Overview

PicsArt, a renowned app in the realm of image editing and photo-social networking, continues to evolve with innovative features that cater to both amateur creators and seasoned editors alike. Recently, it has integrated AI-enhanced art filters reminiscent of those popularized by the Prisma app, transforming ordinary mobile photos into artworks resembling masterpieces by Picasso or Mondrian. Alongside this enhancement, the app has undergone a streamlined redesign and now offers a more attractive pricing model by eliminating ads without requiring payment.

One of PicsArt’s most distinctive features is its pioneering concept of remixing photos and drawings, fostering a creative ecosystem where users can blend and reinterpret visual content. Available across web, Android, and iOS platforms, PicsArt simplifies designing, photo editing, and art creation processes with intuitive tools and functionalities. Its recent advancements in AI place it in direct competition with platforms like Canva, expanding its utility and appeal among a diverse global audience.

With over a billion downloads and more than 150 million monthly active creators worldwide, PicsArt stands as a testament to its popularity and influence in the digital creation space. It offers a vast repository of free-to-use content, tools, and inspiration contributed by its vibrant community of users. Available in over 30 languages, PicsArt provides both free access and subscription options, ensuring accessibility and versatility for creators across the globe.

Features

Photo Editing

• Basic Editing: PicsArt provides an extensive array of tools comparable to industry standards like Photoshop and CorelDraw. Users can manipulate contrast, colors, and apply effects such as Blur, Black and White, and Filters. Additional features include specific modes, opacity settings, animations, shadows, and more.
• AI Editing: Advanced AI tools like Background Remover, AI Enhance, AI Remove, and AI Expand cater to Pro users by enhancing capabilities such as background detection and removal, image enhancement for clarity, and resizing optimized for various platforms including YouTube and social media.

Image Generation and Gallery

• AI Image Generation: Utilize PicsArt’s AI Image Generator to create images from scratch or explore a curated gallery of creations by other users. While comparable to other AI generators, direct access to third-party free stock image websites is not supported.

Text Creation

• Access a diverse selection of common and unconventional fonts within PicsArt, complemented by an AI Writing Assistant for generating text overlays and captions in designs.

AI-specific Features

• AI Avatar: Generate personalized avatars directly from uploaded images, exclusively available on the PicsArt app.
• AI Video Generator: Create short, prompt-based videos suitable for design purposes, currently in development.
• AI GIF Generator: Animate images with effects similar to the AI Video Generator, offering creative options for incorporating GIFs into artistic projects.
• AI Replace: Easily change objects and backgrounds in images with realistic-looking edits using AI technology.

Interface and Usability

• Recent updates have refined PicsArt’s interface to be lighter, cleaner, and less cluttered while retaining a comprehensive suite of editing tools.
• Intuitive controls like pinch-to-zoom, before-and-after views, and adjustable effects via sliders and brushes enhance user experience, resembling professional editing software.

Magic Effects

• PicsArt’s Magic Effects utilize local processing on devices, enabling selective application to specific areas of a photo without requiring an internet connection.
• Choose from various blending modes to exercise creative control, enhancing photos with effects that mimic layers in professional editing software like Photoshop.

Collages and Sharing

• Create collages using a diverse selection of layouts, borders, and backgrounds not typically found in other photo social apps.
• Seamlessly share edited images to major social media platforms and cloud services, facilitating collaboration and showcasing creativity.

PicsArt continues to innovate as a versatile tool for digital creators, combining powerful editing capabilities, AI enhancements, and robust social networking features. Its user-friendly interface and diverse functionalities make it a preferred choice for users looking to explore and expand their creative potential.

Using PicsArt: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a detailed guide on using PicsArt:

1. Launch the PicsArt app or access the tool via its website.
2. Begin by creating a Canvas or uploading an image directly.
3. Utilize AI tools such as AI Background Remover, AI Remove, and Enhance by selecting the corresponding options from the top menu.
4. Access basic editing tools located in the left pane for adjustments.
5. Explore AI Image generation by navigating to Photos in the left pane and selecting Generate.
6. For AI Text Generation, click on the T-symbol under Text in the right pane, then choose Write with AI.
7. Easily remove backgrounds with a single click using the Remove BG option at the top.
8. Edit, adjust, or add effects by selecting the appropriate options from the top menu.
9. When your project is ready, click on Export located at the top-right corner. From there, specify dimensions, file type, and other export settings as needed.

This step-by-step approach highlights the versatility and user-friendly design of PicsArt, empowering users to enhance their creativity with AI-powered tools and comprehensive editing features.

Pricing

PicsArt offers a range of plans tailored to different user needs:

• Free Plan: Includes standard editing features and basic tools. Users also get 100MB of cloud storage.
• Plus Plan: Includes all features of the Free plan, access to select AI tools, a full range of premium content including templates, and 5GB of cloud storage. Priced at $13 per month for the monthly plan and $8 per month for the annual plan.
• Pro Plan: Provides access to all AI tools, brand colors, custom fonts, bulk editing capabilities, and 20GB of cloud storage. Priced at $15 per month for the monthly plan and $9 per month for the annual plan. There’s also a 7-day free trial available for this plan.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing available upon discussion with PicsArt’s representative.

Customer Services

Picsart provides customer support through an online form, with response times varying based on inquiry volume. I was informed that I would receive a reply via email within two business days. Additionally, a chatbot is available for prompt and helpful responses.

The company also features a comprehensive online help center, addressing topics such as getting started, utilizing various AI tools, and managing your account. Furthermore, the Picsart blog offers tutorials, news articles, inspirational posts, and tips.

Competitive pricing and accurate quotes

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Bottom Line

PicsArt diverges significantly from Instagram by offering a robust suite of image-editing tools that rival professional software. Unlike Instagram’s emphasis on simplicity, PicsArt provides highly adjustable filters and advanced features such as layers, clone stamp, curves, and masks, making it a comprehensive creative platform rather than just a photo app. However, this extensive capability also raises the risk of producing overly edited and artificial-looking photos, a concern Instagram mitigates by limiting editing options.

For users who enjoy intricate photo editing and enhancing capabilities, PicsArt offers a compelling alternative to Instagram. It’s suitable for those looking to explore a broader range of creative options before sharing their photos on social platforms like Instagram, Flickr, and Facebook. Moreover, PicsArt’s robust social network provides a community for like-minded creators.

PicsArt earns recognition as a PCMag Editors’ Choice due to its comprehensive feature set and creative tools. However, for users preferring a larger community and additional unique photo tools, other Editors’ Choices like Flickr and Instagram remain competitive options.

In a comprehensive assessment of PicsArt, it emerges as a credible substitute for Canva, delivering comparable features at a more affordable price point. However, users may encounter integration challenges with widely-used apps like Canva, and the basic AI tools provided by PicsArt might not suffice for those seeking more sophisticated alternatives available elsewhere. Nonetheless, PicsArt distinguishes itself with its capability to unify diverse editing tools into a cohesive platform.