Top 12 Pixlr Alternatives

Are you tired of the same old photo editing tools? Feeling uninspired and in need of a fresh perspective? Well, buckle up because we’re about to start on a journey through the world of Pixlr alternatives!

Imagine having a toolbox filled with innovative, user-friendly programs that can breathe new life into your images. From AI-powered enhancements to sleek interfaces, these alternatives offer a refreshing take on photo editing.

So, let’s explore the possibilities! Get ready to discover hidden gems that will reignite your creativity and take your photo editing game to new heights.

The world of image editing is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

What is Pixlr?

Pixlr is a comprehensive cloud-based set of image editing tools and utilities, encompassing a variety of photo editors and a photo-sharing service. Initially released in August 2008 by Swedish developer Ola Sevandersson, Pixlr has evolved significantly over the years.

Pixlr was acquired by Autodesk in 2011, marking a significant milestone in its development. The platform offers a range of editing capabilities from simple to advanced photo editing, catering to a wide audience including professionals and hobbyists alike.

Why Should You Look for Pixlr Alternatives?

Let’s be real, Pixlr is a decent online photo editor, but it has its limitations. Sure, it’s free and easy to use, but sometimes you need more firepower in your editing arsenal. Maybe you’re a graphic designer looking for advanced tools and customization options that Pixlr just can’t provide.

Or perhaps you’re a photographer who needs more precise control over color grading and image adjustments. Heck, you might even be a social media influencer who wants to create stunning visuals that truly pop.

Whatever your reasons, there’s no shame in outgrowing Pixlr’s capabilities. The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives out there that can take your photo editing game to new heights. From feature-packed desktop applications to sleek online editors, you’re bound to find something that fits your needs and workflow like a glove.

So, why settle for less when you can have the best tools at your fingertips?

12 Best Pixlr Alternatives to Consider

Websites Like Pixlr	Features
Canva	Simplifies the design process, allowing users to easily add, remove, and manipulate elements
Adobe Photoshop	Tools like the Quick Selection, Magic Wand, and Lasso allow for precise selection of image areas for editing
PicMonkey	The Before/After Button is a quick comparison tool to view the original image against the edited version
Adobe Creative Cloud	Photoshop is the industry-standard software for digital image processing and editing, offering unparalleled editing features
Pixelmator Pro	Includes Rectangular, Elliptical, Free, Polygonal, and Magnetic Selection, among others, for precise editing
Fotor	Automatically removes backgrounds from images, simplifying the process of creating transparent backgrounds
Adobe Photoshop Elements	Blend two images together to create striking double exposure effects in videos
Sumo Paint	Sumo Paint includes a set of basic color correction tools tailored for drawing and designing
FireAlpaca	Access to a brush store with hundreds of brush types, including exclusive brushes for FireAlpaca SE
Pablo by Buffer	Easily embed files from Dropbox into social media posts without downloading/uploading
Instasize	Over 130 filters specifically designed to enhance both photos and videos
GIMP	Tile-Based Memory Management manages large images efficiently, limited only by disk space, not RAM

1. Canva

Canva has emerged as a game-changer, changing the way individuals and businesses approach graphic design. Launched in 2013 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams, this Australian online design platform has taken the world by storm, amassing over 60 million monthly active users across 190 countries.

Canva’s meteoric rise can be attributed to its user-friendly interface, extensive library of templates, and accessibility across devices. With a mission to democratize design, Canva has empowered non-designers to create stunning visuals effortlessly, bridging the gap between creativity and technical expertise.

Backed by investors like Sequoia Capital and Blackbird Ventures, Canva’s valuation soared to a staggering $40 billion in 2022, solidifying its position as a unicorn startup.

Canva Key Features

Simplifies the design process, allowing users to easily add, remove, and manipulate elements.
Centralize brand colors, logos, and fonts for consistent branding across designs.
Edit videos within Canva, including trimming, adding text, etc.
Add animations to designs to create dynamic content for social media and presentations.
Order prints of designs directly from Canva, including business cards, posters, and more.
Automatically apply designs to mockups, such as t-shirts, mugs, and digital devices.

