Ready to edit on the go? I will take you through the best photo editing apps for your smartphone! They will make a real difference when shooting creatively. Plus, I’ll also recommend a range of photo apps that are useful for planning your photo shoots…

With 15 years spent in the magazine industry working as an editor for various magazines and as a professional photographer and videographer, specialising in landscape and automotive imagery I use a range of smartphone apps to aid me on shoots and edit on the go. But as smartphone app stores are awash with photo editing apps, I know it can be a real headache to find the ones that are worth downloading.

Photography apps can be powerful tools, enabling you to make the most out of your images whether captured on your smartphone or transferred from your camera to your device via Bluetooth. But how do these mobile photo editing apps compare with the feature-packed desktop versions?

I’ve tried and tested every app on this list, and regularly update it to ensure that the recommended iOS and Android apps do as they’re supposed to.

However, there is no point clogging up your smartphone with apps that just don’t cut it. I have rounded up the best photo editing apps that are worth adding to your phone. Some on this list will unlock the door to creative editing, whilst others will help you capture images in a new and fun way. All are worth hitting the download button for…

Best Photo Editing Apps for your smartphone:

Photoshop Express

  • Free to download from www.adobe.com, but premium features require a Creative Cloud Subscription
  • Available for both Android and iOS

With “Photoshop” in its name, it comes as no surprise that this photo editor has it all. Features include layer editing, core exposure and colour adjustments as well as healing. However, if you want to ramp up the editing then Photoshop Express has you covered with advanced technology such as Auto Object Selection and Face Contouring.

That said, I liked all the advanced tech, but there are also more fun features too, with an emphasis on creating tools for social media use. From text and graphics to easy-to-use collage tools, so you can merge multiple images together.

There are also hundreds of effects and themes to choose from if you are looking for an express edit.

One further set of noteworthy features is Quick Actions, where complex jobs can be completed in one click. Jobs such as adding Denoise to a grainy image, Smoothing out skin or even adding digital make-up to our subject. Almost all of Photoshop’s power, compressed into a smartphone app – Amazing!

Pros:

  • Good all-rounder
  • Lots of features
  • Based on desktop software
  • Works with other Adobe apps

Cons:

  • Premium features require a subscription
photoshop express best smartphone photography apps

Photoshop Lightroom

  • Free to download from www.adobe.com, but premium features require a Creative Cloud Subscription
  • Available for both Android and iOS

Photographers know what Lightroom can do and how it works, so the smartphone version will be instantly familiar to those who have used the software on a desktop. The combination of one-click Presets and easy-to-use sliders makes this a great editing app for photographers who need to quickly edit images on the go.

I dug a little deeper and was able to access more advanced features such as being able to quickly remove Chromatic Aberration or enable Lens Corrections. This is particularly useful if you want to correct the effect of wide-angle lenses.

Remember, you can edit RAWs as well as JPEGs and there are also plenty of sharing options available, such as the ability to choose the file type you export the image as (JPEG, TIFF, DNG) or the option of uploading straight onto your social media channels such as Facebook or Instagram.

Photoshop Lightroom is available for Android and iOS, you can also further edit your images in Photoshop Express.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Quick presets
  • Raw and JPEG editing

Cons:

  • Premium features require a subscription
lightroom smartphone photography apps

Snapseed

Whisper it quietly, but Snapseed (now owned by Google) has actually been around for over a decade. Think of it as a one-stop-shop for editing your images because this app really does have it all.

Available for both Android and iOS, Snapseed tools range from basic exposure/colour adjustments to more advanced HDR and Mono conversion features. The Head Pose option offers a Liquify-style solution to change the direction of gazes in your portraits while the Selective options will allow for precise adjustments to both JPEG and RAW files.

Perspectives can be altered and distractions can be quickly banished with the Healing tool option. For those feeling more creative, Double Exposures can be created in seconds, and vignettes and borders can be accessed to add the final touches to your images.

With the latest update edited photos are saved in the gallery next to the original images, instead of a new folder. This makes locating your edits a little complicated.

Photos can be exported as new files or you can overwrite your original photo to save space on your smartphone. I think you’ll struggle to find a better free photo app, full stop.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Feature packed, advanced presets
  • Precise adjustments
  • RAW editing
  • Ad-free

Cons:

  • Photos are saved next to originals
  • Can be too complicated for an absolute beginner
snapseeed smartphone app

Read our guide to editing photos in Snapseed, or have a look at how to edit black and white photos in Snapseed.


