Blog
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25 Best Apps & Software for Photo Editing
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25th August 2022
- Posted byNitin Kaku
No matter how good of a photographer you might be, there’s never a thing like a perfect photograph.
Every time you click a picture, the only thing that pops into your head is - “This can be better”, and there you are clicking numerous photos, choosing the best one, and then editing even the best out of them.
So, here we are with a list of the best apps & software for photo editing to fulfill your photo editing cravings. No matter, if you want just to cover a few blemishes for your next profile picture or design an ad for your client, we’ve got you covered.
Things to look out for in an app or software
1.Interface :
The interface mostly makes the app. The interface of any app or software should be easy to use and rather self-explanatory. Make sure that the app or the software is easy to use and isn’t much complex.
2.Use:
Another thing to be kept in mind is the utility of the app i.e. what do you need the tool for. If you just need to make some minor changes and adjustments then an app will do. If the changes to be made are significant then make sure that you look out for desktop software.
3.Frequency of usage:
If you want to use the app just for a few minor changes for your personal social media uploads then it doesn’t make sense to buy a premium version of the software. Although, if you need the tools for editing your photos for professional use such as for your business then make sure that you have most of the tools in your hands.
Best Photo Editing Apps
1. Photoshop Express
While the Adobe brand name makes it one of the most sought-after apps to use to edit photos on your phone there are some minor issues that make users give this app a break.
The Adobe quality stays with the app with edits like cropping your image, reducing red-eye, making color corrections, changing ratios, creating borders and overlays, etc.
You’ve to register yourself before you use the app.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
2. Snapseed
An app from the house of Google, Snapseed has dethroned every other app to become the most widely used and easy-to-use photo editing app.
The professional level tools and a super easy and self-explanatory interface make it a favorite amongst many of the apps. Working with the tools is easy all you have to do is, increase or decrease an effect or edit on a bar above the picture and see for yourself how your picture is turning out to be.
The tool which sets it apart is the “Selective Adjust” tool which makes you adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of a selective area in the entire picture.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
3. VSCO Cam
VSCO Cam has risen to fame because of its aesthetic, authentic, and subtle filters which are a hit amongst the younger generation.
The interface is pretty easy. Just upload a picture on VSCO Cam, apply a filter and you’re good to go. There is a built-in camera app with manual controls which gives the final control in your hands.
The design of the app is quite minimalistic and is a hit amongst the celebs as well. VSCO also offers video editing options now with VSCO X. Although, the downside to the app is that most of the filters are available only with the paid version and the conversion process might not be as stable as you’d love it to be.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
4. Afterlight
The Afterlight app is more of a mixture of simplicity and effectiveness. From controlling color schemes, to adjusting exposure, brightness, and contrast and performing all sorts of basic editing.
The USP of the application is its fusion filter function which allows you to create your own filters and pop some magic into your pictures.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
5. Lightroom CC
The Lightroom CC by Adobe is a mobile version of the desktop software with all the professional editing tools under the helm of the mobile app.
Lightroom comes with all the editing features and it is one of the best apps for editing your RAW photos. The best part of all is that the app is free and all you’ve got to do is register on Creative Cloud.
The in-built camera in the app allows you to change the shutter speed, ISO, and focus point within the app.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
6. Ribbet
Ribbet attracts users because of its super easy interface which makes even a rookie seem like a professional.
Many people don’t really know about this app which is free and so cool and efficient to use. The interface and tools are somewhat similar to Snapseed and if you’ve been on Snapseed you’ll ace Ribbet.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
7. Lens Distortions
Lens distortions is a handy app when it comes to applying distorted lens effects or a ray of sunlight, rain, snow, or flares.
Although most of the effects are available for free you can gain the premium access for as low as a dollar a month.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
8. Mextures
Mextures is one of the most professional apps. What makes it stand out is its layer based editing which allows you to stack and blend two different pictures using layers.
Apart from that, you can also save a particular “formula” of edit that you used in a picture and liked, and apply them to your future pictures, which helps you not wonder about what made the last picture seem so good.
With an in-app purchase of $2.99, you can gain access to all the filters, textures, and effects available on the app.
9. InstaSize
If you’re an Instagram influencer or a blogger of sorts and need to perfect the picture that you’re about to upload on Instagram then this is the go-to app for you.
The app allows you to upload an image on Instagram without distorting its quality. It helps you adjust the image ratio so that your image doesn’t get cropped unnecessarily when you upload it. These features make it a must have app for all Instagram regulars.
Although, one major drawback is that the app might just be seen as useful for Instagram rather than a universal use. The effects are not up to the mark and are limited.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
10. Picsart
If you’re familiar with how to work with Photoshop, then you’ll be familiarised with PicsArt in no time.
PicsArt is another worthy app when it comes to editing pictures online for all your social media handles. Moreover, it has its own sort of social media platform in which creators, artists, and other people prepare and upload their own stuff on the app.
PicsArt can be termed as a powerful and yet easy-to-use application.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Best Picture Editing Software
11. GIMP
GIMP is a toolkit that you’ll find on each and every other list of best picture editing tools online, and it deserves to be there.
GNU Image Manipulation Program or GIMP is an open-source free photo editor and its community of users and volunteers have been adding all the cool and latest plugins on the platform continuously.
The software is available for Mac as well as Windows and has an interface pretty similar to that of Adobe Photoshop. So, if you’re just venturing out into the photography or editing industry and don’t want to go for a subscription model of that Photoshop, you can practice your way up through GIMP.
GIMP provides some great tutorials while you’re learning the entire process.
12. Paint.NET
When it comes to minimalism Paint.NET surely knows how to portray itself for the good.
