Best Photo Editor Apps for iOS - September 2025
These apps are selected for their exceptional editing capabilities, user-friendly interfaces, and innovative AI features that cater to both beginners and professionals. They offer a range of tools from basic adjustments to advanced manipulations, ensuring high-quality results on the go.
Our Top Pick
The best photo editor app for iOS
Photoshop Express Photo Editor by Adobe Inc.
Adobe Inc.
Why It's #1
- Adobe Sensei AI for automatic enhancements
- Preset filters inspired by professional photography
- Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
Screenshots
About Photoshop Express Photo Editor by Adobe Inc.
PHOTO EDITING MADE FUN AND EASY FOR EVERYONE Tap into your creativity on the go with Photoshop Express—the fun, fast, and easy picture and video editor. Discover seamless one-touch photo transformations and simple video editing—used by millions of creative individuals. Photoshop Express delivers a wide and diverse selection of features and aesthetics at your fingertips. Create stand out photo collage images, and fix and enhance your share-worthy moments for stunning social content. Unlock unlimited possibilities with Photoshop Express Premium! PHOTOSHOP EXPRESS FEATURES PHOTO ENHANCER - Select from an array of photo editing tools and presets - Apply red eye corrector, dehazing, and aesthetic filters - Crop photo dimensions and fix crooked or distorted camera angles - Erase background noise and smooth over imperfections with a few simple swipes - Retouch photos with just a tap, and fix portraits and selfies in seconds - Create an amazing photo collage with ready-to-use grid layouts VIDEO EDITOR - Trim clips, adjust speed, recolor, resize, and rotate for high resolution video exports right from your phone - Add multiple videos from your camera roll to combine into one video - Access thousands of music tracks to get the perfect mood for your edit PERSONALIZED IMAGE DESIGN - Add text to your photos from a wide array of fonts and layouts - Use our image editor to add personalized touches to your photos - Create a photo design with camera filters, stamps, custom watermarks, and more UPLOAD & SHARE PHOTOS EASILY - Upload images from multiple source formats (including RAW and TIFF) - Use our photo editing app as a social and Instagram editor for photos - Share and export to all your favorite social media channels including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Line, and Telegram, to inspire others PREMIUM Upgrade to Photoshop Express Premium to access extra, exclusive features and more precise editing controls. Photoshop Express is the photo and video editor app for users of all experience levels. Create and fix fun, shareable memes, personalized pic collages, and stickers. Adobe Terms of Use: Your use of this application is governed by the Adobe General Terms of Use http://www.adobe.com/go/terms_linkfree_en and the Adobe Privacy Policy http://www.adobe.com/go/privacy_policy_linkfree_en Do not sell or share my personal information www.adobe.com/go/ca-rights-linkfree
Overview
These apps are selected for their exceptional editing capabilities, user-friendly interfaces, and innovative AI features that cater to both beginners and professionals. They offer a range of tools from basic adjustments to advanced manipulations, ensuring high-quality results on the go.
Ideal for photographers, social media enthusiasts, and casual users who want to enhance their photos quickly and effectively, these apps are essential for creating stunning visuals without needing desktop software.
We evaluated based on ease of use, feature set, performance, user ratings, pricing, and unique offerings like AI integration and creative tools.
Why Photoshop Express Photo Editor by Adobe Inc. is Our #1 Pick
Key Reasons:
Powerful editing tools with Adobe's professional-grade technology
Seamless integration with other Adobe services for a cohesive workflow
Free access with optional premium features that are reasonably priced
Standout Features:
One-touch transformations for quick edits
Advanced filters and effects powered by AI
Cloud syncing for cross-device editing
"Users consistently praise its reliability and the quality of edits, noting it's the go-to app for professional-looking results without complexity."
- What users love most
Our Recommendations
Best Overall
Photoshop Express Photo Editor by Adobe Inc.
It offers the best balance of powerful editing tools, ease of use, and reliability, suitable for most users from beginners to professionals.
💚 Best Free
CapCut - Video Editor by Bytedance Pte. Ltd
It provides comprehensive photo and video editing features completely free without watermarks, making it exceptional value.
