Nowadays, the best apps for editing photos they are not just a tool for professionals; They have become essential for anyone who wants to enhance the look of their images, directly from their cell phone.
Whether you're an aspiring digital influencer, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys sharing special moments with friends and family, there's a photo editing app waiting to transform your images simply and effectively.
If you want to level up your photos easily and without spending a penny, keep reading. We are going to recommend 5 incredible apps that will meet all your editing expectations.
The 5 Best Apps to Edit Photos on Your Cell Phone for Free
In today's digital age, capturing moments on our cell phones has become a daily routine for many of us. However, not all photos turn out the way we want, and that's where the magic of editing comes in.
With the right apps, you can transform ordinary photos into masterpieces worthy of an enviable Instagram feed. Let's dive into the five best apps for editing photos for free that will elevate your photo editing skills directly from your cell phone.
1- Snapseed
Features: It offers a wide range of editing tools, from basic brightness and contrast adjustments to advanced features like selective editing and perspective correction.
Ease of Use: Despite its robust arsenal of tools, Snapseed has an intuitive interface that makes editing accessible even for beginners.
Step by Step to Use the App
- Open Snapseed and select the photo you want to edit;
- Explore automatic adjustment tools for quick editing or dive into manual options for full control;
- Use the “Select” feature for precise adjustments to specific areas of the photo;
- Try filters to add an artistic touch;
- Save the edit or share directly on social media.
2- Adobe Lightroom
Features: Known for its color, lighting, and detail fine-tuning capabilities, Lightroom also offers professional presets to speed up editing.
Ease of Use: With a slightly steeper learning curve, Lightroom is ideal for those who want to invest time in the quality of their photos, being another of the best apps for editing photos.
Step by Step to Use the App
- Import the desired photo into Lightroom;
- Adjust exposure, contrast and saturation by sliding the desired controls;
- Use color correction to enhance or soften specific tones;
- Apply one of the many presets for an instant transformation;
- Export the edited photo to your gallery or social networks.
3- VSCO
Features: In addition to a selection of high-quality filters, VSCO allows grain, saturation, and other adjustments for unique photos.
Ease of Use: Its clean and organized interface makes it easy to navigate and edit quickly, making it one of the best apps for editing photos.
Step by Step to Use the App
- Choose the photo from your gallery within the app;
- Select a filter to apply or go to manual adjustments for more control;
- Adjust the filter intensity for a more subtle or striking effect.
- Explore image adjustment tools such as sharpness, contrast and saturation;
- Share your creation with the VSCO community or save it.
4- PicsArt
Features: Combining editing tools with drawing, collage, and text overlay features, PicsArt encourages creative expression.
Ease of Use: Colorful and intuitive interface, ideal for those who like to add a personal touch to their photos.
Step by Step to Use the App
- Open PicsArt and select the edit photo option;
- Use the basic cropping, brightness and contrast tools for quick improvements;
- Add special effects, stickers or text to personalize your photo;
- Try the collage tool to combine multiple images into one;
- Save the final result or share on social media.
5- Canvas
Features: Perfect for those looking to create designs involving photos, it offers templates, graphic elements and typography for impressive montages.
Ease of Use: Highly intuitive, it allows even beginners to create professional visual content, being another of the best apps for editing photos which we recommend.
Step by Step to Use the App
- Choose a template or start a design from scratch;
- Import your photos and use the editing tools for basic adjustments;
- Add graphics, text or icons to complement your design;
- Utilize drag and drop features for hassle-free design;
- Export your design for personal or professional use.
Each one of best apps for editing photos offers a world of possibilities to transform your photos. Try them out and find out which one best suits your creative and technical needs.
Read also:
Care when editing images
Photo editing is a skill that can turn good photos into extraordinary ones, but there are common pitfalls that can do more harm than good.
Knowing what not to do when editing photos on your cell phone is essential to avoid artificial or low-quality results. Here are some important guidelines for keeping your photos looking professional and natural.
Don't Exaggerate Saturation
Saturation can make the colors in your photo “pop,” but overdoing it can lead to unrealistic, distracting colors. To avoid this error:
- Increase the saturation little by little and compare it with the original photo;
- Use saturation selectively, adjusting only the colors that need more life.
Avoid Excessive Use of Filters
Filters can add a unique style to your photos, but too many can obscure the details and natural beauty of the image.
- Prefer manual adjustments for greater control over editing;
- If you choose to use filters, opt for ones that gently enhance the features of the photo without dominating it.
Beware of Excessive Skin Editing
Attempting to create perfect skin can result in an unrecognizable and unnatural texture.
- Use skin smoothing tools sparingly;
- Maintain the natural texture of the skin to preserve the authenticity of the photo.
Don't Ignore Composition
Composition is fundamental to photography. Editing should not distract from the importance of good composition.
- Consider cropping the photo to improve its composition, following rules such as thirds, for a more harmonious result;
- Do not allow effects and editing adjustments to compromise the original structure of the image.
Be Careful with Sharpness
Adding sharpening can help better define details, but too much can create visual artifacts and grain.
- Apply sharpness subtly, especially in areas of focus;
- View the photo at different sizes to ensure the sharpening looks natural.