Did you know that 80% of marketers use images as a strategy in their marketing campaigns?
It's a crucial factor that drives conversions, especially when running an online store. As customers can't touch or feel your products, it is up to you to showcase them (hint: product photography) in a way that makes them come to life.
That being said, there is no debate that images are an e-commerce website's best asset. Photos have the power to make or break your marketing game. Therefore, they need to be perfect. No matter how precise and luxurious your photography is, there is always room to make your picture look more appealing.
Using image editors, you can mold and tweak your pictures as you like to get the desired results. Many high-quality online photo editors are available on the internet. They make it easy to remove backgrounds, change color tones, add dramatic blurring effects, write captions, and do much more. Some free online tools can incorporate smart AI technology to bring back the life in your low-resolution photos with just a few clicks!
In this blog post, we will discuss the best free image editing tools you can take advantage of to enhance your photos and take them to the next level. So even if you're tight on budget and cannot afford hefty software, a quick free alternative is available to edit your photos.
Read on to learn more.
Top free online image editors
1. Upscaler
Upscaler is a handy tool to improve the resolution of images. The application integrates an artificial intelligence algorithm to determine the image quality and presence of ‘picture blurs.’ It will automatically balance all aspects of the image to make it ready for all marketing purposes.
The upscaling process takes seconds to complete. Upload the picture you wish to improve, or drag and drop it on the dashboard. The free version of the tool will enhance the resolution of the picture by 2x.
You can also see the real-time comparison between the original picture and the upscaled copy to determine the quality improvement.
Pros
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- No downloads are needed.
- Fast upscaling speed.
- Support preview.
Cons
- Limited features in the free version.
- The maximum output size of 8k pixels can’t be accessed in the free version
2. Pixlr
Pixlr is a free online image editor with many professional editing tools to make your photos stand out. The slick and well-designed interface is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate. So even beginners can take advantage of this robust platform.
You can create an image from scratch, tweak a preexisting one through the drop and drag feature, or use the upload through URL option. Many people say it is an excellent alternative to Photoshop. It has come up with AI Generator, where using AI, an image is generated based on the description of the image, often called a prompt.
Pros
- Simplistic interface
- Loads quickly
- Quick, hassle-free editing of photos
- Detailed blog section that serves as a guide
- Comprehensive help center with tutorials and tips
- Caters to 2 sets of users: 1) Pixlr X for Photo Editing & Template Designing 2) Pixlr E for Photo Editing & Design Making
Cons
- Requires plugin
- Unwanted ads pop-up
- The AI generator creates poor-quality images
- UI is cluttered
3. Fotor
Fotor is a powerful browser-based, free online image editor. Its clean and robust interface has an easy learning curve, making it ideal for novices. You can easily adjust colors, brightness, saturation, and contrast with one click on many of its flexible tools.
Also, the intuitive photo editing application allows you to crop and resize any image, use portrait touch-ups, and apply breathtaking effects such as tilt-shift, funk, Lomo, and other cool photo effects. You can add text, change its size and alignment and do much more. It also provides many AI-backed features like image, face & art generator.
Pros
- Easy-to-use website
- Clever menu bar
- High-resolution file format conversion
- Single-click filters to enhance your images
- Cloud storage keeps your photos save
Cons
- Too many advertisements
- Navigating the different menu on the left panel to edit photos can be confusing.
4. Befunky
Free online image editing website Befunky is a browser-based option with a clean and uncluttered interface that makes it easy to use. With its excellent image-enhancing tools that use intelligent technology, you can blur, sharpen and make colors more vibrant. This gives your pictures the extra flair with just a few simple touches.
Moreover, this image editor also has built-in collages and templates that let you create aesthetic, high-quality, creative visuals in little time.
Pros
- Cool, funky effects
- Clear interface
- The ability to save photos on a computer and save and open photos from your device and Google Drive cloud or Google Photos are very useful.