Canva Pricing

Starting from $12.99/month with Non-Profit and Educational plans also being available.

2. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop, the brainchild of Thomas and John Knoll, has been the cornerstone of digital image manipulation since its inception in 1987. What began as a simple display program called Display, has transformed into an unrivaled powerhouse in the world of raster graphics editing. With its first version released in 1990, Photoshop has become synonymous with photo editing itself, often finding its name used as a verb in everyday language.

This iconic software has not only shaped the creative industry but has also become a staple for professionals across the globe. With a staggering 90% of the world’s creatives using Photoshop, its impact is undeniable. Adobe’s fiscal 2021 revenue of $15.79 billion, with a significant contribution from Photoshop, underscores its market dominance and the trust that millions of users place in its capabilities.

Adobe Photoshop Key Features

Photoshop’s layer system allows for complex compositing and manipulation of images.
Tools like Quick Selection, Magic Wand, and Lasso allow for the precise selection of image areas for editing.
The Content-Aware Fill feature intelligently fills in areas based on the surrounding content, making it easy to remove unwanted elements.
Masks enable non-destructive editing by hiding parts of a layer without deleting any content.
Clone Stamp and Healing Tools for retouching images by copying pixels from one area to another or blending them to repair imperfections.
Advanced type features include kerning, tracking, leading, and text on a path.

Adobe Photoshop Pricing Plans

Adobe offers Photoshop as part of the Photography plan at $9.99/month with 20GB storage, the Photography plan at $19.99/month with 1TB storage, the Single App plan at $20.99/month, or the All Apps plan at $54.99/month for individuals, with discounted pricing for students, teachers, and businesses.

3. PicMonkey

PicMonkey has carved out a unique space among online photo editing since its inception in 2012. With a mission to bring powerful design tools to the masses, this Seattle-based platform has become a go-to resource for millions of users in over 200 countries. Owned by Shutterstock, PicMonkey offers a seamless blend of user-friendly features and professional-grade capabilities, making it a formidable contender in the digital and real-life design domains.

The platform’s intuitive interface and resilient toolkit have facilitated the creation of over 10 billion images, a testament to its popularity and effectiveness. PicMonkey’s commitment to helping people craft meaningful visual content is evident in its expansive template library and design inspiration resources.

PicMonkey Key Features

Combine Button allows users to merge layers with a single click, simplifying the design process.
The Before/After Button is a quick comparison tool to view the original image against the edited version.
Flexibility to open images from and save them to various sources, enhancing workflow efficiency.
PicMonkey’s Hub offers cloud-based storage, reducing the need for expensive third-party storage solutions.
PicMonkey features 10 blend modes in the Editor, allowing for creative layer interactions.
PicMonkey offers a mobile app for editing on the go, providing convenience and flexibility.

PicMonkey Pricing

PicMonkey offers a Basic plan at $7.99 per month or $72 annually with 1GB storage, a Pro plan at $12.99 per month or $120 annually with unlimited storage and premium features, and a Business plan at $23 per month or $228 per user annually for teams with collaboration tools.

4. Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe, the Creative Cloud has revolutionized the way creatives approach their craft. Launched in 2011, this comprehensive suite of desktop and mobile applications has become the industry standard, empowering artists, designers, and content creators worldwide. With over 30 million paid Creative Cloud subscriptions as of 2022, Adobe’s innovative platform has solidified its position as the go-to resource for creative professionals.

Born from the legacy of Adobe’s iconic Creative Suite, the Creative Cloud represents a paradigm shift, offering a seamless, cloud-based ecosystem that fosters collaboration, streamlines workflows and ensures access to the latest cutting-edge tools. From the iconic Photoshop and Illustrator to the powerful video editing capabilities of Premiere Pro and After Effects, the Creative Cloud is a veritable playground for unleashing boundless creativity.

