IMG.LY vs. Imgpen Alternative

IMG.LY vs. Imgpen

See why IMG.LY is a great alternative to Imgpen if you’re building editing into a mature solution — not just adding basic image adjustments. IMG.LY offers a full creative engine, scalable automation, and cross-platform support designed for professional workflows.

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. Imgpen at a Glance

Primary Use Case

A full creative SDK built for embedding into web, mobile, and server environments. Supports everything from user-facing editors to fully automated server-side generation. Handles video editing, graphic design, and print workflows, with the same templates and output across every platform and process.

A client-side JavaScript image editor for websites. Installed via NPM and paired with Flmngr for uploads and storage. Offers common editing tools—crop, resize, text, filters—in a lightweight modal designed for browser use.

Both integrate into developer workflows. IMG.LY covers multi-platform and automated use cases; Imgpen focuses on simple web-based editing.

Target Audience

Enterprise teams building web-to-print platforms, marketing automation tools, or CMS-integrated creative workflows. Ideal for companies producing large volumes of personalized or template-based content across multiple touchpoints.

Developers adding quick editing capabilities to CMSs, blogs, and admin dashboards. Often used alongside editors like CKEditor or TinyMCE in WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, or Magento sites. Best for straightforward editing needs.

Both target developers but support very different scales and complexity. IMG.LY targets enterprise applications with complex multi-platform requirements. Imgpen addresses standard website integration scenarios with conventional editing needs.

Technical Approach

A cross-compiled C++ engine that runs consistently in browsers, mobile apps, desktops, and Node.js. Includes a full UI, APIs for custom UIs, and a headless mode for automation. Teams can choose client-side or server-side processing depending on architecture.

A browser-only JavaScript library. Installed from NPM and launched via a modal. Requires Flmngr on the backend for uploads. Works with major JS frameworks and needs CORS config for remote assets.

IMG.LY offers flexibility across platforms and execution environments; Imgpen is purposefully simple and browser-based.

Advanced Design Editing

Offers a professional design toolkit: layers, vector editing, advanced typography, responsive layouts, and print-critical color support like CMYK and Pantone. Granular permissions let you control what users can modify. The same tools work for both manual editing and automated generation.

Provides essential editing tools: cropping, resizing, rotation, basic adjustments, filters, text with Google Fonts, drawing, and sticker/SVG insertion.

Both support editing, but IMG.LY targets full creative workflows while Imgpen focuses on basic image adjustments.

AI Capabilities

Supports AI features through plugins—image generation, style transfer, background removal, object edits, and more. Comes with ready-made integrations for major AI providers and supports custom models. AI works for both UI editing and automation.

No AI features. Everything is edited manually.

IMG.LY includes AI throughout the workflow; Imgpen keeps things traditional and manual.

File Format Support

Works with JPEG, PNG, SVG, WebP, PDF/X, and native template formats. Can import Photoshop and InDesign files with high fidelity. Export formats are consistent across all platforms and suitable for both digital and print.

Supports common web formats like PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, GIF, BMP. Exports mainly to PNG or JPEG. No print or Adobe file support.

IMG.LY handles professional and print formats; Imgpen focuses on standard web images.

Templating & Dynamic Editing

Uses adaptive templates that automatically respond to content. One template works for both manual editing and automated generation, with fine-grained control over what’s editable versus locked.

Offers configurable presets—like ratios, fonts, colors, or stickers—but not dynamic or content-aware layouts.

IMG.LY provides a true templating system; Imgpen provides preset configurations.

Creative Automation

Can run headlessly in Node.js for large-scale generation, personalization, batch workflows, or template-driven marketing content. Uses the same templates as the UI editor.

No headless mode or automation tools; designed strictly for manual use.

IMG.LY supports full automation; Imgpen does not.

Advanced Video Editing

Includes a full timeline video editor with transitions, effects, text, filters, audio, ratios, and server-side rendering. Works across web, mobile, desktop, and automation pipelines.

No video editing support.

IMG.LY covers both images and video; Imgpen handles images only.

Asset Management

Built-in asset libraries with optional connections to Getty, Unsplash, Airtable, or DAM systems. Supports custom asset integrations and keeps everything on your own infrastructure.

Offers basic sticker/shape libraries and allows custom uploads. Storage and management depend on Flmngr rather than the editor itself.

IMG.LY includes full asset workflows; Imgpen provides basic library customization.

User Interface

A ready-to-ship editor UI that can be deeply customized—rearrange components, theme it, or build your own UI entirely using engine APIs.

A simple modal editor with a horizontal toolbar. Developers can reorder or hide tools but can’t redesign the overall UI.

IMG.LY offers extensive UI flexibility; Imgpen offers light configuration.

White-labeling

Fully white-label, with no vendor branding. Everything is replaceable—from colors and components to the entire UI layer. Supports internationalization.

Allows color and font changes, custom stickers, and toolbar tweaks. Free tier includes branding; paid tiers reduce or remove it.

