Whether you're an aspiring influencer, a professional photographer, or someone who just loves snapping photos on the go, having a powerful photo editing app on your smartphone is a must. In 2025, mobile editing tools have become incredibly advanced—offering everything from AI-powered enhancements to professional-level controls right in your palm.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the best photo editing apps for Android and iOS, including both free and paid options to suit all needs and budgets.
Why Use a Photo Editing App?
While your phone’s default camera app has basic editing options, third-party apps offer much more:
- Advanced filters and presets
- AI-powered retouching
- RAW photo editing
- Background removal and object erasing
- Batch processing
Social media optimized outputs
Let’s dive into the best options for 2025!
📸 Best Free Photo Editing Apps (Android & iOS)
1. Snapseed (By Google)
- Platform: Android & iOS
- Price: Free
- Best For: Precision editing with professional-level tools
Key Features:
- 29+ editing tools and filters
- RAW photo support
- Selective editing with control points
- Healing brush and perspective adjustment
Why We Love It: No ads, no premium tier—just pure photo editing power with a clean interface.
2. PicsArt
- Platform: Android & iOS
- Price: Free (with optional premium)
- Best For: Creative photo collages and social media posts
Key Features:
- AI-generated effects
- Stickers, filters, text overlay
- Collage templates
- Background changer
Why We Love It: Fun and creative—ideal for Instagram lovers and meme creators.
3. Adobe Photoshop Express
- Platform: Android & iOS
- Price: Free (in-app purchases available)
- Best For: Quick, high-quality edits with Adobe’s magic
Key Features:
- Auto-enhance and red-eye fix
- Filters and overlays
- Background blur
- Adobe Creative Cloud sync (for subscribers)
Why We Love It: Offers a great balance of simplicity and quality, even in the free version.
4. Lightroom Mobile (Free Tier)
- Platform: Android & iOS
- Price: Free (premium subscription optional)
- Best For: Color grading and detail tuning
Key Features (Free):
- One-tap presets
- Advanced sliders for light, color, texture
- Crop and rotate tools
- Built-in camera with Pro mode
Why We Love It: A perfect app for those who want more control over color and tone.
5. Polish (Photo Editor Pro)
- Platform: Android only
- Price: Free (with ads & optional premium)
- Best For: Beauty filters and AI retouching
Key Features:
- Real-time beauty effects
- AI object remover
- Filters, stickers, and glitch effects
- Collage maker
Why We Love It: Simple UI and powerful features make this a solid choice for casual users.
💰 Best Paid Photo Editing Apps (Worth the Investment)
6. VSCO (Premium)
- Platform: Android & iOS
- Price: ₹999/year (India) or $19.99/year
- Best For: Aesthetic filters and film-like editing
Premium Features:
- 200+ presets
- HSL editing
- Video editing
- Advanced photo tools
Why We Love It: Popular with Instagram influencers and mobile photographers who love film looks.
7. Afterlight
- Platform: iOS only (Android version discontinued)
- Price: $2.99/month or $17.99/year
- Best For: Layered editing and textures
Key Features:
- Double exposure
- Dust & light leaks
- Curves and selective hue/saturation
Why We Love It: Artistic users will enjoy the layered and experimental tools.
8. TouchRetouch
- Platform: Android & iOS
- Price: ₹99 (one-time purchase)
- Best For: Removing unwanted objects from photos
Key Features:
- Single-tap object removal
- Line removal for wires, poles
- Clone tool for seamless corrections
Why We Love It: Super simple and accurate—perfect for travel photos or removing photobombers.
9. Lightroom Mobile (Premium Tier)
- Platform: Android & iOS
- Price: ₹420/month (India) or part of Adobe Photography Plan
- Best For: Full professional-grade editing
Premium Features:
- RAW editing
- Masking and selective adjustments
- Healing brush
- Cloud backup
Why We Love It: The go-to app for professional mobile editing and workflow syncing with desktop Lightroom.
10. Pixelmator Photo (iOS only)
- Platform: iOS
- Price: $4.99/month or $59.99/lifetime
- Best For: AI-powered editing with machine learning
Key Features:
- ML Enhance (auto-correct using AI)
- Pro-level color tools
- Non-destructive edits
- RAW support
Why We Love It: Combines AI with deep manual control—ideal for serious iPhone photographers.
Choosing the best photo editing app depends on your needs: casual Instagram edits, professional retouching, or artistic experimentation. Free apps like Snapseed and Lightroom offer incredible value, while paid tools like VSCO and TouchRetouch elevate your editing to the next level.
Pro Tip: Combine multiple apps to unlock more creative potential—use TouchRetouch for cleanup, Snapseed for detail, and VSCO for the final look.
Which one is your favorite? Comment below and share your best photo edits with us!
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