For most photographers, amateur and professional, taking photos is only the first step in photography. The rest of the work is done in the darkroom, where photos are tweaked, enhanced and transformed into professional- looking photos.
Here are our top picks of the best free photo-editing apps for Android in no particular order:
Personally, this is the image editing app that I use the most. There’s no need to sign up, it’s easy to use, editing can be done very quickly, with results that rival that of photos being edited on a desktop.
Basic tools to edit photos are present for tuning images, cropping, transforming, resizing, and removing unwanted items in the photo.
Here’s a sample of a photo that was tweaked using the tools above:
Filters are also available. Although the filter selections are limited, some of these can provide your photos with dramatic effects. You may want to use another app if you’re a heavy filter user.
Check out what we did with the photo using the drama filter:
Snapseed makes it especially easy to re-edit your photos, as it allows you to go back to all the steps you went through when editing, and adjust whatever needs adjusting.
VCSO is an amped-up version of Instagram. It allows you to play with different filters with more tool options. If you are looking for an Instagram alternative, with more advanced editing capabilities, you’ve found it. Aside from the filters automatically available on the app, they have additional filters that you can also purchase.
Most of the filter effects feature a soft and faded look:
The difference between Instagram and VCSO is that you can edit your photos according to each filter, which gives you more control:
Here’s a sample of the photo we’ve edited, we applied the C1 filter and tweaked it further with the contrast, and highlights save tools:
Definitely for those who are familiar with photography and the desktop editing software counterpart. This app from Adobe is able to edit photos taken by your smartphone, as well as RAW images that are saved on your phone or Adobe Creative Cloud account.
If you are looking for a powerful photo editing software to edit photos taken by your pro/digital camera on the go, this is the app for you.
Here are the tools that are available on this app:
Crop (custom, aspect ratio, straighten, flip and rotate)
Pre-set Filters (creative ,color, black and white, detail, effect, camera)
Manual Editing Tools (basic, tone curve, vignetting, split toning, color/b&w, dehaze)
Here’s the photo we’ve edited using Lightroom:
Photo Editor by Aviary (acquired by Adobe) is a fun app that combines traditional photo-editing with a frames, stickers, overlays, text, and even a meme creator.
The only downside with adding text is that it only has one pre-set font (Arial). If you are looking to find something similar to this app, yet has more focus on stickers, overlays, and text, you can download Photofy (we didn’t add it into the list as it leaves a watermark on the photos, which can be removed only if you purchase the watermark remover at USD 1.99)
Below are some of the photo editing tools available on this app:
Main Menu (enhance, effects, frames, stickers, overlays, crop, adjust, sharpness, focus, vignette, orientation, splash, draw, text, meme, blemish, blur, redeye, whiten)
Enhance Menu (Hi-Def, Scenery, Food, Portrait, Night)
Effects Menu (Signet Pro, Glow Pro, Wanderlust, City, Signature)
Frames
Stickers
Overlays
Meme
Additional Effects filters, Stickers, Overlays are also downloadable starting at USD 1.26 per pack.
Pixlr is a creative photo editor, that allows you to create those Instagram-worthy “wanderlust”-like photos, complete with basic editing tools and a myriad of filters and overlays that you can play around with.
One thing about this app that is definitely a plus – its user interface is straightforward and easy to use, with a range of editing tools and creative filters that can instantly change the look of your photos.
Here are some of the basic tools available:
Endless selection of effect filters:
Overlay:
Stylize:
Borders:
Stickers:
Here’s a photo which we’ve edited using Pixlr:
Pair all these photography apps with the ASUS ZenFone Zoom, the world’s thinnest smartphone with 3x optical zoom and 4-stops optical image stabilisation for stunning photos. Now available at $729 at the ASUS Online Store and ASUS Brand Stores in VivoCity, Sim Lim Square and Funan!
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