IMG.LY vs. Adobe Express SDK Alternative

IMG.LY vs. Adobe Express SDK

See why IMG.LY is a great alternative to Adobe Express SDK for teams that need full creative control, white-label editors, and both interactive editing and automation - without relying on Adobe accounts or a fixed, branded interface.

What Our Clients Say About Us

IMG.LY’s solution engineers did a deep dive on our business case and helped us implement a custom print kiosk UI.

André Albrecht

Digital Solution Manager

Brother

Our customers create over a million personalized postcards each year choosing from over hundreds of templates with IMG.LY’s SDK. It’s the only solution that allows us to build our own specialized, on-brand UI that integrates seamlessly with our platform.

Jeanine Zaalberg

Product Manager

Swiss Post

Our app has photo-editing at the very core of its experience and the editor has been invaluable in making that vision happen. There are no other tools on the market up to the quality of PE.SDK.

Toby Green

Lead Developer

Elbi

IMG.LY vs. Adobe Express SDK at a Glance

Primary Use Case

Complete creative editing SDK suite spanning photo manipulation, video production, and graphic design. Delivers ready-to-use editors, composable SDK modules, and API-first integration paths for creative platforms where users directly craft visual materials through accessible interfaces with hands-on control.

Embeddable creative editing SDK that brings Adobe's consumer creative tools into web applications. Enables quick edits and template-based creation workflows through pre-built modules (full editor, quick actions, image and video modules) embedded directly in partner applications via JavaScript SDK.

IMG.LY provides comprehensive SDK infrastructure for building custom creative platforms. Adobe Express delivers Adobe's creative tools as embeddable components for web applications.

Target Audience

Organizations and development teams requiring a mature creative SDK that integrates seamlessly into existing technology stacks. Adopted by cloud platforms, social networks, marketing software, and SaaS products that combine interactive design tools with automated content generation workflows.

Web developers and product teams looking to add Adobe's creative capabilities to their applications without building editing tools from scratch. Targeted at content platforms, marketing tools, and collaboration software wanting Adobe-branded creative features for their users.

IMG.LY serves teams building white-label creative platforms with full control. Adobe Express targets teams wanting to leverage Adobe's brand and established creative ecosystem within their products.

Technical Approach

Integrated SDK featuring component-based UI, API-driven operations, and structured templating. Compatible with Web technologies (vanilla JS, React, Angular, Vue, Svelte), iOS native, Android native, React Native, Flutter, Electron, and Node.js server-side environments. Achieving high performance with device-side rendering.

JavaScript SDK embedded via CDN script tag with initialization and configuration through JavaScript API. Provides pre-built modules (full editor, quick actions, image editing) that launch in modal overlays or containers. Requires OAuth integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for user authentication and asset access.

IMG.LY delivers cross-platform native and web SDKs with flexible architecture. Adobe Express functions as web-only embedded JavaScript module requiring Adobe account integration.

Component Architecture

Fully modular SDK with composable components that can be assembled into custom editing experiences. Developers choose between pre-built editors, individual UI components, or headless APIs. Component library enables building tailored interfaces from low-level primitives to complete editors. Supports mixing UI components with API-driven operations for hybrid workflows.

Pre-packaged editing modules provided as complete units (Full Editor, Quick Actions, Image Module). Each module delivers a fixed editing experience with configuration options. Cannot decompose modules into smaller components or mix different module types in single integration. Architecture optimized for embedding complete Adobe editing experiences rather than composing custom interfaces.

IMG.LY provides ready to use Starter Kits as well as granular components for building custom editing UIs from primitives. Adobe Express delivers fixed-function modules as complete editing experiences.

Creative Automation

Supports template-based automation with batch operations, data merging, and server-side rendering (Node.js SDK) to generate personalized designs and videos at scale. Headless rendering enables programmatic content generation for marketing automation and bulk creative production without UI interaction.

