# The IMG.LY Alternative with a Hosted Editor and Rendering API > Add a white-label editor to your application and automate images, PDFs, and videos through one hosted REST API. Import designs, connect your data, and generate content without operating a rendering engine. - **URL**: https://templated.io/alternative-to/imgly/ --- Alternative to IMG.LY Add a white-label editor to your application and automate images, PDFs, and videos through one hosted REST API. Import designs, connect your data, and generate content without operating a rendering engine. [Try It Free](https://app.templated.io/signup) · [View API Docs](https://templated.io/docs/) 50 free credits · No credit card required Trusted by teams at AXS TV, LiveMode, Shef, Media.net, Caze TV, Dope Marketing, Athletes Thread, Gro Care ## Why Consider Switching from IMG.LY? IMG.LY provides editing and rendering SDKs for custom applications. Templated offers a hosted editor, managed rendering, and built-in automation for teams that want fewer development steps. ### Get an Embedded Editor and Rendering API Together Templated Scale includes a hosted white-label editor and REST API. Add design editing to your application without deploying a separate rendering engine. ### Automate Images, PDFs, and Videos Through One API Generate JPG, PNG, WebP, PDF, and MP4 files from reusable templates. Templated handles rendering and returns the finished files. ### Import Existing Canva and Adobe Designs Import supported Canva, Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, and HTML designs. Review the converted layers and prepare them for automation. ### Generate Content from Spreadsheets Upload Excel or CSV files, map columns to template fields, and generate personalized graphics directly from the dashboard. ### Turn Product Spreadsheets into PDF Catalogs Upload product data to Templated's Catalog integration. Generate multipage PDFs with product grids, category sections, and configured covers. ### Create Editable Templates with AI Describe a design or upload a reference image. Templated creates an editable template for further customization and automated generation. ## Templated vs IMG.LY: Feature Comparison Both platforms support template-based image, PDF, and video production. Templated provides hosted editing and rendering, while IMG.LY supplies SDKs for building custom creative applications. | Feature | Templated | IMG.LY | | - | - | - | | Core Product | Hosted editor, REST API, and managed rendering | CreativeEditor SDK (CE.SDK) with editing and rendering engines | | Embedded Editor | Hosted white-label editor added through HTML | Customizable SDK editor integrated into the application | | Rendering Setup | Hosted rendering service | Browser, application, or server rendering through CreativeEngine | | Editor Customization | Branding, permissions, available tools, and launch settings | Control over editor UI, tools, plugins, and behavior | | Platform Support | Hosted web editor | Web, iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, and desktop SDKs | | Canva Import | Supported static designs through public view links | No equivalent native Canva public-link importer documented | | PDF Catalog Creation | Dedicated spreadsheet-to-PDF Catalog integration | Catalog workflows built using templates, data mapping, and SDK rendering | | No-Code Automation | Zapier, Make, n8n, webhooks, and dashboard spreadsheet generation | SDK automation connected to external systems through application code | | Print Production | Vector PDFs, CMYK conversion, and PDF flattening; bleed added through template dimensions | PDF/X export, ICC profiles, bleed, crop marks, and other print controls through supported tools | | Pricing Model | Published subscription plans with render credits | Custom SDK licensing based on platforms, components, and AI features | | Visual Template Editor | Hosted drag-and-drop editor | Customizable editor for web, mobile, and desktop | | Image Generation | JPG, PNG, and WebP through REST API | PNG, JPEG, WebP, and other supported formats through CreativeEngine | | PDF Generation | Single-page and multipage PDFs, page merging, and CMYK conversion | PDF generation through browser and server engines, with additional print tools | | Video Generation | MP4 rendering with animated and video layers | MP4 rendering with timeline and video-editing controls | | Design File Imports | Supported Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, and HTML imports | PSD, PDF, PowerPoint, and InDesign imports through separate browser and Node.js packages | | AI Template Generation | Hosted AI Template Generator | CoDesign supports AI-created editable designs | | Spreadsheet Automation | Dashboard-based CSV/Excel uploads and field mapping | Programmatic batch processing using CSV, JSON, or application data | | Multipage Documents | Page-specific content, ordering, repeating pages, and merged PDFs | Multipage scenes, page editing, and PDF exports | | Social Media Carousels | Multipage templates with individual image, ZIP, and PDF exports | Multipage editing and page-carousel mode, with image export through CE.SDK | | AI Assistant Integration | Hosted MCP server for templates, assets, and renders | CoDesign MCP tools for design creation and editing | | Storage | Hosted files with optional S3 or Cloudflare R2 delivery | Developer-managed assets, storage, and export destinations | TRY IT FREE ### Test Templated with Your Own Content. Import a design or start from a template, connect your data by API, spreadsheet, or no-code tool, and generate your first image, PDF, or video. [Try It Free](https://app.templated.io/signup) FIRST-TIME SIGNUP 50 Free Credits - No credit card required - Visual editor and REST API access - Image, PDF, and MP4 generation - AI Template Generator Pricing ## Templated vs IMG.LY: Pricing Comparison | Plan | Price/Month | Team Members | Monthly Render Credits | Embedded Editor | | - | - | - | - | - | | TEMPLATED | | | | | | Templated Starter | $39 | 2 | 1,000 | Not included | | Templated Scale | $99 | 5 | 5,000 | Included | | Templated Enterprise | $229 | 20 | 25,000 | Included | | IMG.LY | | | | | | IMG.LY CE.SDK | Custom quote | Based on license | SDK-based rendering | Included with licensed editor components | ## Three Core Templated APIs. Built for Bulk Content Generation. Generate social posts, listing graphics, and product images with different text, photos, and branding. Export as JPG, PNG, or WebP. - ### [Image Automation API](https://templated.io/image-automation-api/) Generate social posts, listing graphics, and product images with different text, photos, and branding. Export as JPG, PNG, or WebP. - ### [PDF Generator API](https://templated.io/pdf-generator-api/) Turn your data into certificates, property sheets, and multipage documents. Reuse layouts and generate PDFs without manually filling in every detail. - ### [Video Automation API](https://templated.io/video-automation-api/) Personalize text, images, and video layers in reusable templates. Add animations and generate MP4 videos through the API. ## Features in Templated That Get Your Designs Ready for Automation Import, edit, and automate designs from one hosted dashboard. **Import Your Existing Designs** ### Import Your Existing Designs Import supported Canva, Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, and HTML designs. Review converted layers before automation, especially complex Canva elements. [See how Canva import works](https://templated.io/blog/how-to-import-canva-templates-directly-into-templated-for-automation/) **AI Template Generator** ### AI Template Generator Generate editable templates from text prompts or reference images. Customize them in the visual editor. [Explore the AI Template Generator](https://templated.io/ai-template-generator/) **Spreadsheet Integration** ### Spreadsheet Integration Upload CSV or Excel files, map columns to template fields, and preview personalized content before generating a batch. [Explore spreadsheet generation](https://templated.io/integrations/spreadsheet/) **PDF Catalog Generator** ### PDF Catalog Generator Connect a product spreadsheet to a prepared catalog template. Templated fills product grids, organizes categories, and generates one PDF. [Explore the Catalog integration](https://templated.io/integrations/catalog/) **Multipage Templates** ### Multipage Templates Create, personalize, repeat, and reorder pages. Export individual images, ZIP files, or merged PDFs. [Read the multipage rendering docs](https://templated.io/docs/renders/create/) **White-Label Embedded Editor** ### White-Label Embedded Editor Embed Templated's hosted editor into your application. Configure branding, tools, and editing permissions. Production embedding is included in Scale and Enterprise. [Explore the embedded editor](https://templated.io/embed-image-editor-in-your-app/) **Bring Your Own Storage** ### Bring Your Own Storage Send generated files directly to Amazon S3 or Cloudflare R2. Available on Scale and Enterprise. [Read the custom storage docs](https://templated.io/docs/integrations/custom-storage/) ## What Do Templated and IMG.LY Both Offer? Create designs with editable text, images, and other elements. ### Reusable Templates Create designs with editable text, images, and other elements. ### Image, PDF, and Video Generation Render personalized files from templates and application data. ### Bulk Generation Produce multiple variations from structured datasets. ### Embedded Editing Add design editing to an application through a hosted editor or SDK. ### AI-Assisted Design Creation Create and modify editable designs using AI tools. ### Headless Rendering Generate files programmatically without opening an editor for every render. ## When Is IMG.LY the Better Fit? IMG.LY provides deeper control for developers building specialized editing applications. - Advanced editor customization: Configure panels, tools, plugins, and editor behavior through CE.SDK. - Native mobile editing: Integrate creative editing into iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter applications. - Professional printing: Produce PDF/X files with ICC color profiles, bleed, and print marks through dedicated print tools. - Developer-controlled rendering: Run CreativeEngine in supported browser and server environments. - Advanced video editing: Build applications with timeline editing and detailed video controls. - Custom AI workflows: Connect CoDesign to application-specific AI agents and editing operations. ## How to Switch from IMG.LY Keep your IMG.LY integration running while testing Templated with existing designs and data. 1. ### Bring Your Designs Import supported Canva, Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, or HTML files. Recreate native IMG.LY scenes when no compatible source design exists. 2. ### Connect Your Data Create a Templated API key, map data to template layers, and replace SDK rendering operations with REST API requests. 3. ### Test, Then Switch Compare generated files, fonts, layouts, dimensions, and print settings before updating production. ### Let Your AI Agent Help You Switch. Connect Templated to compatible AI assistants through: `https://mcp.templated.io/mcp` Use Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, or another supported MCP client to create templates, manage assets, and generate files. - 1 Connect the MCP server MCP server - 2 Create or import a template create\_template - 3 Generate content using your data create\_render - • Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor any MCP client ## Still Deciding? Common Questions Templated provides a hosted editor, REST API, and managed rendering. IMG.LY offers SDKs for developers building customized editing and rendering workflows. ### What Is the Main Difference Between Templated and IMG.LY? Templated provides a hosted editor, REST API, and managed rendering. IMG.LY offers SDKs for developers building customized editing and rendering workflows. ### Which Is Easier to Integrate, Templated