As phones and technology advance (at breakneck speed it seems sometimes), so does the industry that surrounds it. Phone accessories like cases, headphones, earbuds, mounts, tripods are constantly evolving to meet industry and consumer standards.

Another industry that is in constant evolution is the app industry. App developers are continuously offering updates, upgrades, and also brand new specialty apps to download on our phones. 

Our favorite apps here at KobraTech are phone photo editing apps. We stay up to date with the latest technology and love to try out new apps that are photography-related. 

We’ve put together an updated list of the best phone photo editing apps that are out there today.

What Are Apps

Photo apps are great for removing unwanted objects in photos, repairing small issues, creating effects, and color correcting to name a few of the many things they can do.

Some apps are designed to hone in on a specific photo editing option, while others offer a full range of photo editing tools. For example, some apps are specialized in removing objects in photos and nothing more. 

It’s recommended that you try out a few apps to find the ones that you enjoy working with and that suit your needs. Most apps have free versions that you can download to your phone. Several free apps will have integrated advertising and some may even add a watermark (with their name and logo) to your photos when you export them. Some may limit the features that you can use. Other apps offer a full free trial period. 

It’s not a bad idea to pay for the ones that you feel work best for you. This way, it’s yours with no annoying ads and no watermarks. 

Best Phone Photo Apps

There are hundreds of photo editing apps out there. Some are designed for iPhone users only, others for Android only, and some are created for both. 

This is our narrowed down version of the best phone photo apps available.

Snapseed

Snapseed is one of the most complete free photo editing apps available. It offers a full range of editing features from preset “looks” that are a set of tools to apply in one click, to a full curves editing option to fine tune your photos manually.

• Free
• iOS and Android

VSCO

VSCO is a manual camera app tool with editing features and an online community. It is one of the best apps for applying filters. The app offers a range of pro-looking filters that make your photos look stunning and not overdone. 

• Free
• iOS and Android

Photoshop Express

Photoshop is the go-to software for professional photographers and can take some time to learn. Adobe has pulled out the essential tools from the software to create a user friendly mobile device photo app for phone photo enthusiasts. Photoshop Express contains all the editing tools you need to make your photos the best that they can be.

• Free
• iOS and Android

Lightroom CC

Lightroom is the other professional photo editing software from Adobe. It’s basically all the photo focused tools from photoshop condensed into a photo app. With the Lightroom mobile app you get access to all the pro quality editing tools through easy sliders that let you adjust as much or as little as you want. 

• Free
• iOS and Android

Afterlight 2

Afterlight 2 also offers pro photo editing tools like hue and saturation, white balance correction, exposure, to name a few. This app also offers features like adding frames, texts, and textures. 

• Free
• iOS and Android

Canva

Canva is not really a photo editor like the others on our list, but we feel it’s worth mentioning because it’s a great tool. Canva is an app that lets you create fun visuals like posters, banners, ebooks and more. Add texts, graphics, effects, and more. 

• Free
• iOS and Android

Facetune

Facetune is a specialty app that, as the name suggests, adjusts facial features. It’s the selfie lover’s best friend! It can remove blemishes, whiten teeth, smooth skin, and a lot more. 

• $3.99
• iOS and Android

Touch Retouch

Touch Retouch is also a specialty app that offers tools to remove objects in photos. The app also has a clone tool and an intuitive line remover feature. 

• $1.99
• iOS and Android

Prisma

Prisma doesn’t edit photos like the other apps. It specializes in turning your photos into pieces of art. Want to convert your photos into Picassos or Dalis? This is the app for you. Prisma also features an online community that lets you share your artwork with others.

• Free
• iOS and Android

Enlight Photofox

Photofox is packed with photo editing features that can be compared to Photoshop Express. Plus, you can add graphics and blend photos together. 

• Free limited version
• iOS 

Why Edit Your Phone Photos

The old debate to edit or not to edit is always a hot topic among photo enthusiasts. Some argue that the best photographers don’t have to edit their photos, that it actually is proof of a good photographer. 

Others take advantage of every possible tool they can to improve their photography skills and photos - and that includes using photo editors. This is not new, this debate has been around ever since Photoshop launched in the late 80s. 

We think that the best photos are the ones that are slightly edited and not “overdone”. It’s easy to go overboard on the editing and make our photos look too unnatural. Mostly, use the tools you have and have fun with your phone photography. 

Do you use any of these apps? Do you have any to add to our list? Join us on our Facebook page Shoot Like a Pro with Your Phone and share your ideas and photos with a fun community of like-minded phone photo enthusiasts.