Top Smartphone Photo Editing Apps to Enhance Your Pictures
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 8 min read

Contents

  1. Snapseed
  2. VSCOcam
  3. Prisma
  4. Adobe Lightroom Mobile
  5. Afterlight
  6. TouchRetouch
  7. Mextures
  8. Pixlr
  9. Fotor
  10. Photoshop Express

Are you tired of scrolling through your photos and finding them just a tad bit dull? Or perhaps you're looking to spice up your Instagram feed with some creative edits? Well, look no further! With the rise of smartphone photography, a plethora of photo editing apps have emerged to help you elevate your pictures from good to great. And guess what? They're right at your fingertips—ready to transform your snaps into visual masterpieces. In this blog, we'll explore ten of the best smartphone photography editing apps that can enhance your pictures like a pro.

Snapseed

Let's kick things off with Snapseed. Developed by Google, this free app is a go-to for many smartphone photography enthusiasts. It's packed full of features that can cater to both beginners and advanced users alike.

  • Easy to Use: The user interface is clean and intuitive, so you'll get the hang of it in no time. Even if you're just starting out in the world of photo editing, you won't feel overwhelmed.
  • Variety of Tools: Snapseed boasts 29 tools and filters, including Healing, Brush, and Structure. This means you can fine-tune your photos to your heart's content.
  • RAW Develop: This feature allows you to open and tweak RAW DNG files and save them non-destructively or export as JPG. Now, that's a pretty neat trick for a mobile app, don't you think?
  • Selective Filters: Want to enhance a specific area in your photo? The Selective filter is your best friend. It lets you adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of selected areas.

So, if you're searching for a versatile and comprehensive smartphone photography editing app, Snapseed is a solid choice. Whether you're correcting minor flaws or going all out with artistic effects, Snapseed has got you covered.

VSCOcam

Next on our list is VSCOcam, a fan-favorite among smartphone photographers. Known for its stunning filters and sleek interface, VSCOcam can help you create photos that look like they're straight out of a magazine.

  • Stylish Filters: VSCOcam is famous for its wide range of filters that add a professional look to your photos. From moody black and whites to vibrant color palettes, there's a filter for every mood and moment.
  • Editing Tools: Apart from filters, VSCOcam also offers standard editing tools such as Crop, Exposure, Contrast, and Clarity. These tools help you refine your photos to perfection.
  • Community: One unique feature of VSCOcam is its built-in community. Here, you can share your photos, discover new artists, and draw inspiration from a global community of photographers.
  • Journal: This is a space where you can upload your photos, write captions, and tell stories. It's a great way to document your photographic journey and engage with your followers.

VSCOcam is more than just a smartphone photography editing app; it's a platform where you can express your creativity, connect with other photographers, and continue to grow as an artist. So why not give it a whirl and see how it can bring your photos to life?

Prisma

Let's move on to Prisma, an app that stands out in the world of smartphone photography editing apps. It's known for transforming your photos into stunning pieces of art.

  • Artistic Transformations: Prisma allows you to turn your photos into artwork using the styles of famous artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Salvador Dali. It's like having a personal art studio in your pocket!
  • High-Quality Filters: Unlike other apps, Prisma's filters are exceptionally detailed and high-quality. You'll be amazed at how it can transform your photos.
  • Easy to Use: Prisma keeps it simple. Just select a photo, apply an art filter, and watch as your photo is transformed into a piece of art.
  • Share Your Art: After editing, you can easily share your creations on social media. It's a fun way to showcase your photography skills and artistic flair.

Prisma allows you to look at your photos from a new perspective. It's more than just an editing app—it's an artistic tool that brings out the artist in you. So, why not try Prisma and turn your photos into masterpieces?

Adobe Lightroom Mobile

Switching gears, let's discuss Adobe Lightroom Mobile. This is one of the most popular smartphone photography editing apps among professional photographers and hobbyists alike. Why, you ask?

  • Pro-Level Tools: Adobe Lightroom Mobile offers a wide array of tools that give your photos that professional touch. From color correction to exposure adjustments, this app has it all.
  • Organizing and Saving: You can easily organize your photos with Adobe Lightroom Mobile. Plus, it saves your edits separately, ensuring the original photo remains untouched. Handy, huh?
  • Sync Across Devices: With Adobe Lightroom Mobile, you can start editing a photo on your phone and finish on your desktop. This cross-device syncing is a real game-changer for those of us always on the move.
  • Presets: If you're in a hurry or just starting out, Lightroom's presets are there to rescue you. Just one tap and your photos will look professionally edited.

Adobe Lightroom Mobile truly is a heavyweight champion in the realm of smartphone photography editing apps. So, why not give it a go? Who knows, you might find yourself editing like a pro in no time!

Afterlight

Moving on, let's shine a light on Afterlight. This app is a hidden gem in the world of smartphone photography editing apps, and it's about time you discovered it.

  • User-Friendly Interface: Afterlight scores big with its clear, intuitive interface. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to navigate through it, making it a great choice for beginners.
  • Range of Filters: Afterlight boasts a large collection of filters that can transform your photos in a single tap. From classic film to vibrant hues, there's a filter for everyone's taste.
  • Editing Tools: With Afterlight, you can make precise adjustments to the color, exposure, and sharpness of your photos. That means you can turn any average photo into a stunning shot.
  • Textures and Overlays:: Want to add a bit of flair to your images? Afterlight's unique textures and overlays can give your photos a unique and artistic feel.

