Best Photo Editing Apps for iOS

For stunning photos, this editor provides the exact tools you need.

Polarr

Most importantly, the app now support editing any pictures taken in Portrait Mode on some new iPhones. Editing and adjustment can be done thanks to using the depth data captured when those images are taken. With overlay support, users can superimpose two images together or add additional parts to an image. To help get users started, the app already has elements like light leaks, flares, clouds, weather effects, backgrounds, and gradients. Up to 12 different images can be stacked together. Another new addition is duotone editing. There are a number of presets to select from or you can build one from scratch. Designed for the iPhone and all iPad models, Polarr Photo Editor can be downloaded now on the App Store for free. With a Polarr subscription, which costs $2.49 per month or $23.99 per year, you can access all unlimited features of the app on a number of different platforms including the Mac.

Why we love it

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When you need an all-in-one Photoshop experience

Pixelmator

For anyone who needs powerful photo editing, as well as working with digital graphics

The app has now been optimized for screens of the newest 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. And the Pixelmator now also supports the double-tap gesture on the second-generation Apple Pencil that gives users quick access to actions like the eraser. When possible, the app will also respect a global setting for the gesture as well. Version 2.4.4 also fixes a trio of bugs including an issue where the noise, hue, and miniaturize effects were not working into the Photos extension. Designed for the iPhone and all iPad models, Pixelmator can be downloaded now on the App Store for free. Pixelmator is also planning a new app exclusively for iPad. Pixelmator Photo was shown off at the iPad Pro media event in October and should arrive sometime this year. The app is currently in beta testing.

Why we love it

We love Pixelmator because of the power that it provides. It's super easy and provides us with all of the tools that we would ever need to perfect our photos.

$4.99 More info

Take your images to the next level with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor

Adobe has also added more 3D Touch support. In the Camera Roll browser view, a short touch will give you a Peek at the image. A longer press will Pop the photo onto the full screen. You can also press on the app’s icon to launch a number of Quick Actions. The Peek and Pop functionality is also available using the Grid View. Just to note, you can edit images on your device for no charge. But if you want to access your photos on other devices, including a PC, you’ll need to have an Adobe Creative Cloud Photography subscription. You’ll need to shell out $9.99 per month to subscribe, but new users do receive a free 30-day trial.

Why we love it

There is a growing crowd of smartphone photographers who don’t use the desktop at all for photo editing, so Adobe is clearly transitioning the target audience of the Lightroom mobile apps in the right direction. This powerful image editing tool is great for anyone looking for a free option for their iOS device or those who already have an Adobe subscription.

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Take your images to the next level with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Adobe Lightroom for iPad

Adobe has also added more 3D Touch support. In the Camera Roll browser view, a short touch will give you a Peek at the image. A longer press will Pop the photo onto the full screen. You can also press on the app’s icon to launch a number of Quick Actions. The Peek and Pop functionality is also available using the Grid View. Just to note, you can edit images on your device for no charge. But if you want to access your photos on other devices, including a PC, you’ll need to have an Adobe Creative Cloud Photography subscription. You’ll need to shell out $9.99 per month to subscribe, but new users do receive a free 30-day trial.

Why we love it

There is a growing crowd of smartphone photographers who don’t use the desktop at all for photo editing, so Adobe is clearly transitioning the target audience of the Lightroom mobile apps in the right direction. This powerful image editing tool is great for anyone looking for a free option for their iOS device or those who already have an Adobe subscription.

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The first fully-featured photo editor for the iPad

Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo for iPad has an intuitive interface, but it's quite complex. Some might say it's difficult to learn. However, the app does come with a wealth of tutorials and sample images to get you started. Begin with the first tutorial, and work your way through them. You'll get a solid introduction to the interface and controls, as well as the techniques that will make your photos really stand out. As you progress through the tutorials, feel free to break away and try out your techniques with your own images or the samples. I've found that's a solid way to really learn and embed the knowledge from the tutorials into your mind and muscle memory.

$19.99 More info

An app for turning new photos vintage

Faded - Photo & Picture Editor

Creating vintage photos was never easier

When you want to create a vintage look for your photograph, you want the process to be as easy as possible. Faded provides that ease of use, giving you a step-by-step path to achieving the look you want. You start by choosing your photo, either from your library or by snapping it with the camera. Then it's on to the fun of adding effects. When you add an effect, such as the emulsifier effect I chose, you get several options to choose from. Some come with your initial purchase, and some require an additional in-app purchase. Then you can move on to other filters and effects, including frames, gradients, and cropping your image to a certain aspect ratio. Once you've applied all the effects you want, it's time to export. Faded allows you to save your creation to your camera roll, share it to social media, or even have it printed.

Why we love it

What really makes Faded stand out is the immense library of filters and effects you can use. There are film presets, emulsifier effects, and light leaks, to name just a few. The app is also incredibly easy to use. Some apps might cram all of those effects into an ugly interface, but not Faded. The user interface is gorgeous and well-organized, putting all of the controls right where you need them. Speaking of controls, Faded doesn't stop at filters and preconfigured presets. You can also take control of the settings of your photograph, including brightness, contrast, exposure, white balance, and more.

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This camera and photo editing app has robust features and collage creating options.

Fotor - Photo & Poster Editor

For those who like camera apps with editing and collage features.

Fotor Photo Editor and Camera Plus is an intuitive and robust tool for both capturing and editing photos. The collage feature works well and is fun to use, the editing options make adjustments easy, and photos from other users are enjoyable to browse through.

Why we love it

Fotor Photo Editor and Camera Plus offers great camera options, vibrant editing features, and collage creations.

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This photo app does it all

Enlight

When you want one photo editing app to do it all, Enlight is the one.

Enlight is an all-in-one photo editing app that will eliminate the need for multiple apps on your iOS device. With Enlight, you'll have the basics like color adjustment, cropping, and even some filters that can change how your photo looks. But the app does much more, such as text on images, artistic effects like paintings and watercolors, double exposure, Instagram-ready borders, and much more. With Enlight on your iOS device, you won't have to worry about not having the right tool for the job, because you'll have them all in one place. It's super convenient and well worth the price tag.

Why we love it

Enlight is one of the most powerful photo editing apps that we've had the pleasure of using, and it's a must-have for any photographer's toolbox.

$3.99 More info

Let's Fix This

Adobe Photoshop Fix

For Adobe users that want to edit on iOS.

With Adobe Photoshop Fix, you can heal, smooth, liquify, lighten and make other edits and adjustments to your images. Access edited photos within other Adobe mobile and desktop apps by signing in to Adobe Creative Cloud to further refine them or use them in other creative projects – it’s all powered by Adobe CreativeSync.

Why we love it

This photo-editing app with Adobe in the name doesn't disappoint thanks to its feature set.

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Never have crooked lines again

SKRWT

For anyone who wants to straighten up edges and lines in their photographs.

SKRWT is a simple app that does one thing: it corrects keystone and lens distortion in your images, so that they don't look so crooked or uneven. The app is super easy to use, with intuitive tools that let you adjust both vertical and horizontal perspective so that the edges and lines in your photographs appear more straight and even. The dials that are used to adjust the amount of adjustment are super precise, so you don't have to worry about it moving around once you remove your finger from the screen. Once you've made all of your necessary adjustments, just save the image or send it off to another app for more editing or sharing with others. It's the best app to help you remove that pesky distortion from the lens.

Why we love it

SKRWT is a simple and intuitive app that makes it easy to remove the crooked lines and lens distortions from your photographs before sharing. Plus, the precise dials mean accurate adjustments, so you don't have to worry about being too careful with the tools.

$1.99 More info