Focused on interactive editing rather than automation. Users edit creations through Adobe's UI with access to Adobe Stock, fonts, and templates. Limited programmatic generation capabilities—primarily designed for human-driven creative workflows rather than automated template filling or batch processing.

IMG.LY provides dedicated automation infrastructure with headless rendering and server-side generation. Adobe Express prioritizes interactive editing over automated workflows.

Templating & Dynamic Editing

Template creation and management with smart placeholders, locked brand elements, variable data support, and role-based permissions. Supports data-driven personalization and automated design generation at scale. Template system designed for both end-user editing and headless automated rendering.

Access to Adobe's extensive template library through Adobe Express editor. Users can customize templates with Adobe's creative tools, fonts, and Adobe Stock assets. Templates serve as starting points for manual editing rather than dynamic data-driven generation with placeholders.

IMG.LY enables template systems with variable data and automated generation. Adobe Express provides curated templates for manual customization within Adobe's ecosystem.

Advanced Editing Features

Comprehensive creative tooling spanning image manipulation controls (crop, rotate, resize, filters, adjustments), visual filters and effects, typography and graphic overlays, timeline-based video production with keyframes and transitions, plus extensive layout tools for composition, templates, font handling, and production-grade output.

Provides Adobe's creative editing capabilities including image editing tools, filters, effects, text and graphics, background removal, resize and crop, animation features, and access to Adobe Stock assets, fonts, and design resources.

IMG.LY packages complete editing suite with video production included. Adobe Express delivers Adobe's established creative tools.

Advanced Design Editing

Professional design capabilities including vector editing, layer management, blend modes, masks, adjustment layers, and non-destructive editing workflows. Precision controls for positioning, alignment, distribution, and snapping. Advanced typography with text on path, character and paragraph styling, and OpenType features. Supports complex compositions with grouping, clipping, and advanced layer operations.

Template-based design editing focused on quick modifications rather than professional design work. Basic layer controls for arranging elements, grouping, and alignment. Design operations optimized for template customization and content replacement. Limited vector editing capabilities compared to professional design tools. Focus on accessibility for non-designers rather than advanced design workflows.

IMG.LY provides both simplified and professional-grade design editing for complex creative work. Adobe Express focuses on template-based editing accessible to non-designers.

AI Capabilities

Integrations with AI services for background removal, object detection, image enhancement, and content-aware operations. API-first architecture enables connecting custom AI services and third-party AI providers. Supports building AI-powered creative workflows with custom integrations for generative AI, style transfer, or automated content analysis. Extensible platform for incorporating emerging AI capabilities.

Adobe Firefly AI integration for generative fill, text-to-image, and AI-powered editing features available through Adobe's ecosystem. AI capabilities tied to Adobe's proprietary AI services and require Adobe Creative Cloud authentication. Background removal and AI-powered quick actions included in editing modules. Cannot integrate custom AI providers—limited to Adobe's AI services.

IMG.LY enables custom AI integrations with any provider through extensible API. Adobe Express provides Adobe Firefly AI features tied to Adobe ecosystem.

Advanced Video Editing Capabilities

Timeline-based video editing with keyframes, transitions, multi-track composition, trimming, splitting, effects, filters, audio tracks, and precise control over motion and synchronization. Supports both interactive editing and programmatic video generation for automation workflows.

No video editing capabilities.

IMG.LY includes production-ready timeline video editing in SDK. Adobe Express Embed SDK video is not supported.

User Interface

Complete editing environment featuring gesture-based controls, adjustable interface modules, timeline editors, asset browsers, and real-time preview. Delivers deployment-ready interface fully customizable to align with brand identity via theming APIs, CSS styling, and component configuration.

Pre-built Adobe-branded editing interface that launches as modal or embedded container. Interface follows Adobe's design language and UX patterns. Offers "full editor" mode providing comprehensive Adobe Express experience, or "quick actions" for specific editing tasks. Limited UI customization compared to white-label solutions.

