Photographers are always looking to capture picture-perfect moments. The best photo editing apps will help enhance high-quality images and make them into stunning masterpieces!
So, whether you are a beginner or a professional photographer, it is essential that you master the art of editing your photos on your mobile app or browser before showcasing them on your online portfolio website. There are a ton of free and paid good photo editing apps available now, from the basic camera and sharing tools to full-featured photo editing apps that let you shoot, edit, and organize images better on your iPhone or Android phone.
The question is - Which photo editing apps are worth your while and can help you save time and give great results on-the-go.
How we reviewed the list of best photo editing apps
In our roundup of top photo apps for Android and iOS, we focus on selections that blend ease of use with powerful editing capabilities, ideal for hobbyists and pros alike. These apps feature intuitive interfaces, comprehensive editing tools, and innovative filters, all while facilitating easy sharing. Our list is constantly updated to include the latest in mobile photography tech, ensuring you have access to advanced features for enhancing your photos or creating visual art, right from your phone.
Here are our 12 best photo editing apps for 2024
- VSCO
- Instasize
- Movavi Picverse
- Google Snapseed
- Adobe Lightroom for Mobile
- Adobe Photoshop camera
- Facetune 2
- Prisma
- Camera+
- Pixlr
- Adobe Photoshop Express
- Enlight and more
What are the best photo editing apps for 2024?
1. VSCO
VSCO is not only one of the best photo editing apps, but it is also a photo-sharing app. VSCO is one of the best iPhone photography apps and features an excellent 3-in-1 camera, social sharing, and iPhone photo app. VSCO has a dedicated community of photographers, unlike Instagram, where you can find all sorts of people.
At first glance, you'll immediately appreciate VSCO's intuitive design – the main menu is clean and straightforward, and tools are designed with simple, easy-to-understand icons.
Main Features of VSCO:
- VSCO camera features are impressive. VSCO also has an advanced camera app built-in which can shoot manually as well. You can adjust focus and exposure, switch between 3 flash modes, enable gridlines for a balanced composition, and choose interface color. VSCO also comes with a built-in camera that you can manually set up and utilize with features such as shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and manual focus.
- As a photo editing app, VSCO offers two methods – applying presets or using manual adjustment tools. VSCO has a total of 10 presets that let you quickly and easily adjust your photos. You can even edit your photos so that they take on an "old film" appearance, which includes color and exposure editing.
- But if you're into serious editing, you can use the manual adjustment tools. The adjustment tool includes, but not limited to crop, exposure, clarity, contrast, sharpen, straighten, saturation, and shadow save.
- The editing tools include the option to add contrast, grain, saturation, and more. The photo enhancer can adjust the filter strength in the photos. For the paid version you get 130+ filters.
- For the social butterfly, the VSCO photo app also comes with a photo-sharing platform and access to the VSCO photography community. Through this platform, you can share your photos, browse through other photographers' pictures, and discuss photography in general with your peers.
- VSCO is undoubtedly one of the best photo apps for the iPhone, and it works smoothly on Android as well.
- People who are looking for a photo editing app in which they can shoot, edit, and communicate with a similar community will prefer this photo app over others.
| PROS | CONS |
- Perfect for beginners - Hassle-free sharing options - Well defined interface - Multiple batch processing options | - Limited free features - No desktop version - Frequent subscription reminders - Poor customer support |
Pricing:
Free version available with advertisements. Premium plans start from US$4.99 to US$55.99.
Download VSCO for Android or iOS.
2. InstaSize
Instasize is the photo editing best friend you never knew you needed. With so many features combined in one, it’s no surprise that Instasize has been coined the “all in one” photo editing app. Available for both IOS and Android, this photo editing app comes equipped with a robust library of filters, resizing options, border/photo frame packs, retouching tools, a text editor, video editing capabilities, and MORE.
Intuitive in design, Instasize as a photo editing app is easy to navigate. Whether you’re a first-time photo editor or a full-time beauty blogger - beautiful edits are a single tap away.
Main Features of InstaSize:
- 100+ filters that will instantly enhance any image.
- Resizing options for instant cropping - stories, banners, etc.
- 10+ photo adjustment tools (brightness, contrast, sharpness, and more)
- 6 retouching tools (whitening tool, blemish remover, glow enhancer, and more)
- 30+ border packs for further customization of your edits
- Video editing, color grade your video content before uploading to social
- Grid planner, shuffle around your edited images before uploading to Instagram, plan your feed!
- Text editor, choose from 20+ fonts to add your voice to any edit
- Motion and static overlays
- Web Stories Feature
- Access to Unsplash images directly from the app
| PROS | CONS |
| - Large selection of photo effects - Add text & graphics easily - Quick setup and easy navigation - Easy collage tools | - Limited free content - Shares personal data with 3rd parties - Annoying premium ads - Expensive subscription plans |
Pricing:
Free version available with advertisements. Premium plans start from US$4.99 to US$55.99.
Download Instasize for IOS or Android.
