31 Best Filter Apps for iPhone & Android (Free, Aesthetic & Pro Picks)
You know that moment when you take a picture, look at it, and think… meh?
And then you throw on the right filter and suddenly it’s like, ohhh okay, this is actually post-worthy.
That’s the power of a good filter app.
And honestly? I’ve tried way too many. Some are cute for one photo and then never touch them again. Some are just… why do they even exist?
And then there are the ones that make me think, where have you been all my life?
So, instead of you wasting hours scrolling through the App Store, here’s my giant stash of filter apps — the ones that actually do something.
Some are free, some give you those dreamy Instagram vibes, and some are for the people who love editing like it’s a full-on art form.
Take what you need, ignore the rest, and maybe find your new go-to.
Best Photo Filter Apps
1. Snapseed
If you only download one filter app, make it this one.
It’s free, no weird watermarks, and it actually feels like you’re editing with pro tools — but without the stress.
The filters aren’t those over-the-top ones that scream “edited,” they’re more like subtle magic that just makes your photo look better.
And if you ever feel brave, you can play with the advanced tools like curves or selective edits… but honestly, you can stick to the filters and still get gorgeous results.
It’s one of those apps I always end up reinstalling if I delete it “just to clear space.”
Also Read: Best Apps with Filters Like Snapchat
2. Lightroom Mobile
This is the one people use when they want their photos to look like they belong in a magazine — but don’t want to spend hours editing.
The free version is already packed with filters (they call them presets) that can make your pictures pop, but if you’re into experimenting, you can adjust every little detail: light, color, texture, all of it.
The best part… You can save your own filter combos, so once you nail “your vibe,” you can use it on every photo without starting from scratch.
It’s a bit addictive once you see the before-and-after.
Also Read: Best Photo Editing Apps
3. Pixlr
Pixlr is my go-to when I just want to mess around without thinking too much.
You open it, throw on a filter, maybe add some light leaks or a bit of grain, and suddenly your photo has that “effortlessly cool” thing going on.
It’s not one of those apps that makes you dig through fifty menus before you find the good stuff — everything’s right there, easy.
Some filters are soft and pretty, others are bold and dramatic, so it’s kind of like having mood swings… but for your pictures. And honestly? That’s the fun of it.
Also Read: Best Instagram Editing Apps
4. YouCam Perfect
This one’s for the days when you take a picture and think, “Cute… but I wish I looked like I got eight hours of sleep.”
YouCam Perfect has those instant beauty filters that smooth out skin, brighten your face, and somehow make the whole photo feel softer without looking too fake — as long as you don’t go wild with the slider.
It’s also loaded with aesthetic filters for when you just want to change the vibe completely.
I use it a lot when I’m in a rush and need a quick “yes, this is postable now” fix without spending ten minutes tweaking settings.
Also Read: Best Face Editing Apps
5. AirBrush
AirBrush is designed for quick, flattering edits that still look natural.
It offers a range of one-tap filters that instantly enhance colors, lighting, and skin tone. The app is best known for its retouching tools — you can smooth skin, whiten teeth, remove blemishes, and adjust facial features without making the photo look overly edited.
For social media posts, it’s an easy way to create bright, polished pictures without spending a lot of time adjusting every detail.
Whether it’s for selfies, portraits, or casual shots, AirBrush makes it simple to create images that look professionally touched up in seconds.
Also Read: Best Selfie Apps
6. PicsArt
PicsArt is a versatile editing app that combines powerful filters with creative tools.
It offers hundreds of free and premium filters ranging from subtle enhancements to bold, artistic effects. Beyond filters, you can add overlays, stickers, text, and even draw directly on your photos.
The app also includes basic editing tools like cropping, color adjustment, and background blur, making it a complete package for both quick fixes and detailed edits.
Its collage maker and built-in templates are useful for creating unique social media content, while the community section offers inspiration and trending filter styles you can try instantly.
Also Read: Best Face Swap Apps
7. Retrica
Retrica is all about capturing photos with a unique, nostalgic feel.
Known for its vintage-style filters, the app lets you apply effects in real time before you even press the shutter. It offers a wide variety of tones, from warm retro vibes to faded film looks, perfect for giving photos a timeless aesthetic.
You can also add borders, vignette effects, and light leaks to enhance the mood.
Retrica’s simple interface makes it easy to experiment with different styles, and its built-in collage and video features allow you to create cohesive content without switching to another app.
