PicMonkey is an online photo editor and design tool, owned by Shutterstock since 2021. Its YouTube thumbnail maker combines ready-sized templates with PicMonkey’s well-known photo touch-up tools, which helps creators make faces and products look their best.
Key features include:
- YouTube thumbnail templates
- Touch Up tools for portraits and skin retouching
- Background Remover and Color Changer
- 9,000+ graphics and textures and hundreds of fonts
- Text effects, outlines and drop shadows
- Shutterstock stock photos and video
- Brand Kit on higher plans
You can create designs using PicMonkey’s effects, graphics and templates, but you need a subscription to download or share them. A 7-day free trial is available. The Basic plan costs about $72 per year (around $6 per month) with 1 GB of storage. Pro, from about $7.99 per month, adds unlimited storage, a Brand Kit and priority support, and Business adds multiple brand kits and team collaboration. Prices vary by billing period, so check current rates.
There’s no free plan for downloads, and AI tools are lighter than Canva’s. For polished, photo-led thumbnails, though, PicMonkey is a solid choice.