Not complete, but varied
If you take a lot of photos with the iPhone and iPad, you will soon find yourself wanting to do more with the photos. More control over camera settings, creating collages or applying filters. That’s why we’ve listed the best all-round photo apps for you. From nostalgic effects, to extensive editing, to creating photo collages. This selection is aimed at regular users who want to try something new and not so much at professionals. We do not try to be complete, but to give you a range of different options so that you know what is possible.
Photo apps: the choice is large
Before we kick off with our list, we would like to emphasize that this is just a selection. We know that there are countless other apps that have the same or similar features as the apps in this guide. It is impossible to name every app that meets the requirements. Do you use a photo app that really has other functions and therefore should not be missing? Then pass it on via the link at the bottom of this article.
Are you looking for the best photo editing apps for your iPhone or iPad? We have a separate guide for that. We also have a separate guide for advanced photographers. There we compare the best advanced camera apps for iPhone.
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Camera+: perfect for shooting and editing
Camera+ is an acclaimed photo app for the iPhone, because you can adjust almost all settings while taking photos. You can then get started with a clear number of editing options, where the quality of the color filters and lighting options stand out. Do you have a theme on, for example, your Instagram page or your blog? Then you can use the presets in Camera+. These are edits you’ve saved and can apply to a new photo or set of photos with one tap. This way you can easily share photos in the same style.
Halide Mark II
Halide has been one of the most popular camera apps for iOS for years. The app is regularly updated with new features and support for the latest iPhone. Many functions that you normally find on the most expensive DSLRs are included in Halide. For example, you can find the color zebra mode to easily see which parts of your image are overexposed. You really don’t get this in a regular camera app. Halide may contain a bit too much overkill for novice photographers, but if you gradually discover the possibilities, it is not much more difficult than getting to know a DSLR. Just start with one of the photo functions, such as adjusting the shutter speed, and expand with more and more functions.
If you still have trouble taking RAW photos, Halide will help you with that too. With the ‘Instant RAW’ function you can have the photo edited directly by the app, to get the most out of the settings. This means you don’t have to be an expert in editing, but you can still take the best photo. You can also take a regular photo and a RAW photo at the same time if you are still in doubt.
Halide also offers an easy design, manual focus, advanced portraits and of course all standard settings such as ISO and shutter speed. Downloading the app is free, but to use the app you will have to take out a subscription. However, you also get a lot in return. The developers are always at the forefront of adding new features.
VSCO: subtle, but powerful filters
VSCO is all about editing and filters. The free photo editor lets you make standard adjustments, including RAW photos. However, the app is mainly known for its filters. These are subtle, yet noticeable. With many other photo apps you can clearly see that a standard filter has been used. In the free version you can use a few filters, but paid users have access to up to 200 options. This also includes vintage looks, as if your photo came from an old Kodak film roll.
If you also work with video, it is also possible to edit the colors in VSCO. However, it is not a full video editor, but that is not a bad thing. The app makes up for a lot because of the beautiful filters. Moreover, there is also a community of other users to gain inspiration. You must have an account for this.
Looking for more photo filter apps for iPhone? Then you will find more inspiration with the list below.
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Facetune: easy and unobtrusive retouching
Remove pimple? Want to whiten your teeth a little? Facetune for iPhone lets you retouch and edit faces in an intuitive and easy way. The result is often astonishing. Edited photos look somewhat stylized, but you can also opt for AI-like functions that sometimes require you to look twice to recognize yourself.
Facetune is designed to retouch portraits with minimal effort, but can be used for other purposes. The app has a lot of filters and functions and is called Photoshop in miniature by avid users. For example, you can also adjust the lighting of a photo and choose a new background. Like many other apps, you will have to pay for using all the features via an in-app purchase. There are many more apps with which you can edit selfies and remove pimples, but beware that privacy is not always well arranged.
Instagram: the mother of all photo apps
I don’t think we need to waste many words on what Instagram is. Everyone knows that you can share photos with it, preferably photos that give the impression that your life is much more luxurious than it actually is. Many people first edit their photos before posting them on Instagram. This is also possible in the app itself, together with the many Instagram filters from which you can choose and which you can organize as you see fit. By the way, with the Photographic Styles on the iPhone you can now also ensure that all your Instagram photos radiate the same atmosphere, so give that a try before you post a photo!
Prism: turn your photo into a work of art
Prisma makes a painting from your photo. If you want a creative vibe on your Instagram, then you should definitely try Prisma. The app contains more than 500 filters and all kinds of painting styles from world-famous painters. Think of Picasso, Dalí and Munch. An advantage of Prisma is that everything you make is unique. And here too: you have to pay to really get the most out of the app.
Pixelmator: makes photo editing on the iPad child’s play
If you’re looking for an app that can do almost anything, you’re looking for something like Pixelmator Photo. This app is definitely worth the money: you can do many types of editing with it. The app receives help from machine learning. It is possible to remove unwanted objects and various presets are available. According to the maker, these presets are based on analog cameras.
In our review of Pixelmator we already wrote that we are very satisfied with the app. He gets an 8.8 from us. This is partly due to its simple, but very powerful operation. If you are looking for an app that can be used on the iPhone, iPad and Mac, then the Photomator app from the same maker is also useful.
Picsart: more than photo collages
You can create photo collages with thousands of apps on the iPhone, but Picsart is one of the best. If you want to make a collage, you can do this very easily by selecting a number of photos. You can immediately choose a layout that you like. You can adjust this later. Once you’ve chosen one, you can start customizing the photo collage. Add all kinds of extras such as backgrounds, stickers, text and effects. The only disadvantage of the app is that there are often advertisements in between, but you can buy off this. You also get all kinds of extras that you can add to the collage. The app can do much more; It also allows you to edit photos and draw on photos. Since the rise of AI, Picsart has also enthusiastically embraced it.
If you’re looking for more photo collage apps on iPhone, check out our extensive list.
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Snapseed: Google’s complete photo editor
As with many other digital applications, Google also has a free app for photo editing. This is less updated than the other photo apps on this list, but Snapseed is still worth mentioning. It contains many useful functions, such as correcting perspective, applying filters, retouching and dozens of other operations. Like other Google services, Snapseed is free to use. There are also no advertisements.
If you’re looking for more photo editors for iPhone, we have a separate list for them.
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With all these photo apps we are sure that your next snapshot will be much more beautiful. In our opinion, the best way to store and view all your photos is with Apple’s Photos app. Do you want to know what you can do with it? Check out our guide to the app.
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