3. Movavi Picverse
Movavi Picverse is a photo-editing app that even a beginner can use to get professional-looking results. You’ll appreciate the simplicity of the interface and the abundance of options it offers. The app relies heavily on colour-grading tools and artistic effects to help you create atmospheric photos. You can also take advantage of the blurring tool to hide a not-so-pretty background or add some mystery to your portraits.
Movavi Picverse can easily adapt your photos for social media, thanks to the ready-made cropping presets for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Twitter, as well as other universal aspect ratio types (3:4, 16:9, etc.).
Though the app is designed for photo editing only now, the video-editing feature is about to be added to the functionality too.
Main Features of Movavi Picverse:
- Over 300 artistic color filters, including sepia, black-and-white, gradient, and pop-art options
- The best photo editing software for beginners with 400+ effects and texture that give your images depth
- Cropping, rotating, and flipping tools to adjust the picture’s composition
- Manual color-grading tools: brightness, contrast, exposure, saturation, and temperature
- Sharpness enhancing for fuzzy pictures
- All-over or point blur: apply radial or linear blur, smooth out the whole image, or render some details
- One-click social sharing to popular social networks and messengers
| PROS | CONS |
| - Low system requirements - Offers various editing tools - Easy to understand UI - Easy to share and export | - Software stability issues - Limited online storage capacity - No batch processing available - Fewer photo effects than competitors |
Pricing:
Free version available. Subscription plans start from US$0.99 to US$3.99
Download Movavi Picverse for Android or iOS
Do check out these articles
- Top 16 Video Editing Apps in 2024 (Free & Paid).
- 47 Best Drawing Apps and Art Apps in 2024 (Free & Paid).
- 34 Best Collage Makers to Create Aesthetic Photo Collages.
- 21 Best Graphic Design Software for Designers in 2024 (Free and Paid).
- 26 Best Photo Organizer Software and Apps of 2024.
- How to Find Places to Take Pictures Near Me?
4. Google Snapseed
Among the best photo editing apps, suited for both experienced and amateur photographers. Snapseed is a professional photo editing app developed by Google. If you're looking for the best Android Photoshop-like photography app, then Snapseed is the app to download. This app is known for its ability to edit RAW images as well. As smartphones now are capable of shooting RAW images, editing them properly in a good editing app is also essential. Though it doesn't have all of Photoshop's features and functionalities, most of its controls and process of editing are closely alike. Some of the outstanding features of Snapseed are healing brush, structure, HDR, perspective, etc. Another feature in this free photo editing app is the function to save your style (presets); which you can use in other photos. Photo effects and filters can be precisely edited; giving more control to users to get the result they want. Snapseed is one of the widely used free photo apps.
Main Features of Snapseed:
- Snapseed's primary purpose is to edit images, although it does support capturing images on iOS smartphones.
- Snapseed's primary purpose is to edit images, although it does support capturing images on iOS smartphones.
- Snapseed may have a camera restriction, but in editing, it's packed with features. It has 29 filters and tools to tune images, face poses, glamour glow, and double exposure.
- App to write text on photos
- When it comes to social sharing, it doesn't have a specific social network.
The only disadvantage of editing in Snapseed is its gesture-based tools which are quite challenging to use for first-time users.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Available on both iOS and Android - Support basic to advanced tools - Curate with filters and effects - Share photos easily | - Selective compatibility - Slight learning process - No GIF/video support - Heavier file size than competitors |
Pricing:
Snapseed is a free image editing software
Download Google Snapseed for Android or iOS.
5. Adobe Lightroom for Mobile
Adobe Lightroom is one of the best photo editing app for professional photographers as it's the only photography app that can allow viewing, editing, and organizing a large number of images.
This application for editing photos has a built-in camera feature which can take photos in RAW through your smartphone where you can edit the exposure, aperture, and use other manual features. The app also has filters for adding various effects which can be applied with one tap to edit pictures. The premium version of this app has more advanced features like healing brush, selective adjustments, cloud storage, RAW image editing of DSLR photos, and more. This photo editing app by Adobe gives you advanced features such as curves through which you can make fine adjustments to the color, exposure, tone, and contrast.
Main features of Adobe Lightroom:
- Editing in Lightroom mobile version offers a wide variety of presets and tools to choose from – ranging from simple to advanced correction and adjustment tools.
- Navigation-wise, its presets and some tools can be used by tapping the presets once.
- Lightroom can share to different social media platforms.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Advanced editing features - Integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud - Sync across multiple devices - Cloud sync support | - High cost for premium version - Windows version difficult to understand - No advanced editing tools - Resource intensive |
Pricing:
Free version available. Premium plans start from US$1.99 to US$49.99.
Download Adobe Lightroom for Android or iOS.
6. Adobe Photoshop Camera
Photoshop Camera is a free photo editing app from Adobe. Unlike Adobe’s other photo and video editing software, Photoshop Camera is geared towards everyday users and is much more simple to use. It is also designed specifically for social media users to create perfectly edited photos for Instagram feeds and Snapchat stories.
