Top 10 Pixlr Alternatives in 2025: A Detailed Guide
AI has made photo editing more accessible by automating tasks that once required advanced skills. Today, AI-powered tools can remove backgrounds, enhance colors, and even apply complex effects with just a few clicks. These tools simplify the process for small businesses and individuals who don’t have professional editing skills but still want polished, professional-quality images.
In this blog, we'll explore the 10 best Pixlr alternatives for streamlined photo editing, with Appy Pie Design leading the list. Known for its user-friendly AI design generator platform, Appy Pie Design offers intuitive tools that cater to diverse editing needs, making it easy for users to create polished visuals. Whether you're a business owner looking to elevate your brand images or an individual seeking simple yet powerful editing solutions, each of these tools has unique features, along with detailed pros, cons, and pricing information to help you make the perfect choice.
Table of Contents
What is Pixlr?
Pixlr is a versatile, web-based photo editing platform popular among digital creators, small businesses, and hobbyists. As a free and easy-to-access tool, it offers two main versions: Pixlr X, which focuses on quick edits, and Pixlr E, which provides more advanced options like background removal and precision tools. Both versions are accessible online, making it convenient for users who want to edit photos without specialized software. With these options, Pixlr accommodates various editing needs, from basic adjustments to intricate modifications.
What makes Pixlr particularly appealing is its AI-powered features, such as its AI image generator and effects like glitch and dispersion, which add unique elements to images. Its wide selection of templates is another standout, catering to various social media formats and streamlining the design process. Pixlr's support for multiple file types and accessibility on different devices enhances its flexibility, making it a reliable choice for quick edits and professional-level projects.
10 Best Pixlr Alternatives in 2025
Pixlr Alternative | Key Features | Pros | Cons | Pricing |
---|---|---|---|---|
Appy Pie Design |
|
|
| Free trial, $8/month for paid plans |
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom |
|
|
| Starts at $9.99/month |
PicMonkey |
|
|
| Free version, Premium starts at $7.99/month |
Fotor |
|
|
| Pro starts at $8.99/month |
GIMP |
|
|
| Free |
Luminar |
|
|
| Starts at $89 (one-time), Free trial available |
Affinity Photo |
|
|
| Starts at $69.99 (desktop); $19.99 (iPad) |
BeFunky |
|
|
| Free version, Premium starts at $6.99/month |
Paint.NET |
|
|
| Free |
Photoshop Elements |
|
|
| $99.99 (one-time purchase) |
- Appy Pie Design
- AI Photo Enhancer: Automatically adjusts photo settings for a more natural look.
- Background Removal Tool: Easily removes backgrounds to isolate subjects. Also, offers an intuitive AI Background Remover tool.
- Design Templates: Access to pre-made design templates and layouts for various design projects.
- Sticker and Element Library: Add stickers, shapes, and icons to personalize photos.
- Comprehensive Design Suite: Includes tools for graphic design, social media graphics, and more.
- Simple for beginners and casual users to navigate.
- Competitive pricing, especially for users who need multiple design tools.
- No need for advanced editing skills; the AI handles much of the work.
- It might take slightly longer for precise outputs.
- Requires a paid subscription after the free trial.
- Free Plan: Includes 7-day free trial.
- Paid Plans: Start at $8 per month. You can check out the pricing plan for more details.
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
- Advanced Editing Capabilities: Includes tools for detailed adjustments, such as exposure, contrast, and color grading.
- Cloud-Based Storage: Store and access your photos from anywhere, with automatic backups.
- Mobile App Sync: Allows users to edit on the go, with seamless syncing between mobile and desktop versions.
- Custom Presets and Filters: Apply or create presets for quick and consistent editing.
- Non-Destructive Editing: Changes are saved as new files, preserving the original image.
- Comprehensive editing suite suitable for high-level photo editing.
- Adobe’s cloud-based storage is convenient for professionals with large photo libraries.
- Syncs well with other Adobe products, streamlining the workflow.
- Cost can be prohibitive for casual users or those on a budget.
- Advanced tools may be overwhelming for beginners.
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom starts at $9.99 per month, which includes 1 TB of cloud storage.
- PicMonkey
- Templates and Graphics: Offers templates for social media, marketing, and branding.
- Touch-Up Tools: Provides easy-to-use options for skin smoothing, teeth whitening, and other photo retouching.
- Custom Fonts and Text Tools: Add text to photos with various fonts and styles.
