In an age when social media rules all, photo editing has become commonplace. Nowadays, it is nearly impossible to come across an untouched photo on social networking sites like Facebook or Instagram.
With such a large demand, numerous photo editing apps have popped up in an attempt to nab a share of the market. However, with so many of them available, it can be hard to choose the right one. To make you even more indecisive, not all of these editing apps come free.
And that’s what we’re here for! We’ve done the work for you and compiled all of the best free Android photo editors in this guide.
Inside This Article
- Best Android Photo Editors
- Adobe Photoshop Express
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
- AirBrush
- Photo Editor for Android (Formerly Aviary)
- Bonfire Photo Editor Pro
- Cupslice Photo Editor
- Foodie
- Fotor Photo Editor
- LightX Photo Editor
- PhotoDirector
- Photo Lab
- PicsArt Photo Editor
- Pixlr
- Prisma Photo Editor
- Snapseed
- Toolwiz Photos – Pro Editor
- Visage Lab
- VSCO
- YouCam Perfect
- Lightleap by Lightricks
- Takeaway
Best Android Photo Editors
Without further ado, here are the 20 free and best Android photo editor apps that can give your images a little aesthetic boost.
1. Adobe Photoshop Express
With Adobe Photoshop Express, you get a one-stop shop for all things photo-related. This Photoshop app sports a simple and easy-to-use interface that packs a lot of punch. It comes with all the essential components you’d expect from a photo editor. Moreover, Adobe Photoshop Express offers more than 80 filters, as well as effects, frames, and colors. It can also take on larger files, so break out those panoramas.
Done editing? Share your edited photos instantly on social media with just one tap. Apart from being completely free to download, this Photoshop app won’t bombard you with ads.
2. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
When it comes to an image editor that even professionals use, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom immediately comes to mind. This Photoshop app boasts features that could match the desktop version, including presets, watermarking, exposure adjustment, and RAW photo support. It also comes with a built-in camera with advanced tools.
While Lightroom is free to download from the Google Play Store, you will need to pay for a monthly subscription ($10) to gain access to premium features and be able to sync your photos across devices. The subscription is well worth it, though, since it also comes with Photoshop and Lightroom Classic access on the desktop.
Related: 15 Best Lightroom Alternatives for Mobile Photo Editing
3. AirBrush
For photo filters and retouch tools, look no further than AirBrush. As its name suggests, this photo touch-up app gives you the full airbrushing experience. Among the tools in its arsenal are pimple and blemish removers, a body slimmer, and radiant filters, as well as an option to whiten teeth and brighten eyes. Its built-in camera also comes with various live effects.
AirBrush allows you to share your retouched photos on social networking sites. While downloading AirBrush is free of charge, it does contain ads and in-app purchases.
4. Photo Editor for Android (Formerly Aviary)
Much like AirBrush, Photo Editor for Android (also known as Aviary to long-time patrons) lets you remove blemishes and whiten teeth. This free photo editor also gives you the ability to manually adjust image settings like color, brightness, contrast, etc. On days when you don’t feel like going through all that, opt for the app’s one-touch enhance mode. With just a few clicks, your photo will be transformed instantly with minimal effort.
5. Bonfire Photo Editor Pro
At a glance, Bonfire may seem like your average, run-of-the-mill photo editor. However, it offers so much more. Apart from the usual editing tools, Bonfire comes with an impressive amount of photo filters. Some standard filters include HDR and black and white. Others are more vibrant and fun. For example, the Fancy filter transforms your photos into watercolor renditions, instantly giving them a magical feel.
Bonfire Photo Editor Pro is free to download from the Google Play Store. It comes with in-app purchases.
6. Cupslice Photo Editor
If you’re looking for one of the best Android photo editor apps that’s completely free to use, you’ve found it. Cupslice Photo Editor does not come with any in-app purchases.
However, it still manages to offer its users the full photo editing experience. There’s nothing particularly special about it, but it delivers on your basic photo editing needs. It has a photo cutter, frames, and a bevy of trendy stickers. You can also adjust manual settings like saturation, contrast, and hue.
7. Foodie
Many have criticized that the stock filters that come with social media apps like Instagram are unfit for food photos. If you’re like them or a foodie who loves to take pictures, then this photo editing app of the same name is just for you.
Foodie’s filters are specifically designed for food shots. Additionally, the app comes with a “best angle” feature that helps you line up shots perfectly. Trust us, your foodie photos will instantly look even more salivating than they already are with this Foodie app.
8. Fotor Photo Editor
Fotor consistently ranks among the best Android photo editor apps of all time—and for good reason. With editing tools like vignetting, shadow, tint, and highlights, in addition to the basic editing features, the possibilities are endless. Fotor also boasts over 100 filters, as well as a one-tap enhance tool for when you can’t be bothered to do some manual editing.
It must be noted, however, that the app requires you to sign in to be able to use it. Fotor is free to download from the Google Play Store, though it does come with in-app purchases.
9. LightX Photo Editor
A photo editor app that originally made its debut on iOS, LightX is now on Android. Some of its features include a background changer tool, shape manipulation, blur, and color splash effects. You can also adjust color balance, levels, and curve through a range of sliders. If those aren’t enough to convince you, LightX gives you a one-two punch with photo merging and photo collages.
While anyone can download LightX Photo Editor for free, the app does contain ads and in-app purchases.
10. PhotoDirector
If you prefer to make your own adjustments rather than rely on filters, then give PhotoDirector a try. What this app lacks in filters, it makes up for with powerful editing tools. There are HSL sliders and RGB color channels that are easily accessible on its sleek interface. It also has a special content-aware feature that lets you remove unwanted objects or persons in the background. Moreover, PhotoDirector boasts an in-app camera for live photo effects.
