Discover the Best Websites Like Pixlr for Image Editing

Pixlr is a widely used web-based photo editing tool recognized for its intuitive interface and robust features, including filters, layers, and effects. It's widely used for quick edits, graphic design, and enhancing images without expensive software. However, some users look for alternatives for reasons like limited free features, ads, or tools better suited to their specific needs. This article explores some websites like Pixlr. Whether you're a professional designer, a hobbyist, or just someone looking to touch up pictures, these options cater to different requirements. From free, beginner-friendly tools to advanced software for detailed editing, you'll discover websites and apps that can help you create stunning visuals. Let's dive into the world of Pixlr-like tools and find the perfect fit for your photo editing goals.

What is Pixlr?

Pixlr is a cloud-based photo editing platform designed for quick and easy image editing, graphic design, and creative projects. It was launched in 2008 and has become a go-to tool for users who want to edit photos online without downloading heavy software. This online photo editing tool also offers free and paid plans, making it accessible for casual users and professionals alike. Below are some of its great features:

Features of Pixlr

User-Friendly Interface - Pixlr has a clean and simple design, making it easy to navigate for novices. All the tools are well-organized, so users can quickly find what they need without getting overwhelmed.
Photo Editing Tools - It provides basic tools like cropping, resizing, and rotating, along with advanced options for adjusting brightness, contrast, and colors. These tools help you easily fix or enhance your photos.
Filters and Effects - Pixlr offers a variety of artistic filters and effects to make your photos stand out. With a single click, you can instantly change the mood or style of an image.
Layer Support - You can edit images using unlimited layers, similar to professional tools like Photoshop. This feature allows more precise editing and creativity in designs.
Templates - Pixlr offers ready-to-use templates for creating social media posts, invitations, and banners. These templates save time and inspire your projects.
AI-Powered Features - The AI tools, like background removal and auto-enhancements, help speed up the editing process. They’re perfect for quick edits when you’re short on time.
Cross-Platform Access - You can use Pixlr on your web browser, desktop, or mobile device. This flexibility lets you edit photos anywhere, anytime.

Top Photo Editing Tools Alternative to Pixlr

1. Canva

Canva is one of the most popular sites like Pixlr that offers powerful editing capabilities. It boasts a user-friendly interface that is perfect for all users, allowing easy navigation and creating stunning designs. Additionally, it provides an extensive library of pre-made templates for different categories, including presentations, posters, education, and more. Unlike Pixlr, Canva offers many customization options and advanced AI technology, allowing you to personalize your designs. These are custom fonts, colors, illustrations, magic tools, brand fetch, and more. Moreover, this photo editor connects with popular platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and social media, making sharing and distributing designs easier across multiple channels.

PROs

This image editing tool lets you export your edited photos in multiple formats such as JPG, PNG, MP4, PDF, SVG, etc.
It has a collaborative feature that is perfect for teams or groups working on designs together in real time.

CONs

Not all features are available in the free account, like exporting in PNG, fonts, templates, and more.

Use Canva's "Magic Resize" feature to create multiple versions of your design for different platforms in one click, saving time and ensuring consistency.

2. Free Online Photo Enhancer

Free Online Photo Enhancer of AceThinker can also be your Pixlr alternative. It is an image upscale that helps you enhance the quality of your images quickly. Besides, it uses AI technology with advanced algorithms to improve image resolution, color, and clarity. Likewise, this free tool automatically optimizes the contrast and color balance of the image, which means it can bring out details and vibrancy in the image. Moreover, compared to Pixlr, Free Online Photo Enhancer has an HDR effect that helps balance the photos' light and dark areas.

PROs

It is a completely free and browser-based tool that does not require any installed software.
You don't need to register an account to use the service.

CONs

The range of editing tools is limited compared to more full-featured photo editors.

Take advantage of the tool's editing features, which allow you to fine-tune the image, add a watermark, resize, crop, etc., to enhance it further.

3. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is an image editing software part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. Creative professionals widely use it for tasks ranging from simple photo edits to complex edits and creative compositions. Additionally, it is known for its precise control and advanced tools, such as masks, layers, and brushes, that provide an accurate control over image editing. Besides, Photoshop allows users to create, manipulate, and enhance exceptional-quality images. Unlike Pixlr, Adobe Photoshop enables advanced layering, masking, and blending for unique designs. Furthermore, this image editing software provides non-destructive editing capabilities, allowing users to change without permanently altering the original image.

PROs

Aside from editing, Adobe Photoshop offers advanced features like 3D modeling, video editing, and digital painting.
Since it is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud system, it offers seamless integration with other Adobe apps, such as Lightroom and InDesign.