- Collaboration Features: Allows for real-time collaboration on projects.
- Integrations with Stock Libraries: Access stock images directly from the platform for a more comprehensive design experience.
- Pre-made templates are well-suited for social media posts.
- Multiple users can collaborate on projects, ideal for team-based editing.
- Does not offer the same level of depth as tools like Photoshop for detailed photo adjustments.
- Most advanced tools and exports are limited to paid plans.
- Fotor
- AI Background Remover: Easily isolate subjects by removing backgrounds.
- AI Photo Enhancer: Boost image quality automatically by adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation for clearer results.
- AI Object Remover: Quickly delete unwanted elements from your photos.
- Batch Editing: Process multiple images simultaneously, saving time when applying the same edits across a series of photos.
- Customizable Filters and Effects: Access a variety of filters and effects that can be adjusted to fit your style and preferences.
- Affordable Pro and Pro+ options
- User-friendly interface and straightforward navigation
- Extensive templates and creative resources
- Limited features in the free version
- Credits required for AI features, potentially leading to extra costs
- The free basic plan with limited tools
- Pro plan at $8.99/month - $39.96/year
- Pro+ plan at $19.99/month - $89.88/year
- GIMP
- Customizable Interface: Adjust the layout and toolbars to fit your workflow, enhancing your editing efficiency.
- Advanced Retouching Tools: Utilize a range of tools for precise retouching, including clone, healing, and perspective correction tools.
- Support for Various File Formats: Open and save images in multiple formats, ensuring compatibility with other software and devices.
- Extensive Plugin Support: Enhance functionality with numerous plugins available for additional tools and effects, broadening editing capabilities.
- Image Manipulation Tools: Employ layers, masks, and filters for detailed image adjustments, enabling complex edits.
- Completely free and open-source with a supportive community.
- Extensive features as compared to paid software.
- Regular updates with new tools and improvements.
- Not very user-friendly for beginners due to its advanced features.
- The interface may feel outdated compared to modern editors.
- Free to download and use, with optional donations to support development.
- Luminar
- AI Sky Replacement: Automatically detect and replace skies in photos.
- AI Enhance and AI Structure: Improve photos with one-click enhancements.
- Non-Destructive Editing: Edit images without altering the original file, allowing for easy reversion to the initial state.
- Presets and Templates: Use predefined styles to quickly apply looks to your photos.
- Customizable Workspaces: Adjust the workspace layout to suit your editing style, facilitating a more efficient workflow.
- Easy to use for both beginners and professionals
- Advanced AI tools save time on detailed edits
- Compatible with RAW files and multiple formats
- Lacks some features found in traditional editors like Photoshop
- Subscription or one-time purchase required for full access
- Available with a one-time purchase or subscription starting at $89
- Free trial available.
- Affinity Photo
- Non-Destructive RAW Editing: Make changes without altering the original photo file.
- Advanced Layer Tools: Control complex edits with masking, blending, and adjustment layers.
- Persona-Based Interface: Each workspace is tailored for different editing tasks.
- Live Filters and Batch Processing: Apply filters and process multiple files efficiently.
- One-Time Purchase License: Pay once and access all features without subscriptions.
- Affordable, high-quality image editing with no recurring fees.
- Comprehensive layer and masking features for detailed edits.
- Flexible and professional-grade tools suited for advanced users.
- Lacks built-in photo cataloging or organization tools.
- Some advanced tools may be less intuitive for new users.
- $69.99 for desktop; $19.99 for iPad.
- BeFunky
- One-Click Photo Effects: Quickly apply filters with a single click for instant results.
- Collage Maker: Create photo collages with customizable layouts and templates.
- Basic Editing Tools: Adjust brightness, contrast, and more with user-friendly controls.
- Graphic Design Templates: Access pre-made templates for easy design creation.
- Browser-Based Access: Use on any device with internet access, no downloads needed.
- Simple and accessible for fast edits without technical knowledge.
- No installation is needed, making it convenient for on-the-go edits.
- A broad selection of collage and graphic design options.
- Lacks advanced tools and features for professional editing.
- An internet connection is required to use the platform.
- Free version; Premium starts at $6.99/month.
- Paint.NET
- Layer-Based Editing: Organize complex edits with adjustable layers and blending modes.
- Plugin Support: Extend functionality with various community-created plugins.
- Special Effects Library: Access tools for blurring, sharpening, and other visual effects.
