The Best iOS Photo Filter Apps To Make Your Photos Amazing

It doesn’t matter how great a smartphone camera you have. The chances are you’re going to find something wrong with the image. So to make things right, you should decide to download a photo filter app. 

This is the key to improving your glow, eliminating blemishes, or even removing an object entirely.  The only problem is finding the best iOS photo filter app.

Snapseed (Free)

Here’s a photo filter app you can use that comes with a wide range of photo filters. You have the typical black and white, vintage, and others to make your portrait look great. 

Of course, there are effects you can add to make your photos stand out on social media. Besides cropping, rotating, and correcting the perspective, you’re able to:

• Add brushes, make adjustments, and use the healing tool.
• Sharpen the image.
• Enhance the exposure and color.
• Add text and frames.
• Implement lens blur and vignette.

VSCO (Free & Paid)

Maybe you’re not comfortable coming up with your own filter settings. If that’s the case, then you can use the one-tap filter presets the application comes with. 

For instance, you can use the color, and black and white presets to make your photo look “classic.” Or you can use the other editing tools, such as cropping, exposure, grain, or fade.

What’s great about the filters is that they’re subtle, making them look more natural. Once you complete all of the editing, you can publish the image on your social media. 

Adobe Lightroom (Free & Paid)

This iOS photo filter app comes with both a free and subscription option that’s $10/month. You can say this app is the “gold standard” for the pros. 

Now, this doesn’t mean the app is complicated — in fact, the interface is simple. This makes it quick and easy to get things done, which is critical when you need to edit a selfie right before texting it to your new crush. 

With Adobe Lightroom, you get filter presets and RAW photo support. Plus, you’re able to make exposure adjustments and add watermarks. 

Then with the paid version, you can access Photoshop and Lightroom classic via your desktop. There’s also a built-in camera, which has more features than your iPhone camera. 

Retrica (Free)

Now, if you’re in the mood to create a collage of photos with a retro look, then this is the app for you. It comes with over 55 filters, making it quick and easy to snap and adjust photos on a whim. 

It even randomizes the filters so you can avoid being “filter biased” (and boring). While it’s free to download, you can make in-app purchases to expand your photo filters (over 80 to choose from!). 

Afterlight 2 ($2.99)

When you’re looking for the best iOS photo filter apps that are all-purpose, then Afterlight 2 is the way to go. This photo editor comes with all the typical bells and whistles, along with some creative extras. 

Some of the additions include features, such as selective color, gradients, blend modes, curves, dust and light leak overlays, a layers tool to add artwork and text, and free filter packs

This app is well worth it. If you’re a selfie-a-holic, then this is for you. You’ll enjoy messing around with the filter customizations. 

Enlight Photofox ($3.99)

For the iPhone selfie gurus — here’s a photo filter app just for you. This editor will allow you more freedom to control the exposure, color, and other details in your images. Plus, you can create seamless blends of effects. 

Other than the usual cropping, correcting, gradients, and vignettes, you can use this tool to remove unsightly defects. Then you can also add sketch, paint, and black and white effects. 

Whenever you’re feeling artsy, you can use the drawing tools, borders, text, and frames to spice up your photos. 

Darkroom (Free)

Here’s one of the more powerful photo editors on the app market. It’s an excellent tool you can use for both live photos and still images. The app comes with a range of color and black and white filters to choose from, which you can apply to either still or live photos. 

Then if you don’t like the preset filters, you can always customize and add your own. What also makes it a pro status is that you can batch edit a group of photos at once. 

Photoshop Express (Free)

If you’re keen on professional photo filter apps, then Photoshop Express should be on your radar. Surely, you’re familiar with Photoshop’s desktop version. 

Now it’s time to get acquainted with Adobe’s Express version. Although it’s not as strong as the desktop version, it does everything you need on a smartphone. This includes adjusting exposures, cropping images, and creating filter presets. 

You’ll find it’s exceptional for making other improvements, like removing blemishes (using its healing tool). There are also blur options and collage templates.

Never Worry About Posting Cringy Photos Again

Whether you’re creating a collage for a wedding album or publishing a selfie on social media, you can use these apps to ensure you look superb. 

Not sure which to try? Then why not begin with the freebies and see how they are? You may find you won’t have to fork up any money for the paid options.