If you're looking for a no-fuss, effective smartphone photography editing app, Afterlight could be your new best friend. It's all about making your photos shine, and who doesn't want that?

TouchRetouch

Say goodbye to unwanted objects in your photos; TouchRetouch is here to save the day. This extraordinary app is all about refining your images to perfection.

  • Remove Unwanted Elements: With TouchRetouch, you can easily remove photobombers, power lines, or any other distractions from your images. This app lets you keep the focus on what matters.
  • Easy to Use: It's as simple as selecting the object and letting the app do the rest. Yes, you read that right — smartphone photography editing has never been easier!
  • Clone Tool: Need to duplicate a part of your image? The clone tool of TouchRetouch can help you do just that. It’s like having a photo copier right in your pocket!
  • High-Quality Output: Despite its power, TouchRetouch maintains the quality of your photos, ensuring that your edited images look as natural as possible.

Whether you're trying to get rid of a pesky pimple or a photobombing pigeon, TouchRetouch is the superhero of smartphone photography editing apps. It's time to say hello to cleaner, more focused photos.

Mextures

Ever wondered how you can transform your photos into a work of art? Say hello to Mextures—a game-changer among smartphone photography editing apps. This app focuses on enhancing your photos with beautiful, professional-grade textures and effects.

  • Layer Your Effects: Mextures offers an impressive feature— the ability to layer effects. You can stack on multiple textures, gradients, and light leaks, creating a unique blend that's all your own.
  • Custom Formulas: With Mextures, you can save your effect combinations as formulas. It lets you apply the same style to any photo, ensuring a consistent look across your images.
  • An Array of Textures: This app isn't called Mextures for nothing! It offers a wide variety of textures, from gritty and grungy to smooth and silky.
  • Non-Destructive Workflow: Unlike many photo editing apps, Mextures doesn't overwrite your original photo. You can always go back and tweak your edits without losing your original image.

With Mextures in your smartphone photography editing toolkit, your photos will never be the same again. It's time to unleash your creativity and craft images that tell a story.

Pixlr

Are you looking for a simple yet powerful tool to refine your pictures? Look no further than Pixlr, one of the most user-friendly smartphone photography editing apps around.

  • Wide Range of Tools: Pixlr boasts a large selection of editing tools. From cropping and rotating to adjusting brightness and contrast—you'll find everything you need.
  • Stickers and Overlays: Want to add a bit of fun to your photos? Pixlr offers a range of stickers and overlays. Add a burst of confetti, a pair of sunglasses, or even a rainbow. The choice is yours!
  • One-Click Auto Fix: Not sure where to start with editing? Pixlr's one-click auto fix will enhance your photo's lighting and colors in a snap.
  • Collage Creation: With Pixlr, creating a collage is as easy as pie. Simply select your photos, choose a layout, and you're good to go.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, Pixlr has something to offer. Why not give it a spin and see your photos shine?

Fotor

Next up on our list of top smartphone photography editing apps is Fotor. This app is a godsend for those of you looking to enhance your photos quickly and easily.

  • Effect Library: Fotor hosts an impressive library of effects. Whether you want to go vintage, black and white, or add a bit of drama, there's an effect for every mood.
  • Batch Processing: Got a lot of pictures to edit? No problem. With Fotor's batch processing, you can apply the same adjustments to multiple photos at once. This is a real time-saver, trust me.
  • Photo Enhancement: Fotor's photo enhancement tools let you adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, white balance, and saturation. You can fine-tune your photos to look just the way you want them.
  • Design Templates: Beyond photo editing, Fotor also offers a range of design templates. You can create posters, invitations, and social media graphics right from your smartphone.

With Fotor, the power to create stunning photos is right at your fingertips. So why not give it a try and see your pictures come to life?

Photoshop Express

Last, but certainly not least, on our list of top smartphone photography editing apps is Photoshop Express. Yes, you heard it right, the power of Adobe Photoshop is now in your pocket. Here's why it's worth giving a shot.

  • Quick Fixes: Photoshop Express brings rapid-fire photo edits. You can crop, straighten, rotate, flip, and remove red eye in a snap. This is perfect for when you're on the go and need quick edits.
  • Slide Controls: With slide controls for contrast, exposure, and brightness, Photoshop Express allows you to make precise adjustments. This gives you the control to make your photos look exactly how you envision them.
  • Noise Reduction: This feature is a game changer. Photoshop Express can reduce unwanted grain and speckling in your photos. No more grainy night shots, how cool is that?
  • Auto-Fix: For a one-touch adjustment, Photoshop Express offers Auto-Fix. It adjusts the color and lighting to balance your photo. It's like having a pro editor in your pocket!

Photoshop Express is a powerful tool for any smartphone photographer. With its range of features, it lets you take your photos to the next level right from your phone. So why not take it for a spin?

If you enjoyed learning about top smartphone photo editing apps and want to take your smartphone photography skills to the next level, check out the workshop 'Smartphone Photography 101' by Alina Rudya. This workshop will teach you essential tips and techniques to capture stunning images using your smartphone, as well as how to enhance them using the best editing apps.