Whether you're a photographer protecting your portfolio, a designer sharing mockups, or someone who needs to remove a watermark from a stock photo you purchased, you need the right tool for the job. The image watermarking space has a lot of options - some handle adding watermarks, some handle removing them, and a few do both.
We tested and compared the top tools available in 2026. Here's what we found, ranked by overall capability, ease of use, and value.
Add or remove watermarks from images, PDFs, videos, audio, and documents. Batch processing, templates, steganography, and AI-powered removal.
YEB Watermark is the most complete option on this list. It handles both adding and removing watermarks, supports 7+ file types (not just images), and includes features you won't find in most competitors - invisible steganography, QR code watermarks with AES-256 encryption, and batch processing for up to 100 files.
Key features:
Pricing: Free with limits
Best for: Anyone who needs adding, removing, and invisible watermarking in one tool
Visual Watermark is a dedicated desktop and online watermarking tool focused on photos. It does batch processing well and has a clean interface. The one-time purchase model is appealing if you don't want subscriptions.
Key features:
Pricing: $19.99 Basic, $29.99 Plus, $44.99 Pro (one-time purchase)
Best for: Photographers who want a one-time purchase for batch watermarking
Limitations: No invisible watermarks, no removal, no PDF/video support
Watermarkly is a web-based tool that does batch photo watermarking with a surprising number of fonts (900+). The free tier works, but it adds a small Watermarkly badge to your watermarked images - which is a bit ironic for a watermarking tool.
Key features:
Pricing: Free (adds Watermarkly badge), $19.95/year, $39.95 lifetime
Best for: Quick batch watermarking online without installing software
Limitations: Free version adds their branding, photos only, no removal
Canva isn't a dedicated watermark tool, but its editor makes it easy to add text or logo overlays to images. If you're already using Canva for design work, adding watermarks is a natural extension. Brand kits on the Pro plan let you save watermark styles for consistency.
Key features:
Pricing: Free (limited), Canva Pro $12.99/month
Best for: Designers who already use Canva and need occasional watermarking
Limitations: No batch watermarking, no removal, no invisible watermarks, manual process per image
iWatermark by Plum Amazing stands out because it includes StegoMark - an invisible steganography watermark. That's unusual for a consumer-grade desktop tool. The downside is that it's split across 4 separate apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, each sold separately.
Key features:
Pricing: $2.99 (mobile), $30 (Mac), $40 (Windows) - per platform
Best for: Users who want invisible watermarks on a desktop app
Limitations: 4 separate purchases for full cross-platform, dated UI, no video/PDF, no removal
Fotor is primarily an online photo editor that includes AI-powered watermark removal. It does one-click removal for common watermark types and can handle batch removal for up to 50 images on the free plan. Quality is decent for straightforward watermarks.
Key features:
Pricing: Free (limited resolution), Pro $8.99/month, Pro+ $19.99/month
Best for: Removing watermarks from images when you also need photo editing
Limitations: Free version limits output resolution, no adding watermarks, images only
HitPaw is a desktop watermark remover that uses AI to detect and erase watermarks from photos and videos. The results are solid, especially with its multiple removal modes. But it's removal-only - you can't add watermarks with it.
Key features:
Pricing: $29.99 one-time or $19.99/month subscription
Best for: Desktop users who need reliable watermark removal with multiple AI options
Limitations: Removal only, no adding, trial version watermarks the output, desktop-only
PhotoMarks is a lightweight desktop watermarking tool built for photographers. Its standout feature is support for 50+ image formats including RAW files, which most online tools can't handle. Batch processing uses multi-core CPUs for speed.
Key features:
Pricing: Free trial, paid version available
Best for: Professional photographers who work with RAW files and need batch processing
Limitations: Desktop only, no removal, no invisible watermarks, Windows and Mac only
eZy Watermark Photos is one of the most popular mobile watermarking apps with over 32,000 ratings on both iOS and Android. It offers text, graphic, QR code, and even signature watermarks - all from your phone.
Key features:
Pricing: Free with ads, premium subscription available
Best for: Watermarking photos directly on your phone before sharing
Limitations: Mobile only, no desktop version, no removal, free version has ads
WatermarkRemover.io does exactly what the name says - removes watermarks from images using AI. No signup, no installation, no complicated settings. Upload, wait a few seconds, download. It supports images up to 5000x5000 pixels.
Key features:
Pricing: Free (with daily limits), premium available
Best for: Quick, no-fuss watermark removal when you need it done fast
Limitations: Removal only, no adding, daily usage limits on free tier, images only
It depends on what you need:
Most photographers and designers need both adding and removing capabilities at some point. Rather than juggling multiple tools, a single platform that handles both - plus invisible watermarking and batch processing - saves time and keeps your workflow simple.
