Top 5 Free Photo Editing Apps

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Top 5 Free Photo Editing Apps is a user’s review of easy-to-use yet powerful tools to transform even the grainiest, poorly framed pics we sometimes find ourselves with.

‘Fashion’ Photography

Photo editing has it’s own fashion fads, just like make-up and hairstyling.

Snapchat has been revolutionary in the fashion-filter market, making it easy to forget the limitless, self-rendered edits that you can actually create and control yourself.

You don’t have to be a pro to get your own fresh, original, sparkly new looks with some of the free photo-editing apps available today. Furthermore, you may be surprised that some of the’ old-timers’ have moved with the times and are a little hard to beat.

Super-Smartphones

As a freelance photographer, I rarely picked up my phone for anything other than answering a call. Now, like everyone else, I’m amazed at the capabilities of my smartphone’s camera and how easy it is to achieve the exact effects I’m looking for, with just a few taps.

However, adding a few extra edits, filters, and effects is always a popular choice, especially for social media posts. So, let’s take a look at my Top 5 Free Photo-Editing apps below! They’re a great grab!

Top 5 Free Photo-Editing Apps

PS Express

What can I say that you don’t already know about Adobe products. Just the word ‘Photoshop’ equals an undisputed, industry-standard, pro-look editing suite, known by mankind.

The full version is vast. I’ve used it professionally and I’m sure others will agree that there are some functions that we haven’t even looked at, never mind used. Therefore, as the majority of enthusiasts won’t ever feel a need to expand their prints to billboard proportions, we probably don’t need it.

I was indeed skeptical that the PS Express app would be remotely recognisable as Adobe Photoshop, but I was mistaken.

It has the same seamless flow, and technological advancements that I crave from an Adobe product. If you haven’t looked at it in a while you’ll notice the features have constantly improved and updated.

It’s Free!

Photoshop products can sometimes feel intimidating, and you might doubt whether their processes are fast enough to post to Facebook before your check-in location changes. But guess what? They’re not only quick but also packed with heaps of presets, templates and endless tweaks and twists to play with—all for free!

This kind of offering is rare from any reputable developer. Although many of the original presets in the free version have gradually moved to the paid upgrade, there’s still a wide variety available at no cost.

Simply import your image, and you’ll find a multitude of edit themes to scroll through. Each theme remains open alongside others once activated, offering additional slider controls for each filter. This setup allows you to maintain good control, even when using presets, so your edit feels unique.

Save My Looks

You can combine effects easily and save your final edit in the ‘My Looks’ section, which remembers every level of adjustments used, enabling you to apply the same combination to other images instantly.

In addition to filters, the lighting effects add light leaks, bokeh and grunge layers, taking your edits to another arty level.

Basic editing essentials are available as pre-sets or manual adjustments. There’s finger-tap fixes, text, stickers and collages.

On completion, you can instantly resize for various different post formats including: FB profile, cover photo, event and ad photos, Instagram, Twitter post or header, LinkedIn background or easy cover, Pinterest, YouTube thumbnail, channel art or kindle.

If that’s not enough, you can additionally auto-resize for all the standard print sizes ( 6×4, 4×6, 10×8 etc).

I could review this app all day long!

Download in the App Store via the links below. Share and review the app for Adobe and tell people you heard it at sarahhdavis.com. Well done Adobe!!

For PS Express in Apple iTunes Store click here

For PS Express in Google Play store click here.

PicsArt – No.2 in Top 5 Free Photo Editing Apps

If I had written this ‘Top 5 Free Photo-Editing Apps’ list a few years ago, PicsArt would have been vying for the top spot.

Unfortunately, many of the new effects added since then are only available through in-app purchases, though you can preview the effects before committing.

This feature gives you full control over the filter, and I absolutely love it!

Filter-Flipping

Not only that, but your customised filters can be transformed by applying effects like multiply, color burn, and screen overlay. If anyone tries the ‘Difference’ option and gets anything other than a black screen, you’re a genius! Not quite sure where PicsArt is going with that one…

Color Effects and Color Splash are fresh and fun. The ‘Negative’ filter is the best I’ve seen yet, moving away from the harsh projector-slide look that nobody wants, and instead offering a more refined, colourful, and artistic outcome.

Incidentally, the presets that are still free are great. My favorites are ‘cross proc 1’ and ‘light cross,’ which I regularly use for everyday edits. These two fixes alone are major reasons why PicsArt makes my Top 5 Free Photo-Editing Apps list.

It’s A Kind of Magic

The Magic filters are exactly as it says on the tin. The effects are stunning and turn your images into serious works of art, with so many to choose from.

You might play for hours in this section alone, being literally spoilt for choice.

Other sections include the obligatory: ‘Pop Art’ (although I’ll never understand the desire to single-colour flood an entire image) and ‘Pixelize’ (again, goes straight over my head.)

Purse-Popping PicsArt

Inevitably, ‘beautify’ has a vast array of blemish and enhancement edits. That said, the best ones require the in-app purchase upgrade to PicsArt Gold. There you can access all features at a burden of £6.99/approx $8 per month or £58.99/approx $70 a year (working out at £4.91 a month) which I feel is a little high, but which seems to be the way most photo apps are going these days.

I understand that apps need to be profitable, however the free version of PicsArt is also unfairly riddled with incessant, full-screen ads, severing almost every edit, which is nothing short of annoying.

For this degree of bombardment, I would expect far more free functions than what’s on offer. There’s a 3 day free trial which will reel you in if tempted … the subscription being pricey, but there’s definitely a substantial feast of goodies inside.

In conclusion, it’s a great app, perhaps starting to push it’s luck on a top 5 ‘free’ photo-editing apps list, but well worth it’s elbowroom in your photo editing folder.

