In a nutshell
- We’ll show you the best photo editing apps for quick and easy editing on your smartphone — no computer needed.
- With hundreds of apps out there, it’s easy to waste time on ones that overpromise. We’ve done the testing so you can skip straight to what actually works.
- Whether you’re on Android or iPhone, we’ve got picks for both — from free beginner-friendly tools to powerful AI-driven editors.
- Our top free picks: Google Photos for Android and Apple Photos for iOS are seriously capable — and cost nothing.
Get More Out of Your Photos With the Right App
A good photo only becomes truly great with some editing.
Sometimes all it takes is a bit more contrast, a warmer mood, or removing a distracting element — and suddenly the image looks completely different.
The good news: you don’t need expensive software on your computer for that. A good photo editing app on your smartphone is more than enough.
The problem: The App Store has hundreds of apps. Many look great and promise a lot, but deliver little.
That’s why we’re walking you through the best photo editing apps for your smartphone right here — whether you’re on Android or iPhone.
Our Top Photo Apps for Android and iPhone at a Glance
| Snapseed Top Pick | Photoshop Express | Lightroom Mobile | Lumii | Luminar Mobile | Google Photos | Apple Photos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Filters Basic editing No ads | Collages Text tool Social media export | RAW editing Presets Sync with desktop | 100+ filters HDR effects AI features | AI features Simple interface Easy to use | Auto-optimization Cloud backup Gallery function | Easy to use Gallery function iCloud storage |
| iOS / Android | |||||||
| Price | Free with limitations | Free with limitations 10.99 € / month | Free with limitations 4.99 € / month | Free with limitations 3.39 € / month | 3.99 € / week 23.99 € / year | Free | Free |
| App Link | For iOS For Android | For iOS For Android | For iOS For Android | For Android | For iOS For Android | For iOS For Android | For iOS |
Snapseed: Classic Photo App With Pro-Level Features
Snapseed is a true classic — and for good reason. This photo editing app is free, ad-free, and genuinely powerful. You can adjust contrast, optimize colors, or remove distracting elements with the healing tool.
Especially handy: editing on your smartphone is super intuitive. You select tools with a vertical swipe and adjust the intensity with a horizontal swipe.
Minor blemishes like pimples or sensor spots disappear in no time. Snapseed isn’t updated as frequently as it used to be, but it still runs smoothly.
Who is it for? A great choice if you want to edit quickly and easily on the go — with no ads or hidden costs.
- Free and ad-free
- Super easy to use
- Pro-level features
- No direct social media export
- Infrequent updates
Lightroom Mobile: Fine-Tuning for the Demanding User
If you want more than just basic corrections and filters, Lightroom Mobile is your go-to mobile photo editing app.
You can edit your images with real precision: from white balance and perspective corrections to selective adjustments.
We love using this one for quick edits on the go. Any changes you make on your iPhone will sync straight to your PC if you use Lightroom on your computer too — so you can go back and do detailed editing later.
You can also save custom presets and apply them to other photos. Ideal if you want your vacation shots or Instagram feed to have a consistent look.
Who is it for? For hobbyist photographers and ambitious users who want to edit their photos at a higher level and work with RAW files.
- RAW support
- Save custom presets
- Sync with desktop version
- Many pro features only available with a paid subscription
- More complex than simpler apps like Snapseed
Get Lightroom Mobile for Android
Photoshop Express: Fast, Creative & Social-Ready
Want to quickly post a great photo to Instagram? Photoshop Express is your tool.
Beyond basic corrections, the app packs in plenty of filters, collage tools, and text overlays, plus handy retouching features. Smooth a selfie, add text, and post it straight to your Story — it all happens really fast.
Creative collages from your last city trip are done in just a few taps too.
Who is it for? For anyone who wants to get creative without the hassle, especially for social media posts or Stories.
- Easy retouching (e.g. skin, eyes)
- Collages and text tools
- Lots of ready-made looks and filters
- Some specialized retouching options and premium looks only in the paid version
- Less depth than Lightroom Mobile
Get Photoshop Express for Android
Lumii: Filter Power for Android
Lumii is similar to Photoshop Express and is perfect if you want to experiment with filters, effects, and colors without fighting through complicated menus.
You get over 100 filters, including plenty of retro and vintage looks for an analog feel. Bold HDR effects and creative color overlays are just a few taps away too.
The interface is super easy to navigate — you can dive right in with zero prior knowledge.
Heads up: Lumii is currently only available for Android.
Who is it for? Recommended if you enjoy experimenting with creative effects and appreciate simple navigation.