Adobe Creative Cloud Key Features

Premiere Pro is a leading video editing software for film, TV, and the web, offering high-quality editing of footage in any format.
Photoshop is the industry-standard software for digital image processing and editing, offering unparalleled editing features.
Illustrator is a vector graphics software used for creating logos, graphics, comics, and fonts for print, web, video, and mobile.
InDesign is desktop publishing software used to create flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books.
Lightroom offers powerful photo editing and cataloging tools in a cloud-based service for photographers.
XD is a design tool for web apps and mobile app user interface and user experience design.
Adobe Stock offers high-quality, royalty-free images, graphics, videos, and 3D assets for your creative projects.

Adobe Creative Cloud Pricing Plans

Adobe offers various Creative Cloud plans, including an All Apps plan with access to all creative desktop and mobile apps for $54.99/month, as well as single app plans starting from $20.99/month.

5. Pixelmator Pro

Since its launch on November 29, 2017, Pixelmator Pro has redefined image editing on macOS, offering a blend of sophisticated features in an intuitive, user-friendly package. Developed by the Pixelmator Team, and designed exclusively for Mac, Pixelmator Pro leverages the full spectrum of macOS features and technologies like iCloud, Full Screen, Split View, and especially Metal, to deliver a seamless and efficient editing experience.

With its single-window interface, Pixelmator Pro offers a streamlined workflow, making it accessible to both beginners and professionals. Its non-destructive editing capabilities ensure that users can experiment without fear, preserving the original image. From advanced photo editing tools to vector graphics capabilities and even video editing, Pixelmator Pro is a versatile tool that caters to a wide range of creative needs.

Pixelmator Pro Key Features

Offers a comprehensive suite for retouching, reshaping, painting, drawing, and more, catering to a wide range of editing needs.
Includes Rectangular, Elliptical, Free, Polygonal, and Magnetic Selection, among others, for precise editing.
Equipped with Brush, Pixel Eraser, Smart Eraser, and various shape tools for creative expression.
Warp, Bump, Pinch, and Twirl tools allow for creative transformations of image elements.
For adding solid colors or gradients to images, enhancing visual appeal.
Utilizes Core ML for intelligent features like automatic layer naming and object selection.

Pixelmator Pricing Plans

Pixelmator Pro offers a one-time purchase option for $39.99 on the Mac App Store, with no subscription plans available currently.

6. Fotor

Fotor stands out as a beacon for both amateur and professional photographers and designers alike. Launched in 2012 by Chengdu Hengtu Technology Co. Ltd., Fotor quickly ascended to prominence, offering a versatile platform that combines photo editing, graphic design, and collage-making into one seamless experience. With its headquarters nestled in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Fotor has grown exponentially, now boasting over 350 million users worldwide and generating a yearly revenue of $2.5 million.

Fotor’s journey from a simple photo editing tool to a comprehensive design suite is a testament to its innovation and user-centric approach. Catering to a global audience, Fotor supports a multitude of languages and offers a rich array of features accessible across various platforms. Its commitment to making professional-grade editing tools accessible to everyone has not only democratized design but also inspired a new generation of creators.

Fotor Key Features

Automatically removes backgrounds from images, simplifying the process of creating transparent backgrounds.
Offers a simple solution for retouching skin in portraits, enhancing photos with a single click.
High Dynamic Range technology enhances photos to bring out the true color and detail.
Over 100 artistically designed photographic effects available for Fotor Pro users.
Stylized Photo Frames offers 30+ unique frames to add artistic borders to images.
Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, offering a consistent editing experience across devices.

Fotor Pricing Plans

Fotor offers a free Basic plan, a Pro plan at $8.99 per month or $39.99 annually with over 100k templates and resources, and a Pro+ plan at $19.99 per month or $89.99 annually with 1 million+ HD stock photos and 10GB cloud storage.

7. Adobe Photoshop Elements

Adobe Photoshop Elements, a powerhouse in the world of image editing software, offers a user-friendly yet powerful platform for both beginners and experienced users. Launched as a simplified version of Adobe Photoshop, Elements provides a comprehensive set of tools and features tailored to meet the needs of photo editing novices and enthusiasts. With its intuitive interface and powerful capabilities, Photoshop Elements has garnered a massive following, making it one of the most popular choices for creative projects.

