What's in Apple's new Creator Studio bundle?

Apple Creator Studio brings new apps, features, and subscription pricing to Mac and iPad

One much wanted feature is that Pixelmator Pro is coming to the iPad -- image credit: Apple

The much-anticipated Apple Creator Studio has been revealed, and it is a subscription service that brings Pixelmator Pro to the iPad, in a bundle with Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and more.

Apple Creator Studio was first rumored in November 2025, but something of the sort has been hoped for since Apple bought Pixelmator Pro in November 2024. The chief hope was that this image editor would finally come to the iPad, and now it has.

Alongside it are the existing Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad. These have been available on iPad for a subscription, while their Mac counterparts remained a one-time purchase.

Now Apple says that users will still be able to buy Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro on the Mac. But the new Creator Studio subscription gets users both the Mac and the iPad editions for one monthly price.

That price is $12.99 per month, or $129 per year, after a free one-month trial.

It appears that the new Creator Studio subscription replaces the existing Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro one for iPad. That previously cost $4.99 per month, for each app, so the cost of us either one has now more than doubled.

For that price, however, users do get Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on the Mac as well, plus the pro macOS tools Motion, Compressor, and Mainstage. They also have Pixelmator Pro on both platforms.

More controversially, Apple is including some features of its main iWork apps in the bundle. The company says that Apple Creator Studio includes "new AI features and premium content in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers." We'll be talking about this shortly.

At the same time, Apple claims that Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, will remain free in their current form, as will Freeform. They will also each continue to be updated on both Mac and iPad.

Apple Creator Studio will be available starting on January 28. Apple says that a free one-month trial will be available for new subscribers, but it's not clear if that excludes existing Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro iPad users.

Three months free use of the new Apple Creator Studio bundle will also be included with every new Mac. The same is offered for new iPads, but only ones with at least 6GB RAM, and an A16, A17 Pro, M-Series processor, or later.

Comments

cloudy · 20 comments · 6 Years About 3 months ago

It's been how many years of "iPad Pro's" and Apple still hasn't brought Motion to the iPad? As far as I recall Final Cut was only available after Davinci Resolve released their version for the iPad. I already own Pixelmator on the Mac and am not going to subscribe to the Creator Studio with the current lineup. This is not well thought out at all by Apple. But in general they are smart to create bundles like this. Now if only the could release real Pro apps like a good competitor to Adobe Substance painter. Perhaps they should also buy a few more apps like Nomad sculpt.

Appleish · 867 comments · 10 Years About 3 months ago

Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro alone on iPad are $4.99 a month each currently. Both on the Mac are a combined $500. And you get all those extra support modules for many programs and Pixelmator Pro. This rate seems pretty reasonable. As for people whining about subscriptions... Like streaming services, you can cancel any time if you are not using it. I already have Final Cut Pro Mac, but I bought it... Actually my wife bought it for me many years ago. It's been updated many times. So no big deal to pay a few bucks for even more development. Also... Oh noes! New icons! How will I do my work!?
On edit: Uh, this seems pretty good... Up to six family members can share all of the apps and content included in Apple Creator Studio with Family Sharing.

imwishing · 5 comments · 5 Years About 3 months ago

Apple has lost the plot.

This is a company that pulls in billions in profit every year, and still can’t resist squeezing its own customers for a little more. The forced bundles are a cash grab. The “subscribe for features you already had” model is worse. It feels less like paying for innovation and more like paying rent on stuff that should just be part of the product you already bought.

And yes, I pay the Apple premium. I’ve done it for years. I’m fine with spending more when the tradeoff is better hardware, better software, better service, and a better experience. That’s the deal.

What I’m not fine with is Apple gouging the very people who built its loyal fan base, while slowly scraping away the things that used to make it feel different from everyone else. The more Apple leans on nickel-and-dime tactics, the more it starts to look like the competitors it used to roll its eyes at.

Also, spare me the Tim Cook “donations.” Call it what it is: prestige spending dressed up as generosity, aimed at some flashy architectural vanity project that’s going to loom over the White House like a monument to ego. Apple can afford all of this. The question is why it keeps asking its customers to foot the bill.

tiredskills · 236 comments · 2 Years About 3 months ago

Subscription locked features for Keynote, Pages and Numbers sure sounds like Apple are learning all the wrong lessons.

neoncat · 216 comments · 7 Years About 3 months ago

Apple is over-estimating the attraction of these incredibly mid apps. As a free suite, the iWork trio are fine and a nice perk with a Mac purchase in particular. But the rest? I either already have far more capable options due to various business needs, or would step up to the professional and/or widely accepted alternatives despite likely higher costs.

This feels like exactly what it is: A cash grab for people who don't know any better.

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