Like many other photo editing apps, PhotoDirector can be downloaded for free but contains in-app purchases and ads.
11. Photo Lab
Photo Lab gives you the same features as many other photo editor apps. You can crop, rotate, and adjust photos to your liking. With a collection of over 900 effects under its belt, though, you won’t run out of editing experiments. Easily share your creations with other people through social media or via message. If you’re not quite ready to show the world, save it to your gallery.
Unfortunately, the free version of Photo Lab splashes a watermark on each of your creations. It also contains ads. However, it is a good way to try the app before committing to a full purchase.
12. PicsArt Photo Editor
With one glance at the number of downloads PicsArt has, it is clear that this photo editing app is a favorite among Android users. PicsArt boasts a bounty of features, including a collage maker, a draw function, trendy stickers, and many more. It also comes with a built-in camera with live effects. As if those aren’t enough, you have the option to add GIFs to your photos. There are also other tools to experiment with.
PicsArt Photo Editor is available for free on the Google Play Store. However, the app contains some ads and you may need to make in-app purchases.
13. Pixlr
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Pixlr photo editor, an app developed by AutoDesk. It’s one of the most popular photo editor apps on the Google Play Store, thanks in large part to its sheer amount of effects, overlays, and photo filters. Apart from that, you can get creative by drawing your photos using a pencil or ink. There are also a great number of photo collage layouts and backgrounds to choose from. To top it all off, its one-tap enhancement tool is hailed as one of the best on the market today.
Pixlr, like many other photo editor apps, is free to download but comes with ads and in-app purchases.
14. Prisma Photo Editor
Prisma is another popular photo editor app you’ll find on the Google Play Store. Aside from a plethora of photo filters in its library, Prisma also lets you transform your images into paintings. Some of the most used painting effects are those of Picasso’s and Salvador Dali’s. Other enhancement tools include exposure, contrast, brightness, and more. Moreover, Prisma has a thriving artistic community with which you can share your creations.
The app is currently free on the app store, however, Prisma Photo Editor contains advertisements, as well as in-app purchases.
15. Snapseed
A list of the best Android photo editor apps wouldn’t be complete without Snapseed. In fact, it’s so good that Google itself bought the app a few years ago. Apart from being user-friendly and coming with a dark mode, Snapseed offers plenty in terms of editing tools and photo filters.
If you happen to like a custom effect you’ve created, you have the ability to save it as a preset for future use. You can also edit raw and PNG files, and export them as JPG. The upshot? Snapseed is completely free to download and ad-free. Besides, it’s also beginner-friendly with preset filters. Though expert photo editors can consider a more advanced curve editor function to tune photo coloration with precision.
16. Toolwiz Photos – Pro Editor
With over 200 powerful tools at your disposal, Toolwiz Photos is truly remarkable. Its library is full of magic and art filters that would make anyone swoon. It also comes with cosmetic tools, allowing you to polish skin, remove red-eye, and erase blemishes. In addition to that, Toolwiz lets you swap faces, an undeniably fun effect. Too many photos? No problem. The app also lets you create photo collages.
Toolwiz Photos can be downloaded for free on the Google Play Store. But it might contain ads and offers in-app purchases for exclusive tools and filters.
17. Visage Lab
Ever wanted to look like a model in your photos? Visage Lab is just what you’re looking for. Marketed as a “professional beauty laboratory,” this app lets you remove blemishes as if they were never there. Your shiny face can be mattified in an instant. You can also de-age your photos by erasing wrinkles. Other tools include outlining the eyes and whitening the teeth.
With its one-tap enhancement tool, Visage Lab transforms your portrait photos with no fuss at all. The app is available for free, though it does contain ads.
18. VSCO
Nowadays, being a “VSCO girl” is a thing. Pronounced “viz-co,” VSCO gives you the uncanny ability to manipulate photos and make them appear like film. There are a number of filters already included for free, though there are also some presets that require payment. You can share your photos on social media or with a community of other VSCO users. It has long been touted as a photo editor app fit for both amateurs and professionals alike.
VSCO can be downloaded from the Google Play Store free of charge. However, as stated, there are presets that you must pay for in order to use.
19. YouCam Perfect
Much like other photo retouch apps, YouCam Perfect allows you to beautify portrait photos in an instant. You have options to crop and rotate, as well as apply effects like vignette and HDR. You can even blur backgrounds. However, what sets this app apart from the rest is its face reshaper tool. Do you feel like a smile would improve your image? There’s a tool for that, too. Other features include a body slimmer and an eye bag remover.
YouCam Perfect is a free photo editor for Android users. It contains ads and offers in-app purchases for additional features.
20. Lightleap by Lightricks
Lightleap can easily give Photoshop a run for their money—on mobile at least. It checks off all you need in a basic photo editing tool. Beyond that, the app lets you practice your creative freedom with effects, filters, and retouches. Too many people spoiling your shot? Erase them with the Heal tool! Is the background too boring? Replace it with a dramatic sunset using the Sky tool!
Lightleap by Lightricks offers a free download and use of the app, although the features may be very limited. You can get unlimited access to all features with a monthly subscription.
Takeaway
These are 20 of the best Android photo editor apps you can download from the Google Play Store. As you can see, they all have their merits. Some have more filters to offer, while others are more reliant on manual adjustment settings. All of them are free to download, but a large chunk may bother you with ads and paid additional content. No matter which one you ultimately go with, hopefully, this list has helped you make the right choice!
