Free online photo editors

The terminology cloud computing has gaining a lot of traction these days that even applications such as photo editors are being shifted to the cloud as we speak. One of the most useful tools that I've encountered and have been using for multiple purposes is the availability of online photo editors that mimics the famous Adobe Photoshop. There are also simple photo editors that provides simple functionality such as effects, cropping, and adding text.

Click read more to find out the five online photo editors (that can also be integrated as Google Chrome app) I found very useful online.


1. Pixlr: http://pixlr.com/editor 

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/icmaknaampgiegkcjlimdiidlhopknpk?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

I use this online application extensively, having no Adobe Photoshop installed on my laptop. Although it doesn't provide the full functionality of photo editing that we find in the Adobe software, this tool is useful enough for the simple to the moderately challenging.

Pixlr has layers, custom brushes, clone tool, wand tool, et cetera, although it has something that lacks: custom shapes, but we can live with that anyway. Go ahead and try it out. They also have Pixlr-o-matic, http://pixlr.com/o-matic/ which creates vintage effects to photos. 

2. Aviary Image Editor: http://www.aviary.com/online/image-editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dafkakmjmhfnnfclmjdfpnbmdeddkoeo?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

Another Adobe Photoshop-like online editor is Aviary Image Editor, whose startup page suspiciously looks like the Adobe software. The navigation for this one is simpler compared to Pixlr and the interface cleaner. It also has layers and shapes, as well as magic wand and brushes, among others.

3. Aviary/Raven Vector Editor: http://www.aviary.com/online/vector-editor 

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/coklmhenlflodohnnhmebjjoadimjmlm?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

This one is not necessarily for photo editing but this one is for creating vector graphics that can be used to create logos, t-shirt designs, among others. The Aviary Image Editor is strictly for editing photos and this one separates the vector functionality that can be seen in Adobe Photoshop. 

Using this is pretty straightforward and those who have used Adobe Photoshop to create vector graphics won't have a hard time shifting to this. Best of all, it is free.

4. ImageBot: http://www.flamingtext.com/imagebot/editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gngdfkmfhlbimnaglgofeloikojnnaka?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

ImageBot is as simple as it looks, much like Microsoft Paint with Layers. Compared to the other editors above, this one has a gallery of shapes varying from the basic shapes, animal shapes, arrows, flowcharts, music, match, among others. It even has galleries of stickers and logos that you can choose from. 

For image effects, you can import photos from Facebook. Instead of saving the image on your hard drive, you can instantly share it to Facebook, making this online editor a social cloud application that everyone can enjoy using. 

5. iPiccy Picture Editor: http://ipiccy.com/editor

Chrome app link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/imokeandodnlammaoenbgcnbhigjbpjh?hl=en-US&hc=search&hcp=main

This online editor combines simplicity and advanced tools for a diverse audience. From integrating effects, adding text, or the more complicated painter function - you can find it all here. Creating vectors is no sweat using this program and even the non-techie can be guided easily with the editor tab. There are plenty of effects to choose from.

This is a much easier program to use for beginners and to those advanced users who want ease and functionality in an online photo editor.