With YouTube now being one of the top social media platforms, creators need to find new and effective ways to stand out. While there are a variety of strategies that can help creators achieve more views and subscribers, one often overlooked method is investing in compelling thumbnails.
In this guide, we’ll share the top user-friendly tools that can help you make effective thumbnails—quick and easy. We’ll also explore each platform’s different pricing plans, pros and cons, and key features so you can find the best option for your needs. Let’s begin!
Top Features to Look for in a Design Tool for YouTube Thumbnails
If you go online and look up some of the top design platforms, you’ll find a lot of great options. But to help you filter out the best apps, here are some of the top features to look for in a YouTube thumbnail design tool:
Templates
Starting thumbnails from scratch can be complicated. With the help of some YouTube channel templates, you can easily mix and match design elements according to your needs. Therefore, when looking for an online design tool, make sure to choose one with an extensive template library for your convenience!
Image generator
Browsing through hundreds of stock images online takes a lot of time and effort. On some occasions, the image you’re looking for might not even be available. With an AI Images generator, you simply need to type in a prompt, click on a button, and you’ll be able to get your required image within seconds.
Background remover
If you’re a creator who frequently features real image stills in your thumbnails, a background remover tool is an ideal feature to have. With just a click of a button, you can easily remove unnecessary backgrounds from images and come up with more professional-looking thumbnails.
Resizing tool
The thing about YouTube thumbnails is that you don’t just post them on YouTube. In fact, some creators post thumbnails on other social media sites in order to promote a video. With a resizing tool, you can easily change image dimensions, making it easier to post your thumbnail across various platforms with ease.
Best Online Tools for Creating YouTube Thumbnails
Below, we’ve rounded up the best online tools for creating YouTube thumbnails, along with their different key features, pros, and cons.
Canva
Overview
Canva is an online drag-and-drop editor known for its ease of use and versatile design types. With Canva, users can create various designs from presentations to social media graphics using a variety of features.
Key features
- Image enhancer for improving quality of pictures
- Text animations for dynamic text
- Brand Kit (up to 1,000 available)
- Integrations with other apps for social media management
Pros
- Various design types available
- Robust team collaboration features
- 30-day free trial available
- Web and mobile app versions available
Cons
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- Limited social media management features
- Fewer templates compared to other tools
- Limited customization features
Adobe Express
Overview
Adobe Express is another online design tool from the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Similar to Canva, Adobe Express features a drag-and-drop interface where users can create YouTube thumbnails.
While much simpler than Canva, Adobe Express can also be integrated with other Creative Cloud apps for more advanced editing needs.
Key features
- Content scheduling for social media posts
- Generative AI credits for accessing various AI tools
- One-click resize tool for adjusting asset dimensions
- Brand management features for consistent content
Pros
- User-friendly and straightforward interface
- Can be integrated with other Adobe apps
- Cheaper compared to Canva
Cons
- May be limiting for advanced designers
- Limited free design assets
- Limited template library
Piktochart
Overview
Piktochart is an online design platform that mainly caters to office and school-related design needs. In particular, Piktochart stands out for its various infographic templates, along with design elements specifically made for visualizing data-heavy content.
Key features
- Up to 250GB of cloud storage available
- Branded templates
- Unlimited downloads for PNG, PDF, and PPT
- Icons, illustrations, and 3D graphics
Pros
- Extensive template library for infographics and charts
- AI features for content generation
Cons
- Limited downloads on free version
- Pricier when compared to other apps
- Limited design types available
VistaCreate
Overview
VistaCreate is another online drag-and-drop editing tool known for its ease of use and straightforward interface. While a bit on the pricier side when compared with other tools, VistaCreate remains a good option for basic thumbnail editing, especially for creators who value a quick and easy platform.
Key features
- Free fonts, music, animations, and options to add to designs
- Social media scheduler for Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest
- Logomaker for custom business logos
Pros
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- User-friendly interface and drag-and-drop editor
- Generous free plan
Cons
- Limited video editing features
- Limited integrations with other tools
PosterMyWall
Overview
PosterMyWall is an all-in-one social media management and design tool perfect for making visually stunning YouTube thumbnails. With PosterMyWall, users can choose from an extensive library of free-to-use templates that are completely customizable using the app’s built-in editing tool.
PosterMyWall also offers a wide variety of useful features, such as a comprehensive AI toolkit, including a background remover and a one-click resizing tool for convenient and professional-looking designs.
Key features
- Wide variety of YouTube thumbnail templates
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor for convenient designing
- AI Images tool for generating pictures
- One-click resizing tool for adjusting image dimensions
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Extensive library of free templates
- Affordable pricing plans
Cons
- Limited photo editing features
User-Friendly Platforms for Making YouTube Thumbnails: Pricing Guide
Here is a quick and easy pricing guide for the top user-friendly YouTube thumbnail editors online:
| Canva | Adobe Express | Piktochart | VistaCreate | PosterMyWall | |
| Free plan inclusions | ☑️1M+ templates
☑️1,000+ design types ☑️5GB of cloud storage ☑️Stock photos and graphics |
☑️100,000+ static and video templates
☑️1M+ royalty-free Adobe Stock elements ☑️4,000+ fonts |
☑️2 PNG downloads
☑️Unlimited visual projects ☑️AI credits ☑️100MB storage |
☑️100k+ professionally-made templates
☑️1M royalty-free photos, videos, and vectors ☑️14,000+ animated objects |
☑️2M+ free and customizable templates for every niche
☑️User-friendly drag-and-drop editor ☑️Audio/video recorder/editor ☑️Social media publishing |
| Subscription tiers | ☑️Pro ($15)
☑️Teams ($10/user) |
☑️Premium ($9.99)
☑️Teams ($7.99/per person) |
☑️Pro ($29)
☑️Business ($49) |
☑️Pro ($13) | ☑️Premium ($9.95)
☑️Premium Plus ($29.95) |
| Trial period | 30-day free trial | 30-day free trial | Free version only | 14-day free trial | 14-day free trial |
Which is the Best Beginner-Friendly Design Tool for YouTube Thumbnails?
While all the aforementioned platforms are user-friendly and affordable options for designing YouTube thumbnails, we highly recommend PosterMyWall for beginners seeking a quick and easy app for expert-level thumbnails.
With PosterMyWall, users can choose from an extensive library of YouTube channel templates and edit accordingly on its versatile and accessible drag-and-drop editor. The app is also packed with a wide variety of different social media marketing tools, perfect for individual creators, social media managers, and even small businesses looking for an all-in-one platform.
Set to Design Your YouTube Thumbnail?
A YouTube thumbnail does more than just give a glimpse of what your videos are about—they’re an effective way to entice audiences to click on your videos, whether they’re a first-time viewer or a long-term subscriber.
If you’re interested in enhancing the overall look of your channel’s thumbnails, check out these user-friendly apps, browse through some templates, and start designing. Have fun!