- Wide selection of effects and templates
- Very intuitive to use
- AI-powered optimizations available
- Only available for Android
- Some features only available in the paid Pro version
Also interesting:
Luminar Mobile: AI-Powered Photo Editing
Luminar Mobile takes a completely different approach. Instead of adjusting everything manually, an intelligent AI handles most of the heavy lifting for you.
The app automatically detects a dull sky, for example, and swaps it out for a dramatic sunset — no manual masking required.
Even beyond its features, Luminar Mobile is just fun to use. It’s very clean and runs on a handful of standard swipe gestures.
Portraits get an instant boost with one tap: skin looks smoother, eyes pop more. You can always dial in the intensity of the effects yourself.
It’s the perfect pick when you need results fast but still want them to look polished.
One catch: there’s no free version. You can explore all the features, but you can’t save images without paying. The subscription runs $23.99 per year or $3.99 per month.
Tip: Luminar is also available for PC. Check out our in-depth Luminar review for the full breakdown.
Who is it for? Ideal if you want professional results quickly without spending a lot of time on the technical side. Also great for professional photographers who want to save time while shooting on the go.
- Smart AI features
- Very easy to use
- Professional results in just a few taps
- No free version available.
Get Luminar Mobile for Android
Google Photos: Photo Gallery With a Little Something Extra
Google Photos comes pre-installed on most Android smartphones, but it works just as well on iOS — and it can do a lot more than you might expect.
Beyond automatic backups, you get simple editing tools, AI-powered filters, and the ability to remove distracting objects like strangers in the background.
The auto feature handles light and color corrections surprisingly well, and there are all kinds of other handy tools built in too.
Google Photos also doubles as a convenient gallery. In practice, it saves you from needing a separate app just to manage your images.
Who is it for? Perfect if you want to back up, enhance, and organize your photos all in one place.
- AI tools like object removal
- Free cloud storage (15 GB)
- Easy photo organization
- Advanced features only with a Google One subscription
Apple Photos: The Underrated Default App for iOS
Apple’s built-in Photos app is simple but effective — and very similar to the Google version.
You can optimize images directly, edit portraits after the fact, or blur the background so your subject stands out better.
For quick adjustments, we love Apple Photos because everything is intuitive and fast. Classic Apple.
As soon as you have more complex edits in mind, though, you’ll probably want to reach for one of the more specialized smartphone photo editing apps.
Who is it for? For all iPhone users who want to get started right away without installing anything extra.
- Built directly into iOS
- Fast and intuitive
- Automatic sync with iCloud
- Fewer features than specialized apps
- Limited iCloud storage without a paid subscription
Our Verdict on Photo Apps
Which app is right for you depends — as always — on what you want to do with your photos. The default apps on Android and iOS already offer plenty of features to get you started immediately.
If you want more control or really want to get creative, it’s worth exploring specialized apps like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or Luminar.
Especially exciting: AI tools are getting better all the time and are making photo editing easier than ever. We’re genuinely curious to see where things go from here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Editing Apps
Which app is best for simple photo editing?
Snapseed is our top pick for quick, easy edits. Snapseed is completely free, ad-free, and genuinely easy to use — you can adjust brightness, contrast, and colors without any learning curve.
Are there good free photo editing apps?
Absolutely! Snapseed is completely free and ad-free. Google Photos and Apple Photos also pack in plenty of useful editing tools and come pre-installed on most Android and iOS devices.
Which app is best for Instagram photos?
If you regularly post to Instagram, Photoshop Express (great for creative text overlays and collages) and Lightroom Mobile (ideal for a consistent look thanks to custom presets) are both excellent choices. Lumii is also worth a look — it offers plenty of filters and effects that can spruce up a photo in seconds.
Can I edit RAW files on my smartphone?
Yes! Lightroom Mobile lets you edit RAW files much the same way you would on a computer. Snapseed also supports RAW, though with fewer editing options. Important: not every camera app saves in RAW — you may need to enable it in your settings.
Which photo app has the best filters?
Lumii is the standout here — it offers over 100 filters, from vintage film looks to bold HDR effects. Photoshop Express has a solid selection too. If you prefer subtle, polished looks, Lightroom Mobile and its custom preset system is hard to beat.
Are there AI-powered photo editing apps?
Yes — and it keeps getting more impressive! Luminar Mobile uses AI to automatically enhance photos, including sky replacement and skin retouching. Google Photos also offers clever AI features like automatic optimization that take a lot of the work off your hands. Lightroom is adding more AI-powered tools all the time too.