Photoshop Camera offers AI-powered filters and editing tools to help you create beautiful, Insta-worthy snaps. You can download a whole range of filters from their library. The app is AI powered which means it automatically selects the best filters and lenses for each photograph to create the best possible effect. It allows for real-time photo editing and where you can edit photos as you take them. The AI can automatically recognize objects in the image and offer suggestions. You can also edit photos by selecting them from your gallery or camera roll.
Main Features of Adobe Photoshop Camera:
- A host of Photoshop filters and lenses to help you create beautiful Insta-worthy shots.
- Easy to use, designed for everyone and not just professionals.
- Real-time, AI-powered photo editing features.
- The AI can automatically assess your photograph and apply effects and filters accordingly to create the best possible result.
- Can be integrated into Lightroom and Adobe Creative Cloud for further processing and editing
- Influencer inspired lenses for social media fanatics.
- Auto-tone effects to manage lighting and prevent extreme contrast between bright and dim areas.
- Portrait control and Face Light features for creating the perfect selfies.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Lots of filters to choose from - AI shows some promise - Integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud - Enhance images with one tap | - Portrait filters have no depth adjustment - Poor output resolution limit - No batch processing tool - High Processing Power |
Pricing:
Free version available. You can purchase creative cloud storage (20 GB) for US$1.99
Download Adobe Photoshop Camera for Android and iOS
7. Facetune2
Facetune2 is the new and updated version of the classic photo editing app Facetune. Facetune has long been the go-to editing and touch-ups app for millions of people worldwide and it was about time it got an update. So if you were a fan of the original Facetune you are sure to appreciate the new version as well.
The new Facetune2 retains the older tools and functionalities of the Facetune app but also goes beyond. It is a much more powerful photo editing tool with a much wider array of filters and retouching tools. The app also gives a much more natural look as compared to its predecessor which had a reputation for over smoothing. Facetune2 also gives you granular control of each part of the face so you can retouch and adjust individual aspects of the portrait without having to apply a filter to the entire photo. This helps the photo look more natural as opposed to an unnatural or washed out effect.
Main Features of Facetune2:
- The best photo editing app for selfies
- Professional retouching tools, filters and photo editing tools for selfies and portrait photos.
- Smoothing tools for retouching blemishes, fixing oily looking skin, evening out skin tones and getting a smooth, natural airbrushed look.
- Background app for picture editing with tools for replacing or removing the backgrounds from photos.
- Red eye removal and teeth whitening tools.
- Re-shaper tool to tweak your selfies and give granular control over each part of the image.
- Neon filters and creative light effects so that you can have more fun with your selfies and photos.
- Makeup brush tools to add make-up to your selfies, add hair colors and much more.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Wide range of customization tools - Adjust light and colour easily - Free version has many useful features - Refined retouching tools | - Limited editing options - Limited support for social networks - Expensive subscription fees - Lacks some advanced features |
Pricing:
Free version available. In-App purchases start at US$ 5.99 to US$59.99
Download Facetune2 for Android and iOS
8. Prisma
Prisma is a unique photo editor app. Unlike most other apps on this list which are mainly for retouching and editing, Prisma completely transforms your photographs and turns them into paintings. Prisma filters can create some very unique effects and extremely realistic looking paintings.
Prisma comes with over 700 art style effects which can be applied to your photo by using a simple filter. The app uses an AI based technology to create and implement their filters. They also release new filters everyday to keep the app fresh and updated at all times. While it cannot really be used for everyday photo editing or retouching, Prisma is sure to give you some fun effects to try out and can be useful for creating images for graphics, posters and more.
Main Features of Prisma:
- Over 700+ artistic style filters
- Fine tune features to adjust and tweak your pictures after you have applied a filter to them.
- Adjust the intensity of the filter to create different effects.
- Modify the background and foreground separately
- Background editing and replacement tools.
- Add frames to your images.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Unique art filters & styles - Easily share with friends - AI Filters for image edits - High quality output results | - No Offline edit option - Occasional glitches & bugs - No desktop version equivalents - Fewer options than competitors |
Pricing:
Free version available. In-App purchases start at US$1.99 to US$39.99
Download Prisma for Android, iOS and web browser app.
9. Camera+
If you’re an iPhone user, you probably heard Camera+. Or maybe, you’re currently using it now and addicted to it.
It isn’t surprising as Camera+ is one of the best photography apps for iPhone and has impressive features and capabilities:
- Camera+ is intended to help users shoot like pros. This cool picture editing app is equipped with touch exposure, easy controls, a stabilizer to ensure steady shooting, gridlines for composition and more.
- Aside from the usual editing tools (e.g. crop, borders and captioning), Camera + offers advanced tools, like tone adjustment tool, red-eye remover, vignette, straightening and white balance.
- You can share all the photos you captured and edited on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Variety of exposure settings - Convenient interface - Offers standard & professional modes - High resolution photos | - Missing basic editing tools - Confusing setup for first time users - No marking tools for pro users - Unavailable blur effects |
Pricing:
No free plan, US$4.99 required to purchase Camera+. You can also buy additional filter packs for US$0.99
Download Camera+ for iOS.