or IMG.LY? Templated offers a hosted editor and REST API with fewer integration steps for standard automation workflows. IMG.LY provides greater control through SDK integration and configuration. ### Which Is Better for Which Use Cases, Templated or IMG.LY? Choose Templated for hosted image and PDF automation, spreadsheet generation, product catalogs, and SaaS applications needing a hosted editor. Choose IMG.LY for custom creative applications, native mobile editors, professional printing, advanced video editing, and developer-controlled rendering. ### Does Templated Generate Product Catalogs from Spreadsheets, and Does IMG.LY? Templated does. Its Catalog integration turns CSV or Excel product data into multipage PDFs using prepared product-grid templates. IMG.LY supports catalog generation through developer-built workflows. CE.SDK provides template population and PDF rendering, but no equivalent ready-made spreadsheet-to-catalog dashboard integration is documented. ### Does Templated Support Multipage PDFs and Carousels? Yes. Templated supports editable multipage templates and page-specific content, with image, ZIP, and merged PDF exports. IMG.LY also supports multipage scenes and carousel-style editing through CE.SDK. ### Do Templated and IMG.LY Support Print-Ready PDFs? Yes. Templated supports vector PDFs, CMYK conversion, and flattening. Bleed is added through template dimensions. IMG.LY offers additional print controls, including PDF/X export, ICC profiles, bleed, and crop marks through its print tools. ### Does Templated Offer a Free Trial? Yes. Templated provides 50 free credits without requiring a credit card. ## What Teams Say About Templated Rated 4.7 August 17, 2025 > "Brilliant piece of software. Reasonably priced (vs Canva's outrageously expensive API), and despite a few intricacies with the editor, a really fully-featured document generation API. Really great support too from Pedro, the founder!" Jacob Burns March 13, 2025 > "Great time to value. It's simple to use, it does what it says on the tin, not obscure pricing or documentation - everything is as you expect it, and they have great customer service!" Elias Benussi March 17, 2025 > "Great customer service. Templated is a great tool and easy to work with, and their API just makes sense. It's fast, and great for automating visuals. What really stands out is their customer service quick replies, actually helpful, and clearly invested in their users. Smart product, built right." Brix Studio December 19, 2024 > "After comparing several similar options, I ultimately chose Templated. I'm really enjoying its ease of use and impressive performance!" Siddharth Elango March 17, 2025 > "Life-saving and incredibly intuitive! This app is absolutely phenomenal! It literally saved my life and my automations on MAKE. The idea behind it is brilliant, and the execution is flawless. It's extremely intuitive, making it super easy to work with, even for those who aren't tech experts. The user-friendly interface and seamless functionality make automation effortless. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient solution!" Filipe SouzaBasic Invitation 20 February 2024 > "The editor is easy to use, very similar to Canva and the API is simple enough to integrate on the backend." Halem WendersonDeveloper at Telvetto ## Weighing Other Options? Compare Them Side by Side. See how Templated compares with other image, PDF, and video generation APIs. - ### [Bannerbear Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/banner-bear/) Import Canva, Illustrator, and PDF designs, plus built-in spreadsheet, carousel, and catalog workflows. - ### [Abyssale Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/abyssale/) Full API access on all plans, transparent pricing, and video generation. No enterprise gating. - ### [Placid Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/placid/) More affordable pricing, AI template generation, and a simpler API for automated visuals. - ### [Polotno Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/polotno/) Full-featured API with cloud rendering, AI features, and professional support. - ### [Creatomate Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/creatomate/) Simpler pricing model, intuitive editor, and AI-powered template creation. - ### [Canva Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/canva-api/) Full API access without Enterprise pricing. Automate image generation programmatically. - ### [Orshot Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/orshot/) A more mature editor, one simple credit meter, and a white-label embedded editor from $99/mo. - ### [Pomelli Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/pomelli/) Full-featured alternative to Google Labs' Pomelli with API access and more integrations. - ### [CraftMyPDF Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/craftmypdf/) Video generation, AI template creation, and white-label editor that CraftMyPDF doesn't offer. - ### [APITemplate.io Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/apitemplate/) AI-powered template generation, video support, and a more intuitive drag-and-drop editor. - ### [RenderForm Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/renderform/) PDF and video generation, AI templates, and no watermarks on free tier. More than just images. - ### [Catalog Machine Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/catalog-machine/) Full design control, predictable auto-pagination with category sections, and one platform for catalogs, images, and videos. - ### [DynaPictures Alternative](https://templated.io/alternative-to/dynapictures/) More renders per dollar, video generation, AI template creation, and white-label editor. ## Ready to Switch from IMG.LY? Add a hosted editor and rendering API without running your own rendering engine. Import your designs, connect your data, and test Templated before moving production. 50 free credits · No credit card required [Try Templated Free](https://app.templated.io)