Last updated: February 2026
Brick Me makes decent mosaic wall art, but it's not the only option for turning your photos into buildable brick creations. Maybe you want something more than a flat mosaic. Maybe their design tool didn't capture your pet the way you hoped. Or maybe you're simply exploring what else exists before committing.
Good news: several alternatives offer different approaches to custom photo brick art. The best Brick Me alternative depends on what you're actually looking for. If you want 3D sculptures instead of flat wall art, Voxl creates dimensional pieces with professional design work included. If you want budget options or different customization approaches, services like Picture It In Bricks and Brickify offer their own takes. This guide compares the leading alternatives so you can find the right match for your project.
Here's what to consider: the type of finished product you want (2D mosaic vs 3D sculpture), how much creative control you need, your budget, and whether you want complete kits or instructions only.
Quick Comparison: Brick Me Alternatives
| Service | Type | Design Process | Starting Price | Ships Complete Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brick Me | 2D mosaic | DIY web app | ~$50 | Yes |
| Voxl | 3D sculpture | Done-for-you + human QC | $79 retail ($47 early bird) | Yes |
| Picture It In Bricks | 2D mosaic | Online tool | ~$60 | Instructions only |
| Brickify | 2D mosaic | Upload + AI | ~$40 | Instructions only |
| Custom Brick Art Studios | 2D/3D custom | Commission-based | $200+ | Varies |
The key decision point is whether you want a 2D mosaic or a 3D sculpture. This fundamentally changes what you end up displaying and building.
Why Look for Brick Me Alternatives?
People search for alternatives for several common reasons. Understanding yours helps narrow down which service actually fits better.
The most frequent complaint about Brick Me involves photo translation quality. Their mosaic algorithm works well for high-contrast images but can struggle with subtle details, especially in pet portraits where fur texture and facial features matter. If your preview looked "off" despite trying different settings, you're not alone.
Some users want three-dimensional pieces rather than flat wall art. Brick Me only produces 2D mosaics, which limits display options to hanging on walls. If you imagined a sculpture sitting on your desk or shelf, you'll need a different service entirely.
Price sensitivity also drives the search. While Brick Me offers competitive pricing for complete kits, some alternatives offer instructions-only options at lower price points for those willing to source their own bricks.
Finally, some people simply want professional design help rather than DIY tools. Brick Me puts the design work on you, which some enjoy while others find frustrating.
With those pain points in mind, let's examine each major alternative.
Voxl: Best for 3D Sculptures
Voxl takes a fundamentally different approach by creating three-dimensional sculptures rather than flat mosaics. Instead of wall art, you get a displayable piece that sits on a desk, shelf, or anywhere you'd put a small sculpture.
The service works through a done-for-you model. You upload a photo, and Voxl's AI system stylizes it, converts it to 3D using Hunyuan3D technology, and maps the design to their 32-color Pix Brix palette. A human VA reviews every design for quality and buildability before you see it. You get one free revision if anything needs adjusting.
This approach shines for pet portraits specifically. A dog's face in 3D captures actual depth and dimension that flat mosaics cannot replicate. Light plays across the sculptural surface naturally, making the piece look more lifelike from different viewing angles.
Pricing runs higher than Brick Me: $79 retail for small pieces (500-750 bricks), $149 for medium (around 1,500 bricks), and $249 for large (2,500-3,000 bricks). Early bird Kickstarter pricing drops these significantly: $47, $89, and $149 respectively. The complete kit includes all Pix Brix and custom building instructions.
Voxl launches on Kickstarter March 18, 2026. You can secure early bird pricing with a $1 VIP deposit before the campaign goes live.
Best for: Pet portraits, desk displays, people who want sculptural art rather than wall art, those who prefer professional design work over DIY customization.
Picture It In Bricks: Budget Instructions Option
Picture It In Bricks provides a cost-effective alternative for those comfortable sourcing their own bricks. Their service generates mosaic instructions from your photo, but you handle the brick acquisition separately.
The online design tool works similarly to Brick Me, letting you upload photos and adjust the conversion settings. You can preview how your image translates to the brick grid before purchasing. The resulting instructions download as PDFs with color-coded building guides.
This instructions-only model typically costs between $10-30 depending on size, significantly less than complete kit services. However, you then need to purchase compatible bricks from retailers or piece together orders from multiple sources. The total cost can end up comparable to complete kit services once you factor in brick acquisition.
The approach makes sense if you already have a brick collection or enjoy the hunt for parts. It's less ideal for gift-giving or anyone who wants a straightforward unboxing-to-building experience.
Best for: Brick hobbyists with existing collections, budget-conscious buyers willing to source materials, those who enjoy the DIY sourcing process.
Brickify: AI-Powered Mosaic Design
Brickify uses AI to convert photos into buildable mosaic designs with minimal user input. Upload your photo, and their system generates an optimized brick layout automatically.
The AI approach removes much of the manual adjustment that Brick Me requires. Some users find this faster and easier, while others miss the fine-tuned control. Results vary depending on photo quality and subject matter.
Like Picture It In Bricks, Brickify primarily sells instructions rather than complete kits. Pricing starts around $40 for basic designs, with premium options for larger or more detailed pieces. You'll need to source bricks separately.
