Pixlr X

Pixlr X is a free online photo editor with many advanced features that puts many free desktop applications to shame.

That doesn’t mean it’s hard to use. Its clean, icon-based interface means you’re never overwhelmed by too many options at once.

Some tools are still in beta testing, but Pixlr X is still relatively new, and future updates will undoubtedly bring significant improvements.

User experience

To use Pixlr X, simply select an image on your desktop or enter a URL and you’re ready to begin. The interface is based on a toolbar of icons on the left. Most of them speak for themselves, but if there’s something you can’t recognize, hovering over each one will show a detailed description of its purpose.

Most online photo editors offer tools for cropping and resizing images, but Pixlr X also includes a set of cutting tools — shape, lasso, drag and drop and magic — that let you move or delete a selected part of an image or move it to another layer. This allows you to create complex compositions from multiple images.

If you’ve ever used an online photo editor, you’ll be familiar with the slider system for fine-tuning contrast, brightness and saturation, but Pixlr X goes far beyond the basic settings, allowing you to adjust vibration, glare and shadows ( the latter of which have the same effect as adjusting levels in Photoshop).

There’s also a wide selection of filters grouped into categories, including Colors, Retro and Instage (an Instagram-style selection) and a set of pop art effects. Each is customizable with its own slider for a more subtle or dramatic effect.

Some other tools (like the healing brush, which Pixlr admits is “slow and works like this”) are still in beta testing, but will be improved in future updates.

You’ll also notice a layers panel on the right. You can create images, text or drawing layers and then edit, rearrange and delete them individually.

Pixlr X’s painting tools (which can only be used on a paint layer) are, at first glance, quite simple. They seem to offer only three brush styles and a limited color palette to choose from.

However, click the “Advanced” button and you’ll be presented with a number of options for creating your own custom brushes with pitch, angle, aspect, and “spikes” parameters. It would be useful to have some presets to simulate the effects of different media (e.g. pencils, paints and pastels), but this may come with a later update.

Overall, Pixlr X is very impressive and worth exploring if you’re looking for a free photo editor – even if you didn’t have a web app.