The best photo editing apps for Android: complete guide, comparison, and editing tips

Did you know that editing photos on your Android phone can transform an ordinary image into a professional photograph? Nowadays, we don't just share images on social networks like Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp; we're also increasingly seeking to stand out and convey creativity in every post. To achieve this, apps for editing photos on Android They have become essential tools, offering a huge variety of features, filters, effects, and creative options suitable for both beginners and advanced photographers.

In this extensive and updated compilation, you will discover The best apps for editing photos on Android, how to get the most out of them, comparisons, recommendations, and editing tricks that will allow you to extract the full potential of your camera and your images.

Why edit your photos with Android apps?

Before diving into the app selection, it's important to understand the advantages of editing images directly on your mobile phone:

Speed and comfort: Forget about transferring files to your computer. All the features are available on your Android, right at your fingertips.
Professional results: With advances in mobile editing, it's possible to achieve professional-quality effects, from artistic filters to advanced facial retouching.
Share instantly: Edit and share in seconds on your favorite social networks without losing quality.
Unlimited creativity: Thanks to artificial intelligence, collages, stickers, and special effects, you can create stunning images in seconds.
Full customization: From manual adjustments for experts to automated tools for beginners, there's an app and feature for every need.

In the following detailed analysis, we present you a updated comparison of the most popular apps, the new features they offer, what stands out about each one, and what type of user they are most recommended for.

The best photo editing apps for Android: list and comparison

The variety of image editors is staggering. Many focus on ease of use, others on professional quality, some prioritize artistic effects, and some are designed exclusively for selfies. Here's a comprehensive look at the essential apps:

PhotoDirector

PhotoDirector is one of the more complete options for professional photo editing from your Android phone. This app integrates both classic adjustment tools (brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, cropping, rotation, etc.) and a wide range of creative tools.

AI-assisted editing: It allows you to remove objects, change backgrounds, enhance portraits, adjust skies, create AI avatars, and automatically apply artistic effects.
Effects and Overlays: Over 400 customizable filters, including HDR, Lomo, retro, art, and selective blur (bokeh) effects.
Collages and templates: Themed collage templates with the ability to adjust the layout of images, frames, and stickers.
Beautification tools Facial: Teeth whitening, dark circle removal, skin smoothing, virtual makeup, body contour adjustment...
Layer editing: Add and manage layers for complex compositions.
Exported and shared: Share directly on social media or save in high quality.

PhotoDirector stands out for its Intuitive interface, variety of effects, constantly updated filters, and free and premium featuresPlus, you get frequent updates with new features and templates from your own in-app store.

Snapseed

Developed by Google, Snapseed is a favorite among advanced users and professionals for Its powerful tools and simple yet deep interface. Supports RAW editing and offers advanced features:

Precise controls: Adjust exposure, contrast, structure, saturation, curves, white balance and perspective.
Brushes and selective: Allows you to apply adjustments only to specific areas of the image.
Advanced filters: Drama, film grain, vintage, noir, blur, glamour, etc.
Saving custom styles: Mimics batch editing by copying settings between photos.
No additional cost and no watermark.

It's ideal for those seeking the greatest possible control and top-quality results, as well as the ability to process RAW images, something highly valued by photographers. Learn more about Snapseed here.

Adobe Lightroom

Lightroom for Android adapts many of the features of the professional desktop version. It allows edit RAW photos and export in high quality, making it perfect for photographers (professional or advanced amateurs).

Selective settings: Control of light, contrast, exposure, shadows, whites, blacks, clarity, texture, etc.
Professional color correction: Adjust hue, saturation and luminance in each color channel.
Profiles and presets: Allows you to install and create your own presets to edit multiple photos with the same style.
Cloud synchronization: Share and adjust your photos across different devices in sync.
Crop and geometry tools: Correct perspective, straighten, distort, etc.

Lightroom has a very powerful free version, although some advanced features require a premium subscription. You can also learn more about its functions here..

VSCO

VSCO is famous for the quality of its filters, inspired by analog films and its creative community. In addition to editing photos, it allows you to share them with its own network of photographers and creators.

Stylized filters: Dozens of high-quality filters; most are paid in the Pro version, but the free version includes several very popular ones.
Manual settings: Brightness, contrast, white balance, saturation, hue, tint, etc.
Video editing tools (in Pro).
Community: Share your creations with other users, follow artists, be inspired, and get feedback.

Recommended for those looking for artistic effects and Instagram trends, as well as for sharing and discovering photography inspiration. More info at this link.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Adobe Photoshop, the world leader in photo retouching, offers in Express a mobile version designed for fast and powerful editions. Includes very complete functions:

One-tap filters and effects: Dozens of filters to apply on the fly.
Automatic corrections: Automatically retouch brightness, contrast, crop, remove red eye, and smooth skin.
Collage Tools: Create compositions with multiple images and adjust frames and backgrounds.
Noise reduction and clarity: Improve photos taken in low light or with a low-quality camera.
Integration with Google Photos and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Photoshop Express is perfect for those who want quick touch-ups and good quality, ideal for social networks.

