Catalog

Add Text to Image: Top 5 Best Tools [2025]

September 15, 202511 views

Adding text to an image might seem simple, but it can quickly get overwhelming when you're aiming for just the right look, whether it's a watermark, brand name, or social media caption. Most users today are looking for tools that are not only easy to use but also allow a balance between design control and speed. That's why in this article, I've reviewed the top 5 tools to help you add text to photos seamlessly. Whether you're a casual editor, content creator, or someone adding a quick watermark, there's something here for you.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

Part 1:Top 5 Best Add Text to Image Tools

1. Picsart

Picsart is a popular all-in-one photo editing tool that allows you to easily add text to images with precision and style. Whether you're creating a meme, adding a watermark, or labeling product photos, it offers a wide variety of fonts, filters, and effects that let your text stand out.

Adding text to an image using the Picsart online editor
Adding text to an image using the Picsart online editor

Features:

  • Over 200+ fonts, filters, and effects for custom text

  • Drag-and-drop interface for fast placement

  • Layer controls to adjust opacity and blending

  • Supports image resizing, cropping, and text animations

  • Available on web, iOS, and Android

Price:

Free basic plan available. Pro plans start at around $5 - $7/month with more advanced tools and an ad-free experience.

Pros:

  • Huge font and sticker library

  • Supports transparent backgrounds and image layers

  • Real-time preview while editing

  • Great mobile experience for quick edits

Cons:

  • Ads in the free version can be distracting

  • Requires account login for full feature access

  • Some features are locked behind a paywall

I used Picsart recently to add promotional text on a product photo. The drag-and-drop interface made it incredibly intuitive, and the font options gave the image a professional look without needing Photoshop-level skills. I also appreciated the ability to resize and reposition the text with pixel-level control, especially when creating a branded Instagram post. For anyone wanting to add text to photos quickly and creatively, Picsart is a reliable go-to.

2. Watermarkly

Watermarklyis a dedicated online platform designed to help you add text to photos efficiently. It's particularly useful for photographers, content creators, or business users who need to apply consistent branding or copyright information across multiple images.

Watermarkly interface showing how to add text on a photo
Watermarkly interface showing how to add text on a photo

Features:

  • Add text or image watermarks to multiple images at once

  • Customizable font, opacity, rotation, and placement

  • Batch processing up to 50 images at once

  • Automatic resizing for social platforms

  • Browser-based, no installation required

Price:

Free version available with basic features and a watermark on exports. Paid plans start around $19.95 for one-year access and $39.95 for permanent access.

Pros:

  • Excellent for batch watermarking or text overlay

  • No software download needed

  • Easy to use for beginners and professionals alike

  • Great for protecting content with branding

Cons:

  • Limited design features compared to graphic design tools

  • Watermark appears on output in the free version

  • No built-in templates or graphic elements

When I needed to add a copyright watermark to a batch of blog images, I turned to Watermarkly. The upload process was fast, and the ability to apply text to multiple images at once saved me a huge amount of time. I especially liked that I could customize the font and opacity to keep the watermark subtle yet visible. While it's not ideal for heavy design work, it's perfect if your main goal is copyright protection or simple branding.

3. Kapwing

Kapwingis a modern, browser-based content creation suite known for its intuitive interface and collaborative tools. One of its standout features is the ability to add text to images effortlessly, whether you're designing social posts, educational materials, or marketing visuals.

Kapwing showing text on a photo editor
Kapwing showing text on a photo editor

Features:

  • Real-time text editing with a drag-and-drop interface

  • Hundreds of font styles and animations

  • AI-powered smart text suggestions

  • Auto-resizing for different platforms (Instagram, YouTube, etc.)

  • Project sharing and collaboration for teams

Price:

Free plan with limited exports and a watermark. Paid plans start at $16 -$50/month, offering high-res exports, background removal, and cloud storage.

Pros:

  • Clean, user-friendly interface

  • Advanced features like timeline editing and text animation

  • Great for team collaboration and cloud-based work

  • Works well even without a powerful device

Cons:

  • The free version includes a Kapwing watermark on exported images

  • Rendering can be slow for complex projects

  • Limited offline use (must be online)

I recently used Kapwing to add text to photo banners for a LinkedIn campaign. What impressed me was the automatic platform-sizing; I didn't have to manually adjust dimensions for different social channels. The real-time editing and preview features made the process smooth, and the text animations gave the visuals a dynamic, polished finish. If you want a powerful but easy-to-learn editor, especially for social media use, Kapwing is a solid choice.

4. Picfont

Picfont is a simple yet effective web-based tool that lets you quickly add text to an image without needing to register or install anything. It's ideal for users who want a no-frills solution for quick edits like memes, watermarks, or basic labeling.

Picfont tool used to add text to an image
Picfont tool used to add text to an image

Features:

  • Add text to photos online in seconds

  • Choose font type, size, color, and position

  • Supports background blur and shadow effects

  • No signup required to download the edited images

  • Download in PNG or JPG format

Price:

Completely free to use

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight and fast

  • No watermarks or account requirements

  • Good range of customization for a free tool

  • Works on any device with a browser

Cons:

  • Limited design or layout features

  • The interface feels outdated

  • Not ideal for bulk editing or team use

Picfont is my go-to when I need to add a quick label or callout text to an image without opening complex design tools. For example, I used it to add bold titles on screenshots for a tutorial. I appreciated the fact that I didn't even need to log in, just upload, edit, and download. While it lacks advanced features, it absolutely nails the "fast and free" use case for adding text to photos.

5. Canva

Canvais a widely-used graphic design platform that makes it incredibly easy to add text to images with precision and flair. From creating social media posts to infographics and presentations, Canva provides all the tools needed, even for non-designers.