- Quirky vectors and icons
- Many text styles and fonts to mark beautiful words
Cons
- No support for the PSD format
- The collage function is difficult to use. Many features are premium-only.
5. Canva
What makes Canva a stand-out online free photo editor is its ability to edit and manipulate images. It perfectly enhances them and is ideal for covering your favorite snaps into invitations, posters, and social media posts.
Its simple drop-and-drag design with tons of powerful editing tools makes the whole editing process easy, making it ideal for personal or business use.
In addition, this online design application offers a combination of all the basic and advanced features. Editing tools like sliders help to adjust and apply tints to your images. Others control the sharpness, brightness, saturation, contrast correction, and much more to elevate the overall look of your pictures.
Pros
- No watermark
- Robust, powerful interface
- Multiple partner integrations to streamline your workflow
- Excellent selection of templates
- Excellent asset for building a consistent presence of your brand
Cons
- Requires an online connection to work
- Limited features in the free version.
- Canva has an overwhelming number of graphics and templates, which sometimes causes ambiguity in deciding on the best choice for the design.
6. Photo pos pro
If you want to use an all-mighty free advanced image editor best suited for Windows, try Photo Pos Pro. But novices can still use this photo editor, as there are options for choosing an interface between simple and professional.
The simple layout is beginner-friendly, with core editing tools that do the job. On the other hand, the professional interface houses advanced features like masks, layers, curves, and other tools for adjusting and manipulating images. With many powerful tools, this software lets you edit RAW or any other pictures and create projects from scratch.
Pros
- Smart interface
- Color schemes to select the theme
- Batch operations
- Educational tutorials that serve as a guide
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Many pop-up ads clutter the website
- It does not have a very attractive UI
7. Adobe photoshop express
Adobe is the most common name in the digital world due to its outstanding editing features. The Adobe Photoshop Express from its line does justice to the brand's reputation. It is a treat for photographers with its brilliant suite of editing functions.
The easy-to-use interface makes editing pictures fun and enjoyable. Its intelligent and powerful on-the-go tools to crop, heal blemishes, fix red eyes, and many others let you transform your images beautifully. They make a lasting impression and stand out in the crowd. Plus, if you're already using Adobe, you can sync this application with its parent company to get all your desired content in one place.
Pros
- In-app tutorials to guide
- Digital painting and matte painting is available
- Impressive editing features
- Multi-share option
Cons
- Limited file format support
- Photoshop is hard to master, with all of the intricacies in one program.
8. Instasize
Instasize is a free picture editor that gives your images a "wow" factor. It's one of the most popular Instagram tools with power-packed editing features that instantly transform your photos to look better. The straightforward interface makes navigation smooth and easy.
You can also apply various filters and resize your picture with its crop tool to fit any social media channel in just a few seconds. This photo editor is ideal for social creatives to make visually engaging, attention-grabbing pictures that help build a unique image for their brand.
Pros
- Easy learning curve
- Free video editor
- Advanced editing tools
- Hundreds of layouts and background
9. GIMP
GIMP(GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows and more operating systems. Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done. You can further enhance your productivity with GIMP thanks to many customization options and 3rd party plugins.
GIMP prevails in many areas against some of the competition, given its plethora of features & ease of use. GIMP is suitable for daily micro-tasks such as resizing, blurring, cropping, layers management, rotating, scaling, and background erasing.
Pros
- It allows you to easily create your ideas and have them look clean and professional.
- For the beginner or novice user, this program covers all the essentials such as brushes & patterns, selection tools, & edit photos in various formats - free of charge.
Cons
- The UI could be revamped to reflect more modern UI trends (for example, material design look)
- Lack of customer support since it's open-source software.
- It can be confusing to use at times.
10. Photopea
Photopea is a web-based photo and graphics editor. It is used for image editing, making illustrations, web design or converting between different image formats. Photopea is advertising-supported software.
Photopea is a highly convenient free online application that allows you to use it without downloading software or creating an account. You can open it directly in your browser, significantly enhancing its ease of use.
