IMG.LY vs. Polotno
Looking for full customization, scalability, and enterprise-grade features? With IMG.LY, you get it all. See why CreativeEditor SDK is the best alternative to Polotno.
What makes IMG.LY the best Polotno alternative?
Turn-key solutions
Pre-built editors for specific use cases including print, photo editing, social media design, and short-form video. Drop them in and customize, instead of building the editor surface yourself.
Extensibility & plugin system
A first-class plugin framework lets teams register custom panels, components, AI providers, asset sources, and export formats through a stable contract across every platform.
Advanced video composition
Mix videos, images, overlays, animations, and voice-overs with full creative control across web, iOS, and Android. Multi-track timeline editing on every supported surface.
Creative automation & headless mode
A headless mode on Node.js enables programmatic design generation, batch processing, and automation. The same template definition powers both interactive editing and the pipeline.
Trusted by 100+
industry leaders
What our clients say about us
Integrating IMG.LY’s editor meant we didn’t have to build or maintain a complex editing layer ourselves. That kept our team focused on our core AI ad engine and saved us countless development hours — while still giving our customers the ability to polish and customize creatives at scale.
Hikari Senju
CEO, Omneky
With IMG.LY we built a central creative portal that now powers over 140 dealer campaigns across multiple automotive brands. Before this, asset creation was slow and inconsistent.
Martin Röhr
Product Owner, Digitas
By embedding IMG.LY’s editor we were able to hit key RFP requirements and deliver a template-based creative experience that now serves 1,000+ customers. It helped us win more deals and exceed enterprise expectations without needing to hire dedicated design teams.
Rob Driscoll
Director of PM, Optimizely
Since integrating IMG.LY’s editor, we now deliver 30,000+ ad creatives per month, dramatically shorten time-to-launch, and help our clients cut design spend by up to $10,000 per month.
Logan Welbaum
Founder, Plai
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, SwissPost
From a developer’s perspective, the most powerful feature of the photo editor is the integration process. It was completely flawless, quick, and easy to integrate.
Stefano Fornari
CTO, Funambol
We compared IMG.LY SDK with other solutions and found that it would be the best fit for us since it provides all the features that are crucial for our use case.
Carem Pereira
SCRUM Manager, HP
IMG.LY vs. Polotno at a glance
| Feature | IMG.LY | Polotno | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | SDK serving two equal-priority purposes: embedding visual editors into applications for end-user content creation, and enabling headless automation for programmatic asset generation at scale. Handles video editing, graphic design, and print production through unified architecture. Organizations deploy for both user-facing creative tools and backend generation pipelines. Templates and content processes work identically whether users interact through interfaces or automation systems generate outputs via APIs. | JavaScript library and React components for building web-based canvas design editors. Enables developers to drop a full-featured design editor into web applications. Focuses on static image design and video composition for web platforms. Supports both interactive user editing through browser-based UI and server-side programmatic generation via Node.js. | IMG.LY provides broader capabilities serving interactive editing and automation with a unified cross-platform SDK across all deployment targets. Polotno SDK is a web-first React editor. |
| Target Audience | Organizations building creative systems for two scenarios: embedding editors where end users generate content interactively, and implementing automation where systems create assets programmatically. Serves print-on-demand platforms, marketing automation tools, e-commerce personalization, content management systems, and enterprises requiring both human-driven creativity and systematic asset generation. Addresses businesses needing user interfaces and backend workflows within the same deployment. | Web developers creating design tools within browser-based applications. Targets business applications such as template systems, programmatic image generation and print production. Serves businesses requiring embeddable design editors without building from scratch. Focuses on React developers seeking white-label editor components for web products. | IMG.LY targets broader enterprise needs with comprehensive cross-platform creative systems supporting both user editing and automation workflows. Polotno SDK serves web developers building React-based design editors. |