IMG.LY furnishes white-label editing interface with extensive customization. Adobe Express provides Adobe-branded UI with recognizable Adobe experience and limited customization options.

Interactive Editing

Real-time interactive editing with immediate visual feedback. Canvas manipulation with gestures, direct manipulation of elements, instant preview of adjustments and filters. Undo/redo system, history tracking, and non-blocking operations. Optimized for responsive editing workflows where users see changes instantly without lag or processing delays.

Interactive editing through Adobe's interface with real-time preview of edits. Users manipulate elements directly with standard editing controls. Performance depends on browser capabilities and Adobe Creative Cloud service response times. Some operations require server-side processing which may introduce delays. Interactive experience optimized for template-based workflows rather than intensive editing sessions.

IMG.LY delivers high-performance real-time editing with canvas manipulation. Adobe Express provides interactive editing with some operations dependent on cloud processing.

Customizability

Extensive customization via configuration APIs, theming systems, and plugin architecture. Enable or disable tools, inject custom logic, modify workflows, and add custom UI components while maintaining stability. Build specialized creative platforms with unique interfaces and workflows.

Customization primarily focused on integration parameters rather than deep UI or workflow modification. Adobe's interface remains largely consistent across implementations. Configuration options include defining allowed export types, setting container behavior, controlling modal appearance, and specifying which editing features to expose.

IMG.LY balances extensive customization with production stability. Adobe Express customizes through integration configuration while maintaining Adobe's UX consistency.

Cross-Platform Support

Multi-platform SDK spanning Web (vanilla JS, React, Angular, Vue, Svelte, Next.js, Nuxt, SvelteKit), iOS native, Android native, React Native, Flutter, Electron desktop, and Node.js server-side. Unified creative engine ensures pixel-perfect consistency across platforms with full offline support.

Web-only JavaScript SDK embedded via CDN. Works in any web application that can load JavaScript and handle OAuth flows. No native mobile SDKs—mobile access requires web views. Server-side rendering not supported as editing happens in user's browser with Adobe Creative Cloud integration.

IMG.LY supports authentic native implementations across all major platforms. Adobe Express operates as web-only embedded SDK requiring browser environment.

Mobile Performance

Native mobile SDKs (iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter) optimized for mobile hardware with efficient memory management, battery optimization, and touch-optimized interfaces. Handles high-resolution images and videos on mobile devices without performance degradation. Offline-first architecture eliminates network dependencies. Native code ensures smooth editing on mobile with optimized rendering pipeline.

Web-based integration running in mobile browsers or webviews. Performance limited by browser JavaScript engine and webview overhead. Requires internet connectivity for Adobe Creative Cloud services, affecting mobile users on cellular networks or limited connectivity. Mobile experience dependent on device browser capabilities rather than native optimization.

IMG.LY provides native mobile SDKs with hardware-optimized performance. Adobe Express runs in mobile browsers with web performance characteristics.

Flexible Rendering Approach

Real-time device-side rendering optimized for creative workflows achieving 60fps interactive manipulation. Alternative server-side rendering available (Node.js SDK) for automated batch operations without compromising responsive editing performance on user devices.

Client-side rendering in user's browser. Editing operations and preview rendering happen in embedded iframe or container. Exports generated through Adobe's services accessed via Creative Cloud authentication. No server-side rendering option for headless or automated generation.

IMG.LY optimizes for interactive editing with real-time feedback plus server-side automation. Adobe Express renders in browser with Adobe cloud services for export.

Ease of Integration

Minimal integration friction for frontend engineers with JavaScript/TypeScript experience. Comprehensive documentation, code examples, and integration guides for major frameworks including React, Angular, Vue, Svelte, and native mobile platforms. Getting started tutorials for each supported platform.