Photo Editor Collage Maker

This app has become very popular among those looking for edit photos easily and create eye-catching compositions:

Instagram-like filters: Give your photos a professional or fun touch effortlessly.
Custom collages: Combine several photos into a single image, with frames in original shapes (circles, hearts, stars, etc.)
Stickers and stickers: Add themed stickers, emojis, and text with different fonts and styles.
All free and very easy to use.

Ideal for those looking for original compositions, frames, and striking visual effects for their social media.

Toolwiz Photos

Probably one of the more complete and versatile editors for Android. It stands out for its range of functions, both basic and advanced:

More than 200 tools: Facial retouching, digital makeup, auto beauty, red-eye correction, curves adjustment, overlays, digital art, double exposure, etc.
High-quality filters and artistic effects.
Automatic tools: Smart adjustment to improve photos without technical knowledge.
Editing and creating memes.

It's an ideal app for both advanced users and those looking for an all-in-one editor. More free editing options here.

Pixlr

Stands out for its usability and versatility, in addition to being completely free, it allows you to create everything from quick edits to complex artistic compositions.

Intuitive tools: Brushes for selective adjustments, color and light corrections, filters, and creative effects.
Simple collages: Templates and frames to easily merge multiple photos.
Supports high-resolution images.

Pixlr is recommended for those looking for an efficient, fast, and hassle-free app with attractive results.

PicsArt

Much more than an editor, PicsArt is a complete creative suite which combines photo editing, stickers, filters, animated effects and an integrated social network.

Creating stickers and memes: Design your own stickers and share them.
Advanced editing tools: Includes double exposure, animation effects, text editor, backgrounds and artistic frames.
Collages and templates for social media.
Possibility of editing several images simultaneously.

It's perfect for those seeking maximum creativity and wanting to participate in viral challenges and trends.

B612

The favorite option for selfie lovers. B612 has specialized in Augmented Reality (AR) filters and effects:

AR filters for face and body: Change facial features, hair color, add virtual makeup, nail polish, etc.
High quality integrated camera.
Object erasing and advanced editing tools.
Modern and intuitive interface.

If you're looking to transform your selfies in a fun and creative way, B612 is a must-have.

Google Photos

It needs no introduction: it comes already installed on most Android phones and offers basic but very effective edition. Allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, white balance, crop, rotate, apply filters, and create simple collages. Ideal for users who want quick results and don't want to install additional apps.

After focus

This app allows simulate background blur (bokeh effect) even if your camera doesn't have portrait mode. Select which part of the image you want to keep in focus, and the rest will appear blurred with professional quality.

Polarr

Polarr is a lesser-known but very powerful alternative, with spectacular filters and advanced editing for those seeking maximum customization and speed. It offers a free version and a pro version with exclusive effects.

Aviary

Veteran but still relevant app, it stands out for its automatic and creative tools for quick touch-ups, adding stickers, text, filters, and artistic effects. Most advanced effects packs are paid, but the base app is free.

Fotor Photo Effect Studio

Highly valued by those who seek simple but powerful editionsIt allows for automatic retouching, the addition of Instagram-style effects and stickers, and the ability to work with scenes and backlighting. It also includes paid templates.

PhotoEditor Pro

Created by the company InShot, PhotoEditor Pro It offers an attractive interface, over 100 free filters, lighting effects, face and body retouching tools, cartoon effects, and easy export for social media. It's a great option for those looking for stunning results without the hassle.

piccollag to

Specialized in collages, piccollag to It offers tons of customizable templates, designs, shapes, and frames. It's perfect for combining multiple photos into a fun and original composition, with regular seasonal updates.

BeFunky

It combines ease of use with powerful AI-assisted editing tools. It allows you to remove backgrounds, create digital oil paintings, create social media templates, and easily retouch portraits. Highly recommended for users looking for quick effects and creative templates.

Facetune

Essential app for selfies and portraits, Facetune It focuses all its features on facial beautification: skin smoothing, virtual makeup, eye/hair color changes, facial and body sculpting, plus light filters and overlays. All its features are free for a trial period.

Prisma

It stands out for its ability to turn photos into paintings with artistic styles inspired by classic techniques and famous artists. It features hundreds of styles, frames, and one-touch background changes. Very popular among digital art lovers.

Werble

Ideal for create GIFs and animated effects in your portraits, with a huge variety of animations and visual effects. It allows you to share directly on social media and is perfect for bringing images to life.