| Technical Approach | Tri-modal SDK architecture: pre-built UI for deployment, engine APIs for custom interface development, or headless mode for automation. Cross-platform engine ensures consistent rendering across browsers, mobile apps, desktop applications, and Node.js servers. Organizations control deployment architecture and infrastructure. No mandatory cloud services, all processing occurs on controlled infrastructure. | React component library built on Konva, a low-level canvas framework maintained by the same team, with MobX for state management. Provides Store for data management, Workspace for canvas rendering, and UI components for editing controls. Primarily browser-based with optional Node.js support via polotno-node package for server-side generation. Requires API key for production use. | IMG.LY offers a more comprehensive native cross-platform engine with expanded three integration modes and full infrastructure control. Polotno SDK provides React-based web components with optional Node.js generation requiring API key. |
| Advanced Video Editing | Multi-track timeline editing, plus features tailored for social content creation: animated text captions with customizable styles and timing, video speed controls (slow motion and time-lapse), dual camera/picture-in-picture support, transitions and effects, stickers and overlays, audio mixing, and aspect ratio presets for different platforms. Combines social media editing capabilities with broader creative tools in a single SDK. | Video editing runs in the browser. The pages timeline doubles as a video timeline: video clips alongside images, text and animations, with trimming, splitting at the playhead, playback speed, masking and multiple audio tracks. Exports MP4 or GIF in the browser or through the Cloud Render API, and MP4 on your own servers with polotno-node. | IMG.LY offers multi-track timeline editing with animated captions, speed controls, picture-in-picture, transitions and audio mixing; Polotno offers a pages timeline with trimming, splitting, playback speed, masking and multiple audio tracks. |
| Advanced Design Editing | Full design editor supporting vector graphics, text manipulation, layout tools, and print-ready output. CMYK and Pantone color support for commercial printing workflows. Collage creation, web-to-print templates, professional typography, and adaptive layouts. Exports to PNG, JPEG, TGA, binary, PDF, IDML, and PSD (on the server) formats for both digital and print media. | Canvas-based design editor with text, images, SVG graphics, shapes and filters, typography controls and selection tools. Exports PNG, JPEG, PDF, PPTX, HTML and SVG. Its PDF export covers print: CMYK, spot colors such as Pantone, bleed, crop marks, and PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 output. | Both cover print with CMYK, Pantone spot colors and PDF export; IMG.LY also exports IDML and PSD (on the server), while Polotno also exports PPTX, HTML and SVG. |
| Templating & Dynamic Editing | Adaptive template engine with intelligent layouts responding to content dimensions and aspect ratios automatically. Placeholder-based templates populated through visual editors or programmatic APIs with identical template definitions. Role-based permissions enable collaborative template creation with access controls. Templates maintain consistency across interactive editing sessions and automation execution using the same specifications for both workflows. | Template system supporting variable data and programmatic generation. JSON schema defines templates with placeholders for dynamic content population. Automatic design resizing to fit preferred dimensions with single-click aspect ratio adjustments. Templates work in both browser-based editor and server-side generation. Built-in admin, user and viewer roles set who can edit elements and who can lock them. | Both offer placeholder templates for interactive editing and server-side generation, with role-based permissions; IMG.LY layouts respond to content dimensions automatically, while Polotno resizes designs to preferred dimensions in a single click. |
| Creative Automation | Equal-weight automation alongside interactive capabilities using identical SDK. Headless Node.js operation enables programmatic generation workflows without UI dependencies. Same SDK powers both user-facing editors and backend automation without additional components. Integrates with external databases, CRM systems, and marketing platforms for data-driven asset generation. Templates function identically whether rendered through UI interactions or API calls. Organizations control infrastructure deployment. | Programmatic API and data-driven templates. polotno-node renders on your own servers, standalone export packages run in Node without a browser, and the Cloud Render API adds hosted rendering with webhooks. | IMG.LY provides a more comprehensive unified SDK enabling equal-weight editing and automation workflows within a single deployment. Polotno SDK supports automation through a separate Node.js package and rendering services. |
| AI Capabilities | Extensible AI framework allowing custom model integration alongside built-in intelligence. Smart layout algorithms automatically optimize design arrangements for visual appeal and readability. Plugin architecture enables connecting proprietary or third-party AI services for specialized workflows. AI functions as a creative assistant while preserving full manual control over outputs. | Built-in AI write tools draft, rewrite and shorten text through Polotno's API. The editor ships AI image tools (expand, generative fill, upscale, background removal) that call an AI provider you connect, with Polotno Cloud as an option for background removal. An experimental API generates a full design from a text prompt. | Both work with third-party AI services: IMG.LY through custom model integration and its plugin architecture, Polotno through AI image tools that call a provider you connect, plus AI text tools on its own API. |