Straightforward JavaScript SDK integration requiring CDN script inclusion and initialization code. Documentation provides quickstart guides, API reference, and integration examples. Requires implementing Adobe OAuth flow for user authentication and handling callbacks for export events. Simpler for basic embedding but requires Adobe account setup.

IMG.LY accessible to frontend engineers building creative platforms with framework-specific guides. Adobe Express integrates via standard JavaScript SDK with Adobe OAuth requirement.

Extensibility

Built for extension via modular plugin architecture and comprehensive APIs. Engineers can add custom tools, UI components, and connect backend services via APIs supporting background removal, vectorization, and creative automation. Custom asset sources, export destinations, and workflow integrations supported.

Extensibility through configuration of available modules and export options. Can specify which editing features to expose and how exports are handled. Limited to Adobe's provided editing capabilities—cannot add custom editing tools or significantly modify creative functionality beyond configuration of existing features.

IMG.LY enables plugin-based extensibility with custom tools and integrations. Adobe Express extends through configuration of Adobe's pre-built editing modules.

Scalability

Built for high-traffic production platforms processing millions of creations monthly. Device-side rendering distributes processing across user devices. Optional server-side rendering for automated workflows. Proven reliability across consumer and enterprise implementations. Self-hosted deployment options available.

Scales through Adobe's cloud infrastructure for asset delivery, font loading, and export processing. Performance depends on Adobe Creative Cloud service availability and user's Adobe account tier. Processing happens client-side with Adobe services handling authentication, assets, and exports.

IMG.LY scales through distributed device-side rendering with self-hosting options. Adobe Express scales via Adobe's cloud infrastructure with dependency on Adobe services.

Production Readiness

Battle-tested SDK deployed in production across Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and high-traffic consumer platforms. Handles millions of monthly active users with proven stability, comprehensive error handling, and production monitoring capabilities. Extensive testing infrastructure, versioning strategy, and enterprise SLAs. Regular security audits and compliance certifications (SOC 2, GDPR).

Backed by Adobe's enterprise infrastructure and brand recognition. Adobe Express Embed SDK represents Adobe's entry into embeddable creative editing for third-party applications. Inherits Adobe's enterprise-grade cloud services for authentication and asset delivery. Production deployments depend on Adobe Creative Cloud service availability and stability.

IMG.LY provides proven production SDK with extensive enterprise deployments. Adobe Express delivers Adobe's creative tools with Adobe cloud infrastructure backing.

Asset Management

Integrated asset library system with search, filtering, categorization, and organization. Integrations with Getty Images, Unsplash, Giphy, and support for custom asset sources via API. Complete asset management infrastructure included with upload, storage, and retrieval capabilities.

Access to Adobe Stock, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries through user's Adobe account. Assets tied to user authentication—content availability depends on user's Adobe subscription tier. No custom asset source integration—limited to Adobe's ecosystem.

IMG.LY delivers customizable asset library with third-party integrations. Adobe Express provides Adobe Stock and ecosystem assets tied to user accounts.

File Format Support

Comprehensive professional format support. Import: PSD, AI, INDD, SVG, PNG, JPEG, video formats, custom fonts, template files. Export: PNG, JPEG, WebP, PDF/X, MP4, GIF, and print-ready formats supporting CMYK color spaces for professional workflows.

Import and edit common web formats. Export options configurable through SDK including base64 encoding, URLs, and various file formats. Specific format support depends on Adobe Express capabilities and may vary by editing module. Templates from Adobe ecosystem support Adobe's native formats.

IMG.LY enables professional workflows with design tool format compatibility. Adobe Express handles common formats with Adobe ecosystem integration.

Storage & Data Ownership

Flexible architecture enabling device-side processing where data remains on user hardware or server-side implementation. Self-host on own infrastructure or use cloud deployments. Complete offline editing ensures data privacy and compliance control. User assets stored per implementation choice.

Edited creations stored in Adobe Creative Cloud associated with user's Adobe account. Developers receive exports via callbacks but original files persist in Adobe's ecosystem. Data flows through Adobe services for authentication, asset access, and export generation.