10. Pixlr
Available for iOS and Android, Pixlr is one of the most popular free photo apps and has a wide range of different photo effects, overlays, and filters that you can use to create truly unique and visually appealing images. This picture app offers four different web apps, all HTML5 applications that load right in your browser. Pixlr Editor is their best free web app, and it offers a lot of features, even layers and color replacement tools.
Pixlr Express is a toned-down version, with simplified user experience and lots of preset filters. Pixlr Pro is a paid tool that provides a free trial, but it's the only tool on our list that can open a Photoshop PSD file and save it as a PNG or JPG. Finally, Pixlr Today is a task manager extension for the Google Chrome Browser. The app is free but offers in-app purchases of things like effect packs. When you've completed your work, the app can save directly to your social media accounts or email.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Variety of editing tools - Intuitive interface and controls - Customizable brush effects - Has a great selection of fonts | - Ads present during usage - No local adjustment options - Limited layers and blending options - Could Offer more templates |
Pricing:
Free version available. In-App purchases start at US$1.99 to US$11.99. You can buy Overlays and additional stickers for US$0.99
Download Pixlr for Android or iOS.
11. Adobe Photoshop Express
Another high powered photo editing app is the Adobe Photoshop Express. Unlike many other photo apps, Photoshop Express includes the functions "straighten" and "flip" that can help you achieve even more flexible editing options. If you want to edit in RAW format or even in TIFF format, you can do so with the best photo editing app - Photoshop Express. There are 45 filters to choose from if you want to add creative effects to your images. One-click sharing, image resizing, and watermarking are also features which come in handy.
However, compared to Adobe's Lightroom photo app, Photoshop Express is much weaker and limited in scope. Its the best photoshop app available for iphone. Photoshop Express offers quick editing, but for a more professional feel, Adobe Lightroom app provides more options.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Supreme color & tone adjustment - Pixel-level editing tools - Robust selection of filters and effects - Built-in sharing capabilities | - Occasional lags and crashes - Weak retouching option - Limited user interface customization - Hard to understand layer editing |
Pricing:
Free version available. In-App purchases start at US$2.99 to US$34.99.
Download Adobe Photoshop Express for Android or iOS.
12. Enlight
Enlight is a more advanced app for editing photos with the usual tools that most photo apps have, including exposure, color, and cropping, as well as several unique features: built-in filters with duo color toning, black and white filters, and maximum control over photo highlights and shadow quality.
Enlight's top features are its Mixer tool, which allows you to combine two photos for a double exposure image and plenty of additional features for fine-tuned editing. This best photography app also has a Mask tool which lets you directly paint onto an image to fix abnormal color spots or create subtle, visually pleasing effects.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Variety of photo editing tools - Adjustable brush sizes & colors - Variety of blending modes - Allows to create multi-layer edits | - Occasional freezing - Few adjustment options - Not a free app - Limited drawing options |
Pricing:
You can purchase Enlight for $3.99. This price includes all of the Enlight photo editing tools.
13. TouchRetouch
This is the ultimate photography app when it comes to "healing" and "cloning" functionality for your photos. TouchRetouch can efficiently remove dust marks, telephone wires, and virtually any other object or mark that you may not want in your picture. Best of all, this photo app is incredibly easy to use. Simply touch the object or area of your picture that you want to correct with the tip of your finger, and the picture app will immediately start analyzing the picture and determining the best way to smooth out the unwanted portion to create a clear and natural looking image.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Easy to remove unwanted objects - Suitable for novice users - Precise selection tools - One-touch background eraser | - Occasional image distortion - No auto correction settings - Limited range of photo effects - User interface can be confusing |
Price: $1.99
Download TouchRetouch for Android or iOS.
14. Instagram
When over 1 billion people are using it, there has to be something special about it, right? The Instagram photography app started with simple filters and fun photo frames and has quickly transformed into one of the best photo apps that allows you to edit photos and create photo "stories" that can be shared with friends and followers. It fulfills the same social needs as Facebook does. But this free photo editor focuses on sharing your day to day life in the form of photos and seeing what others are sharing on your feed. Instagram also allows for direct messaging with fellow users for private conversations or photo sharing. The ability for a user to put updates in different creative ways like Stories, Live, Text, is fantastic.
The filters Instagram provides for editing photos are intuitive and straightforward. The editing tools are not nearly comprehensive as Snapseed or Afterlight 2. If you are looking for a free photo editing app with essential editing tools, but you place more emphasis on the sharing features and a good community, then this free picture editor is for you.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Variety of photo effects & filters - Visual content drives engagement - Ability to share stories & posts - Great for reaching new audiences | - Ads can be intrusive - Limited customization options - Fewer Features On Web - Algorithm changes affecting reach |
Price: Free
Download Instagram for Android or iOS.
15. FilterStorm Neue
This stunning photo app allows you to accomplish advanced editing tasks on your images. Filterstorm Nue offers advanced and interactive features like adjustments over curves, tone, and levels along with channel mixers. The clone feature of this iPhone photo app is outstanding and lets you remove unwanted objects with ease.