Instagram

Yes, Instagram has lost its way a little over the years, and now there’s a shift on the platform towards Reels and adverts. That said, I simply can’t deny the ‘Grams’ power for getting your photos in front of a massive audience. The simple-to-use filter function does allow for a big change and very stylised effects, but obviously, there are more advanced features to correct exposure, enhance colours and ramp up contrast.

Detail can be improved via Structure and Sharpening sliders and finishing touches such as vignettes can be added. Of course, it’s worth remembering that Instagram is also a great app for inspiration too.

I particularly like the facility, when off to a landscape location, to view what other photographers have captured at the scene. Tap in #LocationName and you can explore compositional options before you even reach the place. Yes, this app is used by far too many for silly selfies, but at its heart, it’s a fantastic photography resource.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Easy to use
  • Inspirational
  • Instant sharing

Cons:

  • Lack of advanced features
instagram is one of the best smartphone photography apps

Google Photos

It’s no surprise that Google Photos is a thoroughly comprehensive photo app. Essentially, you get 15GB of storage for free, more if you pay. I like to think of the app as a home for your photos as there are also a lot of options for storing and quickly finding your imagery.

That’s not to say that the app neglects the editing features. Photos can be quickly enhanced with a high degree of precision. Thanks to sliders that allow you to increase or decrease values such as Saturation, Exposure, Highlights and more. If you have a Google Pixel smartphone, you also benefit from a range of additional features, such as Magic Eraser, allowing removal of unwanted objects from your photos.

There are additional ‘wizzard’ style features such as Auto Enhance Lighting which work well and will save you a fair amount of time. Lastly, the app makes it very easy to complete the job and forward on edited images to contacts in your phone, which will appeal to those working in creative teams.

Google Photos often comes pre-installed to Android phones but it is also available to download from Google Play. For iPad and iOS users it can be downloaded from the Apple App Store.

Pros:

  • Free
  • 15 GB storage
  • Ad free interface

Cons:

  • No step-by-step undo when editing
  • No blemish or red eye removal tools
google photos bird identification

Lensa – AI photo editor

This photo editing app is available for iOS and Android, and is known for creating amazing looking avatars (profile pictures) which it calls “Magic Avatars“, and you’ll have probably seen them on social media. You can even make avatars for you, your dog or cat!

However, it can also be used for a number of other cool effects, and photo edits, including Magic Retouch – for portrait enhancement, with one touch. You can use it to separate your subject and background, as well as carry out all the other photo edits (like brightness, contrast, saturation) as expected.

Lensa app in use, on Android

Lensa app in use, on Android. Image JW/AP

When I was loading it for the first time, it recommended a free trial and purchasing the app. However, this can be skipped so that you can try the app for free. In use, the app is easy to use, with no account needed, and you simply import your favourite images to start editing. It can seem a little slow at times, but this may vary depending on your phone and internet speeds.

To use the main AI features like Magic Avatars will cost money, which is a real shame, as you can’t just try this feature out without payment.

For general editing, it does have some really useful features, like being able to adjust the exposure in the sky separately from the foreground. The foreground and background can also be adjusted separately for people and other subjects like pets. As mentioned the usual adjust saturation, sharpness and general editing options are available, but it’s the Effects and Art Styles that can really make your images stand out, with lots of different options available.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • No account needed
  • Many editing features

Cons:

  • Some advanced features require a paid subscription

Pixlr

Available for iOS and Android, (and Windows), this free app is packed with easy-to-use features that can completely transform a photo and allow you to add a creative stamp on the frame. From the more conventional exposure and colour adjustments. Pixlr also offers a highly effective Autofix option, which does a great job at enhancing the image and even balancing the exposure of skies in landscape scenes.

There’s also a camera function that adds ‘Picture Style’ filters so I was able to get an idea of how my final image will look. The Collage feature showcases multiple images at the same time. One of the coolest features Pixlr offers however is the huge range of creative borders that can be added around the frame with just one click. From grungy looks to modern and clean borders – there is something for everyone.