IMG.LY offers flexible storage with device-side or self-hosted options providing data control. Adobe Express integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud storage tied to user accounts.

Offline Capabilities

Complete offline editing and export once SDK initialized. Users create, edit, and export content without internet connectivity. Critical for mobile applications and environments with unreliable connectivity. All processing happens on-device without cloud dependencies.

Requires internet connectivity for Adobe Creative Cloud authentication, Adobe Stock access, font loading, and export generation. Cannot function offline as editing depends on Adobe's cloud services and user account authentication. Designed for connected web applications.

IMG.LY provides full offline creative editing capabilities with on-device processing. Adobe Express requires continuous connectivity for Adobe cloud services.

Clear Pricing Model

Enterprise licensing based on usage volume, scale, platforms, and feature requirements. Free trial available for evaluation.

Pricing not publicly disclosed in developer documentation. Requires contacting Adobe for partnership and pricing information. Enterprise agreements negotiated based on integration scope and expected usage. Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions required for end users accessing editing features.

IMG.LY provides enterprise licensing with comprehensive capabilities and transparent evaluation process. Adobe Express requires Adobe partnership discussion for pricing and user subscription requirements.

Community & Support

Enterprise customers including Fortune 500 organizations and government entities. Dedicated solutions team, professional services, enterprise SLAs, comprehensive documentation, tutorials with guaranteed response times. Active developer community and regular SDK updates.

Access to Adobe's developer support resources, API documentation, and quickstart guides. Enterprise customers can negotiate support agreements. Relies on Adobe's established creative ecosystem and global brand recognition. Regular updates aligned with Adobe Express product development.

IMG.LY furnishes enterprise-grade support with solutions architecture and guaranteed SLAs. Adobe Express leverages Adobe's global support infrastructure and creative ecosystem.

Customizability

Fully modular, white-label solution with plugin support for tailored workflows.

Limited customization; primarily integrates Canva's existing features into external platforms.

Notes

IMG.LY allows deep customization; Canva Connect API offers limited UI customization options.

White-labeling

Completely white-label, allowing seamless integration with your branding.

Canva branding is mandatory, limiting white-labeling.

Templating & Dynamic Editing

Versatile API to modify templates programmatically, allowing dynamic text, image replacement, resizing.

No programmatic template modification, templates are static.

Custom Workflows

Fully customizable workflows; integrate with any CMS, DAM, PIM, e-commerce platforms.

Fixed workflows tied to Canva’s ecosystem; no ability to modify the editing process or integrate deeply with external systems.

Creative Automation

Supports dynamic content insertion, batch processing, and generative AI for automation.

Limited support via Autofill API which populates templates with form data.

Extensibility

Fully extendable via a plugin system to add unique features.

Limited / no support for custom plugin outside of Canva’s platform.

Platform Support

Cross-platform support for Web, iOS, Android, and server-side; includes offline capabilities.

Web-based, online-only, no offline support.

Privacy

Client side processing and offline support ensures data control and privacy compliance.

Requires hosting data on Canva’s servers, no on-premise option.

Openness & File Compatibility

Can import Photoshop (PSD), InDesign (INDD), and Illustrator (AI) files, and export scene files for saving work-in-progress.

No ability to import external design files (e.g., PSD, AI, INDD). Only exports finished designs as PDFs, PNGs, etc.

Storage & Data Ownership

Full control over design storage, can be hosted on your servers or infrastructure, ensuring data privacy and ownership.

User designs are stored on Canva’s servers; users must have a Canva account to create or edit designs.

Web2Print Designer

Elevate your Web2Print application with best-in-class Design Editor.

Learn More Open Showcase

Creative Automation

Automate & scale content creation with ease.

Learn More Open Showcase

Variable Data Printing

Enable mass-personalization in your design & print workflows.