You can also easily apply sharpening, watermarking, noise reduction and clarity effects using this app. The downside is that this paid app only available for iPhones.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Variety of photo effects & filters - Curves, HSL and Tone tools - Comprehensive layer editing - Local adjustments with masks | - Complicated user interface - Expensive subscription plans - Limited sharing options - Slow exports for large files |
Price: $3.99
Download Filterstorm Nue for iOS.
Below are a few more photo apps with built-in editing features for creatives that offer a simple yet powerful option to capture, edit and share photos.
16. Mextures
Mexture is an iPhone photo editing app suitable for adding gradients, textures, light leaks, dust, and grains. This photo editor allows you to create an unlimited number of layers which you can blend later. These layers can also be individually edited for texture, blend mode or rotation. There are over 150 texture presets in the Mexture photo editing app. Along with the 12 blending modes, the possibility for creating something creative are numerous.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Vast array of texture options - Easy to use interface - Ability to layer and blend textures - Customizable presets | - Limited sharing options - No support for brush tool - High price for premium features - Not available on Android devices |
Price: $1.99
Download Mextures for iOS.
Checkout the best video editing apps for iphone
17. Google Photos
Google photos app is built to save and share photos and includes a built-in editing feature. The images are backed automatically and can be accessed from anywhere through any connected device. The benefit of this app is that you can free up space on your mobile. The editing tools can edit the light, color, brightness, and more in this gallery app itself.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Free with generous storage limits - Easy photo and video backup - Simple, easy to use interface - Automatic organization tools | - Poor platform integration - No basic editing tools - Limited advanced features - Very long processing times |
18. Photo Lab Picture Editor
Photo Lab provides one of the vastest collections of stylish and funny photo effects: almost 1000 effects to date. The 40 categories in the app offer awesome face photo montages, photo frames, animated effects, overlays, sketches and paintings, and photo filters that can be applied to your photos in a few taps. Any template can be used on its own or combined with different effects to get an entirely new one (called "Combos"). The photos can be saved to the Gallery, shared to the 'apps' Feed or any messenger or social media. Besides, Photo Lab is a one-tap answer for any problems in your picture. Be it a color correction, background replacement, or just an easy touch-up - the app is there to guide you! There is more to it, but we'll let you explore every corner of Photo Lab on your own.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Easy to use interface - Option to save customized filters - Regularly updated with new features - In-app tutorials and support | - Occasional crashes and glitches - Complicated user interface - Limited sharing options - High price for premium features |
Price: Free with In-App Purchases.
19. Afterlight 2
Afterlight 2 is a picture editor which has an extensive collection of natural filters, and the editing tools are designed with simplicity in mind. These editing tools give you full control of the editing process. Afterlight 2 allows you to import photos in RAW format as well and the export can also be done in HEIC format. A user can create filters using their Fusion feature and save them to give consistency to the editing if required. The photo editing app has advanced tools such as Curves in which you can edit the brightness, color, and contrast of the image, making it the best photo editing apps for iPhone.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Robust editing tools - Wide range of filters and effects - Simple, user friendly interface - Support for raw images | - No sharing feature - Limited free features - Occasional bugs and crashes - High price for premium features |
Price: One-time price of $2.99
Platform: iOS
20. PostBuilder
PostBuilder (formerly known as GramSpacer) allows you to create clean line breaks on Instagram easily and effortlessly. Using PostBuilder, you can create line breaks for Instagram comments, captions, and also in your IG bio. PostBuilder is an easy to use tool for creating clean line breaks for captions + comments on TikTok and Instagram. No matter what photo editing app you use, PostBuilder is a must-have app if you're going to be distributing your photos and videos on Instagram or TikTok.
You can also schedule Instagram stories and posts, use over 60+ custom fonts, and repost Instagram posts with PostBuilder.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Saves time and effort. - AI assistant for content ideas - Offers a variety of content types. - Easy to use and navigate. | - Limited customization options. - No free trial available. - Subscription-based service. - Can be expensive for small businesses. |
Price: Free
You can download PostBuilder for iPhone free.
21. Lens Distortions
Lens distortion is another best photo editing app that is mainly used to add glass textures, natural sunlight, rain, and fog. A photographer has the option to make the effect stand out or blend in by customizing according to their needs. The app also has a paid version, which gives you more than 200 filters to expand the possibilities of getting creative results. A user in this free image editor can add layers and blend multiple effects on the same image.
