If you are wondering which software to choose to edit your digital images, Luminar or Pixlr, check out this article.
Luminar is a universal photo editing program with a user-friendly interface and tools grouped under various tabs, which makes it easy to use for beginners.
Pixlr is a powerful editing app that helps you create high-quality images even if you don’t have significant editing experience. Pixlr is very popular among total amateurs due to its intuitive interface.
What Is Luminar?
Luminar is a handy editor that allows you to perform both basic and advanced image manipulations. This software uses artificial intelligence tools to simplify editing, which makes it suitable for both professionals and novices.
Luminar is designed for post-processing, organizing image folders, and converting RAW files. It allows you to customize your workspace, use batch editing and work with layers. If you can’t choose between Lightroom vs Photoshop, keep in mind that Luminar can be used as a plugin.
Luminar: Strengths and Weaknesses
Customizable interface. Luminar has fully customizable panels and tools. You can add and move any tool to a specific panel if needed. It allows you to sort the tools you need for work, which simplifies the editing process.
Efficient batch editing. If you compare Luminar vs Pixlr, you will notice that the former allows you to edit images in groups. You can apply different presets and filters to multiple images at the same time, adjust their parameters, etc. You can even process a batch of RAW files.
Easy learning curve. Luminar is one of the best AI photo editors as it comes with an intuitive user interface. You can customize its tool menu. If you've ever worked with Adobe products, you will master Luminar with ease.
Easy work with portraits and skin. Luminar was designed for AI-assisted portrait and headshot editing. All changes are made automatically, but you can fully control the process. The software allows you to remove a red-eye effect, improve complexion, remove blemishes, correct lips, etc. You can move the sliders to adjust the settings.
Convenient tools. In Mac and Windows versions, you can work only with the necessary tools. They are grouped under tabs so you can easily find the tools that you need to use to edit landscape, portrait photos or perform color correction, etc.
Large database. The program has a library that includes a file browser and a database, so you can easily view templates and sketches. You can add personal folders to the library, rename them, and save your designs to various folders. You can search and sort your pictures by geotags, tags, and keywords.
Non-destructive editing. You can easily save all the changes applied to the image. An autosave option lets you get back to work whenever you want. However, if you do not like the result, you can view all operations on the History tab and undo some changes.
Unique automatic settings. The Smart Tone filter makes it easy to adjust exposure without affecting brightness and color. The Orton Effect adds a special glow, raises sharpness and gives an image a soft look. The Sun Rays filter adds natural light to a photo.
Flexible software. You can use a standalone program or a plugin for Photoshop. When comparing Luminar vs Lightroom, keep in mind that the former has an Apple Photos extension. Luminar has the same interface, so you can use it with other Skylum programs.
No face recognition support. While you can search by tags or keywords, the program doesn’t support the face recognition feature. It makes it more difficult to find an edited image in the database.
Occasional lags. Unfortunately, Luminar has problems with speed and reliability. This software often slows down, especially if you make AI sky replacement. This is especially noticeable when a user is working with layers.
What Is Pixlr?
Pixlr is a great free online photo enhancer that has a set of advanced color grading and graphic design tools. Since it is portable and mobile, you can access it from any mobile platform. This software has handy free tools that make it similar to popular paid programs.
Besides, this editor is quite easy to use, which makes it suitable for professionals and novice photographers. Pixlr is a great intuitive online platform with AI-powered tools.
Pixlr: Strengths and Weaknesses
Great for beginners. Pixlr has a user-friendly interface similar to the one you can see in Photoshop. If you've ever worked with Ps, you'll master Pixlr with ease. Even if you are a novice, you can easily cope with intuitive menus and tools. Besides, you can customize the interface and make it convenient for use.
Convenient hotkeys. It allows Pixlr users to quickly cut out backgrounds or objects, use brushes, etc. The keyboard shortcuts are the same as those used in Ps, which is great for advanced users. Hotkeys will be a plus for anyone who needs to quickly edit pictures.
Mobile-friendly. Pixlr is optimized for mobile devices, so you don't need to use a computer if you want to edit and share a photo on social media. You can make a collage, apply effects and use cool filters on iOS and Android devices. With Pixlr, you can crop and resize images before saving and publishing them.
Great templates. Pixlr has the latest templates for social media for photographers. With them, you can create stunning YouTube videos, Instagram stories, Facebook posts, etc. In this editor, you can create PowerPoint presentations, CVs, brochures, business cards, newsletters, or wedding invitations with stylish custom designs using convenient templates.
Easy-to-work with text. Pixlr allows you to work with text by adding captions and using different fonts. This program has basic editing tools. If you need to make more serious edits, for instance, change the spacing between letters, you should choose different software.
Convenient post-processing tools. When comparing Pixlr vs Luminar, you will notice that the former has less advanced tools. However, it supports layers and masks. You can customize all the brushes and other post-processing tools.
Stable performance. Thanks to the auto-save option, you will not lose the results of your work. Your edits will be saved even if you exit the program.
Free software. Pixlr is completely free to use. If you're on a budget or don't need to edit photos too often, this editor is a great choice. There are no extra purchases or hidden commissions.
Poor synchronization. Pixlr does not synchronize with browser settings. It is inconvenient to navigate through the photo and control the mouse. If you try to zoom in, a photo will start to move which makes it difficult to fix it.
Annoying ads. Ads are rather inconvenient and annoying, but if you have an ad blocker installed, this won't be a great deal for you.
Doesn’t support all formats. Pixlr only supports JPEG format. The Pro version supports the majority of widespread file formats, including RAW. In a free version, it’s impossible to edit images in different formats.
Luminar vs Pixlr: Price
To use Luminar for an unlimited time, you need to pay once. It will allow you to get free new updates and various add-ons in the future.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also use Luminar discounts.
Speaking about Pixlr, users can download it free of charge. Paid plans allow you to use advanced tools:
- Premium Plan – $4.90/month – includes pro-level image editing tools, AI CutOut (and other AI tools), 3,000 additional overlays, 7,000 additional icons/stickers, 5,000 text effects, exclusive video tutorials.
- Creative Pack – $14.99/month – besides the options mentioned above, it includes 28,000 additional overlays, a $25,000 legal guarantee, 24/7 premium support.
Luminar vs Pixlr – Who Wins?
While comparing Luminar vs Pixlr, we’ve seen that both software have advanced editing tools and are suitable for beginners.
Luminar has automatic tools that help you create cool HDR effects, fix distortion issues, and even perform color adjustments. It can be used either as a standalone program or as a plugin, which makes it more convenient to use than Pixlr.
While Pixlr offers a huge number of tools that are suitable for most editing tasks, it is inferior to Luminar when it comes to post-processing. Pixlr's interface is intuitive. The program comes with the most popular tools, however, it doesn’t support batch processing. Unlike Luminar, this free editor is a perfect choice for novice photographers with a limited budget.
Bonus Tools
Luminar has useful presets that will help you enhance your images. Besides, you can import other presets in a couple of clicks to make colors more vivid, add a special atmosphere to landscape photos and enhance skin tones in portraits.
