Pixlr vs Lightroom: Why Cheaper Doesn't Mean Better?

By Eva Williams 11 days ago, Software Reviews

I am an amateur photographer and often need such tools to make my photos’ colors and shadows better quickly. Comparing Pixlr vs Lightroom, I realized the former Pixlr is more user-friendly and easily approachable due to its easy interface and handy tools; Lightroom provides advanced features you as an amateur might become overwhelmed with. For a serious editor, it serves with really powerful options.

Final Verdict:

Pixlr is ideal if you do quick touch-ups like putting in some text, cropping, and even applying filters seamlessly.

If you would like to integrate powerful tools with other Adobe software, then Lightroom could be the perfect bet for you in terms of functionality and price balance.

Head To Head Comparison

Pixlr

pixlr logo

Lightroom

lightroom logo

Rating

★★★★☆ 4/5

★★★★☆ 4.5/5

Best For

Beginners

Professional photographers

Free Version

✔️

Free Trial

Price

$1.99/mo

$9.99/mo

Platforms

Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

Easy of use

★★★★☆ 4.5/5

★★★★☆ 4/5

Quality of support

★★★★☆ 4/5

★★★★★ 5/5

What Is Pixlr

avast features

In my opinion, Pixlr is perfect if I am going to recommend an application suitable for beginners. Its interface was really user-friendly, and even a person who uses it for the first time will be able to enhance images without any troubles.

I like many features of it: templates, filters, overlays—all this allows me to create great visuals without much effort made. Since Pixlr can be accessed online from any device, it is very convenient for editing on the go for Insta posts or stories.

What Is Lightroom

lightroom interface

Lightroom is also a good choice for beginners like you. Its interface is familiar, with editing tools that are non-destructive—thus making photo enhancement uncomplicated, since one doesn't mind ruining the original file because you can always redo.

The preset options in Lightroom are designed for quick and consistent edits while organizing my photos which is AWESOME you can create or adjust free presets that you can find in the web.

In the bottom line, Lightroom will be a perfect suit for users of all levels who want to create fabulous visuals with any kind of extra-complicated software at work.

Pixlr vs Lightroom: Features

Pixlr

pixlr logo

Lightroom

lightroom logo

Generative AI

✔️

✔️

Color Replacement

✔️

✔️

Masking

✔️

✔️

Color Correction

Basic

✔️

Background Removing

✔️

Limited

Photo Organizing

Limited

Extensive

Batch Editing

✔️

✔️

Presets

✔️

✔️

Ease of Use

I think that Pixlr is much more convenient and easy to use but doesn't have most of the advanced tools. For example, I enjoy adjusting some of the color characteristics of my images or vignette to other tonal ranges, which with Pixlr is simply not possible.

The comparison of Pixlr vs. Lightroom showed that the second variant is inappropriate for quick editing, but for those who are skilled at working with Adobe software, it could be not so problematic after editing several images.

Editing

pixlr editing

Both platforms provide AI tools to speed up image processing.

Moreover, there are basic editing tools and filters in a huge number available for working with. Pixlr is a wonderful software for creating vibrant visuals without wasting time learning most of its functionality.

lightroom editing

While Lightroom renders many basic fixes easily at a click, it has powerful and advanced features that make it unique photo editing software for any PC.

The multiplicity of useful options for even basic skin retouching in Lightroom, easy automation features, and a familiar interface override any concerns for complexity associated with the software to my mind.

Organizing

lightroom organizing

Regarding photo organization features, Pixlr feels quite bare to me.

On the other hand, Lightroom allows various classifications of images into folders, color labels, flags, ratings, keywords, and if enabled, GPS location.

This photo organizing software can even automatize smart-collate albums, saving an infinite amount of user time.

Price

Pixlr

pixlr logo

Lightroom

lightroom logo

Free Version

✔️

Free Trial

Starting Plan

$1.99/mo

$9.99/mo

Premium

$7.99/mo

Compatibility

Pixlr

pixlr logo

Lightroom

lightroom logo

Windows

✔️

✔️

Mac

✔️

✔️

Web

✔️

✔️

iOS

✔️

✔️

Android

✔️

✔️

Other Top Alternatives

  • canva logo
    Canva
    Free
  • photoshop logo
    Photoshop
    $22.99/mo
  • gimp logo
    GIMP
    Free
  • picmonkey logo
    PicMonkey
    $7.99/mo
  • fotor logo
    Fotor Photo Editor
    Free

Final Thoughts: Overall Winner

I think Pixlr is good enough for very basic retouching cases.

It comes with easy handling, attractive filters and effects to pick from, and it supports a plethora of file types.

My favorite is Lightroom, since for letting me "heavy" edit colors and shadows of pictures and have full control over them, organize them and do quick culling.

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