There are many types of collage software, and shopping for the one that best meets your needs will require some planning. It is a good idea to think about how much you want to spend, as price may determine the number of features included in the software. You could download free collage software or use online collage makers, but they may not offer as many features. User reviews may help you find user-friendly software that fulfills all of the functions claimed on the package.
Determining the features that you want is extremely important. If you only want to create simple grid collages, free or inexpensive software may suffice. People who want advanced features or who make collages for professional purposes should consider investing money in good collage software. Some features to check for include the ability to make collages in certain shapes, overlay images, and easily perform manual adjustments of individual pictures within a collage.
When buying software from a store, you should ask if the store or the software manufacturer has a return or trade-in policy. A return or trade-in policy is helpful if the software doesn't run on your computer, if you are not comfortable with the navigation of the program, or if the features do not meet your needs. You may want to ask a store representative if the software includes free online updates as well, as sometimes the manufacturer will release free upgrades with new collage features or improvements to the existing functions.
Once you have found collage software that offers all of the features you want, you may want to look at as many consumer reviews as possible. Reading the information supplied by the software seller is important, but consumers may write more honestly about the pros and cons of the collage software. You may find, for instance, that the program is perfect for everything except the collage function that you intend to use most frequently.
Some people will choose to use an online collage maker because they usually are designed for anyone to use and tend to be user-friendly. Many of the services are completely free, but some require payment to use advanced features. Other online collage services are available only to those who pay a subscription fee. If an online collage program is free, you can try it out to see if it has the features you want. For services you have to pay for, seek out as many customer reviews as you can to see if other users were satisfied with the functions and service provided.