What Meitu does

Meitu is an AI-driven imaging and design technology company founded in 2008 in Xiamen, China, publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1357.HK) since 2016. The company operates a multi-layered platform spanning three product tiers: consumer imaging apps (Meitu XiuXiu, BeautyCam, Wink, WHEE) serving 276 million global monthly active users; B2B SaaS productivity tools (DesignKit, Kaipai, Meitu YunXiu, RoboNeo) targeting e-commerce merchants and commercial photographers; and beauty industry solutions (EveLab Insight AI skin analysis) deployed by brands such as Dior and Shiseido. The core technical engine is the proprietary MiracleVision foundation model (V6, MoE-based as of June 2026) which powers 96.3% of generative AI requests across Meitu products, developed and maintained by MT Lab, the in-house research division with 465 patents, 51 academic publications at top AI conferences, and 10+ international competition wins.

The company's business model has pivoted materially: it sold its smartphone business around 2018-2020 and transitioned from an advertising-dependent model to a subscription-based consumer VIP membership model (17.9 million paying subscribers as of March 2026, +30.2% YoY) plus B2B SaaS AI productivity tools generating approximately RMB 580 million ARR in Q1 2026 (+56.2% YoY). Revenue streams include VIP subscriptions across flagship consumer apps, AI productivity SaaS subscriptions (with power users spending RMB 10,000+ monthly on AI credits and MVLAND achieving RMB 300-400 monthly ARPU), online advertising (now a secondary stream), and B2B API access via the Meitu AI Open Platform. Distribution combines global app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play), direct enterprise sales to beauty brands, Samsung OEM integration embedding Meitu technology into native smartphone cameras, and API/developer access.

FY2025 revenue reached RMB 3.86 billion (~USD 558 million), up 28.8% year-on-year, with non-IFRS adjusted net profit of RMB 965 million (+64.7% YoY). Strategic capital includes a US$250 million Alibaba convertible bond investment in 2025, and the company has been identified as a top stock pick by Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan/Schroders in China's AI application layer, with Goldman Sachs maintaining a Buy rating and forecasting 29% revenue CAGR from 2025 to 2030.

Name

Meitu

Legal name

Xiamen Meitu Technology Co., Ltd. (厦门美图网科技有限公司)

Website

https://meitu.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Meitu is an AI-driven imaging and design platform serving 276 million global monthly active users across consumer photo/video apps, B2B SaaS productivity tools for e-commerce merchants, and beauty industry skin-analysis solutions, all powered by its proprietary MiracleVision foundation model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI Imaging and Design Software

akta.pro primary industry

Edge AI Hardware & NPUs (SoCs, modules, accelerators) (HDAAAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

AI Observability, Monitoring & Evaluation Platforms (Drift, Quality, Safety) (HDAEANAF), AI Application Enablement Platforms (Copilot/Agent Frameworks, SDKs) (HDAEANAJ)

Keywords

• AI imaging software
• Photo editing apps
• Computer vision technology
• Generative AI platform
• Beauty tech solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Xiamen

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. VIP Subscriptions: Subscription-based VIP memberships for individual consumers across flagship apps (Meitu XiuXiu, BeautyCam, Wink, etc.). Transitioned from an advertising-dependent model around 2020. Record 12.61 million paying subscribers in 2024, growing to 17.9 million by March 2026. Productivity tools subscription rate reached 9% with 2.16 million paying subscribers as of 2025 year-end (67.4% YoY growth).
2. AI Productivity Applications (SaaS): B2B SaaS tools including RoboNeo (AI visual design agent), DesignKit (e-commerce design), Kaipai (AI talking video), Meitu YunXiu (professional AI portrait retouching), EveLab Insight (AI skin analysis), WHEE (AI creative platform). AI Productivity ARR reached approximately RMB 580 million in Q1 2026, up 56.2% YoY. CFO highlights Design Studio users spending over RMB 10,000 monthly on AI computing credits and MVLAND achieving monthly ARPU of RMB 300-400 (approximately 20x that of Meitu XiuXiu).
3. Online Advertising: Historical primary revenue stream. Following the business model pivot around 2018-2020 (selling smartphone hardware business and transitioning to subscription), advertising remains a revenue component but has been superseded by subscriptions and SaaS as the fastest-growing segments.
4. Smart Hardware (Historical): Meitu sold its smartphone business around 2018-2020 to focus on AI and subscription models. Hardware is no longer a primary revenue driver.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Meitu develops and operates an AI-driven imaging and design platform built on its proprietary MiracleVision foundation model. The company offers consumer mobile apps for photo and video editing (Meitu XiuXiu, BeautyCam, Wink, WHEE), AI productivity tools for content creation and e-commerce (DesignKit, Kaipai, RoboNeo, Meitu Cloud Edit), and B2B SaaS solutions including AI skin analysis for beauty brands (EveLab Insight) and developer APIs via the Meitu Open Platform.