| PROS | CONS |
| - High-quality, realistic effects - Easy to use and customize - Large variety of effects available - Compatible with multiple software | - Limited free trial option - No collaboration features - Occasional glitches with mobile apps - Expensive subscription plans |
Price: Free and Paid at $0.99 per month
Platform: Android and iOS
22. Superimpose X
As the name suggests, Superimpose X is one of the best photo editing apps mainly used to superimpose photos on to each other. The app has some powerful features like editing in layers, blending modes, masking adjustments, etc. The editing app is suitable for both amateurs as well as professionals. A user while working can switch to other projects in the middle without losing data. Another feature which people look are for background removal; this app perfectly does that. In Superimpose X, you get filters, shadows, blur, gradients, and more features to use in a layer while editing.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Facial recognition feature - Smooth blending of layers - Advanced masking tools - Variety of editing tools | - Complicated learning curve - Occasional bugs and glitches - Limited color correction features - Expensive monthly subscription plans |
Price: $4.99
Platform: iOS and Android
23. PicsArt
With more than 500 million installs, PicsArt can be used in 30 languages. PicsArt is one of the best photo editing apps which has a built-in camera, video editor, collage-maker, clipart library, and more. Some of the powerful features include adding curves, add text, stretch, clone tools, etc. The app is known for its creative remixing features in which you can remix any photo that is free to use, and you can use this feature to edit with your friends. The PicsArt Gold feature gives you thousands of stickers, collages, masks, and frames.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Extensive editing options - User-friendly interface - Large community for sharing - Available on multiple platforms | - Cluttered user interfaces - Occasional bugs and glitches - Limited masking capabilities - Lack of advanced editing features |
Price: Free and Premium version at $55.99 a year.
Platform: Android and iOS
24. SKRWT
Sometimes when a picture is taken, the overall perspective of the image may seem distorted or otherwise visually unappealing. SKRWT offers an easy way to fix distortions by providing several editing features that focus on correcting photo and lens distortion.
For example, iPhones tend to take pictures that show more depth than is natural because of their wide-angle lens.
Simply put the photo into SKRWT, and the "bulging" center of the image can be easily smoothed out to look as if the picture were taken with a non-wide angle lens. SKRWT can also straighten out images where the horizon is off-center with easy-to-use manual manipulation of the app's functions.|
| PROS | CONS |
| - Easy to use interface - Variety of tilt-shift effects - Lens distortion correction tools - Efficient manual cropping feature | - Limited editing features - No filters or effects - Not available for free - May not work on all devices |
Download SKRWT for Android or iOS.
25. Ribbet
What makes Ribbet stand out from all of the other online photo editors? Its collage function. You can create shape collages made up of as many photos as you like and choose their layout based on preset shapes like dog paws, music notes, stars, hearts, and smileys. How fun is that?
Ribbet easily imports photos from direct upload, Facebook, Google, or any website URL. It includes all the basics like cropping, straightening, filters, and text. The blank canvas feature allows you to create your collages or even use the picture editor for design and publishing. You can save your works of art to your local hard drive or sign up for a free account to store them and work on them later.
If you like Ribbet, give Ribbet Fly a try on your iOS devices. The Android version is coming soon.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Comprehensive photo editing tools - Large selection of effects and frames - Variety of sharing options - Easy to use collage feature | - Limited cloud space for free users - Occasional bugs and glitches - Basic editing features only - High subscription prices |
The Best Photo Editing Apps for iPhone and Android
Photo editing is not the only activity where smartphone apps can help photographers. There are a bunch of awesome photo apps that can assist a photographer in making crucial decisions about photoshoots, locations, and even business.
26. Magic Hour
All photographers know about the "golden hour" when the sun is just rising or setting, and the light outside takes on a soft, reddish hue that is unique to these specific time points. This soft light is ideal for photography, and knowing when to hit that time just right can help you snap the perfect photo. Magic Hour focuses on all the information that you need for understanding when the golden hour arrives based on your location, if the weather will be clear enough, and the approximate times of sunrise and sunset for your area.
Furthermore, the app also tracks moonrise and the full moon for those photographers interested in night time photography. You can set up notifications through the app so that you can know when the golden hour (or moonrise) is going to occur, which can be extremely useful if you are busy or otherwise distracted and unable to keep a close eye on the time of day.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Beautiful natural lighting - Dramatic shadows and contrast - Perfect for portraits and landscapes - Creates a unique atmosphere | - Short window of time - Weather conditions can affect lighting - Can be challenging to plan around - Can limit shooting opportunities |
Price: Free
Download Magic Hour for iOS.
27. Dark Skies
Nighttime and night sky photographers will find this night photography app incredibly useful so that they can shoot photos of star formations without having to worry about long star trails. By plugging in the type of camera and focal length of your lens into the Dark Skies app, the picture app will calculate how much exposure you will need to get the best picture. The app also has a "night mode" setting which will decrease the app's light so that you do not lose your night vision when on a shoot.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Comprehensive camera controls - Powerful photo editing tools - Variety of manual adjustments - Compatible with most mobile devices | - Occasional bugs and glitches - Limited export options - High prices for additional features - No built in sharing features |
Price: Free
Download Dark Skies for Android
28. Yr.no
From the Norwegian Meteorological Institute comes this high tech weather app that will reliably keep you up to date on possible precipitation so that you can plan your outdoor photoshoots with confidence. Despite Yr.no's Norwegian construction and foundation, the app is available in full English and covers more than 10 million locations worldwide. Even better, the app's built-in GPS functionality will help you track your location with more accuracy than typing in a region or city name. A photographer can plan outdoor shoot based on the weather, and accuracy is what matters.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Accurate forecasts - Range of interactive visualizations - Free access to radar data - Graphs and detailed mapping | - Limited customization options - Poor graphical design interface - No offline access - Limited map features |
Price: Free
Download Yr.no for Android or iOS.
