With a smartphone in every pocket, anyone can claim to be a photographer now. But what about the editing part? Is your phone’s native photo app good enough to get the job done? Here’s why I think it’s worth spending money on a third-party photo editing app.

My Top Mobile Photo Editing Picks

After some trial and error, I’ve honed in on a select few apps that consistently deliver good results. Picsart and Photoshop Express are the only two that have earned their spot on my device.

Picsart is a powerhouse, offering an extensive array of tools and features. And it’s more than a photo editor, it also functions as a video editor, AI art generator, drawing app, and graphic design tool. It’s got everything I might need for doing something creative on my phone.

In the realm of photo editing, Photoshop has long been the standard—Photoshop Express is like its mobile sidekick. It has everything you could possibly need for high-quality photo editing.

Put these two together, and there’s no limit to what you may create. You can use both apps for free, Picsart also has a freebrowser app, but the good stuff is locked behind the subscriptions.

Download:Picsart foriOS|Android(Free, in-app purchases available)

Download:Photoshop Express foriOS|Android(Free, in-app purchases available)

If Picsart or Photoshop Express are not for you, check out these otherphoto editing apps for Android and iOS. Many of them are free, and some offer subscriptions for access to better features.

Why I Pay for Third-Party Photo Editing Apps

If you’re still on the fence about doling out cash on a photo editing app, here’s my two cents on why I reckon it’s worth it.

Superior Editing Tools

Not only do third-party apps usually have more to offer than your native photo editing app, but getting a paid version normally means you get unlimited access to all of its tools.

For example, many of Picsart’s AI tools and nicer filters are locked behind a subscription, such as the background remover. And the Photoshop Express Advanced Healing tool is also only available to premium users. To me, those features are exactly why I love the apps. Apple Photos doesn’t come close.

Enhanced Creativity

The more tools you have access to, the more creative you can get. To demonstrate, let meedit a photo with a vintage aestheticusing Apple Photos (first screenshot) and then Picsart (second screenshot).

As you can see, the difference is striking. I had to make the best of the basic tools Apple Photos has, while Picsart has specific filters and overlays to achieve the exact look I’m going for. The first screenshot doesn’t look bad, it just doesn’t scream vintage.

Professional Results

If you take your mobile photography a bit more seriously, especially if you have a social media page dedicated to photography, a native or free photo editing app probably won’t cut it.

Photoshop Express comes with tools like Smooth, Heal, Dehaze, and Red Eye. These tools go beyond filters and cropping and actually fix errors in your shots, which I consider to be a crucial part of photography.

It Saves Time

Setting aside all the hours I waste tinkering with Picsart’s templates and AI effects, a paid photo editing app can end up saving you time, believe it or not.

Think about this scenario: you took a great shot of a cityscape, and you want to edit it to get that moody, blue hue of the cyberpunk aesthetic—which app will get you there faster? Sorry again Apple Photos, but it’s not you.

Should You Pay for a Photo Editing App?

If you don’t feel the need to tweak your photos after snapping them, my answer would be no. If you’re considering buying an image editing app for specific features that would give your photos an edge, it’s worth a shot.

Most photo editing apps have free versions or offer free trials for full access, so maybe give that a try for a few weeks. If it leaves you feeling like you’ve gained anything, such as photography skills or more likes for a killer edit, I say go for it!