Another advantage is that I didn’t have to create an account to use this app, after downloading it was ready to go.

Pros:

  • Free
  • No account needed
  • Autofix option
  • Easy-to-use features

Cons:

  • Advertising in the free version

pixlr gallery smartphone app

Best for the vintage film look: 1998 Cam

1998 Cam is, as the title suggests, designed to give you the look of a camera from 1998. In 1998, disposable film cameras were popular, and with this app, you can re-create that retro, nostalgic look without the expense of having to use a film camera.

This app lets you edit your existing photos, or take new photos with it. You’ve got a variety of film choices including all the favourites from Kodak, Fujifilm and more. Plus you can add that all important film grain, and even light leaks. It works with still photos and video too.

If you are inspired to give your photos a vintage look, read our guide on how to get the film look.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Beautiful retro effects
  • Video and stills editing
  • Simple and intuitive

Cons:

  • Limited control in editing
  • Advertising in the free version
1998 Cam - screenshot: Joshua Waller

1998 Cam – screenshot: Joshua Waller


500px

Smartphone photography apps don’t always need to help you capture or edit images. Sometimes their job is just to provide inspiration. In this area, apps don’t come better than 500px. 500px has been around for over a decade and is the go-to place to scout out locations, research different portrait lighting techniques or just to be surprised and inspired by all the amazing imagery on the app.

Dig a little deeper though and you’ll also discover that there are plenty of resources on there for photographers. Although some need to be paid for, others are free. For example, there are videos on ‘how to build a photo set on a budget’ or ‘how to shoot fine art at home’. You can also drill down further and refine your search by typing in keywords or you can take in one of the curated galleries from the 500px staff.

500px is available for both Android and iOS.

Pros:

  • Find inspiration
  • Learn techniques and get advice

Cons:

  • Some features require a subscription
  • Likes – similarity to Instagram
500px portfolio

Highest rated: Photo Editor Pro (by InShot Inc)

Now available for iOS too not just for Android users, Photo Editor Pro has some of the best reviews on the Google Play store and is a great option if you’re looking to edit photos and create collages on your phone. It’s easy to use, with lots of great examples, and has the ability to correct skin blemishes, give images a warmer look, remove backgrounds, or even produce an AI cartoon version of your subject.

Cropping tools come with a number of presets for major social media sites, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Pinterest, so you know you’ve got the right settings for each one.

You’ll find a whole range of cool filters, including RGB Glitch, and more. In fact there’s so much packed into this photo editing app that we’d be here all day if we went into every feature available. Needless to say, it’s really comprehensive, and worthy of the high rating it has.

There are a range of templates available, great if you want to create something quickly, and the collages feature is so quick and easy to use. Some of the more advanced features, such as ToonTap, are actually adverts, and take you to other software from the same company, but apart from this, it’s difficult to find anything to complain about.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Great for collages
  • Integrated cropping ratios for social media
  • Wide range of filters

Cons:

  • Includes adverts
  • Advanced features take you to other app
Photo Editor Pro (Polish), photo Glitch effect, photo Joshua Waller

INSTAX UP!

When Fujifilm announced the Instax Mini 12 instant camera earlier this year, they also released their smartphone app Instax Up!, which is available to download for both Android and iOS devices. The app has been designed for instant photographers who want to quickly digitally scan and store their photos. The time and place a photo was taken can be added, as well as tags that can be used to organise your collection of images.

There are several basic editing options available, and you can adjust the photo’s contrast, brightness, saturation, and colour temperature. There’s also an option to share photos through messaging apps or posting directly to social media like Instagram and Twitter.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Scan and store your photos
  • Time and place can be added
  • Sharing to social media

Cons:

  • Limited editing options
Best photo apps and photography apps for phones INSTAX UP!

Screenshot of INSTAX UP! app. Credit: Isabella Ruffatti.


Colorize

If you are curious how your old family photo album would look in full colour, this app transforms black and white and grayscale images into colourful photographs. Scan your B&W photo or upload one from your camera roll and with one tap the app automatically adds colour to your photo.

colorize app

Colorize App

You can try out the app for free and colourize a few images but for unlimited use, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan that offers unlimited black and white colourization, unlimited saving and sharing also photo backup and access on other devices and online

Available via App Store for iOS and Google Store for Android.