29. Pocket Light Meter
Before you even consider pulling your camera out, this useful app will allow you to take a quick reading of the light quality in your vicinity so that you can go into your photo shoot with a clear idea of what settings (etc.) that you will need to utilize for the best picture. This app works just as well as a more traditional light meter, but like other photo apps, it can be a part of your smart phone's overall tool chest that fits comfortably in your pocket.
This photography app can also keep a log of light readings so that you can track the different variations of light quality in an area across the course of the day. When you are preparing to go on a photo shoot in that area, you will have a handy log that will work as a quick and easy to use reference guide.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Accurate readings - Variety of exposure settings - Clear graphical interface - Comprehensive feature set | - No cloud storage options - Minor bugs and glitches - Limited manual adjustments - No built in sharing features |
Price: $12.62
Download Pocket Light Meter for iOS.
30. Google Photo Scan
Google Photo Scan is a photo app for scanning old photos with your phone and transfer them to other digital devices. Photo scanners can be complicated or bulky to use and often are expensive. This Google photo scanner app is free and allows you to scan images with your phone.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Automated scan optimization - Clear, high quality scans - Batch scanning options - Records from multiple angles | - No editing capabilities - Poor integration with other apps - Limited cloud storage capacity - Occasional crashes and errors |
Price: Free
Download Google Photo Scan for Android or iOS.
31. Cortex Camera
Night photography apps are the perfect tool for excellent night time photos. The app gives you the ability to shoot in low light and attain clear, captivating images. Cortex Camera also comes with a built-in electronic image stabilization feature that makes tripods unnecessary to achieve a stable image, which is essential for nighttime photo shoots in particular.
To achieve this effect, Cortex Camera takes several photos in a very short amount of time and blends them in the chance that you might have been moving slightly while taking the picture. By averaging out the overall image with its duplicates, Cortex Camera can efficiently create a clear photo with no graininess or artifact.
| PROS | CONS |
| - HDR capabilities - Noise reduction options - Low light photography settings - Auto exposure compensation | - Limited file formats supported - No zoom or manual focus control - Occasional compatibility issues - Expensive compared to other apps |
Price: $3.7
32. Releases
This photography business app is a necessary tool for professional photographers that need quick access to a release form for photoshoots that may involve private property or models. Releases include nearly every industry standard template that you may need, including Snapwire, ASMP, Getty Images, and Shutterstock. Simply pull up the release form that you need, have your client sign with their finger on your smartphone's touchscreen, and then download the PDF file that is automatically generated. Not only will this keep your release forms more organized since you do not have to worry about losing physical forms, but it is a handy tool that can be used anywhere at any time.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Clean and easy-to-use UI - Great editing and retouching tools - Automation features to save time - Cloud storage and backup options | - Limited sharing functions - Can be slow on older devices - Occasional crashing issues - No social media integration |
Price: Free
Download Releases for iOS.
33. Sun Surveyor
This useful app tracks the passage and location of the sun throughout the day so that you can always have a good idea of what your light situation in outdoor photoshoots will look like. Sun Surveyor also comes with a digital sun that will show you in real-time how the sun is moving across the sky and how its light will interact with your surroundings. Always have a clear idea of where the sun will be and plan your photoshoot accordingly to achieve the best lighting results.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Detailed augmented reality overlay - Accurate sun and moon tracking - Easy navigation with interactive maps - Ability to save custom locations | - Occasional inaccurate data readings - Limited range of visual tools - Can be slow on older devices - Expensive compared to other apps |
Price: $8.99
Download Sun Surveyor for Android or iOS.
34. GorillaCam
This photo app is the brainchild of Joby, who is a leading manufacturer of camera accessories. GorillaCam includes several useful and exciting features such as time-lapse capabilities, self-timing photo shooting, and a rapid-fire photo shoot function. So long as your smartphone can take pictures, you can use GorillaCam to snap photos at a faster rate with better overall quality. The time-lapse feature does require that the phone is continuously running and awake to work correctly, which can lead to your phone battery draining at a faster rate. When utilizing this function, make sure that you switch off your phone's auto-sleep function and use whatever battery-saving features you can.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Easy to set up and use - Great stabilization and tracking tools - Professional level camera controls - Detailed timeline editing options | - Limited video format support - Occasional crashing issues - Expensive compared to other apps - Slow on older devices |
Price: Free
35. Sylights
To give you a much-needed helping hand when it comes to setting up lighting for various photoshoot locations, Sylights offers a highly useful and easy to use lighting blueprint diagram function that will allow you to carefully record how you set up a lighting situation for future reproduction. This can be particularly useful if you are working with a repeat client who requests the same lighting scheme as a previous photoshoot. When you are setting up a lighting system for your photoshoot, simply record the setup on Sylight and save the diagram forever. The professional photography app comes with a wide array of different icons that closely represent your equipment for an easy visual reference.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Comprehensive equipment database - Easy to create shoot lists - Clear calendar view of shoots - Great collaboration tools | - Limited 3D modeling features - Limited customer service options - Occasional bugs and crashes - Complex user interface |
Price: Free
Download Sylights for iOS.