| Asset Management | Federated architecture integrating embedded libraries with external services directly. Getty Images, Unsplash, and Pexels connect without middleware. Organizations extend default libraries with custom sources while maintaining data governance. Manages video and design assets through a unified interface. Client-side architecture keeps media under application control without external dependencies. | A built-in Unsplash panel ships with the side panel, and other sources such as Pexels need your own backend proxy. Side panels are modular, so you can replace them with an internal API, CDN or DAM. | IMG.LY offers more comprehensive asset management with direct integrations with major providers (Getty, Unsplash, Pexels) and custom sources. Polotno SDK provides an integration framework requiring custom implementation for asset providers other than Unsplash. |
| User Interface | Production-ready modular UI components for applications requiring user-facing editors. Canvas interactions with timeline controls, filter palettes, effect adjustments, and audio mixing. Component architecture allows panel reorganization, control replacement, or complete custom UI development. Headless mode bypasses UI entirely for automation. Single SDK supports both visual applications and invisible backend systems. | React component library with pre-built UI: side panels, toolbar, workspace, pages timeline and zoom controls, on Polotno's own design system. Components can be reorganized, restyled or replaced, or skipped in favor of the Store and Workspace. Rendering without a UI runs through polotno-node. | Both ship pre-built UI components that can be reorganized or replaced, and both render without a UI: IMG.LY in headless mode, Polotno through polotno-node. |
| White-labeling | Zero-branding architecture with no vendor identification in interfaces or outputs. Visual customization includes complete UI restructuring beyond cosmetic theming. Internationalization support for global deployments. Headless mode eliminates UI entirely for custom implementations. Organizations achieve exact brand alignment including custom color systems matching corporate guidelines. | Paid licenses remove the "Powered by Polotno" credit that trial keys always show. Full UI customization through React component styling and replacement. White-label design editor integration into host applications. Branding-free experience with commercial license. Control over appearance and user experience within browser environments. | Both support complete white-labeling without vendor branding. IMG.LY offers zero-branding by default with an additional headless mode option for greater deployment flexibility. Polotno SDK removes attribution with commercial license only. |
| Interactive Editing | Canvas-first interactions with instantaneous visual feedback during manipulation. Timeline navigation, zoom, and playback without server round-trips. Real-time effect preview using GPU acceleration. Consistent behavior across browsers, mobile devices, and desktop applications. Direct manipulation matching professional creative tools rather than code-based workflows. | Interactive editing limited to web browser environments. Real-time canvas editing with immediate visual feedback in browser. Direct manipulation of elements through drag, resize, and transform operations. Undo/redo functionality for all editing actions. | Both provide real-time interactive editing with immediate visual feedback. IMG.LY offers broader cross-platform deployment including native mobile, desktop, and web. Polotno SDK focuses exclusively on browser-based editing. |
| Multi-Layer Editing | Unlimited layer depth for video clips, graphics, audio, and effects with sophisticated composition. Blending modes, opacity controls, and z-axis management enable professional visual effects. Grouping and parent-child relationships create reusable hierarchies. Lock and visibility controls for complex project management. Layer system consistent across web, mobile, and desktop deployments. | Layer-based canvas with stacking, z-index control and grouping. Every element takes a blend mode, such as multiply, screen or overlay, plus opacity, and groups default to pass-through blending. Layers are managed through the API or UI controls. | Both offer blend modes, opacity, stacking and grouping; IMG.LY layers span video clips, graphics, audio and effects, consistent across web, mobile and desktop deployments. |
