5 Free Apps To Make YouTube Thumbnails + 20 Free Templates

Thumbnails are arguably one of the most important aspects when it comes to a video on YouTube, but creating them is where the real stress is, especially if you don\\\’t know anything about design or know any free apps to make YouTube thumbnails.

There are several free apps to make YouTube thumbnails which will make generating visually appealing and eye-catching thumbnails a lot easier. In this article, we will discuss the best 5 free apps to make YouTube thumbnails. But before we dive in let\\\’s answer some questions you might have about YouTube thumbnails.

Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube Thumbnails

5 Free Apps To Make YouTube Thumbnails

As already emphasized, creating engaging YouTube thumbnails is crucial for attracting viewers to your videos or YouTube channel. There are several user-friendly and efficient apps to craft compelling thumbnails with little to no stress, I have listed 5 of the best FREE apps to make YouTube thumbnails.

Whether you\\\’re an aspiring YouTuber or a seasoned creator looking to optimize your visual presence, these free apps provide accessible solutions for designing eye-catching thumbnails that stand out on the platform.

1. Canva

Canva is one of the most popular and easy-to-use free apps to make YouTube thumbnails in the market. It has a huge variety of templates and designs that you can customize for any purpose, including YouTube thumbnails.

Furthermore, the platform has a built-in editor so you can seamlessly create designs without having a previous background in graphics design or without paying so much money for a simple design.

1. FotoJet

Fotojet is another popular option out there because it\\\’s easy to use and gives you a lot of options in terms of what kind of layout and design you want. You can choose from various background styles, shapes, fonts and colours to create something that will stand out but still fit into the parameters of being a YouTube thumbnail.

1. Photopea

This is a free app that allows you to create your images using photos or built-in templates. It has an intuitive and quick interface, so it\\\’s great for creating thumbnails in a short amount of time.

Photopea offers hundreds of free templates that you can use to create professional-looking images which makes it one of the best free apps to make YouTube thumbnails.

Editing in Photopeas is made easy using the drag-and-drop sections. You can add text to your image with thousands of fonts available, and change the colour, saturation, brightness and contrast of your design. So you\\\’re sure to find something that fits your style.

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1. Pixlr

If you\\\’re looking for an app with a simple interface, Pixlr is the one for you. It\\\’s a free photo editor that has all of the basic editing tools you need to create professional-looking YouTube Thumbnails and images.

In addition, you can edit different types of images by using filters, effects or tools with each tool feature bearing multiple options so you can customize them to fit your needs perfectly. Feel free to explore its premium features like filters, cropping, rotating and straightening tools, blemish or red-eye remover and collage, amongst others.

1. Crello, now called VistaCreate

Crello (VistaCreate) is one of those Free apps to make YouTube Thumbnails that give you access to stunning images and animated gifs. The app includes a variety of filters, which can be used to enhance your photos in a variety of ways.

You can also use the app to add text, stickers, shapes, and more to your photos. Just like the other free apps, the Crello/VistaCreate app features a very simple interface, which makes it easy to use even if you’re new to photo editing apps. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.

How to Increase Video Views With YouTube Thumbnails

To make YouTube thumbnails effectively increase video views, consider the following tips:

1. Use High-Quality Images: Bright, visually appealing, and well-composed images relevant to your video\\\’s content often attract attention.
2. Engaging Visuals: Eye-catching graphics, with vibrant colors, make your thumbnail stand out among others and draw attention.
3. Relevance Matters: Ensure your thumbnail accurately represents the video\\\’s content. Avoid clickbait or misleading images that don\\\’t relate to the video
4. Incorporate Clear Text and Fonts: Use readable fonts and concise wording that complements the visuals. Highlight key points or add intrigue without cluttering the thumbnail.
5. Employ Branding Elements: Use consistent branding elements, such as colors, logos, or fonts, to help viewers recognize your content easily.
6. Experiment With Designs: Try out different thumbnail designs to see which ones resonate better with your audience and to understand what drives higher click-through rates.
7. Optimize for Mobile: Consider that a significant portion of YouTube views come from mobile devices. Ensure your thumbnails are visually clear and compelling, even on smaller screens.
8. Follow YouTube\\\’s Best Practices: Follow YouTube\\\’s guidelines for thumbnail size (1280 x 720 pixels) and formats (JPG, PNG, or GIF) to ensure compatibility and quality across devices.
9. Analytics Review: Regularly review analytics to understand which thumbnails perform better. Pay attention to metrics like CTR (Click-Through Rate) to refine your thumbnail strategies.
10. Test Thumbnail With Audience: Share different versions of thumbnails with friends, family, or online communities to get feedback and insights on which designs are more appealing.

Evidently, you can optimize YouTube thumbnails to increase video views by implementing these strategies and refining your approach based on viewer engagement and feedback.

How To Add Thumbnails on YouTube Videos

The process of adding thumbnails on YouTube is quite simple. You need one of the aforementioned free apps to make YouTube thumbnails and the correct dimensions for YouTube thumbnails. If you\\\’re creating your thumbnails afresh instead of using a template, the standard dimensions for a YouTube thumbnail is 1280 X 720 pixels.

Unquestionably, using an already existing template as a benchmark for your YouTube thumbnail is easier and faster so you should grab the 20 FREE YouTube Thumbnail Templates I customized for you on Canva.

Next, you have to upload the video on YouTube and follow the below steps to add the thumbnail that you have created:

How to Add Custom Thumbnails on Android or IOS

• Step 1: Open the YouTube app 
• Step 2: Tap Library to see Your videos.
• Step 3: Beside the video you\\\’d like to edit, tap More, Edit, Edit thumbnail.
• Step 4: Tap Custom thumbnail to upload the thumbnail from your device.
• Step 5: Confirm your thumbnail selection and tap SELECT.
• Step 6: Tap SAVE.

How to Add Custom Thumbnails on a Computer

• Step 1: Sign in to YouTube Studio.
• Step 2: Locate the left menu and select Content.
• Step 3: Click the video you’d like to edit.
• Step 4: Select Upload thumbnail to upload the thumbnail from your computer.
• Click SAVE.

Check Out – Everything You Need to Know About YouTube Monetization Here

Conclusion

In conclusion, the availability of these free apps to make YouTube thumbnails presents a fantastic opportunity for content creators to enhance their YouTube presence. They offer an array of tools, templates, and features, empowering creators to craft visually captivating thumbnails that effectively represent their video content. Whether you\\\’re a novice or an experienced creator utilizing these free apps to make YouTube thumbnails can elevate your thumbnail game, attract more viewers, and potentially increase engagement with your YouTube content.

Embrace these free apps to make YouTube thumbnails, experiment with designs, and leverage their capabilities to create compelling thumbnails that entice audiences and make your videos stand out on the platform.