Once upon a time, Apple introduced iLife, a collection of creative applications, and iWork, a suite of productivity tools. In a nostalgic twist, Apple is bringing these concepts back with a modern touch.
The new Apple Creator Studio combines essential creative applications such as Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, MainStage, Pixelmator Pro (a first!), and Final Cut Pro, along with Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, into a single subscription available across multiple platforms. For $12.99 / £12.99 / AU$19.99 per month or $129 / £129 / AU$199 annually, users can access these tools on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
This initiative is clearly aimed at providing value. Many of these applications were previously sold separately or through distinct subscriptions. Beyond cost savings, Apple hopes this bundle will encourage users to incorporate these tools into their workflows or explore them for the first time.
In a recent statement, Apple SVP of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, remarked, “Apple Creator Studio is a great value that enables creators of all types to pursue their craft and grow their skills.”
Cue also highlighted the introduction of “advanced intelligent tools” designed to enhance workflows, building on existing AI features in apps like Logic Pro for iPad. Notably, Creator Studio marks the official addition of Pixelmator Pro to Apple’s suite of creative applications. Acquired in 2024, this popular photo-editing app has a dedicated user base, and its inclusion in the bundle brings it to iPad users.
When Creator Studio launches on January 28, 2026, subscribers will gain access to the following applications:
- Mac: Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Freeform, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage
- iPad: Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and Freeform
- iPhone: Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and Freeform
Students and educators can subscribe at a significantly reduced rate of $2.99 / £2.99 / AU$4.99 per month or $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$49.99 per year. Additionally, Apple is offering a one-month free trial for eligible customers on both plans, with a three-month free trial available for those purchasing select Mac or iPad models.
iMovie and GarageBand will continue to be free entry-level creative applications on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. For users who prefer a one-time purchase, Pixelmator Pro, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage will still be available individually on Mac. Beyond the bundling, there are significant platform expansions and new features to explore.
Pixelmator Pro is Finally Coming to iPad
Pixelmator Pro has long been a favorite among Mac users, but the wait for a major update or new platform has been lengthy since its acquisition in November 2024. This wait concludes on January 28, 2026, with the launch of Pixelmator Pro on iPad.
Designed specifically for iPadOS, the app is optimized for touch and Apple Pencil, including the Apple Pencil Pro. Apple promises seamless workflows between Mac and iPad, with many editing tools available on both platforms. Features like Super Resolution will remain, and Apple Pencil gestures, such as hover, squeeze, and double-tap, will allow for more fluid previews and adjustments.
A new Warp tool will also be introduced in Pixelmator Pro for both Mac and iPad, enabling users to twist and reshape layers, further enhancing the creative toolkit. Many time-saving features, including ML Enhance and Super Resolution, will also be available on iPad.
Logic Pro Adds More AI-Powered Features
Logic Pro has been an early showcase for Apple’s AI capabilities, featuring tools like Stem Splitter, which separates recordings into individual sound layers. Now, as part of Creator Studio (or as a standalone Mac purchase), Logic Pro is set to receive new tools.
The AI Session Player will expand with a new Synth Player designed for EDM-style performances, adding synth bass elements and dynamic flair. Users can adjust complexity in real time, effectively treating it like an always-available session musician. Apple is also introducing more royalty-free sounds through a new sound pack, along with natural-language search in the Sound Browser – a welcome enhancement.
Final Cut Pro on iPad Gets Montage Maker, While Mac Gets New AI Features
Final Cut Pro on iPad will introduce a new feature called Montage Maker, which offers a powerful auto-editing capability for traditional video projects.
Users can select a group of clips, and Final Cut Pro will automatically create a sequence based on identified key moments. It can recrop footage to the desired aspect ratio and deliver the result in a full timeline, allowing users to reorder clips, adjust speed, swap music, and add more media.
For larger selections of clips, users will now be able to search either the ‘transcript’ of the video or visually, making it easier to locate specific moments within clips on both Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac.
Pages, Keynote, and Numbers Get New Templates and AI Functionality, But Core Versions Will Stay Free
Apple has confirmed that Pages, Keynote, and Numbers will remain free on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with regular updates. However, Creator Studio subscribers will unlock more advanced features, including early access to intelligent tools – such as generating a first-draft Keynote deck from a simple outline – and a new Content Hub with higher-quality illustrations and photos.
Subscribers will also gain access to premium templates across all three applications. Image Playground will remain available, but Apple is adding on-device AI tools to upscale images using the same engine as Super Resolution in Pixelmator Pro, and automatically crop them for documents or presentations directly within Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
Overall, Creator Studio serves as a unified platform for Apple’s creative and productivity applications, while also showcasing how Apple is leveraging AI for practical improvements within existing apps. With updates to Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Pixelmator Pro, Apple aims to enhance workflows and encourage experimentation with new effects.
With the introduction of premium content in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, Apple is also providing higher-end templates and graphics designed to elevate documents and presentations. Image Playground, along with other AI models, can be utilized to customize visuals and add a personal touch to clip art.
Apple Creator Studio is set to launch on January 28, 2026, as a bundled subscription that includes new features across apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. We will provide hands-on coverage and share our impressions closer to the launch date – in the meantime, share your thoughts in the comments below. Is this the revival of iLife and iWork, reimagined with a fresh brand and a premium edge?
