Pixlr has two versions: Pixlr X and Pixlr E. I have covered many similar software packages, so why not look into both and see the difference. In this article, we cover the Pixlr X vs. Pixlr E comparison. So, let’s get into it.
The main differences
The main difference between Pixlr X and E is that X is a basic image editor with the standard image editing options. In contrast, Pixlr E is an advanced image editor which resembles tools like Photoshop.
Pixlr X vs. Pixlr E: Tools
This is the section that makes most of the difference. You find layers, text, effects, CutOut, and other editing options. Below is the list of tools you find in both.
Pixlr X tools
Pixlr X comes with:
- Image transform options
- Adjust settings (color, light, details, auto, etc.)
- Over 40 effects
- AI CutOut
- Retouch
- Paint
- Five free animation effects
- Page resizing
- Page sizing
- Around 30 text titles
- Text tool
- Several graphic elements
- Image crop and rotate
- Liquify option
- Drawing
- Glitch
- Focus
- Dispersion
- Layers
Pixlr E tools
Pixlr E, along with more editing tools, comes with the navigation row for images, layers, adjustments, and filter options. Here is the complete list:
- Arrange
- Marquee select (rectangle select)
- Lasso select
- Wand select
- Crop
- AI CutOut
- Mask
- Liquify
- heal
- Clone
- Blur, Sharpen, and Smudge tools
- Focus and Bokeh options
- Disperse
- Dodge and Burn tools
- Sponge and Color tools
- Pen
- Draw
- Eraser
- Color Replace
- Fill
- Gradient
- Frame and Image Holder
- Shape tool (rectangle, circle, and star)
- Text tool with several premade titles
- Color Picker
- Zoom
- Hand /Pan
- Stroke and Fill Color options
The above tools are in the toolbar. The main navigation options include:
- Open image from URL
- Stock image search
- Elements search option
- Image transform
- Layers
- Brightness and contrast
- Lots of other adjustment features
- Same animations
- Page size option
Other than all those, you find over 30 filters. Those are categorized in:
- Details (blur, grain, sharpen, etc.)
- Glitches
- Creative
If you see a tool available in both Pixlr X and E, it probably offers more options in Pixlr E.
Related: VistaCreate vs. Pixelied
Image support
Both support a wide range of formats, including JPEG, PNG, WebP, SVG, and RAW formats. Both support adding an image on top of another image, as you see in Photoshop.
Regarding exporting, both support JPEG, PNG, WebP, PDF, and PXZ formats. Pixlr E also has an option to export the image in JPEG and PNG quickly.
The JPEG and WebP have a quality option, whereas PNG has a transparent background setting.
Extra features
- Both support the Unsplash stock image service for millions of free stock images.
- You find hundreds of templates to learn to use those programs.
- You find many built-in image sizes for social media platforms.
- Both programs save your history, so you can come back later and continue editing.
- You find a desktop app to use the program natively.
- Both tools support keyboard shortcuts.
- Pixlr E supports editing multiple images at once, whereas the option is missing from Pixlr X.
- Pixlr E also supports image edit history, which is missing from Pixlr X.
Related: Photopea Review
Pricing
Pixlr’s great thing is that it is free to use. Although you don’t see a few premium options, most primary ones are available.
The service comes in two premium options, whether you use Pixlr E or X. The same subscription is used in both. The Premium subscription has all you need to edit images professionally:
- Exclusive editing tools
- AI CutOut
- 7,000 icons and stickers
- 3,000 extra overlays
- 5,000 decorate texts
- 18,000 assets
- Set image size of up to 8196×8196 (4096×4096 free plan size)
- Ad-free experience
The Premium plan costs $4.90 per month on a yearly contract, or you can pay $7.99 for the monthly subscription.
The upper-hand plan called Creative Pack comes with more than 10 million graphics, photos, videos, templates, and 3D files. You also get unlimited access to the stock media. You pay $14.99 per month annually or $29.99 monthly.
Which one is for you?
Those who want quick editing options should consider Pixlr X. However, its limitations are the problems.
Those who believe that photo editing is a part of life should consider Pixlr E. It has advanced editing features that you also find in other professional editing programs, which will help if you decide to go somewhere else.
Links
Wrap up
Both are fine except for the glitching issue of Pixlr E. Anyway, here is the end of this Pixlr X vs. Pixlr E comparison. I hope the article helped you get the most out of both tools. Please let me know your decision in the comments, and share it with your friends to help them decide.