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Alternative to Picmonkey (Windows 10 + Mac)
January 03
13 min. to read
If you’ve been using PicMonkey, perhaps it’s time to pick another tool? It could just be that you’re missing out on some fab features. The following are 12 photo editing solutions you should check out if you don’t have time for any monkey business.
Nowadays there is a plethora of photo editing tools available. While this wide selection can make it challenging to pick the most suitable one for your needs, on the flip side it means you can easily switch.
If you’ve been using PicMonkey, perhaps it’s time to pick another tool? It could just be that you’re missing out on some fab features. The following are 12 photo editing solutions you should check out if you don’t have time for any monkey business.
1. Luminar 4
While Luminar isn’t an online editor, it boasts more features than PicMonkey. If you’re searching for the ultimate tool to streamline your editing process, Luminar 4 is a great choice.
Luminar offers a wide range of editing tools that are easy to use. And thanks to its powerful AI tools, you’ll save loads of time. One of Luminar’s most impressive features is AI Sky Replacement, which allows you to change the sky in a single click. The best part is that you aren’t limited to the built-in selection of sky backgrounds, as you can import your own.
Luminar 4 is ideal if you often need to complete work for commercial clients. It’s also ideal if you often work with portraits, as it offers AI-powered skin and portrait tools that you can use to touch up your models in a flash.
If you aren’t a fan of artificial intelligence (yet), rest assured that Luminar also offers layer-based editing, advanced masking, and a huge selection of presets that will be more up your alley. That said, the AI tools are really impressive. Why not take advantage of the seven-day trial and put them to the test?
✅Pros
- Modern user interface that’s fast and intuitive
- Synchronizing edits is easy
- Useful AI sliders for adjustments like brightness
- Excellent exclusive features
✖️Cons
- Workflow management isn’t very developed yet
- Panel organization could be slightly improved
2. Adobe Lightroom
This all-time popular photo editor is currently available as two distinct apps: Lightroom Classic, aimed at professional photographers, and Lightroom, which is targeted at consumers. While the Lightroom interface is more straightforward, it doesn’t offer all the tools professional photographers require. Thus, it might be best to opt for Adobe Lightroom Classic. Its organization and photo management features remain excellent.
✅Pros
- Support for plug-ins
- A wide range of tools including for tagging, face detection, luminance masking, and brush and gradient adjustments with color
- In-app tutorials
✖️Cons
- Importing photos is rather slow
3. Pixlr
While Pixlr might not offer you as much control as some other options and isn’t as user-friendly, it’s still a good alternative to explore. Overlays, effects, borders, and filters are just a couple of its main features. Pixlr also offers blending modes, a history tool, and a healing tool. While not as advanced as competitors like Photoshop, Pixlr can handle many editing jobs.
✅Pros
- Offers all the standard editing tools
- No need to download an app, as it’s web-based
- AI design tools
✖️Cons
- Clunky interface
- Redesigning and resizing can be challenging
4. Paint.NET
This Windows-only image and photo editing tool has become increasingly popular. It boasts an easy-to-use yet modern interface and a big selection of handy tools that can get the job done.
Some of Paint.NET’s features include filters, blending modes, special effects, layers, and unlimited undos. What started out as an alternative to the popular Microsoft Paint has now developed into a useful photo editing tool and an alternative to software like PicMonkey. All things considered, if functionality is more important than unleashing your creativity, Paint.NET is a good alternative to try.
✅Pros
- Many tutorials and plug-ins available online
- Can reposition tools to clear your workspace
- Lets you add text to images
- Supports many file types
✖️Cons
- Only for Windows
- Doesn’t have advanced editing features that more experienced photographers might need
What photo editor do you use most? Let us know in the comments.
5. GIMP
GIMP (short for GNU Image Manipulation Program) boasts a wide range of tools and features. It might not offer as much as Photoshop, but it has what it takes to compete with the big guns like PicMonkey. Some of its main features are exposure controls, an eraser, selection tools, filters for creating special effects, and a paintbrush. All things considered, GIMP will most likely not be the answer for serious photographers, however.