💎 Best Premium
Facetune: Video & Photo Editor by Lightricks Ltd.
Its subscription offers unmatched portrait retouching tools that deliver professional-quality results worth the investment for focused users.
Easiest to Use
PicCollage: Magic Photo Editor by Cardinal Blue
With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and simple tools, it's perfect for beginners to quickly create beautiful collages and edits.
Most Innovative
Picsart AI Photo Editor, Video by PicsArt, Inc.
Its cutting-edge AI features for art generation and automatic enhancements push the boundaries of what mobile editing can achieve.
The 12 Best photo editor Apps
Photoshop Express Photo Editor by Adobe Inc.
Pros:
- Extensive editing tools including curves and levels
- High-quality output with no loss in resolution
- Regular updates with new features and bug fixes
Cons:
- Some advanced features require a subscription
- Can be resource-intensive on older devices
The top choice for comprehensive photo editing with professional tools accessible to all skill levels.
Photo Editor- by Axiem Systems
Pros:
- Wide range of tools including collage maker and drawing features
- Easy-to-use interface with intuitive controls
- Free with minimal ads
Cons:
- Occasional performance lags on high-resolution images
- Limited advanced editing options compared to premium apps
A versatile all-in-one editor perfect for everyday photo enhancements and creative projects.
Picsart AI Photo Editor, Video by PicsArt, Inc.
Pros:
- Strong AI tools for automatic enhancements and art generation
- Large community and template library for inspiration
- Free access with robust features
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for beginners due to many options
- Some features locked behind a subscription
An AI-powered creative suite ideal for designing and editing photos and videos with advanced effects.
PicCollage: Magic Photo Editor by Cardinal Blue
Pros:
- Excellent collage-making tools with various layouts
- User-friendly design great for beginners
- Free with creative templates and stickers
Cons:
- Limited in-depth photo editing capabilities
- Ads can be intrusive in the free version
A fun and intuitive app focused on creating collages and celebratory photo projects with ease.
Facetune: Video & Photo Editor by Lightricks Ltd.
Pros:
- Advanced skin smoothing and feature adjustments
- High-quality results that look natural
- User-friendly for focused edits
Cons:
- Expensive subscription for full feature access
- Not ideal for non-portrait photos
The premier app for portrait retouching and selfie enhancements with professional-grade tools.
CapCut - Video Editor by Bytedance Pte. Ltd
Pros:
- Comprehensive video and photo editing in one app
- Free with no watermarks and advanced tools
- Smooth performance and regular updates
Cons:
- Photo editing is secondary to video features
- Can have a steeper learning curve for beginners
A powerful video editor that also offers solid photo editing features, ideal for content creators.
InstaSize: AI Photo Editor by Instasize Inc.
Pros:
- Excellent cropping and resizing tools for various platforms
- AI-powered color grading and filters
- Easy to use with quick results
Cons:
- Limited advanced editing features
- Subscription required for premium filters
A dedicated app for resizing and enhancing photos with AI, perfect for social media optimization.
Photo Editоr by VIDEO EDITOR PTE. LTD.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface with one-touch AI improvements
- Free access to basic editing features
- Good for quick edits and enhancements
Cons:
- Less powerful than top-tier apps
- Can have ads and prompts for purchases
An AI-driven editor that provides easy-to-use tools for personalized photo enhancements.
Magic Eraser Background Editor by Alan Cushway
Pros:
- Fast and accurate background removal without watermarks
- Free for basic use with high-resolution output
- Simple and focused functionality
Cons:
- Limited to background editing, no other features
- Advanced options may require payment
A specialized app excels at removing backgrounds and objects instantly with high precision.
Canva: AI Photo & Video Editor by Canva
Pros:
- Extensive template library for various projects
- AI tools for easy design and editing
- Free with powerful features for non-designers
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming due to the breadth of options
- Some templates and elements require a subscription
A design-focused app that integrates photo editing with graphic design tools for comprehensive creations.