| Component Architecture | Decoupled engine and editor enabling three integration patterns: full UI, custom UI, or headless operation. Granular component registration for injecting custom functionality without SDK modification. Order APIs for programmatic component layout control. Plugin framework extending capabilities while maintaining upgrade compatibility. Selective component adoption rather than monolithic integration. | Modular React architecture with Store, Workspace, and UI components as separate modules. Store handles data and state management independently from rendering. Workspace provides canvas rendering without UI dependencies. UI components optional and replaceable with custom implementations. Built on React, enabling integration with existing React applications. | IMG.LY offers more comprehensive engine-editor separation with granular plugin architecture. Polotno SDK provides React-based modularity with replaceable components within framework constraints. |
| Cross-Platform Support | Platform-spanning coverage including web frameworks (React, Angular, Vue, Svelte, Next.js), native mobile (iOS, Android), cross-platform mobile (React Native, Flutter), desktop (Electron, macOS), and backend (Node.js). Single codebase maintains functional consistency across platforms. Templates render identically on client devices or backend servers. | Built primarily for web environments rather than native apps. The editor is React, with Vue, Angular, Next.js and frameworkless integration guides. Native apps can embed it in a WebView, with an iOS Swift integration guide. Server-side rendering via polotno-node. | IMG.LY offers significantly broader cross-platform deployment including comprehensive web, mobile, desktop, and server support. Polotno SDK focuses exclusively on web browsers and Node.js environments with no native mobile capabilities. |
| Customizability | Granular configuration across UI presentation, functional workflows, and architectural patterns. Toolbar reorganization, asset library customization, and workflow modifications through code-based APIs. Role-based permissions for multi-tenant deployments. Headless APIs bypass default interfaces for completely custom implementations. | Customization through React component replacement and styling. Store API enables programmatic control over canvas elements and behaviors. Custom side panel sections and toolbar controls. Theme and dark mode customization. Developers control workflow and feature set. Customization occurs at component and API level within web environment constraints. | IMG.LY offers configuration across UI presentation, workflows and architecture with code-based APIs; Polotno offers React component replacement and styling, custom side panel sections and toolbar controls, and the Store API. |
| Extensibility | First-class plugin framework enabling custom functionality without SDK source modification. Extension points cover UI components, export formats, asset sources, and processing pipelines. Organizations integrate proprietary or third-party APIs while maintaining upgrade compatibility. Modular architecture supports selective feature loading for optimized bundles. | Extensibility through custom React components, an experimental custom-element API, copy-in source components installed with the shadcn CLI, and the Store API. | IMG.LY supports a more comprehensive formal plugin system enabling architectural extension with upgrade compatibility. Polotno SDK extends through React component integration and custom code. |
| Ease of Integration | Platform-specific guides with working code samples across React, Angular, Vue, Flutter, React Native, and server frameworks. Pre-built editors reduce setup to configuration rather than development. Full SDK access during evaluation for production assessment. Multi-tier documentation from quick-start to advanced implementation. | A quick start installs the polotno NPM package and drops a full editor onto a page. Non-React frameworks need extra integration effort, since customization still requires React. | IMG.LY offers platform-specific guides with code samples and pre-built editors; Polotno offers an NPM quick start, with extra effort for non-React frameworks. |
| Flexible Rendering Approach | Client-side rendering delivers GPU-accelerated, local processing for interactive editing, while the CE.SDK Renderer enables server-side automation on Node.js. Both use the same engine to ensure identical visual output across environments, letting teams choose the right mode for editing or large-scale generation. | Rendering options: client-side in browser using Canvas API, self-hosted rendering service using headless browsers, or Cloud Render API for managed rendering. Client-side rendering for interactive editing with immediate feedback. Server-side rendering via polotno-node for automation or Cloud Render API for production workloads. Rendering approach selected based on performance and scale requirements. | IMG.LY offers greater rendering flexibility with a unified engine across client and server producing identical output on controlled infrastructure. Polotno SDK offers multiple rendering options including cloud service with dependency. |