As part of the Adobe family, Photoshop Elements seamlessly integrates with other Adobe products and services, enhancing workflow efficiency and creative possibilities.

Adobe Photoshop Elements Key Features

Convert photos into artistic creations with moving overlays like snowflakes and sparkles, saving them as MP4s for sharing.
Wrap photos around objects or fit them inside shapes for creative compositions.
Smart automation for creating personalized photo projects tailored to individual preferences.
Easily make basic tweaks, artistic creations, and more with 60 guided edits.
Blend two images together to create striking double-exposure effects in videos.
Enhance black and white photos by selectively adding color accents.

Adobe Photoshop Elements Pricing

Adobe Photoshop Elements is available as a one-time purchase for $99.99, or bundled with Premiere Elements for $149.99, with no subscription required.

8. Sumo Paint

Sumo Paint, a versatile web-based image editor that rivals industry giants like Photoshop and Pixlr. Boasting a user-friendly interface and a plethora of advanced tools, Sumo Paint empowers users to create stunning visuals without the need for expensive software. With over 63,000 reads on WikiHow alone, Sumo Paint has captured the attention of aspiring artists and seasoned designers alike, offering a seamless platform for unleashing creativity.

As a free alternative to premium editing programs, Sumo Paint provides access to a wide array of features, from layering capabilities to advanced effects and shape tools. Sumo Paint’s intuitive design and advanced functionality make it a standout choice in the world of online image editing.

Sumo Paint Key Features

Sumo Paint includes a set of basic color correction tools tailored for drawing and designing.
It offers a large selection of filters, effects, and brushes for efficient editing.
The Symmetry Tool enables the creation of symmetric patterns and geometric shapes in designs.
Enhances images with effects like translucency, shadow casting, gradients, and more.
Enhances images with light effects, noise reduction, pixelation options, and sharpening tools.
Allows users to create intricate fractal patterns in their designs.
Provides an ad-free editing experience, ensuring a focused workflow.

Sumopaint Pricing Plans

Sumopaint offers a free plan with basic features, and a Sumo Pro plan at $4/month or $89 for a one-time purchase that provides access to advanced tools like unlimited layers, layer effects, and more.

9. FireAlpaca

FireAlpaca, a versatile and user-friendly platform that empowers artists of all levels to unleash their creativity. With an abundance of tutorials and resources available for beginners, FireAlpaca serves as a nurturing ground for budding artists to hone their skills and explore the world of digital painting. FireAlpaca also offers a range of tools like the “airbrush” and “blur” to add depth and dimension to your artwork.

With FireAlpaca, creating professional-looking art is within reach for everyone. Explore the world of digital painting, experiment with different brushes and textures, and elevate your artistic creations effortlessly.

FireAlpaca Key Features

Access to a brush store with hundreds of brush types, including exclusive brushes for FireAlpaca SE.
Available on Steam for easy access, updates, and secure license management.
Utilizes memory efficiently for smooth performance, supporting color layers and different bit depths.
Offers a dark user interface mode for a personalized creative experience.
Captures the creative process with a timelapse function for sharing progress.

FireAlpaca Pricing

FireAlpaca is a free digital painting software with no pricing plans or subscription fees, allowing users to download and use it without any costs.

10. Pablo by Buffer

Pablo by Buffer, a free and user-friendly platform tailored for social media enthusiasts and graphic design novices. With seamless integration into popular social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram, Pablo simplifies the process of creating eye-catching visuals for your online presence. Boasting an intuitive interface and a range of design options, Pablo offers a convenient solution for crafting engaging social media graphics without the need for extensive design experience.

As an online browser tool and mobile app available for iOS and Android users, Pablo by Buffer provides a versatile platform for creating stunning visuals on the go.

Pablo Key Features

Easily embed files from Dropbox into social media posts without downloading/uploading.
Connect OneDrive to add files effortlessly to social media content.
Directly add GIFs to posts from GIPHY’s extensive library for engaging content.
Utilize OpenAI’s natural language processing for smarter and engaging content creation.
Create visually appealing content by instantly generating visuals from any link with Remix by Buffer.
Effortlessly create UTM parameters for campaign tracking and performance insights.
Access Buffer features on the go with iOS and Android mobile apps for convenient social media management.