Photopea software is a great alternative to Photoshop web pages for novice Photoshop users. Whether you need to crop, enhance or retouch images, this tool can perform all these tasks. Plus, there's no need for expensive Adobe suite subscriptions. However, while Photopea offers extensive functionality for professional users, it cannot fully substitute for Photoshop's comprehensive details and performance. Nonetheless, it can be used as a temporary auxiliary tool.
Pros
- Being cloud-based, it's available wherever you can get a connection, making it very accessible and flexible to use.
- The interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate
- It is an outstanding option for everyone looking for trustworthy and intuitive graphic design software.
- Photopea supports many different file formats, including PSD, XCF, RAW, and more.
Cons
- Predefined templates for common use are absent.
- The program's minimal UI is difficult to learn.
- There are ads in the free version of Photopea.
- It can be slow to load, as it is a browser-based editor.
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What is an online image editor?
Online image editors are a treat for photographers, social creators, influencers, bloggers, and marketers who find themselves stuck in the peril of dull and unappealing photos. In today's digital landscape, more and more people are directing their attention to creating, editing, and adopting beautiful images for their brands.
Rapid and convenient, these photo editors add stunning and aesthetic effects to your images. They are loaded with a powerful suite of editing tools that color correct, fix, repair, and soften the harsh edges of an image. With advanced features, you can add cool text in trendy fonts and apply vivid and mesmerizing filters that result in fantastic, eye-catchy photos.
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What are the benefits of an online image editor?
Credibility and reputation
The saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" is profound as images are indeed the hit-or-miss factor of your brand. With the help of photo editors, you can modify the images in a way that speaks to your customers. High-quality photos create a lasting impression on your audience.
When you, as a brand, go above and beyond in delivering premium, slick pictures from different angles, it indicates that you're leaving no stone unturned in showcasing your products' details. It simplifies the decision-making process and makes your customers more loyal as they believe in the credibility of your brand.
Building the brand's image
Image manipulation and modification do wonders for your brand when done right. Use unique styles to create a distinctive and consistent appearance for your brand. Playing with saturation, colors, and contrast lets you put your brand's flair in the images you post to promote your business. The special elements you use to make your photos stand apart from the crowd stick with the audience's minds and lead to greater ROI.
Saves time and effort
One-click editing features give a quick revamp to your pictures. Image editors, with their retouching tools, save time and effort. Many image editing tools now incorporate smart AI technology that can enhance your photos to near perfection without going through lengthy steps.
Robust social media strategy
Stunning images are attention grabbers. Posting visually appealing photos on social media platforms attract the target audience and boost engagement. The higher the engagement, the greater the chances of conversion. Using various editing tools before uploading gives a head-start over your competitors.
Boosts sales
High-quality, alluring photos excite sales rapidly. The more appealing your images are to people, the higher the chances of them converting into your potential customers. Thus improving the appearance and dimensions of your pictures boosts decisions in your favor.
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How to choose the best free online image editor?
Here are some essential factors you must consider when using an online photo editor tool:
Interface: The layout of the photo editing software should be simple and easy to use. An uncluttered and straightforward interface makes navigation smoother.
Access to stock images and graphics: Vast library of stock photos means your image editor is all-in-one. With integrated resources for pictures and graphics, you get the freedom to play with them without having to pay for an external library.
Preset templates: Ready-made collage and design templates come in handy when you're short on time. They are best for quick posting and are designed with unique layouts and styles to fit every branding.
Supports a wide range of file formats: The more file formats are supported, the easier it is for you to export images easily and quickly. A good image editor should support various file formats.
Conclusion
As a website owner, your job doesn’t end once you are done selecting relevant images to accompany your content. If you want to impress your readers to keep them engaged and hooked to your website, you must make those images interesting and extraordinary.
Now that you understand what online image editors do and why it's wise to use them, it's time to try them out. Regardless of the tool you choose from above, editing and enhancing the visual media you use will keep you on the right track to improving your website's engagement and conversion rates.
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