The task of removing a watermark from a photo can be accomplished by applying a simple image editing technique online. The ease and convenience of the process makes it the perfect solution for removing a watermark from an image in an instant, and to make it even better, there is absolutely no fee involved.
In this review, I have featured the best ways to remove watermarks from photo.
Using Photoshop to Remove a Watermark
If you’re fortunate enough to have a copy of Photoshop, you can use that to remove a watermark from an image.
- Open the image and use the Clone Stamp to overwrite where the watermark is.
- Now, clone an area next to the watermark, adjust its size to cover the mark and apply it over the mark.
- Continue applying until the watermark has disappeared.
You can also use the Content Aware Move Tool if present on your version of Photoshop.
- Open the image as a new layer.
- Now, select the Content Aware Move Tool, change the remix to Move and Very Strict and select the watermark area.
- Press Delete or Fill and Content Aware. Apply the tool until the watermark disappears.
Using Pixlr to Remove a Watermark
Pixlr is an online image editing tool that offers a bunch of tools for beautifying images or removing watermarks.
- All you need to do is upload your image by clicking on Open Image.
- Then, select the Clone Stamp Tool from the tool menu on the left.
- Now, Ctrl + click the watermark to gradually remove it. You will need to do this multiple times to completely remove it but you’ll get there.
- Then save once you’re done and download your image.
Alternatively, you can use the method below to remove the watermark.
- Upload your image as shown above.
- Now, click on Spot Heal Tool.
- Then, hold the left mouse button, move the brush onto the watermark, and then wait a moment for the watermark to be removed.
- Click File > Save or Ctrl + S to save your work.
Removing a Watermark with InPaint
InPaint is another viable way to remove a watermark from an image. It’s another web app where you need to upload a photo but means you don’t have to install an image editor just for this task.
- Upload your image, highlight the watermark and select the Run tool to remove it.
That’s it. The tool will intelligently overwrite the watermark with as close an approximation of the pixel below or next to it as possible. It works incredibly well.
Using Paint.net to Remove a Watermark
Paint.net is my favorite image editor for Windows. It’s powerful enough for most uses, is completely free, well supported and has most of the tools we need to work, including the ability to remove watermarks. It has a similar clone tool to Photoshop and works almost as well.
- Open the image in Paint.net, select the Clone Tool from the left menu.
- Now, select an area next to the watermark and apply it over the watermark.
You’re going to have to work to cover the entire watermark the same as you would with any clone tool but it works well in almost every situation.
Removing a Watermark with GIMP
GIMP is another great image editor. It’s free, powerful, well supported, and does everything most of us would ever need from an image editor. You can remove a watermark with it too using similar tools to Paint.net and Photoshop.
- Use the lasso to select the area around the watermark, use Filters and Enhance and select Smart Remove Selection.
- Repeat this a couple of times and the majority of the watermark will be removed.
If that doesn’t work, select the clone stamp tool, copy an area and use it to overwrite the watermark. You can also use the Heal tool to tidy up if you need to. This requires patience but should give you a seamless image at the end.
Remove Unwanted Object
Developer: BG.Studio
Platform: Android
Price: Free
A simple and easy-to-use app, Remove Unwanted Object is the first on our list as our choice for the best watermark remover app. Aside from watermarks, this app can also remove people, stamps, objects, and other hindrances from photos.
To use this app, after downloading, just do the following:
1. Take a photo or choose one to edit from your gallery.
2. Select the watermark to remove using the brush or lasso tool.
3. Click “Process.”
4. Save the now edited photo to your phone!
Get Remove Unwanted Object on the Google Play Store
PicLab
Developer: We Heart It on Android, Super Basic on iOS
Platform: Android and iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Another general object removal and watermark remover app, PicLab, is available on both Android and iOS platforms. PicLab also removes more than just watermarks. It can also handle adding stickers, filters, and photo overlays. Since our first pick is available only on Android, PicLab is our suggested app for those on iOS.
To use this app, after downloading, just do the following:
1. Take a photo or choose one to edit from your gallery.
2. Select the marker tool and choose which parts to remove.
3. Press erase.
4. Save the now edited photo to your phone!
Get PicLab on the Google Play Store
Get PicLab on the Apple App Store
Photo Retouch – Object Removal
Developer: Shenzhen Leyuan Shentu Technology Co., Ltd
Platform: Android and iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
A multi-purpose photo and video editing app, Photo Retouch is a versatile tool. You can remove watermarks from both photos and videos, as well as pimples, blemishes, and other hindrances to your photos.
To use this app after downloading, just do the following:
1. Choose a picture from your camera roll or take a new one.
2. Select and highlight the area and objects you’d like the app to remove.
3. Press the “process” button and wait for it to finish.
4. Save the now edited photo to your phone!
Get Photo Retouch – Object Removal on the Google Play Store
Get Photo Retouch – Object Removal on the Apple App Store
ToolWiz Photos
Developer: Toolwiz.com on Android; Nanjing Guiji Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. on iOS
Platform: Android and iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
ToolWiz Photos is a full and free all-in-one photo editing suite that can handle almost any photo editing request. With more than 40 filters, blending mixers, art effects, HDR capability, and AI-guided blurs, selfie, and face polish features, you’ll find ToolWiz to be more than just a watermark remover app.
To use this app, after downloading, just do the following:
1. Choose a picture from your camera roll or take a new one.
2. Using the healing tool, select and highlight the area and objects you’d like the app to remove.
3. Press the “check” button and wait for it to finish.
4. Save the now edited photo to your phone!
Get ToolWiz Photos on the Google Play Store
Get ToolWiz Photos on the Apple App Store
AirBrush
Developer: Pixocial Technology Singapore Pte Ltd
Platform: Android and iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
AirBrush is another advanced photo editing program that you can use to remove watermarks. Aside from that, AirBrush also specializes in editing selfies with its AI-assisted filters, acne remover, digital concealer, and hairstyle changer.
To remove watermarks from photos using this app, just do the following:
1. Choose a picture from your library or take a new one.
2. Using the healing tool from the “Retouch” tab, select and highlight the watermark and double click the areas you want to change.
3. Do this until all of the watermarks are removed or changed.
4. Save the now edited photo to your phone!
Get AirBrush on the Google Play Store
Get AirBrush on the Apple App Store
TouchRetouch
Developer: ADVA Soft
Platform: Android and iOS
Price: $1.99
TouchRetouch has several major features, but the most prominent one is its object removal feature. This lets you remove overhead electric wires, mailboxes, and of course, watermarks. Other features installed in TouchRetouch include the clone stamp tool, a undo/redo function, and quick photo repair.
To use this app, after downloading, just do the following:
1. Choose a picture from your library or take a new one.
2. Using the healing tool from the “Retouch” tab, select and highlight the watermark and double click the areas you want to change.
3. Do this until all of the watermarks are removed or changed.
4. Save the now edited photo to your phone!
For a complete feature walkthrough of the app, we have a more in-depth review of TouchRetouch.
Get TouchRetouch on the Google Play Store
Get TouchRetouch on the Apple App Store
Conclusion
Removing watermarks from your digital images is like peeling back the layers of an onion that leaves you with a clearer picture. Not only will you eliminate the bulkiness of the watermark but also enhance the image resolution. To remove watermarks, you must first understand how they are added to images.