| Mobile Performance | Native SDKs for iOS and Android with cross-platform framework support (React Native, Flutter). Editing capabilities match desktop experiences. Consistent rendering engine maintains uniform output quality across platforms. Performance optimization targets contemporary devices while supporting older hardware. Codec management and memory optimization for mobile constraints. | Runs as a web editor on mobile and touch devices, with a layout that adapts to any screen size. A compact mobile mode can be forced on larger screens, and touch gestures such as pinch to zoom and timeline scrubbing are built in. | IMG.LY provides native mobile SDKs with desktop-equivalent performance across iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter. Polotno SDK delivers a browser-based mobile experience through responsive design. |
| Production Readiness | Battle-tested in enterprise deployments generating 500M+ creative outputs monthly. Continuous release cycles maintain compatibility while introducing capabilities. Multi-tier support from community resources to dedicated engineering assistance. Organizations deploy without infrastructure concerns as SDK manages complexities internally. | Polotno SDK gets regular updates that can include security patches, and an SLA sets support response targets. Companies in web-to-print and AI content run it in production, and a security policy covers vulnerability disclosure. | Both run in production: IMG.LY in enterprise deployments with continuous release cycles and multi-tier support, Polotno with regular updates, an SLA with support response targets, and production use in web-to-print and AI content. |
| Scalability | Dual scaling approach: distributed client-side rendering where user devices provide processing, and centralized server-side automation on organization-managed infrastructure. Template-driven workflows generate variations whether users create individually or automation produces millions. Handles both interactive editing at scale (millions of users) and batch automation without degradation. | Scalability through client-side rendering that distributes processing to user browsers, self-hosted rendering services on your own infrastructure, or the Cloud Render API for managed bulk rendering. Batch processing via Node.js for multiple design variations. Scalability limited by chosen rendering approach and infrastructure. Web-based architecture scales for interactive users through distribution. | Both scale through distributed client-side rendering and server-side automation on your own infrastructure; Polotno also offers the Cloud Render API for managed bulk rendering. |
| Storage & Data Ownership | Zero exfiltration architecture keeps all content within application boundaries during editing. Client-side processing eliminates external storage requirements. Server deployment preserves organizational control over infrastructure and data location. Asset integrations (Getty, Unsplash) activate only when configured. | Designs stored as JSON in local browser storage or custom cloud storage. All rendering occurs client-side or on self-hosted infrastructure by default. Cloud Render API optional for organizations preferring managed services. User content remains under application control. | Both keep content under application control: IMG.LY within application boundaries and on server deployments under organizational control, Polotno as JSON in local browser storage or custom cloud storage. |
| Offline Capabilities | Complete editing functionality without network connectivity after initial SDK delivery. Local rendering, export, and template manipulation work independently of internet access. Asset libraries operate offline when using embedded or custom sources. Valuable for mobile applications and intermittent connectivity scenarios. | The editor code can be bundled with your app, but stock photos, templates and fonts come from external APIs, so those need a connection, as do the AI text tools and the Cloud Render API. Full offline support, bundling all assets and fonts, is also available. | Both can run offline: IMG.LY after initial SDK delivery, Polotno through full offline support that bundles all assets and fonts; without it, Polotno's stock photos, templates and fonts come from external APIs. |
| Clear Pricing Model | Usage-based enterprise licensing adapts to platform combinations, deployment scale, and feature requirements. Evaluation period provides production SDK access for comprehensive assessment before commitment. | Sold as a subscription. | IMG.LY offers usage-based enterprise licensing with an evaluation period; Polotno SDK is sold as a subscription. |
| Community & Enterprise Support Level | Platform-specific documentation covering web, mobile, desktop, and server integration. Enterprise licensing includes dedicated support with SLA commitments. Solution architects assist with complex integrations and performance optimization. | Support questions and bug reports go to the Polotno community forum, and an AI assistant on the documentation site and the forum answers questions with citations from both. Licensed customers also get general technical support for SDK integration through a support dashboard, with target response times set in an SLA. | IMG.LY offers SLA-backed support with solution architects for complex integrations; Polotno offers SLA-backed technical support, a community forum and an AI assistant over its docs and forum. |
Key capabilities
Learn more about some of the functionalities of IMG.LY’s SDK.
