The best phone apps for editing photos
A guide to the most useful mobile editing apps, from free quick fixes to advanced RAW editing and retouching.
Mobile editing apps range from simple filters to full professional tools. These are the most useful.
Lightroom Mobile
RAW editing, AI masks, healing, presets and cloud sync with desktop. The most complete option for serious photographers.
Snapseed
Free and powerful. Selective adjustments, healing, perspective correction and curves. Great for quick, precise edits.
VSCO
Film-inspired presets and a clean interface. Popular for consistent social media aesthetics.
Photoshop Express and Adobe Express
Object removal, background removal and quick templates for posts.
Facetune and similar apps
Retouching tools for portraits. Use with restraint to avoid unnatural results.
Darkroom (iOS)
Elegant RAW editing with curves and color tools, plus video editing.
Built-in editors
iOS and Android photo apps include solid adjustments for exposure, color and cropping.
Choose one and learn it
Mastering one app produces better results than jumping between many.
Next: Real estate photos with a phone: tips for agents and owners
