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Photo and video editing have become crucial in today’s digital era, whether it’s for creating stunning content for social media or professional branding. Often, though, editing tools come with a steep learning curve or limited functionality. Enter Picsart—a creative platform designed to make photo and video editing simple, efficient, and fun for everyone. But is it really worth your time?
This detailed Picsart review will cover its features, pricing, pros, cons, and explore who it’s best suited for. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether Picsart aligns with your creative needs or if an alternative may be better.
Picsart is an all-in-one creative editing platform for photos and videos with a robust lineup of tools ranging from AI editing capabilities to customizable templates. It’s more than just a basic editor—users gain access to a collaborative space loaded with stickers, effects, filters, and art tools suitable for everything from personal projects to professional branding.
Picsart was co-founded in November 2011 by Hovhannes Avoyan, alongside Artavazd Mehrabyan and Mikayel Vardanyan. Originally launched as a mobile photo editing app for Android, the tool quickly expanded to iOS, Windows Phone, and desktop platforms. Today, millions of users worldwide rely on Picsart for creating visually stunning content.
Picsart stands out for its ease of use, robust features, and ability to cater to diverse audiences. Key benefits include:
Picsart offers a free plan that includes standard editing tools, access to templates, and limited AI features like background removal. However, premium subscriptions unlock broader functionalities, including advanced AI tools, additional templates, and an ad-free experience.
Small teams benefit from Picsart’s collaboration-friendly features such as shared projects, group editing capabilities, and chat functions to streamline workflows.
Includes basic editing tools, 5 AI credits weekly, and access to free templates. Perfect for casual users.
Offers HD downloads, ad-free editing, and access to premium filters and effects.
Adds advanced creative tools, unlimited AI credits, and branding kits for professionals.
Offering custom feature development, enterprise-grade security, reliable support, and a dedicated account manager for seamless integration and service excellence.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly for beginners. | Free version includes ads and limited features. |
| Advanced AI tools reduce manual effort. | Some advanced tools require a learning curve. |
| Huge library of creative assets. | Performance can suffer without a strong internet connection. |
| Flexible across multiple devices. |
Picsart is ideal for a wide range of users, including but not limited to:
Picsart is an incredibly versatile tool for editing, creating, and designing. Whether you're new to the platform or looking to refine your skills, here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you make the most of this creative powerhouse!
1. Create Your Account
Start your Picsart journey by visiting picsart.com. Click on the "Get Started for Free" button to create your account. You can sign up using your email, Google account, or one of the other quick-login options. Once signed up, you’ll gain access to Picsart’s expansive range of tools and features.
2. Pick a Picsart Plan
After signing up, you’ll be prompted to choose between two plans – the Plus or Pro plan. Both options come with a 7-day free trial, allowing you to test their premium features without any upfront charges. Don't forget, you can cancel anytime if it’s not the right fit!
If you're unsure which plan to select, the "Pro" plan gives access to Picsart's full capabilities, including advanced editing tools, exclusive content, and time-saving features. Once you’ve made your decision, click “Next” to proceed.
3. Start a New Project
Upon entering your Picsart dashboard, the creativity begins! At the top of the page, you’ll see options for what you can design, from blank canvases to templates. Scrolling down reveals an array of built-in AI tools and design resources to explore.
To start fresh, click the "New Project" button in the top-right corner. Here, you can select custom dimensions for your canvas or upload an image from your gallery by hitting the “Upload” button next to it. If you plan to create content for social media, streamline the process by choosing from the pre-sized templates already tailored for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more.
One more thing, working with social media templates saves you time—you won’t need to crop or resize your design later, and your content looks polished and professional right from the start!
4. Navigate the Toolbar
Once your project is set up, you'll find a blank canvas perfectly sized for your creation. On the left-hand side, you’ll notice a helpful navigation bar, packed with easy-to-use tools. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can do:
5. Tap Into a Template
Templates are Picsart’s hidden gem. Perfect for beginners and professionals alike, they give you a head start on your projects. If you don’t have any assets to start with, browse the extensive collection of templates categorized by themes ranging from Digital Marketing to Electronics. Simply select a template, and it opens with all elements ready to customize.
When working with templates, you'll see a "Layers" panel appear on the right. Think of layers as individual pieces of your project—images, text, graphics can all be adjusted separately. For instance, you can reposition a text layer or remove a background without affecting other components of the design.
If you're new to layers, imagine them as transparent sheets stacked on top of one another. You can move, rearrange, or delete specific layers at any time, making it easier to create complex visuals.
1. Play with Effects & Filters
Once your elements are in place, enhance your project with Picsart’s editing tools. Simply double-click on your photo to reveal customization options at the top of the screen:
Want to go the extra mile? Add overlays, animations, or AI-generated effects. Experiment with trendy filters, but keep in mind that subtlety often works best. For a polished look, stick to one or two effects that elevate your design without overwhelming it.
2. Remove Backgrounds with Ease
If you want a clean, background-free image, Picsart’s AI Background Remover works like a charm. Simply select your photo and click on “Remove BG.” Within moments, the app will isolate your subject.
For added precision, you can manually refine the edges, which is especially useful for tricky areas such as hair or semi-transparent objects. This tool is perfect for professional photo edits or when adding your subject to a new background.