The service works well for people who want quick results without spending time tweaking settings. Photo portraits and landscapes tend to translate well through their AI processing.
Best for: Quick turnaround needs, users who prefer hands-off design, those comfortable sourcing their own bricks.
Custom Commission Studios: Premium Handcrafted Option
For those seeking truly unique pieces, individual artists and studios offer commission-based custom brick art. These services typically cost $200 or more but provide entirely bespoke designs created by human designers rather than algorithms.
Commission artists can work from photos, concepts, or specific requests that automated services can't handle. Want a sculpture combining multiple family members? A portrait in a specific artistic style? A piece matching your exact color scheme? Human designers can accommodate requests that preset tools cannot.
Turnaround times stretch longer, often 4-8 weeks depending on complexity. Pricing varies widely based on the artist, size, and detail level required.
This option makes sense for heirloom-quality pieces, complex custom requests, or situations where you need something no algorithm can produce. It's overkill for casual projects or quick gift needs.
Best for: Heirloom pieces, complex custom requests, buyers prioritizing artistry over convenience, higher budgets.
How to Choose the Right Alternative
The decision comes down to four key questions.
First: Do you want 2D wall art or a 3D sculpture? If wall art works for your needs, Brick Me and similar mosaic services make sense. If you want something dimensional that sits on a desk or shelf, Voxl is currently the only option offering complete-kit 3D sculptures.
Second: How much do you want to spend? Complete kit services (Brick Me, Voxl) cost more but include everything. Instructions-only services (Picture It In Bricks, Brickify) cost less upfront but require sourcing bricks separately. Commission work costs the most but delivers unique handcrafted results.
Third: How much creative control do you want? Brick Me gives you the most DIY control through their design app. Voxl handles design for you with professional quality control. Instructions-only services fall somewhere in between.
Fourth: How important is photo accuracy for portraits? 3D sculptures capture facial depth better than flat mosaics, especially for pets. If likeness matters most, consider Voxl's dimensional approach.
No single service wins on every factor. The best choice depends on which tradeoffs matter most for your specific project.
What to Check Before Ordering Any Service
Regardless of which alternative you choose, verify a few things before committing.
Check the color palette size. More colors generally means better photo reproduction, though 3D geometry can compensate for fewer colors through natural shadowing. Brick Me offers 50 colors. Voxl uses 32. Instructions-only services vary.
Confirm what's included in the price. Complete kits ship everything needed to build. Instructions-only require separate brick purchases that can add $50-150 or more depending on size.
Read recent customer reviews. Services change over time. A company with great reviews from 2022 may have different quality today. Look for reviews mentioning your specific use case (pet portraits, family photos, etc.).
Understand the revision policy. Mistakes happen. Check if the service allows revisions before finalizing your order and what that process looks like.
Finally, verify shipping timelines and costs. Some services ship internationally at reasonable rates. Others have high shipping fees or limited delivery areas.
The Verdict
Brick Me does one thing well: affordable 2D mosaic wall art with strong DIY customization. But it's far from the only option.
For 3D sculptures with professional design quality, Voxl offers something fundamentally different. The dimensional pieces capture depth that flat mosaics cannot, especially for pet portraits. The done-for-you service removes design headaches. It costs more and launches March 2026 via Kickstarter.
For budget builds with existing brick collections, Picture It In Bricks and Brickify provide affordable instructions without the commitment of complete kits.
For truly custom work beyond what any algorithm can produce, commission artists deliver bespoke results at premium prices.
Start by deciding whether you want flat wall art or a 3D sculpture. That choice narrows your options immediately and points toward the right service for your photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best Brick Me alternative for pet portraits? Voxl creates 3D sculptures that capture pet faces with actual depth and dimension. The sculptural approach looks more lifelike than flat mosaics because light naturally plays across the surface. Brick Me's 2D mosaics work for pets too, but lack the dimensional quality.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Brick Me? Yes. Instructions-only services like Picture It In Bricks and Brickify charge $10-40 for downloadable building guides. However, you must source bricks separately, which can add $50-150 or more depending on size. Total costs often end up similar to complete kit services.
Can I get a 3D brick sculpture instead of flat wall art? Voxl is currently the only service offering complete-kit 3D brick sculptures from custom photos. They ship everything needed to build, including all Pix Brix and instructions. The service launches on Kickstarter March 18, 2026.
Do any alternatives include all the bricks in the kit? Brick Me and Voxl both ship complete kits with all required bricks. Most other services sell instructions only, requiring you to purchase bricks separately from retailers or existing collections.
How do I know which alternative is right for my project? Consider four factors: whether you want 2D or 3D art, your budget, how much design control you want, and how important photo accuracy is. Wall art projects fit Brick Me or mosaic alternatives. Sculptural display pieces fit Voxl. Budget builds fit instructions-only services.
Is Voxl available to order now? Voxl launches on Kickstarter March 18, 2026. You can join the waitlist at voxl.art and secure early bird pricing (40% off) with a $1 VIP deposit before the campaign goes live.
Ready to turn your favorite photo into buildable art? Explore Voxl's 3D sculptures for dimensional pieces that stand out, or try Brick Me's mosaic tool for traditional wall art.