Pros:

  • Automatic colouring
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Unlimited use requires a paid plan

Other useful Photo apps for your phone:

Google PhotoScan

Available for both Android and iOS devices, this app is designed to make it possible to scan photos using your smartphone without the need for any additional software. The photo app will cleverly merge a number of photos, meaning that it can remove reflections and glare, for example when using the flash on your smartphone, or from other light sources.

If you need to quickly get a printed photo into digital form, then this is a great way of taking advantage of your smartphone, and using free software. If you wanted to move up to higher quality scans, then have a look at our guide to photographing film photos at home with a camera.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Quickly scan prints
  • Merge photo option

Cons:

  • Low resolution scans (1500 × 2000)
Google Photo Scan App for scanning printed photos

Google Photo Scan App for scanning printed photos.


PhotoPills

Paid-for apps need to offer a huge amount of value to compete with the free alternatives. But Photopills really does deserve a place on your home screen. A must-have app for landscape and astrophotographers, the comprehensive app will help you plan and shoot your shots and it works like this. A map feature lets you pinpoint a location with great accuracy. Then, it will display both the direction of light throughout the day and also the times of golden hours or moonlight.

That’s not all though, because there’s also an exposure calculator with a feature to factor in an ND filter (and change the strength of the filter) so you can capture balanced exposures. Add in a Depth Of Field table, Hyperfocal table, a Star Trail feature and an amazing Night Augmented Reality feature and you’ll soon realise why this is one of the most highly regarded apps out there. If you shoot any photos outdoors, you must download this app. Photo Pills is available for both Android and iOS.

Pros:

  • Feature packed
  • Works offline
  • Location data
  • Direction of light
  • Golden hour and moonlight
  • Exposure calculator
  • Astro photography must have

Cons:

  • Paid
  • No desktop app
  • Requires learning
photopills smartphone app

SkyView Lite

Free: GooglePlay / Apple App Store

Want to shoot some astrophotography but feeling a little lost? The free version of SkyView will help you find your bearings, as this clever app works with your phone’s camera and augmented reality technology to help you line up celestial targets that you can then choose to shoot with your phone or to swap in your DSLR and shoot with that instead.

SkyView Lite is available to download for Android and iOS.

Basically, this app takes all the guesswork out of astrophotography and I found the app to be hugely accurate. For a total investment of absolutely nothing, every photographer should be downloading this app; even if you only use it for the search function alongside using your camera, it’s an excellent piece of technology.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Easy to use
  • Useful facts

Cons:

  • Augmented reality screen is too static
skyview lite smartphone app editing

Light Mate

Smartphone apps can even come in handy for those shooting film. Even though available for iOS only Light Mate is a highly useful app that can be downloaded completely free. With variables such as shutter speed, aperture and ISO, you can dial in your settings, point your phone at a subject and the camera will read the light levels and suggest the appropriate exposure information.

It works with both the front and back camera on your smartphone (assuming your device has both). It could save you a fair amount of money on over or underexposing frames on pricey film. The whole app only measures 6MB in size so is definitely one to keep on your phone just in case and that won’t eat up the storage on your device.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Accurate
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • iOS only
lightmate app for exposure and shutter speeds

Lee Filters – Stopper Exposure

If you use Lee Filters out in the field then this app is a must-have that will take all the guesswork out of using the brand’s filters. All you have to do is select between the Little Stopper (6-stops), Big Stopper (10-stops) and Super Stopper (15-stops). Then, dial in what would be the balanced shutter speed without a ND filter.

The app will immediately display the recalculated shutter to use once you’ve swapped in the ND filter so you don’t have to mess about with trial and error. Better still, once you’ve dialled in the settings, the app even has a timer function. So, if you are using the Bulb function on your camera, you simply start the timer and end the exposure once it’s finished – easy!

Lee Filters – Stopper Exposure is available for both Android and iOS

Pros:

  • Free
  • Accurate and quick
  • Timer function

Cons:

  • missing 1/3 stop and 1/2 stop measurements
lee filters smartphone app

Other smartphone photography apps to try: ProCam X, Filca, VSCO Cam, and Prisma Art Effect Photo Editor.

Featured image credit: Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash 


Read our latest smartphone reviews, plus have a look at the best camera phones for photography.

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