- Beginner-Friendly Interface: Simple layout ideal for newcomers to photo editing.
- Free to Use: Open-source with regular updates, available at no cost.
- Completely free with regular updates from an active community.
- Lightweight software with minimal system requirements.
- The expansive plugin library enhances editing capabilities.
- Limited to Windows, not available on macOS or Linux.
- Lacks some professional-grade tools for advanced editing.
- Free, with optional donations for support.
- Photoshop Elements
- Guided Edits: Step-by-step guides for quick photo enhancements and artistic effects.
- Quick Actions Panel: Access popular edits, like background removal, in a single click.
- Adobe Sensei AI: AI-powered tools for automatic subject selection and smart edits.
- Mobile and Web Companion Apps: Edit and access photos across devices with the Elements mobile and web apps.
- Creative Effects: Apply effects inspired by famous artwork or styles with a click.
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners.
- Comprehensive guided edits make learning easier.
- Integrates with Adobe Stock for free images.
- New AI tools for fast, accurate edits.
- Limited advanced editing compared to full Photoshop.
- No option for batch processing.
- Some tools are still only available in English.
Appy Pie Design is a versatile platform that offers several AI design tools for diverse purposes, using natural language processing to create high-quality custom design outputs. Its AI Photo Editor includes options to crop, blur backgrounds, enhance brightness and saturation, and more. You can also add stickers and other elements to your photos, making the tool suitable for users who need quick edits without compromising quality. In addition to photo editing, Appy Pie Design provides users with an all-in-one platform for their design needs.
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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a robust photo editing tool, widely used by professional photographers and designers. It offers a range of advanced editing options, from color correction and exposure adjustments to noise reduction and detail enhancement. Lightroom's cloud-based storage and seamless integration across devices make it an ideal choice for professionals who need powerful tools and flexibility.
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PicMonkey is a popular photo editor aimed at SMBs, entrepreneurs, and individuals looking for easy-to-use tools for social media and marketing. Known for its intuitive interface, PicMonkey offers a range of editing features like filters, touch-ups, and text overlays. It also includes pre-made design templates, making it ideal for quick, visually appealing edits that can be used across social media platforms.
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Suggested Read: Discover the Best Canva Alternatives
Fotor is a web-based photo editor that offers a variety of tools for editing, enhancing, and designing images. It utilizes AI to simplify complex tasks like background removal and image enhancement. Fotor is suitable for users ranging from beginners to professionals, providing both free and paid options with various levels of features and credits for AI-powered tools.
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GIMP is a free, open-source photo editing software that provides a robust suite of tools for image manipulation and editing. It is highly customizable, allowing users to create a personalized workspace suited to their editing needs. GIMP caters to both beginners and advanced users with its extensive features, making it a popular choice in the photo editing community.
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Luminar is a powerful photo editing software with AI tools for enhancing images. It caters to photographers and enthusiasts who want advanced capabilities like AI Sky Replacement and Portrait Enhancement, wrapped in an easy-to-use interface.
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Affinity Photo is a professional-grade photo editing tool available for a one-time purchase. It offers powerful features suited for photographers and designers, including non-destructive RAW editing and an intuitive, layer-based interface. It provides task-specific workspaces for a streamlined workflow and enables high-quality image manipulation without requiring a subscription.
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BeFunky is an online photo editor ideal for casual users seeking quick, straightforward photo edits. It offers a variety of tools, including one-click effects, collage creation, and basic graphic design features. Its browser-based functionality ensures compatibility with multiple devices without needing software installation.
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Paint.NET is a free, open-source image editing software available exclusively for Windows. It offers essential photo editing tools, layer support, and a wide range of community-created plugins. Its intuitive interface is suitable for beginners, while plugins expand functionality for advanced users.
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Adobe Photoshop Elements is a photo editing tool designed for hobbyists and beginners. It offers simplified versions of Photoshop features, focusing on ease of use with tools like guided edits and one-click adjustments.
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Adobe Photoshop Elements is available for a one-time purchase at around $99.99. An optional bundle with Premiere Elements for video editing costs approximately $149.99.
Conclusion
When choosing a photo editor, consider factors like ease of use, feature set, and compatibility with your devices. By matching the tool to your editing skills and project requirements, you can enhance your workflow and achieve quality results. Take advantage of free trials where available to experience the tools firsthand and find the best fit for your photo editing needs.
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