.
GIMP	Free, open-source cross-platform editor with more limited macOS integration and different feature set.

Reputation

Acorn is well-regarded as an accessible yet capable image editor for macOS users who need professional features without the complexity or cost of Photoshop. Users appreciate its intuitive interface, non-destructive editing workflow, and strong performance through GPU acceleration. The addition of AI-powered tools in recent versions has modernized the platform. Some users note limitations due to macOS-only availability and occasional feature gaps compared to industry-standard tools, though the one-time purchase model appeals to those avoiding subscription costs.

Sources (9)