KeywordPic vs Xpiks: Which Keywording Tool Is Better?
Published March 30, 2026
KeywordPic and Xpiks both solve the same problem (metadata takes too long) but in completely different ways. KeywordPic is a web app that generates keywords from your photos. Xpiks is a desktop app where you type and manage keywords yourself.
Neither is universally better. It depends on how you work.
Quick comparison
| Feature | KeywordPic | Xpiks |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Web app | Desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux) |
| Keyword generation | Automatic — analyzes your photo and generates keywords | Manual — you type keywords, with suggestions from similar images |
| Title & description | Generated automatically | You write them manually |
| Batch processing | Upload multiple images, all processed in parallel | Select multiple images, apply shared keywords |
| CSV export | Yes — platform-specific formats (Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, etc.) | No CSV — embeds IPTC into files or uploads via FTP |
| FTP upload | No | Yes — direct upload to multiple platforms |
| IPTC embedding | No — exports CSV files | Yes — writes metadata directly into image files |
| Spell check | Not needed (keywords are generated) | Built-in spell checker |
| Free tier | 10 images/month | Basic features free, paid for suggestions + FTP |
| Pricing | $19.99/mo (unlimited) | One-time purchase (~$40-60) |
When KeywordPic is the better choice
You want keywords generated for you
The big difference: you don't write keywords. Upload your photos, KeywordPic analyzes each one, and you get back a title, description, and up to 50 keyword tags. Review, edit, export. For a batch of 100 images, this takes minutes instead of most of a day.
You upload to platforms that accept CSV files
KeywordPic exports CSV files formatted for specific platforms: Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Getty/iStock, Dreamstime, and others. If your workflow involves uploading images to the platform first and then importing metadata via CSV, KeywordPic fits right in.
You don't want to install software
KeywordPic runs in your browser. No installation, no updates, works on any operating system. You can keyword images from any computer.
Speed is the priority
If your bottleneck is the time spent writing metadata, KeywordPic removes most of that work. A batch of 100 images takes minutes instead of a full day.
When Xpiks is the better choice
You want full manual control over every keyword
Some photographers prefer to choose every keyword themselves. Xpiks gives you a clean interface for typing, organizing, and managing keywords across your library. If you don't trust generated keywords and want to hand-pick each one, Xpiks is built for that workflow.
You need IPTC embedding
Xpiks writes metadata directly into your image files' IPTC/XMP fields. This means the metadata travels with the file — wherever you upload it, the keywords are already attached. KeywordPic exports CSV files instead, which works for platforms that accept CSV imports but doesn't embed metadata into the image file itself.
You want FTP upload to stock platforms
Xpiks can upload images directly to stock platforms via FTP — Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Dreamstime, and others — without leaving the app. KeywordPic doesn't handle the upload step; it generates the metadata and CSV, and you upload separately.
You prefer a one-time purchase
Xpiks is a one-time purchase (roughly $40-60 for the full version). KeywordPic is a monthly subscription ($19.99/mo for unlimited). If you prefer paying once, Xpiks costs less over the long term.
Where they overlap
Both tools handle batch workflows — you can work with many images at once rather than one at a time. Both support the major stock platforms. And both aim to reduce the time you spend on the metadata step of your stock photography workflow.
Some photographers use both: KeywordPic to generate an initial keyword set quickly, then Xpiks to fine-tune, embed IPTC data, and FTP upload. The tools aren't mutually exclusive.
The real question
Do you want to write keywords or review them?
With KeywordPic, keywords are generated, you review and edit, then export a CSV. With Xpiks, you write keywords, apply them to images, embed IPTC data, and upload via FTP.
If you upload often and hate the metadata step, KeywordPic gets it off your plate. If you want to hand-pick every tag and manage a local keyword library, Xpiks gives you that control.
Pricing comparison
| Plan | KeywordPic | Xpiks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 10 images/month | Basic batch editing, no suggestions or FTP |
| Paid | $19.99/mo — unlimited images | ~$40-60 one-time — adds suggestions + FTP |
| Break-even | Xpiks is cheaper after ~3 months, but KeywordPic generates keywords automatically (manual writing time has a cost too) | |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use KeywordPic and Xpiks together?
Yes. A common workflow is to use KeywordPic to generate keywords quickly, export them, then import the metadata into Xpiks for fine-tuning and IPTC embedding before uploading via FTP.
Does Xpiks generate keywords automatically?
Xpiks offers keyword suggestions based on similar images in its database, but you still select and approve each keyword manually. It doesn't analyze your specific photo the way KeywordPic does.
Does KeywordPic embed IPTC metadata into files?
No. KeywordPic exports CSV files formatted for specific stock platforms. If you need IPTC embedding, use a tool like Xpiks, Adobe Bridge, or Lightroom after generating your keywords.
Which tool is faster for large batches?
KeywordPic is faster for the keyword generation step because it's fully automatic. Xpiks is faster for the upload step because it has built-in FTP. If speed across the full workflow matters most, using both together can be the fastest option.
Is there a free way to try both?
Yes. KeywordPic offers 10 free generations per month with the free keyword generator. Xpiks has a free version with basic batch editing features. Try both on the same set of images and see which workflow you prefer.