Learn More Open Showcase

Photo Prints

Provide seamless design experience and inspire users with easily personalized templates.

Learn More Open Showcase

Print Personalization

Streamline personalization for your print products.

Learn More Open Showcase

Apparel Designer

Whether t-shirts, hoodies or caps, build for any use case, deploy on any platform.

Learn More Open Showcase

FAQs

What is the best Canva Connect alternative?

IMG.LY is a great alternative to Canva Connect API, offering a highly customizable design and editing experience that can be embedded into apps. It supports features like flexible template management, and seamless integration with existing workflows, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to offer design tools within their platforms.

How is IMG.LY different from Canva Connect API?

IMG.LY offers a comprehensive SDK that enables businesses to integrate design and video editing capabilities directly into their platforms, providing full customization and control over the user experience. In contrast, Canva is a standalone design tool with a fixed set of features and limited customization options.

Can IMG.LY be used to build a Canva-like experience?

Yes, IMG.LY’s SDK allows developers to create a Canva-like experience within their own application, offering complete UI customization, template support, and multi-user collaboration features.

Does IMG.LY offer a plugin system for extending functionality like Canva?

Yes, IMG.LY is fully extensible via a plugin system, allowing businesses to add unique features tailored to their specific use cases. This level of extensibility is not available in Canva, which offers a fixed set of features.

Can IMG.LY integrate with third-party asset libraries like Canva?

Yes, IMG.LY allows integration with external asset providers like Unsplash and Getty Images.

Does IMG.LY offer pre-made templates like Canva?

Yes, IMG.LY offers pre-made templates but businesses can create and manage their own template libraries.

Which solution is better for enterprises looking for a white-label editor?

IMG.LY is the better choice for enterprises looking for a white-label editor because it allows full branding and UI customization, whereas Canva does not offer a fully white-label solution.

What are the customization options in IMG.LY vs Canva?

IMG.LY offers deep customization, including UI modifications, feature toggles, and branding. Canva has limited customization, mainly around design elements but not its core interface.

Can IMG.LY handle print-ready designs as Canva does?

Yes, IMG.LY supports high-resolution exports, including CMYK color profiles and print-ready PDFs, making it suitable for print applications.

IMG.LY vs. Adobe Express SDK

What makes IMG.LY the best Adobe Express SDK alternative?

Fully Customizable, White-Label Editor

Fully Cross-Platform SDK

One Editor for Editing and Automation

Full Data Ownership Without External Accounts

What Our Clients Say About Us

IMG.LY vs. Adobe Express SDK at a Glance

Features

IMG.LY

Adobe Express SDK

Notes

Primary Use Case

Target Audience

Technical Approach

Component Architecture

Creative Automation

Templating & Dynamic Editing

Advanced Editing Features

Advanced Design Editing

AI Capabilities

Advanced Video Editing Capabilities

User Interface

Interactive Editing

Customizability

Cross-Platform Support

Mobile Performance

Flexible Rendering Approach

Ease of Integration

Extensibility

Scalability

Production Readiness

Asset Management

File Format Support

Storage & Data Ownership

Offline Capabilities

Clear Pricing Model

Community & Support

IMG.LY

Canva

Customizability

Notes

White-labeling

Templating & Dynamic Editing

Custom Workflows

Creative Automation

Extensibility

Platform Support

Privacy

Openness & File Compatibility

Storage & Data Ownership

Everything you need

Key Capabilities

Editing

Adjustments

Effect & Blur

Element Snapping

Blend Modes & Grouping

Undo & Redo

Printing

PDF/X Export

Cutout Lines

CMYK/ Spot color support

Templating

Design Templates

Text Variables

Placeholders & Lockable Designs

Configurable Presets

Customizability

Build Custom UIs

Theming

Media Libraries

Toolbar Customization

Internationalization

Export Options

Check Out Other Use Cases

Web2Print Designer

Creative Automation

Variable Data Printing

Photo Prints