Canva

Huge popularity for its collage templates, ease of use, and design possibilities for all types of Instagram posts, stories, and publications. It includes filters, stickers, and effects to customize every last detail.

Airbrush

A benchmark in facial and body retouching with natural results, AirBrush offers teeth whitening, blemish removal, virtual makeup tools, and hundreds of filters. It updates its effects frequently and allows you to directly share edited images.

Vivid Glam

Known for its beauty camera and easy editing, Vivid Glam provides special effects for face and body, blemish removal, and filters for photos and videos. It features an intuitive interface and is ideal for those who want professional results in just a few steps.

PowerDirector (for video)

If you're looking to edit videos as easily as your photos, PowerDirector is the perfect choice thanks to:

Editing with artificial intelligence: Automatic object/people cropping, pixelation, animation effects, and AI avatars.
Templates for YouTube, TikTok, Reels…
Copyright-free music library.

CapCut

specially designed for content creators and TikTokersCapCut allows for easy video editing, animation effects, automatic subtitles, smart cropping, and fun templates.

photoleap

It stands out for its AI-generated creative filters, artistic portraits, and modern design templates. Ideal for those looking for different effects in just a few steps; many features are available in the Pro version.

Afterlight

apps with minimalist interface, powerful for basic adjustments, with undo-redo functionality and artistic effects like double exposure and light overlays.

piZap

Perfect for create memes and viral posts, piZap includes thousands of fonts, stickers, meme-specific templates, and animations, perfect for social media.

How to choose the best editing app for you

With so many options, here are some Key tips for choosing your photo editor on Android:

Define your goal: Professional retouching? Selfies? Creative filters? Collages for social media?
Compare functions: Check if it supports RAW editing, facial beautification, object removal, layer editing, etc.
Try several apps: Most offer a free version with the option to pay only for advanced features if you need them.
Rate the ease of use: If you're a beginner, look for intuitive apps like Pixlr, Photo Editor Pro, or Adobe Express. If you're experienced, try Snapseed, Lightroom, or Polarr.
Check compatibility: Although all of the apps on this list are for Android, many also exist on iOS, ideal if you have more than one device.

Tutorials, tricks, and advanced editing features

Editing photos doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some of the Top rated features and tricks in the best apps:

Turn your photos into cartoons or sketches (AI)

With PhotoDirector, PicsArt, and Prisma, you can transform a portrait into a cartoon or a work of art thanks to artificial intelligence. Simply select the "cartoon" feature, choose your style, and let the AI process the image.

Face and body touch-ups

Apps like AirBrush, FaceTune, and YouCam Perfect allow you to smooth your skin, eliminate acne and dark circles, correct imperfections, shape your figure, enlarge your eyes, or whiten your teeth in seconds.

Remove unwanted objects

Using the “delete” or “clone” tools available in PhotoDirector, Toolwiz, Snapseed, or PicsArt, highlight the object you want to erase, and the app will intelligently fill in the background.

Background blur and bokeh effect

With After Focus, Snapseed, B612, and more, select your main subject and adjust the blur for DSLR-worthy portraits.

Apply vintage, cinema, HDR filters

VSCO, Polarr, Fotor, and Lightroom are known for their collections of filters inspired by analog cinema, vintage films, realistic HDR effects, and professional color LUTs.

Create creative collages

Photo Editor Collage Maker, PicCollage or Canva put at your fingertips original and customizable templates to create themed collages for social media, birthdays, holidays, etc.

Edit RAW photos

If you use your phone for advanced photography, Lightroom, Snapseed, and PhotoDirector all support RAW image development, allowing you to fine-tune every setting with maximum precision.

Save styles and batch edit

Apps like Snapseed and Lightroom allow you to save your own adjustments and apply them to dozens of photos in seconds, saving time and ensuring visual consistency across all your posts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Editing Apps on Android

What is the best app for editing photos on Android?: PhotoDirector tops many lists for its balance of professional features, creative effects, and ease of use; it also seamlessly switches between manual and automatic editing with AI. Lightroom, Snapseed, VSCO, and PicsArt also stand out depending on your needs.
Can I edit RAW photos on my phone?: Yes, Snapseed and Adobe Lightroom support RAW file editing, allowing you to take full advantage of the quality of your digital camera.
Is it safe to edit my photos with these apps?: Yes, as long as you download from Google Play or official stores. Many apps offer complete control over your data and photos, although it's a good idea to check the permissions requested.
Which app is best for making collages and templates for social media?: Canva, PicCollage, and Photo Editor Collage Maker excel in this area, with professional templates and easy handling.
Do paid apps offer many advantages over free ones?: The free versions cover most needs, but the paid versions unlock professional features, ad removal, and early access to exclusive effects.

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