Both allow branding changes; IMG.LY allows total rebranding.

Interactive Editing

Real-time editing across web, mobile, and desktop with consistent performance and immediate feedback.

Real-time editing in the browser with fast responses but limited to web.

Both provide responsive editing; IMG.LY supports far more environments.

Component Architecture

The engine and UI are fully separated. Features can be added through plugins, and the engine can run without any UI for automation.

A simpler single-component architecture where the modal handles everything. No plugin system or deep component structure.

IMG.LY is modular and extensible; Imgpen is intentionally simple.

Cross-Platform Support

Runs on all major web frameworks, native iOS and Android, React Native, Flutter, Electron, macOS, and Node.js. Same engine everywhere ensures consistent output.

Limited to web browsers and typical JS frameworks. No native mobile, desktop, or server-side execution.

IMG.LY has broad platform coverage; Imgpen is web-only.

Customizability

Nearly every part of the UI, workflow, behavior, and output format can be customized. Developers can even replace the entire interface.

Customization revolves around presets—colors, fonts, stickers, ratios—and toolbar options.

IMG.LY supports deep customization; Imgpen supports practical but limited adjustments.

Extensibility

A plugin system allows adding new features, integrations, asset sources, and export formats without touching core code. Works across all supported platforms.

No mechanism for extending the editor beyond what’s included.

IMG.LY is built to be extended; Imgpen is not.

Ease of Integration

Offers a 30-day trial, platform-specific guides, example repos, demos, and a full API reference for every supported platform.

Easy to add to websites: install via NPM, configure, and call the editor. Documentation covers basic usage and CMS integrations.

Both are straightforward to get started with, but IMG.LY supports more environments.

Flexible Rendering Approach

Flexible rendering deployment: client-side editing uses device GPUs and keeps data local, while server-side rendering with the CE.SDK Renderer powers automated pipelines on organization-controlled Node.js infrastructure. The unified engine ensures pixel-identical output in both environments. Choose client-side for user-facing editing and server-side for automation—same SDK, same results.

Client-side rendering only. Server involvement is limited to file handling through Flmngr.

IMG.LY supports flexible deployment; Imgpen is browser-centric.

Mobile Performance

Provides native SDKs for iOS and Android with optimized performance and feature parity with desktop and web.

No native mobile SDK. Works in mobile browsers, but the UI isn’t optimized for mobile.

IMG.LY treats mobile as a first-class platform; Imgpen treats it as optional.

Production Readiness

Used for over 500M monthly creative outputs across enterprise apps. Actively maintained with regular releases and proven performance in demanding environments.

Used in various CMS ecosystems with steady but smaller-scale adoption. Development activity is more limited.

IMG.LY shows enterprise-grade maturity; Imgpen suits small/medium web workloads.

Scalability

Supports massive automation workloads through Node.js, and distributes work to clients when needed. Fits multi-tenant and elastic cloud setups.

Browser-based processing scales naturally for typical website use but isn’t suited for large-scale automated production.

IMG.LY supports high-volume enterprise scaling; Imgpen is aligned with standard website traffic.

Storage & Data Ownership

All processing and storage remain on your infrastructure—client-side or server-side. No required external services.

Processes images in the browser and stores them on your server through Flmngr.

Both give customers data control; IMG.LY offers more architectural flexibility.

Offline Capabilities

Works fully offline after assets are loaded. Can run in air-gapped environments if needed.

Requires network access for assets and for Flmngr operations.

IMG.LY supports offline and isolated environments; Imgpen does not.

Clear Pricing Model

Enterprise licensing based on platforms and usage, with a free trial for evaluation. Focuses on replacing the cost of internal development.

Available through Flmngr subscriptions. Paid tier starts at $15/month per site for up to 5 users. Add-ons available for extra users and cloud storage.

Both use subscription models; Imgpen has fixed pricing, IMG.LY uses enterprise pricing.

Community & Support

Extensive documentation, tutorials, sample projects, and active development. Enterprise support available with SLAs.

Documentation for core use cases and CMS integrations. Community and update frequency are smaller.

IMG.LY supports a larger ecosystem; Imgpen provides essential docs for its scope.

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. Imgpen

What makes IMG.LY the best Imgpen alternative?

Cross-Platform Editing Engine

Advanced Creative Capabilities

One Template Format for UI & Automation

Fully Embeddable, Customizable Editor

What Our Clients Say About Us

IMG.LY vs. Imgpen at a Glance

Features

IMG.LY

Imgpen

Notes

Primary Use Case

Target Audience

Technical Approach

Advanced Design Editing

AI Capabilities

File Format Support

Templating & Dynamic Editing

Creative Automation

Advanced Video Editing

Asset Management

User Interface

White-labeling

Interactive Editing

Component Architecture

Cross-Platform Support

Customizability

Extensibility

Ease of Integration

Flexible Rendering Approach

Mobile Performance

Production Readiness

Scalability

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