10 Best Photo Editing Apps in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Photographer and Graphic Artist

If you ask photographers about their editing app of choice, chances are their answer is Adobe Lightroom. Adobe is known for creating software that boosts creativity and productivity, and this app is no exception to that. Lightroom is the complete package; it's good for all types of photography enthusiasts, whether beginner or pro.

This freemium editing app in mobile form packs a punch, as it is comparable to the desktop version. Features such as exposure adjustment, presets, and color grading are already available in the free version. And with the Lightroom Discover feature, you can discover new photos and share your own with fellow photographers.

Premium features such as cloud storage, RAW photo editing, healing brush, and selective adjustments can only be used with a subscription plan. There is a 7-day free trial for this, so don't forget to give this a try!

Snapseed is a free and full-featured editing app created by Google. An editing powerhouse like Snapseed is already easy to use; that's why it's one of the top editing apps on our list. Its user interface is extremely simple, while the app retains its advanced features.

Experienced photographers can use this app on the go with features like healing brushes, curves adjustment, and selective adjustment, among many others. If you're a nitpicker when it comes to your photos, the tools are more than enough to satisfy your needs. 

However, take note that Google does not release updates for this app regularly. If you encounter minor issues while using Snapseed, it might take a while before they get resolved. Other than that, its features make this a must-try app for beginners and photographers alike. Best of all, it's completely free!

You might be familiar with the VSCO girl meme: a girl who posts artsy photos using the edits from the VSCO app. This editor boasts a wide collection of more than 200+ filters and an integrated social photo-sharing system. When it comes to filters, VSCO shows the app is more than just a meme. It's the real deal.

Film-like, vintage, warm, or vibrant filters - VSCO has it all. And that's just the beginning. The filter strength can be adjusted, and that's a setting that's not available in all photo and video editors. However, a lot of the filters are blocked by a paywall, so make sure to preview them before becoming a member.

A standout feature is the social photo-sharing aspect. You can share your photos without worrying about the number of likes or comments you get. It's simply a great avenue for photographers to share and appreciate art. 

Once a paid app, Afterlight now offers free features to both iOS and Android users. It has a complete set of filters and textures that work with every mood you want to express in your photos. The intuitive interface can even help beginners produce professional-quality photos.

You can unleash your creativity with the standout features that include: light leaks, grain textures, double exposure, and so much more. The app supports pictures in RAW format, meaning you don't have to lose any of the small details in your picture in the editing process.

Know that a lot of the previously mentioned are available to iOS users only. Sorry, Android users! You can still download the app on the Play Store, though, but you will be limited to a smaller collection of tools, filters, and effects. The iOS version also has a paid subscription in case you want the complete Afterlight experience.

Picture this: a friend takes your picture, and you give your best smile. You expect a fantastic shot, only to be let down by someone who walked right behind you. What a way to ruin a potential Facebook profile picture! Thankfully, TouchRetouch does an amazing job at getting rid of unwanted objects in your photos. 

Whether you're conscious about your pimples or distracted by photobombers in your barkada shot, this app has got you covered. Signs, power lines, blemishes — anything you want to remove, TouchRetouch can do that for you. It's the best app for retouching, as it is purely focused on that.

It's easy to use - you just need to use the brush or lasso tool. But if you're somehow having a difficult time, you don't have to worry. There are in-app tutorials that cater to beginners, so they're not left out. Professionals can also use this app for quick retouches. 

If there's Adobe Lightroom, there's also Darkroom. An award-winning app like Darkroom surely has features for beginners and advanced photographers alike. On top of that, the app is user-friendly, so it doesn't scare beginners away. 

On the other hand, features like RAW format support and batch editing will suit the on-the-go professional. Although the filter selection isn't as extensive as other apps, the ability to modify them makes up for it. A lot of these are premium features, so take advantage of the free trial to have a feel of what Darkroom can provide.

If you're an Apple user, you're in luck because this app has excellent integration with the Apple ecosystem. Every photo you have in your iCloud no longer has to be imported because the app is built on top of the iCloud Photo Library. Talk about hassle-free! 

While most photo editing apps find it difficult to pull off strong filters, this isn't a problem for Prisma. The widely available app can turn your photos into stunning Picasso- or Dali-inspired paintings. The app releases a new filter each day, so the collection of filters is so vast! Its clean user interface will also appeal to photography newbies.

Choose from over 500 creative filters and make basic adjustments to exposure, contrast, and sharpness. Prisma also has an online community if you're interested in social sharing features. You can share your own creations, and at the same time, search for inspiration in other users' photos. 

When someone says a photo clearly looks edited, they will claim that it is "photoshopped." The desktop app, Adobe Photoshop, has become so popular that the term "photoshop" has become a catchall term for the act of editing photos.  

Compared to the desktop version, however, the mobile version might be underwhelming to photography professionals. It's unlike Adobe Lightroom in that aspect, but it does have enough features that a beginner can utilize to produce high-quality photos. 

These features include a collage tool, healing brushes, filters, and cloud storage. Like Lightroom, it also has a paid subscription. A 3-day trial is available if you want to dabble in the advanced editing features that the app has to offer. 

Like the other photo editors that made it to our list, PicsArt offers a variety of filters, effects, and stickers to spice up your photos. Multiple effects can be achieved with a simple touch, and that's why it's so appealing. You can choose to use advanced tools such as brushes, curves, clone stamps, and so much more.

A bonus to this full-featured app is the social media aspect. Connect with professional photographers and be inspired by their photos. PicsArt also gives you the option to remix their photos - this feature allows you to edit photos taken by pros. This is a good avenue to practice your editing skills!

However, while this app has complete features, it does not have the option to tweak the strength of filters. You may also encounter ads constantly popping up on your screen while using PicsArt, and the only way to alleviate this is through buying a subscription plan. 

If you find photo editing apps to be too similar, you might want to try Pixlr for something different. It's perfect for newbies who want to make casual edits by adding stickers, borders, and texts to their photos. With just a simple tap of the autofix button, Pixlr automatically edits the photo for you if you immediately need one worth posting on social media.  

A paid subscription is available if you want to use extra filters, effects, fonts, and borders. Professional photographers, however, might not be so impressed with the features this app provides and might prefer a more advanced editing app.