Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PicMonkey VS Adobe Express

Compare PicMonkey VS Adobe Express and see what are their differences

PicMonkey logo PicMonkey

PicMonkey is a feature-rich online photo editor that works right in your browser; no downloads...

Adobe Express logo Adobe Express

Adobe Express is an online and mobile design app. Easily create stunning social graphics, short videos, and web pages that make you stand out on social and beyond.
  • PicMonkey Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25
  • Adobe Express Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-15

PicMonkey features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    PicMonkey has a straightforward and intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to get started with photo editing and graphic design without much of a learning curve.
  • Variety of Templates
    The platform offers a diverse range of pre-designed templates for social media, marketing materials, and personal projects, helping users quickly create professional-looking designs.
  • Robust Editing Tools
    PicMonkey provides a comprehensive set of photo editing tools, including advanced features like layer management, blending modes, and touch-up tools, enabling users to perform detailed edits.
  • Web-Based and Mobile-Friendly
    As a web-based application, PicMonkey is accessible from any device with an internet connection. Additionally, it offers mobile apps for on-the-go editing.
  • Collaboration Features
    PicMonkey allows for easy collaboration with team members and clients, supporting shared workspaces where multiple users can work on a project simultaneously.

Possible disadvantages of PicMonkey

  • Subscription-Based Service
    While PicMonkey offers a free trial, the service is subscription-based, with monthly and annual plans. This can be a downside for users looking for a free, long-term solution.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of PicMonkey has limited functionality, restricting access to certain tools, templates, and features that are only available in the paid plans.
  • Browser Dependence
    As a web-based tool, PicMonkey's performance can be heavily dependent on the user’s internet connection and browser capabilities, which can affect usability and speed.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic tools are easy to use, some of the more advanced features and functionalities of PicMonkey may require time and effort to master, which could be challenging for beginners.
  • Limited File Type Export Options
    PicMonkey has a limited range of export options for file types compared to some other graphic design and photo editing software, potentially limiting flexibility for professional users.

Adobe Express features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Adobe Express is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it accessible even for beginners.
  • Templates and Assets
    The platform offers a wide range of professionally designed templates and assets, which can save users time and effort in creating visuals.
  • Integration with Adobe Ecosystem
    Adobe Express integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom, providing a cohesive workflow for Adobe users.
  • Cloud-Based
    Being cloud-based means that users can access their projects from anywhere, on any device, making it convenient for on-the-go editing.
  • Collaborative Features
    The platform supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, which is great for team projects.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Adobe Spark Post offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
  • Templates
    A wide variety of customizable templates are available, allowing users to create professional graphics quickly and easily.
  • Cloud Integration
    Being part of the Adobe suite, it offers seamless cloud integration, enabling users to save and access their work from anywhere.
  • Collaborative Tools
    Supports sharing and collaboration, making it ideal for team projects and client reviews.
  • Direct Publishing
    Allows for direct publishing to various social media platforms, streamlining the workflow for social media managers.
  • Built-in Templates
    Provides a variety of professionally designed templates that help users kick-start their projects and maintain a consistent style.
  • Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
    Seamlessly integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, facilitating advanced workflows for users within the Adobe ecosystem.
  • Cloud-Based Access
    Being cloud-based allows users to access and edit their projects from any device with an internet connection.
  • Royalty-Free Assets
    Offers access to a library of stock photos, icons, and music that users can incorporate into their videos without additional fees.

Possible disadvantages of Adobe Express

  • Subscription Cost
    Adobe Express operates on a subscription model, which can be costly for individuals or small businesses who may not need all the features.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While great for basic design work, Adobe Express lacks some of the advanced features found in more robust Adobe software such as Photoshop or Illustrator.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Being a cloud-based service, Adobe Express requires a stable internet connection to function properly, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Learning Curve for Non-Adobe Users
    Users who are not familiar with the Adobe ecosystem might find some aspects of Adobe Express confusing initially, leading to a learning curve.
  • Limited Customization Options
    The platform may offer limited customization options compared to more advanced design software, which can be restricting for professional designers.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version has limited features and access, which may not be sufficient for professional use.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report lag and performance issues, especially when working on more complex projects.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite being user-friendly, some advanced features may have a learning curve for new users.
  • Resource Intensive
    Requires a stable internet connection and can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down older devices.
  • Limited Customization
    Compared to more advanced editing tools, Adobe Spark Video offers limited customization options for animations and transitions.
  • Subscription Costs
    Though basic features are free, advanced tools and capabilities require a subscription, which might not be ideal for budget-conscious users.
  • Internet Dependency
    Requires an active internet connection for full functionality, which may hinder usage in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Limited Features
    Lacks some advanced video editing features available in more robust software, which can be restrictive for professional video projects.
  • Export Limitations
    Users report limited export options and formats, which may not meet the requirements for all users’ needs.