Although it isn’t as powerful or sophisticated as GIMP or Photoshop when it comes to dependable and simple software to perform some last-minute edits, then this is the train to hop on.
At the first look, it might seem like this is just a rip-off of the Microsoft Paint but here’s when the saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ plays a vital role. Over the years the software has gone through some changes and the addition of professional seeming editing tools such as layers, 3D rotate/zoom, and numerous filters has made the software much more dependable.
13. Adobe Lightroom
If you’re someone who tried their hands at photo editing and then gave up after seeing Photoshop’s cumbersome and complex tools then don’t give up.
Lightroom is the perfect place to achieve Photoshop-level professional skills in a simpler and less complex manner.
14. Adobe Photoshop
Now writing a piece without mentioning Adobe’s Photoshop would surely seem a bit vague, isn’t it?
Photoshop has been here for quite some time now and is probably here to stay for an indefinite period of time. Photoshop is the go-to software and has become a household name for whoever wants to venture into this industry.
The features and tools of Photoshop still remain some of the best in the entire industry with there being extensive filters and brushes, layers, sophisticated touch-ups, 3D design functionality, and a lot of lot more.
15. Capture One
Capture One is a RAW image editor from the house of Phase One . The software is similar to those mentioned above but it does have some USPs that we should mention here.
With Capture One you can change the interface of your software to the way you want it to be like, with decent performance with minimum lags and advanced color editing options.
Moreover, you can use Capture One at a one-time fee rather than a subscription model which forces you to pay on a monthly basis.
16. Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel PaintShop Pro from the house of Corel is simple yet super effective editing software. With a one-time flat fee of a mere USD 60, you get tons of textures, layers, and other gadgets for your toolkit.
The enhanced features such as AI-enabled presets, a 360-degree editing option, in software tutorials, make it worth the price for all the designers and editors out there.
Download Corel PaintShop Pro Here
17. Photoscape
Photoscape is sort of a hidden jewel when it comes to photo editors. The rather simple looking software surprises you with its loads of features.
Converting RAW images, creating GIFs, merging and splitting layers of photos, and an amazing set of filters are expected to give out an amazing result. The labels are well named and self-explanatory, which makes it a tool visibly evident for beginners and newcomers. But that surely doesn’t mean that it can’t help you professionally.
Although, some people have complained about the odd manner of their layout and the entire user interface which makes the user a bit confused at first.
Download for Mac | Download for Windows
18. ON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW comes with an easy-to-install process and an interface that is easy to navigate through.
The software includes some amazing presets which can be used, stackable filters, and other textures and borders which make your picture stand out. One amazing feature or USP of ON1 Photo RAW is that it is available on any device. There’s an additional add-on available for Lightroom, Aperture, and even Photoshop.
19. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate
ACDSee is one of the newest players in the editing game and is here to stay for sure. Being new, most of the professionals aren’t completely aware of the software and hence it isn’t so common.
The subscription is on a monthly basis as well as on a full-time payment basis.
The facial recognition feature of the software makes the photos organized and arranges them in order.
Download ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate Here
Online Photo Editors
20. Canva
Canva is one of the most popular online graphic designing tools. It runs on a freemium method with the premium version having some amazing editing options and tools.
The best part is that you can download it on your phone and work on it online on your PC and the data syncs on its own. If you’re someone who just needs to create a creative post with designs and/or add a few texts here and there, then this is the thing to use.
With thousands of templates and designs and an easy drag and drop edit option, editing and designing become even more easier.
21. PicMonkey
PicMonkey has made a mark for itself when it comes to photo editing and graphic designing. One of its USPs is its ease of use and intuitive nature which is a boon for everyone who uses it.
The UI makes you go and experiment with each and every design option with ease and confidence. Try PicMonkey for a trial period before going for its subscription which starts at $12.99 a month. It’s one of the best and most affordable photo editing and graphic designing software online.
22. Pixlr
Pixlr has been around for quite some time now, and its easy-to-use interface and other features make sure that it stays here for a long time.
Pixlr offers quick fixes and solutions to your picture woes. It allows you to work with image layers, color replacements, object transformations, and a lot more, and that too for free.
In addition to this, the company behind Pixlr also has a graphic designing tool called Vectr which equips you with a tool for graphic designing and with free graphic designing templates.
23. Fotor
Fotor is something on the same lines as Pixlr. Its name is an abbreviation of what it dies simply (Free photo editor).
Fotor includes some amazing filters and can help you in editing some with the help of some amazing filters and effects and can handle RAW files with much ease. It is quite useful for designing social media posts and pictures with predesigned filters, posters, and banners.
24. BeFunky
If you have a presentation to make, a social media banner to design, or even a normal post to edit, Befunky is the thing to use.
Just like Fotor or Pixlr, Befunky is easy to understand and easier to use. You can just start with it directly. Just bring on your idea, open your creative mind and you can design a post in no time.
25. Snappa
Snappa is a perfect amalgamation of photo editing and graphic designing. For instance, if you’re a photographer and want to put your photo to different use then this is the equipment to use.
You can design banners, social media posts, etc using a photo that makes your posts stand out and helps them look more professional. So if you’re a social media marketer or someone who just wants to market their brand then Snappa is a good thing to start with.
Editing the photos and making them look better online or designing a graphic for your next social media post is the current fad, and we know it's awesome.But what we at What A Portrait do here is even better.
We turn your pictures into a lifetime memory. Being in the industry for so many years we surely know what you want and how we can give it to you. From charcoal paintings to a normal sketches, from elegant oil paintings to fun-looking doodle head artworks, we do it all.
Just send us the pictures that you love and specify what you need exactly or any special considerations and we’ll do the rest. All you’ve to do after that is to wait for your amazing artwork eagerly!
Happy Portrait to you!
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