6 of the Best Online Photo Editors

When it comes to photo editing, Photoshop is the undisputed king. In fact, like Band-Aid or Google before it, Photoshop has become the de-facto catch-all phrase for any type of photo manipulation, regardless of the tool used. Unfortunately, Photoshop can be fairly pricey – not to mention a bit complicated to use. This list offers the best online photos editors, allowing you to skip the Photoshop price, confusion, and download.

Tip: If you just have too many photos and really need to get them organized, read this review on Mylio Photos.

1. Best Overall: Photopea

Photopea is an online photo editor that supports some of the best file formats, such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Sketch App, Adobe XD and CorelDRAW. In addition, you can export your projects in 16 different file types, including JPG, PNG and WebP.

Photopea is impressive in its functionality, as it supports RAW files, raster and vector masking, layers for nondestructive photo manipulation, and even advanced features, like Subject Select.

Photopea is completely free; however, you will need to contend with ads. Furthermore, some of the more advanced features, like Subject Select, are limited. A premium subscription model that runs $5/month removes the ads and tool restrictions found in the free version.

Pros

• Integration with major cloud storage providers
• Available as a progressive web app
• RAW support

Cons

• Learning curve can be steep
• Doesn’t play well with HEIC files

2. Best for Color Correction: Polarr

Polarr is an approachable online photo editor that excels in color correction. The user interface is intuitive, providing a more accessible experience by utilizing separate RGB histograms. These graphs represent the tonal range of an image. This can help you evaluate the image as you edit it.

Histograms show blacks, mid-range tones, and whites. A spike on the graph indicates an unbalanced exposure. Fortunately, you can adjust the exposure by simply dragging the sliders on the histogram.

Polarr also features a number of automatic adjustment tools that apply a variety of color and lighting fixes. These can be quite effective at elevating a flat image with minimal effort.

Pros

• Auto face enhancement
• Desktop and mobile interfaces
• Sliders are super easy to use

Cons

• No RAW support
• Lacks a lot of the features found in Lightroom

FYI: working on an iPhone or iPad? Try one of these best photo editing apps for iOS.

3. Best for One-Click Enhancements: Fotor

If programs like Photoshop give you anxiety because of intimidating user interfaces, or you just want something super easy to use, Fotor is for you. With a single click on this photo editor, users can apply a number of smart filters and AI-assisted tools that can enhance images.

Portraits? Not a problem. Fotor will zap blemishes and smooth out imperfections, all while leaving skin glowing and eyes popping. Landscapes and still images get some love with automatic color correction and exposure tweaks.

Granted, Fotor doesn’t have all of the tools and brushes you’d find in more robust photo editors. However, it does offer fast results, allowing you to punch up multiple photos in no time. There is a premium version, Fotor Pro, which enables some other features, like full HDR support and a workspace free of ads.

Pros

• Compatible with a wide range of file formats, including RAW
• Easy to use
• Create an account and edit the same project on multiple platforms

Cons

• Lacks more advanced tools
• Watermark when exporting images in free version

4. Best for Design: Canva

Canva’s online photo editor is very basic compared to others on this list. However, when combined with Canva’s multitude of design options, it is a must-try for creatives, brands, and anyone looking to create professional graphic designs.

This is thanks to Canva’s drag-and-drop functionality, which has made it one of the most popular online design tools. Its ease of use and impressive library of ready-to-use content has made graphic designers out of people with no prior knowledge or skills. Simply find a frame, border, sticker, text or other design element and drag it onto your photo.

In addition, users can do basic edits, like cropping, and making tonal adjustments, like warmth and saturation. Furthermore, Canva offers a number of one-click auto adjustments and AI tools, like a magic eraser and background remover.

Pros

• Excellent integration with Canva’s graphic design elements
• No watermark
• Compatible with a number of files types, including HEIC

Cons

• More complex tools (including AI tools) are hidden behind a paywall
• Leans toward graphic design more than strictly photo editing

FYI: if you have many images to edit, check out these tools that will allow you to batch-edit images on Windows.

5. Best for Beginners & Power Users: Pixlr

Pixlr has two separate online photo editors to choose from, making it one of the best choices for folks of all skill levels. One of Pixlr’s tools is a professional-style online photo editor with advanced features. Meanwhile, the other is a user-friendly application that accomplishes more basic tasks.

Pixlr E is a full-fledged photo editing tool strikingly similar to Photoshop. The user interface is laid out in an almost identical manner, and you’ll find most of the same tools and brushes. It even has multiple layers and masking at its disposal.

If you’re not familiar with Photoshop, or just need to do some basic editing, there’s Pixlr X. This is a very beginner-friendly online photo editor that has basic features, like cropping and text overlays. Additionally, it has one-click filters and AI tools that include a background remover.

Pros

• Suitable for all skill levels
• Support for third-party plugins (Pixlr E)
• Uses the same keyboard shortcuts as Photoshop

Cons

• Limited to three exports per day on the free tier
• Ads can be obtrusive at times

6. Best for Collages: BeFunky

BeFunky is an online photo editor that is popular amongst content creators, due to its impressive collage creation tools. There are multiple collage layouts to choose from, with many designed for specific social media platforms, including Pinterest and Instagram.

Once you have selected your images, simply run the collage wizard, and it will create platform-appropriate collages. Furthermore, you can perform multiple edits, including adding text, applying filters, and more.

If collages aren’t your thing, BeFunky offers a variety of filters and AI image enhancers. BeFunky’s unique “artsy” filters can transform your photos into watercolors, cartoons, and more with a single click. In addition, there are a number of other adjustments available, including skin smoothing and exposure correction.

Pros

• Beginner friendly
• Library of stock images and vector graphics
• Graphic design features available

Cons

• No offline functionality
• Some features locked behind a paywall

Good to know: worried about your personal information being exposed when you post your photos to social media? Learn how to remove EXIF metadata from photos on your Android.

Even the best online photo editors are not as feature-rich as paid apps like Photoshop or Corel, but they are becoming more robust every day. In addition, online photo editors are making it easier for folks with little to no experience with photo editing software to create gorgeous images. Of course, many of these online photo editors have features that are only available to paying customers, but the free features may be enough to get the job done.

If the idea of having to maintain an Internet connection is a dealbreaker, be sure to check out the best free photo-editing apps. Alternatively, if you want to let AI do the work, check out the best photo editors that use AI to enhance your photos.

Image credit: Pexels. All screencaps by Ryan Lynch.