Analysis of PicMonkey

Overall verdict

  • PicMonkey is a good choice for those looking for a versatile and accessible design tool. While it may not have the advanced capabilities of more professional software like Adobe Photoshop, it adequately meets the needs of casual designers and small businesses looking for a quick and easy way to create professional-looking graphics.

Why this product is good

  • PicMonkey is a popular online graphic design and photo editing tool known for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set. It offers a range of tools for photo editing, touch-ups, graphic design, and collage creation. Its ease of use makes it accessible to both beginners and more experienced users, and it includes capabilities like layers, effects, fonts, and design templates. Additionally, it provides integration with cloud storage and collaboration features, making it suitable for both individual and team projects.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking for an easy-to-use graphic design tool
  • Small businesses needing design content for marketing
  • Social media marketers seeking to create visually appealing content
  • Photographers interested in basic photo touch-up features
  • Teams requiring collaboration tools for design projects

Analysis of Adobe Express

Overall verdict

  • Adobe Express is a great tool, particularly for those who need a simple yet powerful design solution. Its blend of accessibility, powerful features, and high-quality outcomes makes it a beneficial choice for various design projects.

Why this product is good

  • Adobe Express is a versatile online and mobile design app that allows users to create graphics, flyers, logos, and more with ease. It provides a range of templates and creative elements, making design accessible to both beginners and professionals. The integration with other Adobe products and cloud support enhances its usability.

Recommended for

    Adobe Express is recommended for small business owners, marketers, social media managers, educators, and anyone in need of quick and stylish design creation without the steep learning curve of more complex design software.

PicMonkey videos

PicMonkey Overview 2018 First Look Beta New Features Review

More videos:

  • Review - Intro to New PicMonkey

Adobe Express videos

Why You Should Be Using Adobe Creative Cloud Express In 2022!

More videos:

  • Review - Adobe Comp CC with iPad Pro and Apple Pencil | Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Review - Adobe Spark Post Review!
  • Tutorial - How to Use Adobe Creative Cloud Express - NEW Graphic Design Platform

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PicMonkey and Adobe Express)
Design Tools
59 59%
41% 41
Graphic Design Software
75 75%
25% 25
Image Editing
78 78%
22% 22
Digital Drawing And Painting

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare PicMonkey and Adobe Express

PicMonkey Reviews

The Top 10 Alternatives to Marq in 2024
PicMonkey has received a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. Users generally mention the intuitive design and ease of use. Check out more PicMonkey reviews here.
Source: piktochart.com
The 7 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives
Another platform-independent, web-based design and editing tool with a lot to offer is PicMonkey, which was seemingly designed with the neophyte user in mind but also packs a punch for those looking for more state-of-the-art features. As long as you have a browser running Flash, PicMonkey is accessible on virtually any platform and lets you start your creation from scratch...
12 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives You Should Try
There are also a bunch of filters and effects that you might find useful. However, PicMonkey isn’t nearly as feature-rich as Photoshop is, and it tends to respond a little slow at times. That said, the biggest problem in PicMonkey is that unless you subscribe to a pro subscription, you’ll not be able to export your images..
Source: beebom.com

Adobe Express Reviews

Top 5 Animoto Alternatives in 2024
Compared to Adobe Spark, Animoto offers a greater variety of editing tools, including video templates and stock photos, to create video presentations. However, Adobe Spark shares the interface of the Adobe family.
Top 6 Alternatives to Animoto to Create Videos Online
Adobe Express, one of the Adobe video editors, is also an alternative to Animoto. To create a video with this online video editor, firstly you should share your idea or title, then choose a template or start from scratch.
10 Best AI Background Removers for Flawless Edits in 2023
You have two options when it comes to Adobe Express pricing. You can use the software for free, or you can opt for the premium version, which costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. The premium version offers more extensive features and tools, granting you even more control over your photo-editing processes.
Source: picofme.io
The 13 Best Presentation Apps in 2018
Presentations don't have to be individual slides you click through one at a time. They could be animated video—and Adobe Spark makes that as simple as building a PowerPoint. Designed to build graphics, web pages, and video stories, it's the latter tool that's a handy way to make a presentation, especially if you want one that runs itself.
Source: zapier.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PicMonkey and Adobe Express, you can also consider the following products

Canva - Canva is a graphic-design platform with a drag-and-drop interface to create print or visual content while providing templates, images, and fonts. Canva makes graphic design more straightforward and accessible regardless of skill level.

Marq - Marq (formerly Lucidpress) is a web-based design and layout application that enables anyone to create beautiful creatives

Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Photoshop is a webtop application for editing images and photos online.

Piktochart - Piktochart for Business Storytelling

Sketch - Professional digital design for Mac.

GIMP - GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.