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PicMonkey VS Blue Iris

Compare PicMonkey VS Blue Iris and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

PicMonkey logo PicMonkey

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

Blue Iris logo Blue Iris

Blue Iris is a high end security monitoring system that lets you view and control the feeds from all the cameras at your home or place of business.
  • PicMonkey Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25
  • Blue Iris Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19

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 userโ€™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.

Blue Iris features and specs

  • Comprehensive functionality
    Blue Iris offers a wide range of features including motion detection, remote viewing, and integration with various camera brands. This makes it a versatile solution for different surveillance needs.
  • Customizable alerts
    Users can set up custom alerts based on motion, audio, or predefined schedules. Notifications can be sent via email, SMS, or push notifications.
  • User-friendly interface
    The software provides a relatively intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which makes it accessible for both novice and advanced users.
  • Good performance
    Blue Iris is known for its reliable performance and efficiency in handling multiple camera feeds simultaneously, without significant lag.
  • Affordable pricing
    Compared to other surveillance software options, Blue Iris offers competitive pricing without compromising on core features.

Possible disadvantages of Blue Iris

  • Initial setup complexity
    Setting up Blue Iris for the first time can be complicated, particularly for users who are not familiar with surveillance systems or networking.
  • Resource intensive
    Running Blue Iris requires a relatively powerful computer with a good amount of RAM and CPU. This can be a limitation for users with less robust hardware.
  • Lack of cloud storage
    Blue Iris does not offer a built-in cloud storage solution, thus users must rely on local storage or third-party cloud services for storing their footage.
  • Windows-only
    The software is only available for Windows, which excludes users who operate on macOS or Linux systems.
  • Paid updates
    While Blue Iris is affordable initially, updates and major version upgrades require an additional purchase, which can add to the long-term cost.

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 Blue Iris

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Blue Iris is considered a good choice for those looking to set up a flexible and customizeable surveillance system without investing in overly expensive enterprise solutions. Its cost-effectiveness relative to features offered and active user community support are notable advantages.

Why this product is good

  • Blue Iris is widely regarded as a robust and versatile video management software, particularly for home and small business security cameras. It offers extensive support for various camera models, real-time recording and streaming, and a plethora of configuration options. Users appreciate the customization capabilities, user-friendly interface, and regular updates that keep the software relative to current security needs.

Recommended for

    Blue Iris is highly recommended for tech-savvy users who are comfortable managing network settings and configuring software. It is a great fit for homeowners, small business owners, and security enthusiasts who want a comprehensive, DIY-friendly security solution. Less ideal for users seeking a plug-and-play setup due to its complex configuration.

PicMonkey videos

+ Add

PicMonkey Overview 2018 First Look Beta New Features Review

More videos:

  • Review - Intro to New PicMonkey

Blue Iris videos

+ Add

Blue Iris Software Security Camera - Why I Recommend it

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Blue Iris Detailed Tutorial - The Best Security Camera Software
  • Review - Is the Synology Surveillance Station better than Blue Iris?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PicMonkey and Blue Iris)

PicMonkey

Blue Iris

Image Editing
100 100%
Image Editing
0% 0
Security
0 0%
Security
100% 100
Graphic Design Software
100 100%
Graphic Design Software
0% 0
Video Surveillance
0 0%
Video Surveillance
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using PicMonkey and Blue Iris. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

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...
Source: www.lifewire.com
12 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives You Should Try
There are also a bunch of filters and effects that you might find useful. However, PicMonkey isnโ€™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, youโ€™ll not be able to export your images..
Source: beebom.com

Blue Iris Reviews

  1. Mike Johnson
    Terrible Experience

    I have tried this software and it was the worst experience I have had. First, I had so much trouble connecting up my IP Cameras. I would error messages multiple times and the application kept crashing. Once I finally got everything up and running, I would periodically loose connection to my cameras. I had contacted customer support regarding my issues and they would never respond. There are many other better products than Blue Iris.

Banalytics vs Blue Iris
Blue Iris is a long-established Windows-only commercial VMS sold as a one-time license, focused on local recording from many IP cameras. Banalytics is a cross-platform edge orchestration platform that includes a VMS plus event automation, MQTT/Modbus, dashboards, AI, and multi-site capability. Choose Blue Iris if you are committed to Windows and a single-PC NVR. Choose...
Source: banalytics.live
10 Best ZoneMinder Alternatives: Free and Paid Video Surveillance
Blue Iris is a commercial option that charges a yearly license, starting at $39.95 for one camera. The full version supports up to 64 cameras and goes for $79.95 per year. If you want to try the software there is a 15-day demo available. This company also offers support plans costing up to $99.95, which gets you phone and remote desktop support.
Source: www.smarthomebeginner.com
15 Best Blue Iris Alternatives 2024
However, it is not the only software in the category that gives excellent performance. Among the more popular Blue Iris alternatives are ZoneMinder, Shinobi, YawCam, and others. However, iSpy is the best Blue Iris alternative thanks to its affordability and feature-packed design.
Source: rigorousthemes.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Blue Iris seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 56 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PicMonkey mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PicMonkey yet. Tracking of PicMonkey recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Blue Iris mentions (56)

  • Which Security Cameras?
    I use Annke (rebranded HikVision, and firewalled off from the Internet) and Eufy cameras in non-cloud (RTSP) mode. I use Blue Iris[1] as an NVR. I also run Skrypted[2] container on my Synology that concurrently makes me able to use HomeKit Secure Video. I've been using this setup for years. I kinda miss the ease of the cloud, but love the configurability and modularity. 1. https://blueirissoftware.com/ . Blue Iris... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Security cams
    Frigate https://frigate.video/ and ZoneMinder https://zoneminder.com/ come to mind. Blue Iris https://blueirissoftware.com/ is not open source but is what I prefer to use for my PoE systems ($80/yr). Source: over 2 years ago
  • unable to activate-- blueirissoftware.com down?
    I've had BI running for years-- something went haywire with my setup this morning and now I need to re-activate my license. However, I'm unable to do so within BI, and it appears that blueirissoftware.com is down. Anyone else having issues or know what's going on? Source: about 3 years ago
  • Trying to get a Blue Iris license - no response from IPcam-central
    Blue Iris' official site is blueirissoftware.com and the company is Perspective Software. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Looking for an alternative
    Could look into a diy solution like https://blueirissoftware.com/ See what cameras are compatible. Might be some Ethernet based or wifi based cameras out there that would do what you need. Keeps it all local no clouds. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PicMonkey and Blue Iris, 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.

ZoneMinder - ZoneMinder is a free and open-source piece of security software that can be used at home or in your business. The software puts you in control of all of your data, and it is exceptionally easy to setup. Read more about ZoneMinder.

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

Omnigo - Omnigo ensures a safer tomorrow by delivering security management, incident reporting, and public safety software for law enforcement, education, dispatch, and more

Piktochart - Piktochart for Business Storytelling

MotionEye - motionEye is a web frontend for the motion daemon, written in Python.

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