Editing
Printing
Templating
Text variables.
Enable mass personalization and creative automation by embedding variables.
Placeholders & lockable designs.
Constrain templates to guide your users’ design and ensure brand consistency.
Configurable presets.
Enforce a consistent aesthetic across all creations by using preset filters, adjustments, fonts, and crop ratios.
Customizability
Build custom UIs.
Use the headless API powering all creative operations to implement an entirely custom UI.
Theming.
Theme the editor to match your app.
Media libraries.
Set up custom libraries that are easily sortable.
Toolbar customization.
Reposition toolbar elements, change icons, or rename tools to fit your use case.
Internationalization.
Add support for additional languages, and customize any button label.
Export options.
Export designs in JPG, PNG, or PDF with custom quality, page ranges, and dimensions.
Check out other use cases
Learn more about related solutions.
Web-to-Print Designer
Put a full design editor inside your web-to-print storefront.
Creative Automation
Automate and scale content creation across every channel.
Variable Data Printing
Enable mass-personalization in your design and print workflows.
Print Personalization
Let customers personalize every print product in your catalog.
Apparel Designer
Build apparel and merchandise design experiences on any platform.
Get in touch
Contact our sales team to learn more about licensing options and get access to our AI plugins for CE.SDK.
FAQs
IMG.LY is a strong alternative to Polotno, providing a full-featured design and media editor with extensive customization capabilities. It lets developers embed a flexible design experience into their applications, supporting images, text, and layered compositions while offering an intuitive user interface.
Polotno is a commercial JavaScript SDK for building design editors, while IMG.LY is a feature-rich, enterprise-ready SDK for creative editing with native mobile support, video editing, and a headless automation engine.
Yes. IMG.LY provides more advanced features like native iOS and Android SDKs.
IMG.LY provides full API access to modify templates programmatically with placeholders and constraints, allowing dynamic text and image replacement and adaptive resizing. Polotno templates are JSON designs where variables are a convention your code replaces, and bulk rendering runs through polotno-node or its Cloud Render API.
IMG.LY supports dynamic content insertion, batch processing, and generative AI for automation, accelerating high-volume content production. Polotno generates designs from code through its programmatic API, and renders them in bulk with the self-hosted polotno-node package or its Cloud Render API.
IMG.LY ships direct integrations with Unsplash, Getty Images, and Pexels for asset management. Polotno's side panel ships an Unsplash photo section, and other sources such as Pexels or a DAM need a custom panel backed by your own API.
IMG.LY offers cross-platform support across web (JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue, Svelte, Next.js), native iOS and Android, React Native, Flutter, macOS, Electron, and Node.js. Polotno is primarily web-based with optional Node.js support for automation.
IMG.LY ships a first-class plugin system, allowing teams to tailor the editor to specific use cases by adding custom features and connecting third-party services through a stable plugin contract. Polotno is extended through custom React panels and toolbar controls, an experimental custom-element API, and copy-in source components.
IMG.LY enables mixing videos, images, overlays, animations, and voice-overs with full creative control across web, iOS, and Android. Polotno edits video in the browser on a page-based timeline with video clips, trimming, splitting and audio tracks.
IMG.LY can import design files from Photoshop (PSD), InDesign (IDML), and Illustrator (AI), export designs back to IDML and to PSD (on the server), and save work-in-progress as scene files, so existing design work carries over with its layers intact. Polotno saves designs in its own open JSON format and imports PSD, PDF (including Illustrator .ai files, which are PDF-based) and SVG files, all three importers in beta, plus Figma frames exported as SVG.
IMG.LY is designed for enterprise use, with headless server-side rendering, native mobile SDKs, on-premise deployment options, and SLA-backed support. Polotno is a focused SDK for building design editors into business applications, with server rendering through polotno-node or its Cloud Render API.
Polotno lacks native mobile support, a capability IMG.LY provides out of the box. Polotno is built for web environments and runs inside native apps through a WebView.