Decision Support · Side-by-side

iStock Editor vs Picmaker. Side by side.

Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.

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iStock Editor

Picmaker

Best overall

Picmaker is the clear winner for everyday users who need an all-in-one social media design and management tool at a low price. iStock Editor is effectively dead — the live website confirms it's no longer available, so it cannot be recommended for any new user. The single biggest difference is that Picmaker is a living, actively developed product while iStock Editor has been shut down.

iStock Editor

#109 of 3,826 Web

Picmaker

Starting at $6/mo #836 of 3,826 Web

Scores at a glance

iStock EditorPicmakerPractical Versatility

Onboarding Ease

Ecosystem Fit

Market Value

Choose iStock Editor if

You already have an active iStock subscription and need to edit stock images with legal protection — but only if the editor still works for you (it's been discontinued)
You are a professional who needs legally safe generative fill for commercial use — but this tool is no longer available, so look at alternatives like Adobe Firefly
You want to edit images directly within a stock photo library — but this tool is dead, so consider Canva or Adobe Express instead

Choose Picmaker if

You run a small business and need to create, schedule, and analyze social media posts from one dashboard
You want an affordable design tool that includes AI layout suggestions and background removal without a steep learning curve
You manage multiple brand accounts and want to store colors, fonts, and logos in one place
You post regularly to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or TikTok and want to resize designs automatically for each platform

Key differences

iStock Editor is discontinued; Picmaker is actively developed and supported
Picmaker costs $6/month or a one-time lifetime fee; iStock Editor required per-export credits on top of a subscription
Picmaker includes social media scheduling and analytics; iStock Editor was purely an image editor
Picmaker has a mobile app (though limited); iStock Editor had no mobile app
Picmaker is designed for non-designers; iStock Editor was aimed at iStock subscribers needing quick edits
Picmaker offers a free tier to try; iStock Editor required a paid iStock account to access

Facts side by side

	iStock Editor	Picmaker
Free plan
Mobile app
API access

iStock Editor: strengths & weaknesses

Legally indemnified AI generations were a unique selling point
Seamless integration with iStock's library of stock photos
High-speed outpainting and generative fill
The tool has been discontinued — it no longer works
Required credits for high-res exports, making it expensive per use
No mobile app, no API, and no offline mode
Limited advanced layer controls compared to proper editors

Picmaker: strengths & weaknesses

Affordable starting at $6/month with a lifetime deal available
AI-powered layout suggestions (MAD button) save time on design
Built-in social media scheduling, analytics, and engagement tools
Background removal and smart resizing work well for social posts
Brand Kit lets you store colors, fonts, and logos for consistent branding
Mobile app is less feature-rich than the web version
Can lag with complex layered designs
Limited advanced animation controls for video content
No API for developers or advanced integrations

Common questions

Is iStock Editor better than Picmaker for social media design?

No — iStock Editor is discontinued and cannot be used. Picmaker is specifically built for social media design with scheduling, analytics, and AI-powered templates.

Can I use Picmaker on my phone?

Yes, Picmaker has a mobile app, but it's less feature-rich than the web version. For full functionality, use the web app on a computer or tablet.

Is Picmaker worth the price for a beginner?

Yes — at $6/month or a lifetime deal, it's one of the most affordable all-in-one tools. The AI design suggestions and templates make it easy even if you have no design experience.

Does iStock Editor still work?

No. The live website confirms the editor is no longer available. iStock now directs users to other AI editing tools within their platform that require a subscription.

Which tool is better for removing backgrounds from photos?

Picmaker has a built-in background remover that works well for social media images. iStock Editor had one too, but it's no longer accessible.

Can I schedule posts with iStock Editor?

No — iStock Editor was only for image editing. Picmaker includes full social media scheduling and publishing.

Picmaker wins hands-down as a living, affordable social media design tool; iStock Editor is discontinued and should not be considered.

For everyday users, Picmaker is the practical choice — it's affordable, easy to start with, and handles both design and social media management. iStock Editor is unfortunately a dead product, so skip it entirely. If you need legally safe AI image editing, look at alternatives like Adobe Firefly or Canva's Magic Studio instead.

Visit iStock Editor Visit Picmaker

Detail pages: iStock Editor · Picmaker

iStock Editor

Picmaker

Free plan

Mobile app

API access