VSCO: Photo Editor by Visual Supply Company
Pros:
- Superior filter quality that mimics analog film
- Strong community features for sharing and inspiration
- Clean, ad-free interface
Cons:
- Limited editing tools beyond filters
- Subscription needed for full filter pack
A community-oriented app focused on high-quality film-like filters and photographic artistry.
FaceApp: Perfect Face Editor by FaceApp Technology Limited
Pros:
- Highly accurate facial editing tools for age, gender, and expression changes
- Fun and engaging features for entertainment
- Free to use with basic options
Cons:
- Privacy concerns due to data handling
- Limited to face edits, not full photo editing
A specialized app for facial enhancements and transformations using advanced AI technology.
Comparison Insights
Key Differences
Apps range from all-in-one solutions to specialized tools; for example, Photoshop Express offers broad capabilities, while Magic Eraser focuses solely on background removalPricing models differ, with some apps completely free and others requiring subscriptions for premium featuresAI usage varies, with some apps using it for automatic enhancements and others for creative transformations
How to Choose
Consider your primary use case: portraits, social media, or general editingEvaluate the need for advanced features vs. simplicityCheck for subscription costs and whether free features sufficeLook at user ratings and reviews for reliability and performanceAssess device compatibility and resource requirements
Common Limitations
Most apps cannot replace desktop-grade software for professional workflowsFree versions often include ads or limited access to premium toolsAI features may not always produce perfect results and can require manual tweaksEditing very high-resolution images might slow down performance on older devices
Emerging Trends
Increased use of generative AI for creating entirely new image elementsEnhanced real-time editing capabilities with faster processingGreater integration with cloud services for seamless cross-device workFocus on privacy and data security in apps handling personal photosRise of video-photo hybrid editors for content creators
Key Insights
- •
AI integration is now standard, enhancing ease and quality of edits
- •
Free apps offer substantial features, but subscriptions unlock advanced tools
- •
Specialized apps excel in niches like collages or background removal
- •
User interfaces vary widely, affecting learning curves and usability
- •
Community and sharing features add value beyond editing
Buying Guide
Essential Features
- •Basic editing tools like crop, rotate, and adjust brightness/contrast
- •AI or automatic enhancement options for quick improvements
- •Export options without watermarks in free versions
Nice to Have
- •Advanced filters and effects for creative control
- •Collage or design templates for multiphoto projects
- •Cloud sync or backup features for data safety
⚠️ Red Flags
- •Apps that require excessive permissions or have poor privacy policies
- •High subscription costs without clear value or free alternatives
- •Frequent crashes or poor performance on standard devices
Pricing Expectations
Expect free apps with ads or limited features, while premium subscriptions typically cost $5-10 per month for advanced tools; many offer one-time purchases or trials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best photo editor app for beginners?
PicCollage is highly recommended for its ease of use and focus on simple, fun edits like collages, making it ideal for those new to photo editing.
How do I choose between free and paid photo editor apps?
Start with free apps to see if they meet your needs; upgrade to paid versions only if you require advanced features like AI enhancements or ad-free experiences, as many free options are quite capable.
What's the learning curve like for these apps?
It varies: apps like PicCollage and InstaSize have low learning curves and are easy to pick up, while others like Photoshop Express may take some time to master due to more features, but most offer tutorials and intuitive interfaces.
Conclusion
This collection highlights the top photo editor apps for iOS in 2025, each excelling in different areas from AI-powered edits to user-friendly designs. Whether you're a professional or casual user, there's an app tailored to your needs.
Our Final Recommendation
For most users, start with Photoshop Express for its versatility, or try CapCut if you need free, comprehensive tools. Consider your specific use cases, such as portraits or social media, to choose the best fit.
What We're Hoping to See in the Future
Expect continued innovation in AI, making edits even smarter and faster, with greater emphasis on privacy and cross-platform functionality in the coming years.
Current Trends: Increased use of generative AI for creating entirely new image elementsEnhanced real-time editing capabilities with faster processingGreater integration with cloud services for seamless cross-device workFocus on privacy and data security in apps handling personal photosRise of video-photo hybrid editors for content creators