3. Add and Customize Text
Want to elevate your design with text? Hit “Text” on the navigation bar. You can choose fancy fonts, adjust sizes, or even bend text into creative shapes. Adding effects like shadows or outlines makes your text pop off the canvas.
Don’t want to brainstorm text ideas? Picsart’s AI can even generate copy for product descriptions, social media posts, or ads. Whatever you do, remember readability matters—your fonts should look appealing and be easy to read at a glance.
4. Save and Export
Once you’re satisfied with your creation, save your work by clicking the "Export" button in the top-right corner. From here, you can download your design in your preferred format, whether it’s a high-resolution image for printing or a quick file for social media. Working on a large project? Keep versions of your design by clicking “Duplicate” to create backups as you work. This way, if a later edit doesn’t go as planned, you can always revert to an earlier version. Well, you are welcome!
While Picsart is a fantastic tool for creative projects, it's not the only option out there! Depending on your specific needs—whether it’s professional editing, quick and polished designs, or photo culling—a few other platforms might fit the bill even better. Here are the top three Picsart alternatives that offer unique features and benefits.
If you’re searching for a photo editor packed with next-level AI tools, look no further than Skylum’s Luminar Neo. This software focuses on professional-grade photo enhancements and simplifies advanced edits through intelligent AI.
What Makes Luminar Neo Stand Out?
Luminar Neo shines in transforming ordinary images into extraordinary visuals with minimal effort. For example, its AI can automatically enhance skies, remove unwanted objects, or adjust lighting to perfection—all with just a few clicks. The non-destructive editing ensures that you can experiment freely without altering the original photo.
Other standout features include its compatibility as a plugin for Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, making it a natural fit for professionals who already rely on industry-standard tools. Its advanced options work perfectly for photographers aiming for high-quality outputs rather than quick, social-media-ready designs.
Luminar Neo vs. Picsart
While Picsart is a go-to tool for casual creators and social edits, Luminar Neo is better suited for those who prioritize precision and artistic quality. Picsart is ideal for beginners with its user-friendly interface, extensive template collection, and community-driven inspiration. On the other hand, Luminar Neo focuses on advanced photography features, offering unparalleled AI-powered image manipulation with a professional edge.
Recommendation:
For creators looking for effortless and polished designs, Photoleap by Lightricks is a standout option. It simplifies complex photo edits with one-tap ease, making it perfect for anyone wanting high-quality results without spending hours on adjustments.
Why Photoleap?
Photoleap’s interface is intuitive, focusing heavily on AI tools that simplify tasks like object removal, background generation, and creating text-to-image designs. Think of it as an app that puts advanced tech in your pocket while still making the process approachable for everyone.
One of the platform’s highlights is its trendy AI filters and text-to-image capabilities that are perfect for crafting eye-catching, social-media-ready designs. Whether it’s turning a text prompt into an image or implementing seamless one-tap effects, Photoleap impresses with its time-saving tools.
Photoleap vs. Picsart
Both applications excel in photo editing and creativity, but their strengths differ. Picsart offers a broader suite of tools, catering to users who want an all-in-one ecosystem for photo editing, video creation, and access to a vibrant community for sharing and collaboration. Meanwhile, Photoleap is more focused on intuitive, high-end edits with fewer distractions.
If you’re someone who needs a rich resource library or frequently switches between devices, Picsart delivers on flexibility. But if you need streamlined photo editing with a modern edge, Photoleap wins for ease of use and efficiency.
Recommendation:
Last but not least, here’s a tool specifically designed for photographers—Aftershoot. While it’s not an all-purpose editing platform like Picsart, Aftershoot excels as a post-processing companion that drastically cuts down editing time.
What Aftershoot Brings to the Table
Aftershoot uses AI to simplify photo culling and editing workflows. Sorting through hundreds of images from a photoshoot can be an overwhelming task, but Aftershoot’s intelligent algorithms can identify high-quality photos, highlight duplicates, and even organize them according to your preferences.
This feature alone makes it a game-changer for wedding photographers or anyone working with large batches of images. Beyond culling, Aftershoot also offers automatic enhancement tools while allowing photographers to retain their unique editing styles.
Aftershoot vs. Picsart
While Picsart thrives as a creative and versatile tool with AI-driven design capabilities , it doesn't target professional photography efficiency the way Aftershoot does. Picsart fosters a community-based approach to visuals with templates for branding, promotions, or online engagement. Aftershoot, by contrast, is solely built for faster post-shoot processing.
For photographers who need to manage and edit extensive image galleries while saving time and maintaining consistency, Aftershoot is the perfect tool. However, if you’re more inclined toward creating striking visuals for marketing or personal projects, Picsart’s creative suite remains king.
Recommendation:
Yes, Picsart offers a free plan, but advanced features require a premium subscription.
Absolutely! Available as both a desktop and mobile app, Picsart ensures flexibility for all users.
Its combination of AI tools, an extensive template library, and beginner-friendly design.
Picsart successfully combines ease of use with advanced features, making it a versatile choice for creators at all skill levels. With its strong array of editing tools and consistent updates, it’s a must-have for professionals and hobbyists alike. Whether you're enhancing a photo, designing campaign visuals, or playing with AI-generated avatars, Picsart proves to be a reliable creative companion.
If you're looking for a dynamic tool to simplify content creation, give Picsart a try today!