For PicsArt in Apple iTunes store click here.

For PicsArt in Google Play store click here.

Photoshop Mix

Cut and paste yourself next to a Hollywood legend or a giant donut. Add a moon, some jelly beans and a plastic water gun. Basically, if it’s in your mind it’ll soon be in your image.

Photoshop Trix, I mean Mix, is a great bag of optical illusions.

You can spend hours just playing around with the layer options available.

Photoshop Mix is not primarily what you’d be looking for, to create face enhancing filters to your latest selfie. This app is far too much fun for that.

Special FX

It’s more about special effects than filters. However, you can do your fancy filters first and then add up to 10 different layers to create something splendidly out-of-this-world.

Following on, 10 layers is a tremendous achievement for a mobile app. I’m not sure I’ve come across another with anywhere near that capability.

Many apps offer a cut-out function, but when you zoom in on some, your cut-out is often as precise as a butter knife in PlayDoh.

PS Mix auto cut-out is smarter than a Collie at Flyball. It’s intelligent edge recognition is so easy to use and you don’t have to own a finger the size of a twiglet. as a clumsy tap is usually enough for it to realise what you might be after here.

In the rare event that the tool does wander of, it’s easily erased with the same level of accuracy.

The Meme Generator

When you’re ready to bring in your next layers, they’re set aside each other, in a separate column so you don’t get confused by ‘stacks’.

Have you had a go at the meme generator yet?

So many interesting edits to be had in this nifty little app from Adobe.

Finally, there’s a nice selection of text to choose from for that finishing touch.

(Unfortunately, since this review was written, Adobe have discontinued Photoshop Fix as an app. However, many of its top-quality features have moved over to my No. 1 of Top 5 Free Photo Editing Apps, PS Express and can be downloaded using the link above.)

Photoshop Fix

Now this is the one that’s going to make you look good! Another self-explanatory app from my favourites, Adobe.

Photoshop Fix will devour your poor quality, under-exposed and grainy photos, rolling-out clearer, brighter smoother details, that are sure to delight!

Import your selfie and apply face point nodes to touch on your features: nose, eyes, chin, cheeks etc.

Spot healing will help erase all memory of your own, inconveniently-timed spot.

Virtual Enhancements

I love the preset adjustments on this app. It’s another example of Photoshop intuition, while still giving you control if you desire it.

Choose from six functions: exposure, contrast, warmth, saturation, shadows, and highlights, and use sliders to adjust each one. The adjustments are intuitive, making you feel far more in control than similar adjustments in other apps.

The Liquify feature is incredibly advanced. Use the ‘Face’ function to naturally contour your facial features. The ‘Clone Stamp’ in the ‘Healing’ section erases blemishes like they were never there in the first place. The ‘Red Eye’ fix is gentler, smoother, and lighter than in other apps I’ve tried, and astonishingly accurate. You can adjust color and paint until you achieve the look you want.

This app isn’t just for face healing either; it’s equally effective on other objects, landscapes, or action shots.

Multiple Import Options

It’s also one of the simplest to use. Import your image, instantly, from just about everywhere: on your device, Creative Cloud, Lightroom, Facebook, Dropbox or Google Photos. Alternatively, take a photo directly through the app.

If, after removing your spots and healing your insect bites, you feel the need for a little texturing, click the smooth feature and either ‘smooth’ or ‘harden’ areas of your image. There’s a separate option for the face, as this app is designed to make everything (as well as everyone) look perfect!

Give yourself a tattoo or duo-tone your landscape in paint. So many enhancements all under one roof.

Let’s here it for Adobe!

Like, follow and review so that we never run the risk (albeit minuscule) of losing this app to the high-rate, in-app purchases brigade! (To be fair, I’d probably pay top dollars for it.)

Photo Lab – No. 5 in Top 5 Free Photo Editing Apps

If you haven’t quite created the masterpiece you were aiming for, with the four superb photo-editing apps above, head on over to Photo Lab.

As soon as you open this app you’ll gasp with awe. Even the worst photo you’ve ever taken is going to transform into a Disney Princess or Superhero here.

Not only that, other users upload their edits for everyone to be inspired by. There’s nothing like seeing how an effect works before diving in and committing yourself.

Welcome to Fantasia!

This app is a truly exhilarating place to be. Scroll through the thousands of user edits or click on Categories or Recommended at the bottom of your screen.

You’ll be nothing short of overwhelmed at the choices.

If you can bring yourself to choose one to try, upload your own image or selfie to be given the all-star, super-imposed Hollywood treatment. It’s nothing short of fantastic!

Set Your Alarm Clock

Don’t forget that you have a job to go to, or kids to feed, with this app!

Also, there’s a creative community to dive into, where you can start a collection of your own edits, share and discuss!

I haven’t found anything this addictive since Black Ops. You’ll be instantly hooked.

There is an in-app purchase if you want to be completely owned by PhotoLab. Some of the ‘Pro’ filters are dotted around the main page, without being intrusive or perpetual.

There’s nothing to direct you to with Photo Lab, other than the app itself. You won’t need any instructions, video tutorials or how-to manuals.

Get it, rate it, tell others, it’s only fair!

For Photo Lab in Apple iTunes Store click here:

For Photo Lab in Google Play store click here.

Finally …

My suggestion is that you keep all five of these free photo-editing apps at your fingertips.

Each one has its own set of specialist functions. So much so, you will rarely find yourself wondering over to the App Store for anything else.

I constantly flick an edit from one app over to another for further edits … and so on.

Enjoy, create, celebrate …

More reviews …

If you love photography and videography and want to take it further than your smartphone, take a look at my ‘Top 4 Drones To Pack Under Your Pants

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