Pablo Pricing

Pablo by Buffer is a free image editing tool with no pricing plans or subscription fees required to use it.

11. Instasize

Instasize has emerged as a beacon for content creators and social media enthusiasts alike. Launched with the vision to empower users to effortlessly enhance their digital content, Instasize provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools designed to elevate photos and videos for social media platforms.

Instasize is celebrated for its user-friendly interface, making professional-grade photo and video editing accessible to all. With features that go beyond basic editing, it allows users to get deep into detailed adjustments, creative filters, and unique text options, transforming ordinary images into captivating stories.

Instasize Key Features

Over 130 filters are specifically designed to enhance both photos and videos.
Magic Fill™: Extends the background of photos to fit any aspect ratio without distorting the main subject.
Basic adjustment tools for tweaking brightness, contrast, saturation, and more.
Monthly additions of new premium content such as filters and editing tools.
Presets for quick color adjustments to achieve a consistent look across images.

Instasize Pricing Plans

Instasize offers a free basic version, with a premium subscription plan at $4.99 per month or $19.99 per year that provides access to exclusive filters, tools, and editing options.

12. GIMP

GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, stands as a pillar of open-source innovation in the field of digital image editing. Since its inception in 1995 by Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis, GIMP has evolved into a sophisticated tool that rivals even the most advanced proprietary software. Offering a comprehensive suite of features for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring, GIMP caters to a wide array of users, from professional graphic designers to hobbyists looking to enhance their digital artworks.

With its commitment to accessibility and community-driven development, GIMP has acquired a loyal following, boasting millions of users worldwide. Its versatility is further highlighted by its cross-platform availability, running seamlessly on UNIX, Windows, and macOS systems. Beyond its core functionalities, GIMP’s extensibility through plugins and extensions ensures that it remains at the cutting edge of digital imaging technology.

GIMP Key Features

GIMP allows users to modify the view and behavior of its interface, including colors, widget spacings, and icon sizes.
Tile-Based Memory Management manages large images efficiently, limited only by disk space, not RAM.
Color Management Features ensures high-quality color reproduction across different media, crucial for professional printing and publishing.
Unique support for pressure and tilt-sensitive tablets, as well as a wide range of USB or MIDI controllers.
Enables loading and saving files from remote locations using protocols such as FTP, HTTP, SMB, and SFTP/SSH.

GIMP Pricing

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editing software. It does not have any pricing plans or subscription fees.

Top FAQs Related to Pixlr Alternatives

Are there any Pixlr alternatives that work offline?

Yes, software like Adobe Photoshop Elements and GIMP can be installed on your computer and used offline.

Which Pixlr alternative is best for beginners?

Canva is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great option for beginners.

Are there Pixlr alternatives that don’t require a subscription?

GIMP is a free, open-source program that doesn’t require any subscription.

Is there a Pixlr alternative that provides extensive photo effects and filters?

Fotor offers a wide range of photo effects and filters for creative image enhancement.

Which Pixlr alternative is best for adding text and typography to images?

PicMonkey offers a range of text styles and fonts for adding typography to images.

Is there a Pixlr alternative that also offers video editing capabilities?

Adobe Creative Cloud includes Premiere Pro, which is a professional video editing software.

Which Pixlr Alternative Would You Choose?

As we wrap up our exploration of the best Pixlr alternatives, it’s clear that the world of photo editing is brimming with exciting options. Whether you’re a professional seeking advanced tools or a casual user looking for a user-friendly interface, there’s something out there for everyone.

From the versatility of GIMP to the AI-powered magic of Fotor, these alternatives offer a fresh perspective on image manipulation. So why settle for the ordinary when you can unleash your creativity with a tool that truly resonates with your needs?

Experiment with new features, and let your artistic vision soar. The journey to stunning visuals starts here, and with the right Pixlr alternative by your side, the sky’s the limit.

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