Most of us carry thousands of photos on our phones—snapshots of holidays, pets, nights out, or just random moments. But once they’re taken, those pictures often end up buried in the gallery, untouched and unshared. The right photo editing app can change that, helping you polish images, add creativity, and even rescue shots you thought weren’t worth keeping.
While both Android and iOS provide decent built-in editors (Google Photos and Apple Photos, respectively), there’s a whole world of third-party apps that offer far more creative tools. Whether you’re a casual snapper or someone who wants professional-level control, here are some of the best mobile photo editing apps worth trying.
Pixlr: Quick and Versatile
Pixlr has long been a favorite among photo editors online, and its mobile version continues the tradition. The app offers a wide range of tools, from simple collages for social media posts to advanced adjustments such as sharpening, healing, and selective edits.
For users who enjoy experimenting, Pixlr includes options for adding text, overlays, and stickers. There’s also AI-powered functionality available, though this requires a small subscription fee ($3 per month). For casual use, however, its free features are more than enough to give your photos a professional polish without much effort.
Snapseed: Google’s Hidden Gem
Although most people know Google Photos, far fewer realize that Google also owns Snapseed—a free, feature-packed editor that’s often praised by professionals. The layout is clean and simple, but behind the minimal design sits a surprisingly powerful toolkit.
From curves adjustments and white balance corrections to highlight and shadow controls, Snapseed offers the kind of precision editing you’d expect from desktop software. For quicker results, you can apply one of its many preset filters, with options like Grunge, Vintage, and Retrolux. Because changes appear in real time and tools are swipe-based, even beginners can master it quickly.
Afterlight: Polished and Professional
Afterlight has built a strong reputation among mobile photographers for its balance of power and ease of use. The app includes in-depth adjustment tools—covering everything from exposure and brightness to hue, saturation, and curves—presented in a sleek, intuitive interface.
What makes Afterlight stand out is its collection of stylish filters and presets. With one tap, you can mimic the look of vintage film, polaroid effects, or faded magazine pages. More advanced users will appreciate selective editing features, which allow you to blur or fade specific parts of an image. The Pro version ($4 per month) unlocks the full range of tools and filters, making it a good investment for frequent editors.
Adobe Photoshop: A Classic Goes Mobile
Adobe Photoshop has long been the industry standard for photo editing, and its mobile app brings many of its most-loved features to your phone. With support for layers, brushes, and background replacement, it’s one of the most complete editing packages available on mobile devices.
The app also integrates generative AI, giving you futuristic tools like smart object removal and content-aware fills. While the free version includes plenty of functionality, advanced features require either a standalone subscription (about $7 per month) or an existing Photoshop desktop plan. For anyone already familiar with Photoshop, this mobile version feels like slipping into a smaller, travel-friendly version of a trusted tool.
VSCO: Beloved by Creatives
VSCO (short for Visual Supply Company) is another app that’s earned a loyal following among professionals. Known for its stylish filters and high-quality editing tools, VSCO caters to users who want both quick transformations and detailed control.
In addition to traditional adjustments, the app offers AI-powered presets that can completely change the tone of a photo in one tap. It also supports collages and creative export options, making it a strong all-rounder. A subscription unlocks more filters and editing features, starting at about $2.50 a month—a small price for an app that’s become a go-to in creative circles.
Luminar: All-in-One Editing Companion
Luminar positions itself as a “creative companion,” and it’s easy to see why. Packed with features yet designed to stay user-friendly, the app gives you a vast toolkit without overwhelming you.
Its capabilities include cropping, rotating, adjusting lighting and colors, and even replacing skies or backgrounds. Many effects can be applied with a simple swipe, though you also have fine-grained controls for detailed edits. A premium subscription ($5 per month) unlocks the app’s full potential, but even the free tools are more than enough to bring photos to life.
Choosing the Right App
All of these apps can elevate your mobile photography, but the best choice depends on your goals:
- For free all-round editing: Snapseed is hard to beat.
- For quick creative edits: Pixlr offers fun stickers and text overlays.
- For professional precision: Afterlight and VSCO deliver pro-level control in sleek packages.
- For advanced users: Photoshop and Luminar provide deep editing power with AI enhancements.
Ultimately, the best photo editor is the one that encourages you to revisit your photo library and actually share your memories. Whether you’re fixing the exposure on a vacation shot, experimenting with vintage filters, or creating a quirky collage, these apps make it easy to turn everyday photos into something special.