CONs

It is not beginner-friendly and has a steeper learning curve, unlike Pixlr.

Use adjustment layers and smart objects to take advantage of non-destructive editing. This lets you easily revert changes or tweak edits without affecting the original image. You can also sharpen images in Photoshop for crisp results.

4. Whiten Background Removal by AceThinker

Another Pixlr alternative online is Whiten Background Removal by Acethinker. This tool uses AI-based algorithms to automatically detect and remove the background from images with high precision. Likewise, this online tool can give you transparent backgrounds in a few simple steps. Besides, you can’t go with complex multi-layered edits like Pixlr, but you can do quick background removals. Furthermore, Whiten Background Removal supports common image formats like JPG, PNG, WEBP, etc. You can also utilize this web-based tool to remove image backgrounds in PowerPoint or other presentation.

PROs

The online tool lets you fine-tune the brightness, contrast, saturation, etc., to enhance the image after the background is removed.
Enjoy an ad-free editing experience using our online tool, as it doesn’t contain any pop-up ads.

CONs

It only focuses on removing the background and doesn’t have advanced image editing tools like layers, masks, or blending that Pixlr has.

This tool easily removes subjects from busy backgrounds to create clean, professional-looking images. It's especially useful for creating product photos or profile pictures.

5. PicMonkey

Another user-friendly platform that is also great for manipulating images is PicMonkey. It is a photo editing software that offers a variety of editing tools and templates, similar to Pixlr. One of these features is its various photo retouching tools, such as skin smoothing, blemish fixing, eye enhancement, and more. Besides, PicMonkey also has a robust library of different templates - from social media graphics to posters and flyers. Compared to Pixlr, this photo editor has natural smile retouching, such as Teeth Whitening and Lip Tint tools, which are perfect for portrait edits. Aside from that, it offers a streamlined workflow and supports collaborating on designs.

PROs

The tool provides real-time edits and updates so that changes can be seen immediately.
It helps boost your engagements on social media platforms by providing professional design templates.

CONs

The free version of PicMonkey has limited functionality, which means you can only make basic adjustments like applying filters, fonts, textures, etc.

Use the "Touch Up" tools to subtly enhance portraits, such as brightening eyes and smoothing skin, while keeping the edits natural. We also have an article about PicMonkey alternatives that might be worth checking out.

6. GIMP

If you are looking for a photo editing tool that is a free and open-source tool for image editing, then GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is for you. This versatile tool offers professional-grade capabilities that make it ideal for creating stunning visuals, image composition, and editing multiple images. Similarly to Pixlr, GIMP supports layers, masks, brushes, and other advanced tools that allow you to manipulate your images with precision. In addition, this tool provides a wide range of filters and plugins to enhance your creative process further. Moreover, this photo editing tool can be used across various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

PROs

GIMP supports various image formats, such as PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF, and BMP, as well as raw image formats from digital cameras.
Due to its dedication to accessibility and community-driven development, GIMP has gained a loyal following, with millions of users worldwide.

CONs

It can slow down when working with large images or complex designs, especially on computers with less RAM or processing power.

Customize your workspace by rearranging panels and tools to fit your workflow, improving efficiency and ease of use during complex edits.

7. Fotor

Another great photo editor like Pixlr is Fotor. It provides an efficient solution for novice and professional users to edit, enhance, and create captivating images. Also, it offers a huge range of photo effects, filters, overlays, and presets. This free alternative to Pixlr also allows you to create captivating collages using its templates. Besides, you can use its editing options to adjust the images' size, position, and spacing. Furthermore, Fotor has an object removal feature, which lets you erase unwanted elements from your photos. Moreover, unlike Pixlr, Fotor is a mobile-first photo editor with iOS and Android apps.

PROs

It also uses AI technology for features like one-tap beautification, background removal, etc., to simplify the design process.
Fotor lets you transform your photos into various AI avatars, which is perfect for social media profiles.

CONs

The free version contains ads, which can interrupt the editing experience and reduce productivity.

Combine the "HDR" and "AI Retouch" features for dramatic improvements in detail and lighting, especially in photos with challenging exposure.

8. Photopea

If you are looking for photo editor that gives a photo editing game like Pixlr, Photopea is another convenient solution. It is a powerful, web-based photo editor that offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features for your editing needs. It has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for anyone, from a casual user to a graphic designer, to edit and create graphics. In addition, the tool includes basic features such as cropping, resizing, and filters alongside advanced tools like layers, masks, and smart objects, making it versatile for both simple and complex projects. One of the key benefits of Photopea is its workflow efficiency; it runs directly to your browser without any installation. Compared to Pixlr, it uses AI technology, which can simplify photo edits with features like background removal and color adjustments.