Canva interface to add text on a photo
Canva interface to add text on a photo

Features:

  • Thousands of templates and font combinations

  • Drag-and-drop interface with real-time editing

  • Ability to add animations, effects, and background blur

  • Cloud-based access from desktop or mobile

  • Supports collaboration and content scheduling

Price:

Free for basic use. Pro plans start at $12.99/month, offering premium templates, team features, and brand kits.

Pros:

  • Easy to use, even for beginners

  • Offers a massive library of design elements

  • Great for creating branded content or polished social visuals

  • Supports team sharing and commenting

Cons:

  • Some premium elements are locked behind a paywall

  • It can be overwhelming due to the large number of features

  • Performance can lag with large projects

I've used Canva extensively for client work, especially when I need to add polished text on photo layouts. What I love most is the pre-built text combinations; they save a lot of time and still look professional. Recently, I created a series of promotional graphics using Canva's mobile app, and it was just as fluid as the desktop version. Whether you're adding a quote to a photo or preparing branded visuals, Canva gives you full creative control.

Part 2: Comparison of the Five Tools

ToolFeaturesProsConsPrice
Picsart200+ fonts, filters, effects; mobile-friendly; drag-and-drop editorRich creative tools, great for mobile editing, support layersAds in the free version, an account is required for full accessFree or Pro (~$5/month)
WatermarklyBatch text overlay; opacity & position controls, browser-basedIdeal for watermarking, fast processing, and no installation neededFree version adds a watermark, limited design flexibilityFree or paid (~$19.95 one-time)
KapwingReal-time editing, smart text, auto-resize, team collaborationModern UI, text animations, cloud-based projectsFree version adds a watermark, must be onlineFree or Pro ($16/month)
PicfontFast upload-edit-download; supports text shadow & blur effectsNo login required, completely free, fast editsOutdated interface, limited editing capabilitiesFree
CanvaTemplates, fonts, text effects, brand kits, animationsWide design options, intuitive UI, and works well for teamsSome premium content is locked; performance may lag with large filesFree or Pro ($12.99/month)

Part 3: Complementary Tool – Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover

After learning how to add text to photos, you might find yourself in the opposite situation, needing to remove unwanted text or watermarks from an image. Maybe it's an old project, a stock photo with a watermark, or you simply made a mistake during editing. In those moments, having a reliable watermark remover becomes essential.

That's where Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover comes in. It's a simple yet powerful solution to erase watermarks, text overlays, logos, or even timestamps from images, without damaging the original quality.

Why Do You Need a Watermark Remover for Photos?

Whether you're repurposing images, redesigning content, or correcting accidental overlays, watermarks can be disruptive. Removing them cleanly helps you:

  • Reuse visuals without clutter

  • Maintain a consistent design style

  • Make last-minute changes without redoing the entire image

But most importantly, a good watermark remover does this without leaving blurry marks or distortions.

What is Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover?

Toolsmart is an AI-powered online tool designed to remove watermarks from photos in just a few seconds. It doesn't require any downloads or design experience. Simply upload your image, highlight the watermark, and let Toolsmart's AI handle the cleanup.

Using Toolsmart to remove the watermark from the image
Using Toolsmart to remove the watermark from the image

Features:

  • AI-based removal for clean edits

  • Works on logos, text, and semi-transparent marks

  • Drag-to-select removal area

  • No software installation required

  • Supports multiple image formats

Pros:

  • Fast and accurate removal

  • User-friendly interface

  • No learning curve

  • Free to use

Cons:

  • Limited batch processing

  • Requires a strong internet connection for large files

How to Use Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover

Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover
Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover

  • Step 2: Upload your image

Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover input
Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover input

  • Step 3: Wait for the AI to process

  • Step 4: Download your clean image

Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover output
Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover output

I tried this tool recently to remove a semi-transparent watermark from a client's product photo. What surprised me was how quickly it processed the image, and the result looked flawless. There were no noticeable traces, and I didn't need to manually clone or patch anything. For simple fixes, Toolsmart has become my go-to solution.

100% secure

FAQs

Q1: How long does Toolsmart's Watermark Remover take to remove a watermark?

The process is fast and efficient, typically taking just a few seconds to remove watermarks from your photo.

Q2: Can I use Toolsmart's Watermark Remover for commercial purposes?

We recommend that you ensure you have the legal rights to any image before using it for commercial purposes, especially if you've removed a watermark. Be mindful of copyright laws.

Q3: Will removing a watermark reduce image quality?

No. Toolsmart uses AI to intelligently blend and reconstruct the image background, helping you maintain high image quality even after removal.

Q4: Does Toolsmart work on mobile browsers?

Yes, Toolsmart is browser-based and mobile-friendly. You can use it on your smartphone or tablet without needing to install an app.

Summary

Adding text to images has become an essential part of content creation, whether it's for branding, communication, or protection. From versatile design platforms like Canva and Picsart to specialized tools like Watermarkly and Picfont, this guide walks you through the best ways to add text to photos using simple, user-friendly editors. Each tool brings its own advantages depending on your needs, whether you prioritize design flexibility, speed, or batch processing.

But on the flip side, there are also moments when you need to remove unwanted text or watermarks. That's where Toolsmart's Free Photo Watermark Remover proves its worth. It's fast, reliable, and requires no editing background, making it the perfect complementary tool for your creative workflow.

If you work with visuals regularly, having both text overlay and watermark removal solutions in your toolkit will give you more control over your content. Try out these tools and see which ones fit your style best.


AI enthusiast with 10 years in tech and writing. Follow me for the latest insights on AI trends and tools to boost your writing, workplace efficiency, and productivity!