By With Instagram being in existence for almost 10 years today, hundreds, if not thousands of photo editing apps have sprouted in the App Store and Play Store. While most of these apps offer virtually almost the exact same features, there are still a handpicked few that are tried and tested and will give you the best user experience.
So to welcome the new decade, here are our top 10 best photo editing apps for 2020:
1. Instasize
Since its launch way back in 2012, Instasize has been one of the consistent choices for content creators. In the beginning, the app was created to address the need for a more user-friendly photo cropping app when Instagram only allowed square photos. Today, the app is chock-full of editing features that will definitely help you step up your Instagram game. It offers over 80 professional-grade filters, a suite of beauty tools, the ability to create collages and add text to photos, and other easy colour adjustment and editing features.
Those subscribed to Instasize premium have access to exclusive content from social influencers and experts.
2. Made
A newcomer in the sea of photo-editing apps, Made comes in strong by understanding the end-to-end experience of storytelling features and apps like Instagram Stories and Snapchat. The toolkit allows users to lay out their narratives from beginning to end with their Storyboarding feature. The app also comes with other notable offerings such as customizable backgrounds, 16 unique fonts, and a wide selection of filters.
- Price: Free to download with premium subscriptions starting at $4.99
- Availability: iOS
3. Adobe Lightroom
Adobe has practically dominated the photo-editing app landscape for decades, and their mobile app version unsurprisingly does not disappoint. Adobe Lightroom is a pocket-sized version of their desktop program, which allows photographers to edit their work with the help of its suite of advanced editing tools. You can adjust exposure, contrast, saturation, vibrance, and so much more. The mobile app version is almost at par with its full desktop software.
- Price: Free to download starts at $4.99 for premium
- Availability: iOS and Android
4. VSCO
Search for #vsco or #vscocam on Instagram and you’ll find hundreds of millions of photographs using the hashtag. The app, which was established in 2011, has quickly become the go-to choice for content creators through the years thanks to its aesthetically pleasing presets. These presets help you mimic the vintage feel of high-end film cameras — effortless and easy to the eyes.
- Price: Free to download with in-app purchases starting at $0.99
- Availability: iOS and Android
5. Snapseed
Snapseed is a powerful photo-editing app developed by Google. It packs quite a lot of features, which can rival full desktop software. Like all photo editing apps, It offers standard presets for those who want quick and easy edits, however, it also offers you the unique opportunity to create one of your own from scratch.
Other features unique to Snapseed include; its Ambiance function, which automatically adjusts colour and contrast to your liking; and its Healing function, which allows you to eliminate parts of your photograph that you would like hidden.
- Price: Free
- Availability: iOS and Android
6. Enlight Photofox
Despite only being available on the App Store, this award-winning app takes a spot on the list for its seamless layering and blending modes that allow users to create stunning effects on their photos. If you decide to pay for the full version, you can unlock advanced tools like the “Target” feature, which allows you to adjust tonality in a specific area of a photo.
Enlight Photofox is for photographers looking for a pocket-sized advanced editing software; it is not made for quick and easy edits.
- Price: Free to download with unlimited access starting at $3.99
- Availability: iOS
7. Canva
Categorizing Canva as a photo editing app might be underselling its value as an all-around creative software, but it would be a shame not to include it at all. Canva’s photo editing tool allows you to perform quick edits such as cropping, resizing, and colour correction. It also has a selection of ready-made filters, templates, and vignettes you can choose from.
With Canva, the creative process doesn’t stop at mere photo edits, you can also turn your photos into professional-looking posters in a matter of minutes.
- Price: Free to download with credits starting at $1.99
- Availability: iOS and Android
8. PicsArt
PicsArt might have gained quite a bit of traction thanks to Kim Kardashian’s sponsored post on Instagram, but celebrity attention or not, PicsArt deserves the recognition. More than just offering the standard filters and editing tools, PicsArt’s strong suit is in its range of photo effects which allows you to “remix” your photos rather than adding simple touch-ups. You can add layers, artsy lines, doodles, glitter, and shine — there’s no limit to creating.
- Price: Free to download with in-app purchases starting at $0.99
- Availability: iOS and Android
9. Hypocam
Black and white photography is an art quite difficult to master. Thankfully, there are apps like Hypocam that are made especially for aspiring black and white photographers. The app has a built-in camera that automatically converts your shot into black and white so you know what it will look like before taking it. After taking the photo, you can edit it with tools specifically built for monochrome photography. It also has a news feed where you can take inspiration.
- Price: Free to download with collections starting at $0.99
- Availability: iOS and Android
10. Afterlight
Afterlight | Photo credit: App Store
Afterlight has consistently been one of the favoured photography apps for both budding and professional photographers who shoot with their smartphone. Aside from offering comprehensive editing tools, the app also has a built-in camera that allows you to split your white balance and focus, giving you more control of your shot. One of its most popular features is the “white balance lock” which is especially helpful when shooting in dark environments.
- Price: Free to download with subscriptions starting at $2.99
- Availability: iOS and Android
To help you take the perfect shot, head to our website now to view our full range of mobile accessories for photography.
Author Bio: Denise Langenegger is part of the team at Instasize – a content creating tool kit for anyone editing photos and online content on mobile.
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