36. Hyperfocal DOF
What is Hyperfocal distance?
Hyperfocal distance is that distance which determines the maximum depth of field of the object of your photo and using this equation can help you determine the best distance from which to take a high-quality picture.
For professional and expert photographers, this mathematical equation may be second nature; but if you struggle with determining the ideal hyperfocal distance for your photoshoot, this app can seriously help you out. Once in the app, pick your camera model, set your focal length and the aperture that you are using, and select "Calculate Hyperfocal" for a quick and easy determination of your ideal photo distance. Even a pro can find this app highly useful, especially if he or she is on a time crunch or wants a quick reference before a photoshoot is set to commence.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Easily calculate hyperfocal distance - Comprehensive library of lenses - Variety of viewing angles and frames - Detailed explanations of features | - Occasional bugs and crashes - Limited depth of field options - Expensive compared to other apps - Slow on older devices |
Price: Free
Download Hyperfocal DOF for Android or iOS.
37. WiFi Photo Transfer
This photo transfer app is particularly useful for iPhone users who will find it extremely difficult to pull or otherwise download photos from their smartphone's internal album. WiFi Photo Transfer allows your iPhone and computer or laptop to communicate together over the same WiFi connection and easily transfer photos or photo albums between the two devices.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Easy file transfer and sharing - High speed downloads and uploads - No need for cables or discs - Variety of platforms supported | - Prone to connection errors - Limited data sizes allowed - Occasional bugs and crashes - Compression of transferred files |
Download WiFi Photo Transfer for iOS.
38. VistaCreate
VistaCreate is a design maker that allows users to create animations, videos, posts, ads, banners, logos, cards, and much more visual content. With VistaCreate, anyone can create beautiful and professionally-looking designs for social media, blogs, web, and other purposes quickly and easily. A huge collection of premium photos, illustrations, design objects, animations, and video clips allows users to create awesome designs without spending a lot of time. All templates, photos, and design objects are grouped into thematic categories and can be easily filtered by specific keywords. The coolest thing about VistaCreate is that you can pick any pre-designed template and customize it to fit your personal needs. For those, who have a specific idea on their mind, it’s possible to create a design from scratch by entering uncommon dimensions and uploading their own fonts, images, and videos.
VistaCreate doesn’t require having special skills and is so easy to learn that it takes just a couple of minutes to figure out how to create videos, animations, and graphic designs that look wonderful.
The main VistaCreate advantages are:
- thousands of static and animated templates
- a variety of design formats
- a big library of stock images
- tons of video clips and animations
- a huge amount of design objects
| PROS | CONS |
| - Variety of graphics and templates - Supports multiple platforms - Comprehensive suite of tools - Customize photos with filters | - Limited customizability options - Occasional bugs and crashes - Expensive subscription plans - Lacks font variety and graphics |
Pricing: Free plan. Paid PRO plan, $7.99 per month. Free trial of the PRO plan.
VistaCreate also has mobile apps for Android and iOS.
39. Geotag Photos Pro
If you’re looking for a photography locations app that lets you organize your images and share their locations easily with your friends, family, or co-photographers, then Geotag Photos Pro is the one to install.
Geotag Photos Pro is one of the best geotagging app designed for both Android and iOS smartphones. The simplest way to make it work properly is by going to Accuracy settings and set the Get location by choosing GPS+GSM.
The only downsides of this app are that it isn’t free, and even you’re not actively using it, it may use your location. As a result, it can decrease battery life.
| PROS | CONS |
| - Provides accurate geotagging. - Allows for batch tagging. - Supports various image formats. - Offers customizable export settings. | - Limited Android support - Occasional bugs and crashes - Lacks some advanced features - Expensive subscription plans |
Download Geotag Photos Pro for Android or iOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best photo editing apps for iPhone and Android?
Some of the best photo editing apps for iPhone and Android are VSCO, InstaSize, Movavi Picverse, Google Snapseed, Adobe Lightroom for Mobile, Camera+, Pixlr, Adobe Photoshop Express, Enlight, etc.
What app does everyone use to edit photos?
VSCO and InstaSize are two of the most popular photo editing apps. The complete set of features such as resizing options, filters, retouching tools, and many more are adding more into the ever-increasing fan base of these apps.
What do most photographers use to edit photos?
Professional photographers mostly go for the pro editing apps such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, VSCO, Afterlight, Snapseed, etc. The biggest advantage with pro apps is the freedom to do numerous customizations to a photo.
Conclusion
There are a plethora of photography apps out there that can take your mobile photography to the next level and enable you to use advanced editing tools on the go. Our selection of the best photography apps is an excellent place for you to start exploring the potential of apps to complement your photography and overall business.