If you are working with social media, you know that combining images is a very crucial thing you need to do. However, the challenge arises when you want to overlay images, and can not find a good free tool to do that. I tried out different free image overlay tools so that I could more easily overlay images, and in this article, I have explained some of the tools that I think are the best.
Overview of 5 Free Image Overlay Tools
There are a lot of image editors online that let you edit your images for free, but most of them do not give you all the features in the free version. Finding a good tool that let me overlay images online was difficult. Some of them gave really bad quality images, while some were paid. Below, I have detailed the ones that actually made my work easier and can help you overlay pics online.
Pixlr E
Pixlr E is a really good online tool. It’s designed for people who value accuracy when they want to overlay images online. It lets you manually adjust each image, cut out backgrounds using AI, and even apply filters. It’s completely web-based and works smoothly on most browsers.
Features:
Manual image layering with transparency control
AI-powered background remover (Cutout tool)
Support for multiple image formats (JPG, PNG, WebP, etc.)
Adjustment tools like brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation
Basic filters and effects included
Pros:
No watermark on exports
AI Cutout feature is impressive
Offers advanced tools for free
Cons:
Can feel a bit technical for beginners
Ads on the free version
It’s a really good and lightweight online editing tool. The thing that I love the most about it is that it’s completely online. No downloads required, and it gives you top notch quality in the work that you want to do. Definitely one of my top tools to overlay images online.
Canva
Canva is easily one of the most beginner-friendly tools for overlaying images online. It’s very simple and easy to use. I use it on a regular basis and let me tell you, it makes things very easy and lets you do exactly what you want to, without having to learn anything about picture editing.
Features:
Drag-and-drop interface for easy image placement
Pre-designed templates for social media, marketing, and more
Supports image layering with position and transparency controls
Access to thousands of free elements, icons, and fonts
Works on web and mobile apps
Pros:
Intuitive interface
Tons of design assets
Great for both simple and brand-heavy content
Cons:
Account required to download
Limited image layering compared to traditional editors
One thing that I absolutely love about Canva is that it not only works on your computer, it works on your mobile as well. That has, on multiple occasions, enabled me to edit on-the-go or whenever I'm unable to access my computer. Same features and same powerful editing, in your phone.
Fotor
Fotor strikes a nice balance between simplicity and creative control when it comes to overlaying images. It also allows you to make basic editing changes to your images, alongside letting you add text and logos to your images. It also has a lot of built-in tools that make it very easy to overlay pics online.
Features:
Image overlay with adjustable opacity
Built-in templates for branding, social media, and marketing
One-click photo enhancements and filters
Add text, stickers, logos, and frames easily
Pros:
Useful for quick design projects
Includes text, branding, and filter tools
Mobile app is responsive
Cons:
Some exports come with watermarks
Interface can lag with larger files
Fotor offers a nice blend of design and editing, especially for quick overlays. The opacity control makes it easy to layer images without overcomplicating things. It does ask you to pay for certain features, but the free features are more than enough for normal day-to-day usage and to overlay images online.
BeFunky
BeFunky is more of a creative editor, making it a really good choice if you want artistic overlays. It has a very simple interface and you have complete control over how your images look and blend with each other. It also has a lot of filters and design elements that help you make your image stand out even more.
Features:
Image overlay with layer-based editing
Wide range of artistic filters and textures
Drag-and-drop interface for quick edits
No watermark on exports in the free plan
Pros:
Strong artistic filter collection
Easy layering system
No watermark
Cons:
Slightly outdated interface
Some effects require sign-in
BeFunky is a really great tool to help you make creative overlays. It has a bunch of built-in features that give your images a unique look and you can experiment with a lot of stuff to change how your image looks. It's not as great as Canva, but it holds up its own pretty well.
LunaPic
LunaPic has a very outdated and old interface, but it’s not to be taken lightly. It’s a completely web-based tool that makes it perfect for quick editing that you need to do. For basic image overlays, it’s a really good tool and has yet to disappoint me. It also doesn’t ask you to sign-up and gives you control over the blending and transparency of the image.
Features:
Basic image overlay with transparency control
No login or download required
Tools for cropping, resizing, and drawing
Works entirely in-browser
Pros:
100% free
Works without login
No watermark
Cons:
Interface looks like it hasn’t changed since 2010
Limited customization
LunaPic isn’t the most modern tool, but it does deliver exceptionally well. It gives you quick, free image overlays with no watermarks or sign-ups. It’s best for simple tasks when you just need to layer images without any complications. It’s a simple and to the point tool that enables you to overlay pics online.
Comparison Table of the 5 Tools
It gets confusing after having so many tools to choose from which one actually works the best for you. Some tools like Canva are better for quick and easy editing, while BeFunky gives you more creative freedom. To make your choice easier, here’s a quick comparison on each tool and what it does best, including giving you a high quality picture overlay.
Tool | Ease of Use | Overlay Features | Templates/Filters | Watermark in Free Plan | Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canva | 4/5 | Drag-and-drop + Layers | Many templates & elements | No | Web, Mobile |
Pixlr E | 4/5 | Manual layering, AI cutout | Basic filters | No | Web, Mobile |
Fotor | 3/5 | Overlays + Opacity control | Light effects, branding | Yes (some outputs) | Web, Mobile |
BeFunky | 3/5 | Layer system + artistic FX | Extensive filter library | No | Web, Mobile |
LunaPic | 2/5 | Basic overlay + transparency | Limited FX options | No | Web-only |
As you can see, each tool brings something different to the table. If you want something quick and beginner-friendly, Canva is a great pick. For more control and advanced editing, Pixlr E and BeFunky stand out. Fotor adds value with branding tools, while LunaPic is best for quick, no-login edits. Now, what to do if your image has a watermark that you need to remove? Let's get into that.
Toolsmart’s Watermark Remover – The Perfect Complement
Let’s say you’re trying to overlay an image, but it has a watermark. That has happened to me multiple times, and let me give you the solution for it: Toolsmart’s Watermark Remover. It has helped me so many times I’ve lost count. It’s completely free to use and gives you a high quality image with the watermark removed. It has made it easier for me to use pictures that have watermarks in them.
Features:
100% free
No watermark left behind
AI-enhanced removal that adapts to different image textures
Works directly from your browser
High-quality images every time.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: In your browser, go to ToolSmart’s Watermark Remover, and upload the image that you want to remove the watermark of.
Step 2: Wait a couple of seconds for the AI tool to remove the watermarks from your image.
Step 3: Once the tool is finished removing the watermark, simply click on the download button, and your image will be downloaded with the watermark removed.
It’s a really great tool that removes the watermark from your images and returns them looking clean and sharp. It’s very easy to use, you just have to upload the photo that you want the watermark removed of, and then simply download it once it’s done being processed by the tool. In my opinion, it’s the simplest way to remove watermarks from your images.
FAQs
Q1: What is the easiest free tool to overlay one image onto another?
Canva is widely considered the easiest tool for beginners. Its drag-and-drop interface makes overlaying images quick and intuitive.
Q2: Can I overlay images on my phone?
Yes, Canva, Pixlr E, Fotor, and BeFunky all offer mobile apps that support image overlays.
Q3: Which overlay tool is best for professional branding content?
Fotor and Canva offer ready-made templates and branding elements that are perfect for creating marketing visuals or social media posts.
Q4: How can I remove a watermark from an image before overlaying it?
You can use Toolsmart’s Watermark Remover — a free, AI-powered tool that helps you erase unwanted watermarks cleanly before editing.
Q5: Which tool supports advanced editing like blending modes or layers?
Pixlr E and BeFunky provide layer-based editing and effects that allow more creative control.