PROs

This online tool supports various image formats such as GIF, PNG, JPG, TIFF, AVIF, and 40 other formats.
It integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage services to easily access your files.

CONs

The free version includes ads, which can distract users or slow down workflow efficiency.

Use Photopea's compatibility with PSD files to edit Photoshop projects directly in your browser. This is perfect for quick tweaks without installing software.

9. PicsArt

PicsArt is another versatile photo editing tool like Pixlr that offers a wide range of features accessible to casual users and professionals. It provides hundreds of advanced effects, filters, and stickers that help you transform one image into a unique and eye-catching creation. Also, this photo editor has a collage maker with different templates and customizable layouts. Besides, PicsArt has a precise selection tool, which is great for graphic designers and professional photographers who must make accurate changes to specific parts of an image. Furthermore, you can also access its drawing tools, such as shapes, brushes, and text, to enhance your creative projects. Moreover, it provides ready-to-use templates for Instagram, YouTube, and business cards.

PROs

You can share your work in the PicsArt community and get inspiration or feedback from others.
Besides photo editing, it has video editing features, such as short clips, to create trendy video effects like slow motion or glitch.

CONs

The PicsArt free version has watermarks on the detailed images when exported.

Experiment with the "Dispersion" tool to create dynamic effects on your images, especially for social media content that needs to grab attention.

10. BeFunky

The last photo editing tool we reviewed is BeFunky, a browser-based site like Pixlr. This online photo editing tool lets you edit images, create graphic designs, and make photo collages. Compared to Pixlr, BeFunky can turn your photos into cartoon-like illustrations with various filters and effects. Besides, it provides tools for adjusting brightness, contrast and smoothing to enhance your photos further. Furthermore, the tool has basic editing tools like cropping and resizing with pixel-perfect accuracy. Additionally, it has Touch Up tools to fix common photo issues such as blemishes and wrinkles. Moreover, this online photo editing tool provides over a million free stock images that you can use for your designs.

PROs

BeFunky can edit multiple photos simultaneously, which is perfect for batch-processing tasks.
It supports exporting the final image in popular formats like JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF, and more.

CONs

Some advanced features, like layers and blending modes, can be hard to learn.

Use the "Batch Processing" feature to "apply consistent" edits (like resizing or filters) to multiple photos at once, saving time for large projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the weakness of Pixlr?

Pixlr's main weakness is that its free version has limited features and includes ads, which can be distracting. Additionally, it lacks some advanced editing tools and precision options that professionals might need, like robust layer management or advanced masking.

What's better than Pixlr?

There are several great photo editing tools that can serve as alternatives to Pixlr, each with its own unique features and strengths. That's why finding the best Pixlr alternative depends on your needs and requirements as a user. You can compare each tool listed in this article to find the one that best fits your workflow and creative projects.

Does Pixlr reduce quality?

Pixlr does not inherently reduce image quality during editing. However, saving files in certain formats (like low-quality JPEG) can result in quality loss. To maintain high quality, ensure you save images in formats like PNG or choose higher resolution settings.

Conclusion and Comparison Chart

In conclusion, there are many great alternatives to Pixlr, each offering unique features to suit different editing needs. Whether you're looking for powerful tools like Adobe Photoshop and GIMP, simple AI-enhanced options like AceThinker's Free Online Photo Enhancer, or user-friendly platforms like Canva, PicMonkey, and Fotor, there's something for everyone. Tools like Photopea and PicsArt also provide advanced features while being accessible online. If you're after quick and specific edits, options like Whiten Background Removal are perfect. Each tool has strengths and weaknesses, so explore a few to find the one that best fits your creative goals. Start experimenting today to elevate your image editing game and achieve stunning results effortlessly!

Pixlr Alternatives	Pricing Plan	Ease of Use
Canva	Free plan available Pro plan at $12.99/month	Easy
Free Online Photo Enhancer	Free	Easy
Adobe Photoshop	Free trial available $20.99/month (subscription)	Difficult
Whiten Background Removal by AceThinker	Free	Easy
PicMonkey	Free plan available Pro plan at $8.99/month	Moderate
GIMP	Free (open-source)	Difficult
Fotor	Free plan available Pro plan at $8.99/month	Easy
Photopea	Free (with ads) Premium at $9/month	Moderate
PicsArt	Free plan available Gold plan at $11.99/month	Moderate
BeFunky	Free plan available Premium plan at $6.99/month	Moderate