Product overview

Meitu operates a multi-layered AI-driven imaging and design platform with three product tiers: (1) Consumer imaging apps including Meitu (photo and video editor), BeautyCam (portrait photography), Wink (AI video editing), and WHEE (fan content creation); (2) AI productivity and commercial design tools including DesignKit (e-commerce design), Kaipai (AI talking video), Kumoo (professional portrait retouching), Meitu Cloud Edit (commercial photo retouching), RoboNeo (AI design agent with multi-agent capability), Artflo (AI artwork), MVLAND (music visualization), MeituHub (AI pipeline builder), and Picchi (2026 imaging tool); and (3) B2B beauty industry solutions via EveLab Insight (AI skin analysis SaaS) and the Meitu Open Platform (imaging technology APIs for developers). The MT Lab research division develops the proprietary MiracleVision foundation model and all core AI capabilities powering the entire product ecosystem. The platform serves individual consumers, creative professionals, commercial photographers, e-commerce merchants, and enterprise beauty brands globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BeautyCam: Portrait Photography Pro - AI-powered selfie app
• Wink
• DesignKit
• Kaipai
• RoboNeo
• Picchi
• Artflo
• MVLAND
• MeituHub
• ZCOOL
• WHEE
• EveLab Insight
• Meitu AI Open Platform
• MT Lab

