Here at Blueshoon, we’re a bunch of nerds and we get really excited when we discover websites that offer free cool tools…and we want you to get excited too! It’s really amazing how many wonderful, free tools are out there and don’t worry, if we don’t trust them, we won’t recommend them. This week’s cool tool is Pixrl.com and it’s also this week’s Wednesday Website We Love.

Pixlr.com is a free image editing program similar to Photoshop that offers a wide array of capabilities available for both Mac and PC and allows you to edit right from your web browser. Pixlr offers a full and express version. The full version has the similar look and feel to Photoshop and allows you to use layers, effects, image re-sizing, masks, and other comparable functions. The express version is for people who don’t need the full capability of Pixlr, but rather just want to make simple photo edits.

Full version:

Express version:

Like Photoshop, Pixlr offers some great photo effects and editing capabilities. However, it does lack some tools like the pen tool and the content-aware feature. Also, some of the effects don’t have an adjusting slider so they can’t be tweaked. However, Pixlr is free so you can’t expect it to be exactly like Photoshop. If you’re a graphic designer in a jam and don’t have your computer with you to make adjustments, Pixlr.com is a great alternative.

Pixlr.com also has stunning web design. The site features a full-width design with hi-res images in a clean, simple layout. It also uses HTML5 so image movement appears to be animated when you scroll. Additionally, the main navigation is a travelling menu that stays with you wherever you go on the site.

Pixlr.com works across Mac and PC platforms and is also available for desktop and mobile use. Best of all, it’s free! You can upgrade for $1.99/month (which is cheap compared to $19.99/month for Photoshop) and you get access to greater editing capabilities and more effects. So if you don’t have Photoshop, Pixlr.com is the next best thing!