What are the best tools for creating YouTube thumbnails?

As an animation channel creator, I recently switched to using Clip Studio Paint for my thumbnails. I start with an under sketch and then build it up layer by layer. I used Canva previously, but I felt the need for more control and creativity in my designs. If you're comfortable with drawing or want to add a personal touch, this software could be a great fit.

It's important to remember that a thumbnail serves as a visual sales pitch for your video. You have just 1-2 seconds to convey the video's premise and evoke an emotional response that encourages clicks. The software you choose—be it Photoshop, GIMP, or Canva—doesn't matter as much as the thought you put into the design. Researching your niche and looking at successful thumbnails can give you insight into effective styles.

I highly recommend giving Photopea a try. It's a free web-based image editor that closely resembles Photoshop in terms of functionality. I use it almost exclusively for my thumbnails because it has a robust set of tools for layering, text, and image manipulation. It's a great place to start if you're looking to enhance your thumbnails without spending any money.

For those who prefer working on mobile, Ibis Paint X has been my go-to app since 2017. It’s primarily a drawing app, but I find it super comfortable for creating thumbnails right from my phone. When I'm at work, I switch to Photoshop for more intensive editing. The key is understanding the level of detail you want to achieve; some channels thrive on minimalistic designs that don’t even include text, so keep that in mind as you design.