Products and services

• Meitu (Meitu XiuXiu) World-renowned photo and video editing software and Meitu's flagship consumer imaging application, providing portrait retouching, skin enhancement, background editing, AI painting, and design tools for individual users globally.
• BeautyCam Portrait photography professional app providing advanced selfie beautification, virtual makeup, AI portrait retouching, and professional-grade photo capture features for individual consumers.
• Wink AI Video Enhancement Suite providing professional mobile video creation tools with AI video beautification, video quality restoration (HD, Ultra-HD, portrait enhancement), resolution upscaling, and video editing capabilities. Ranked second in the Chinese video editing tool category.
• DesignKit (Meitu Design Studio) AI-powered design tool for e-commerce professionals providing automated commercial design workflows including AI poster generation, AI product photography, AI clothing replacement, AI logo design, and automated marketing material creation. Power users spend over RMB 10,000 monthly on AI credits.
• Kaipai AI-powered talking video creation tool that generates synchronized audio-visual content from text inputs. Targets content creators, SMBs, and e-commerce merchants for AI-generated product videos and commercial content.
• Meitu Cloud Edit (Meitu YunXiu / Kumoo) Professional-grade AI portrait retouching software for commercial photographers. Uses automated AI retouching workflows enabling 1 hour to process 1,000 images vs. fewer than 10 with traditional methods. Provides RAW conversion, batch AI retouching, background editing, and color grading. Over 30,000 commercial photography studios use the platform, processing 500 million images annually.
• WHEE AI-powered fan material creation platform providing image generation, AI painting, text-to-image, and creative design tools for fan content creators and hobbyists.
• RoboNeo AI Visual Design Agent integrating image editing, brand design, and website creation into a single platform via natural language prompts. Supports multi-agent 'Agent Teams' for automated creative workflows. Targets e-commerce operators, brand promoters, and SMBs. Surpassed 1 million MAU within months of launch.
• Artflo AI-powered tool that transforms flowing creative ideas into living, animated artwork. Part of Meitu's 2026 AI imaging ecosystem.
• MVLAND Music visualization platform enabling the creation of music videos and visual content that pairs with audio tracks. Targets music content creators. Achieving monthly ARPU of RMB 300-400.
• MeituHub AI imaging pipeline builder enabling users to construct and automate custom multi-step image and video processing workflows. Part of Meitu's integrated AI imaging ecosystem.
• Picchi Imaging productivity tool launched in June 2026 as part of Meitu's new AI product lineup. Part of the integrated AI imaging ecosystem.
• EveLab Insight AI-powered skin analysis SaaS platform for the beauty industry providing scientific skincare recommendations. Uses 3D imaging technology with 5 high-resolution lenses and structured light imaging to analyze skin conditions across 8 spectral modes. Deployed by beauty brands including Shiseido and Dior.
• Meitu AI Open Platform (MiracleVision API) Developer-facing API platform providing Meitu's core imaging and AI capabilities to external developers and businesses through API access. Covers AI portrait, AI video, AI design, and skin analysis APIs for e-commerce, advertising, gaming, film, television, and animation industries.
• ZCOOL Creative designer community platform acquired by Meitu, providing a social platform for designers to share work, discover inspiration, and collaborate on creative projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12x photo retouching efficiency improvement — 1 hour to retouch 1,000 photos with AI workflow vs. fewer than 10 photos manually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability14 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SamsungcoreTechnology or IntegrationSamsung integrates Meitu's technology into its native smartphone camera and gallery applications, as evidenced by Meitu's technology partnership announcements. This OEM integration extends Meitu's reach to Samsung's global device user base without requiring direct app downloads.
• DiorflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDior and Meitu entered a strategic partnership to create the Dior AI Beauty Skin Analysis feature, leveraging MT Lab's image processing and AI skin detection technology combined with Dior's expertise in neuroscience, dermatology, and AI research. The feature enables precise facial skin analysis and personalized product recommendations through Meitu's app experience.
• Shiseido EffectimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShiseido and Meitu entered a strategic partnership using Meitu EveLab Insight AI skin analysis technology for precise and specific consumer skincare habit segmentation. The goal is to leverage AI to help consumers with scientific skincare recommendations and win consumer recognition through science-based skincare philosophy.
• BeautyPlus (Overseas Brand Partnership)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeautyPlus, Meitu's overseas flagship app, topped app store charts in Thailand and Laos in September 2025. Meitu Show reached #1 in 14 European countries in October 2025. The company ranked 3rd among Chinese non-gaming companies globally for overseas revenue in November 2025 (63% YoY growth per UBS).
• Beijing Jiaotong UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab jointly proposed MEMatte (超高分辨率自然图像抠图算法) with Beijing Jiaotong University, accepted at AAAI 2025. This is an academic research collaboration focused on ultra-high-resolution natural image matting algorithms for GPU memory-limited scenarios.
• University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab has multiple joint research papers with UCAS including: BlazeBVD (ECCV 2024, blind video deflickering), DiffBFR (ACM MM 2023, blind face restoration), EI2 (NeurIPS 2023, video editing), and DropKey (CVPR 2023, Vision Transformer regularization). These represent deep academic collaborations producing multiple top-tier publications.
• Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Beihang)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab and Beihang University CoLab jointly proposed DAS (Distribution-Aware Single-stage model) for multi-person 3D human pose estimation (CVPR 2022) and CustomNeRF for 3D scene editing (CVPR 2024). These are ongoing academic research collaborations.
• National University of Singapore (NUS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab and NUS Show Lab jointly proposed MorphMLP, an efficient MLP-based video backbone network for spatiotemporal modeling, accepted at ECCV 2022.
• Dalian University of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab and Dalian University of Technology (Lu Huchuan team) jointly proposed YOFO for referring video object segmentation (AAAI 2022). This was the first single-stage method for text-referenced video object segmentation.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences Information Engineering Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab collaborated with the Institute of Information Engineering, CAS on CustomNeRF (CVPR 2024), a 3D scene editing method supporting text and image prompts.
• Sun Yat-sen UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab collaborated with Sun Yat-sen University on CustomNeRF (CVPR 2024), a 3D scene editing method supporting text and image prompts.
• Angelux (Japan)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese efficacy skincare brand Angelux established a commercial partnership with Meitu EveLab. After introducing Meitu EveLab M, visitors, media, and customers were impressed by its 3D facial reconstruction technology and deep skin analysis capabilities.
• Top Universities (Joint Research Collaborations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMT Lab maintains joint research collaborations with top universities globally including UCAS, Beihang, NUS, Dalian University of Technology, CAS IIE, and Sun Yat-sen. Meitu's careers page notes partnerships with top universities globally through joint research, custom internship programs, and co-authored publications.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Canva: Canva directly competes with Meitu's DesignKit and RoboNeo in the AI-powered design space for SMBs, e-commerce operators, and content creators. Both offer freemium-to-subscription models with AI-driven design automation for non-professional users.
• Pixlr: Pixlr is a direct online and mobile photo editing competitor with AI-powered design tools. Both target the same SMB and prosumer segments with freemium subscription models.
• Perfect Corp: Perfect Corp directly competes with Meitu's EveLab Insight in AI skin analysis, AR virtual try-on, and beauty tech SaaS for cosmetic brands. Both serve Dior, Estée Lauder, and similar beauty industry clients with AI-driven personalization.
• VSCO: VSCO is a direct competitor in mobile photo editing with a similar premium subscription model, aesthetic-focused filters, and creator community. Both target photo enthusiasts and creative professionals.
• FaceApp: FaceApp is a direct competitor in AI-powered face editing, portrait retouching, and beauty filters on mobile. Both leverage neural network-based facial recognition and transformation technology for consumer photo apps.
• PicsArt: PicsArt is a direct mobile photo/video editing competitor with similar AI-powered features, social community, and freemium subscription model. Both target the same creator and consumer segments globally.
• SenseTime: SenseTime is a Chinese AI company with computer vision and generative AI capabilities that overlap with Meitu's MT Lab research. Both develop foundation models and apply computer vision to commercial use cases including beauty and retail.

Emerging players

• Lensa AI: Lensa AI (by Prisma Labs) directly competes in AI avatar generation and AI portrait editing, leveraging similar generative AI technology. Both target consumer photo editing and viral social media trends.

Broad incumbents

• Snap Inc. Snap's AR Lenses, generative AI features, and creator monetization tools directly overlap with Meitu's AR/AI imaging capabilities. Both operate social-platform-meets-creator-tools businesses with significant advertising components.
• Adobe: Adobe's Photoshop, Lightroom, and Firefly generative AI directly compete with Meitu's consumer and professional image editing tools. Adobe's Creative Cloud subscription model and enterprise design tools parallel Meitu's VIP subscription and DesignKit/Kaipai SaaS offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9468917
• Xx.com/meituofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors10 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments25 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Meitu