✅Pros
- Unlike many photo editors, When opening files, GIMP displays thumbnails, not just file names
- Open-source
- If you get stuck, there are tutorials available
- Regularly updated
✖️Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Workflow isn’t easy to master
- No adjustment layers
- Doesn’t offer RAW processing
6. BeFunky
BeFunky is an online platform that boasts countless templates that are completely customizable and compatible with all the main social media platforms. Its selection of tools is just as impressive.
Whether you want to make a collage or need a tool for more serious graphic design and photo editing, be sure to check out BeFunky. Navigating your way around this app is easy. If you’re specifically searching for software that can help you with color correction, you can’t go wrong with BeFunky. Its color correction is flawless!
✅Pros
- Useful drag-and-drop functionality
- Can upload multiple photos at once
- Full-screen mode
✖️Cons
- A bit on the slow side
- Photo retouching isn’t the best
- Lots of annoying ads
7. Ribbet
This app might be simple, but it can get the basic jobs done — and fast! Not only is Ribbet a photo editing app, it can also be used to create collages or paint a blank canvas. You can use it for color corrections and to add effects and filters. Some of its basic photo editing tools include crop, sharpen, rotate, auto-fix, and resize.
✅Pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- Big selection of filters
✖️Cons
- Some options only available with the Premium plan
- Can’t customize the interface
Do you prefer web-based or desktop editors? Why?
8. LightZone
It’s simple to begin editing with LightZone. Basically, all you have to do is open your photo and select a style. In addition to predefined styles, LightZone offers tools for color balance, noise reduction, red-eye removal, and white balance. And like similar software, LightZone allows you to undo edits.
✅Pros
- Easy to use, even without prior photo editing experience
✖️Cons
- Not very powerful
9. piZap
If you’re searching for a fun, easy-to-use photo editing tool, be sure to check out this all-in-one tool. Its features include basic edits like crop, saturation, contrast, brightness, and rotate. Though if you want to be adventurous, it offers “funtastic” filters, textures, stickers, frames, and borders. piZap also has a painting tool and hundreds of fonts you can use to personalize your photos by adding doodles and text bubbles. In addition to editing photos, you can use piZap to create collages and design cards, flyers, and social media posts.
✅Pros
- Simple and fast
✖️Cons
- Only offers basic photo editing tools
- Not aimed at professional photographers
Learn more about AI tools for photo editing!
10. Canva
Canva remains one of the most popular photo editing tools, trusted by millions of users. It’s an easy-to-use design solution that you’re probably already familiar with. Canva offers a range of tools and templates for editing images, including vignette, blur, frames, and design grids. If you need to turn a photo into a social media post, invite, or poster, this is one of your top picks.
✅Pros
- Easy to use thanks to its drag-and-drop functionality
- Impressive selection of templates
- Big selection of free stock photography
✖️Cons
- Doesn’t offer many tools for photo editing
- Need to create an account before using it
- Difficult to figure out which templates are free and which are paid
11. Fotor
If you love playing around with filters, Fotor is a great choice. In addition to its huge library of filters, it offers design templates, portrait retouching, batch processing, and HDR effects. You can also create collages with it!
✅Pros
- Intuitive interface
- Desktop version offers RAW conversion
✖️Cons
- Geared toward informal design projects such as invites
- Not so powerful
12. Photo Pos Pro
Millions of people have already given this photo editor a try, making it one of the most popular photo editing tools. In addition to standard features like masks, effects, brushes, filters, and layers, Photo Pos Pro offers advanced effects. Some of its other top features include collages, frames, and the ability to replace backgrounds.
✅Pros
- Supports many file types including RAW
- Great support and many tutorials
✖️Cons
- Steep learning curve
Which photo editing tool is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Alternative to Picmonkey Free/ Paid
Web-based editors and desktop photo editing tools each come with their pros and cons. With web-based editors, you don’t need to download a program, which can be convenient. Also, the majority of online editors can be used for free. But just like with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Web-based editors typically have fewer features than desktop editors.
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