8. Fotor
Fotor is a beginner-friendly editing app that delivers high-quality results with minimal effort.
It comes with a wide range of one-tap filters that instantly enhance colors, adjust lighting, and improve overall image sharpness. The app also includes advanced tools like HDR effects, curve adjustments, and selective focus for those who want more control.
Its batch processing feature is useful if you need to apply the same filter to multiple photos at once.
Whether you’re aiming for a clean, natural look or a more dramatic style, Fotor offers enough variety to suit casual users and hobbyist photographers alike.
Best Free Filter Apps
1. VSCO
VSCO is a favorite for its clean, film-inspired filters that give photos a professional yet understated look.
The free version includes a solid selection of presets, perfect for softening tones, enhancing colors, and creating a cohesive style for your feed.
Its editing tools allow for fine-tuning exposure, contrast, and temperature, so you can customize each filter to your liking. VSCO also has a built-in camera for shooting with filters applied in real time, plus a community space for discovering new styles.
It’s ideal for users who prefer subtle, timeless edits over heavily processed effects.
2. Snapseed
Snapseed is completely free and offers a professional-grade editing experience without any hidden costs or watermarks.
Its filter selection ranges from classic, natural enhancements to creative styles that change the entire mood of an image. Each filter can be adjusted for intensity, giving you full control over the final look.
Beyond filters, Snapseed includes advanced tools like selective edits, curves, and healing, making it a powerful option for both beginners and experienced editors.
Since it supports RAW files, it’s also a solid choice for photographers who want to fine-tune images directly on their phone.
3. LightX
LightX is a free photo editing app that combines powerful filters with advanced adjustment tools.
Its filter library covers everything from soft, natural tones to bold, high-contrast effects, making it easy to match different moods or styles. You can fine-tune each filter using sliders for brightness, contrast, saturation, and more.
The app also offers background removal, color splash effects, and blending modes for creative edits.
While it has a premium option, the free version includes plenty of features for casual and aesthetic-focused editing, making it a strong all-around choice without a steep learning curve.
4. PhotoDirector
PhotoDirector offers a wide range of free filters that can instantly transform photos, from bright and vibrant looks to soft and moody tones.
The app uses AI-powered tools to enhance colors, adjust lighting, and even replace skies for a more dramatic effect.
Filters can be customized for intensity, so you can go for a subtle touch or a full-on transformation. In addition to filters, PhotoDirector includes animation effects, object removal, and collage features, making it more than just a basic editor.
It’s a great option for users who want creative freedom without paying for advanced tools.
5. Adobe Express
Adobe Express offers a collection of free, high-quality filters designed for quick, impactful edits.
The interface is simple, allowing you to apply a filter and adjust its strength in just a few taps. While it’s geared toward creating content for social media, the filters work equally well for personal photography, giving images a polished and professional finish.
In addition to filters, Adobe Express provides templates, text overlays, and design elements, making it useful for creating posts, stories, and graphics.
It’s a solid choice if you want both photo enhancement and design tools in one free package.
6. Polarr
Polarr stands out for its customizable filters and unique style options.
The free version includes a variety of preset looks, from clean and natural to bold, cinematic tones.
What makes it different is the ability to tweak every aspect of a filter — colors, curves, shadows, highlights — and then save it as your own custom preset. You can also explore filters created by other users through Polarr’s QR code sharing feature.
It’s a great option if you like having creative control but still want ready-made styles to start with.
7. Canva
Canva isn’t just for designing graphics — it also has a solid range of free filters for quick photo enhancement.
You can adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and apply preset styles to match a specific theme or mood. Its filters work seamlessly with Canva’s other tools, so you can edit a photo and immediately add text, shapes, or overlays without switching apps.
This makes it especially useful for creating social media posts, stories, or marketing materials.
While it’s not as advanced as dedicated editing apps, Canva’s simplicity and all-in-one approach make it a convenient choice for fast, polished results.
8. Pixlr
Pixlr’s free version offers a wide selection of filters that range from soft, natural enhancements to bold, artistic effects.
The interface is straightforward, making it easy to apply a filter, adjust its strength, and save your photo in just a few taps. It also includes extras like overlays, light leaks, and texture effects to give images more personality.
While it doesn’t have the deepest set of professional tools, Pixlr’s balance of ease of use and creative flexibility makes it a great option for quick, eye-catching edits without any cost.
Best Aesthetic Filter Apps
1. VSCO
VSCO is a go-to choice for creating cohesive, aesthetically pleasing photo feeds.
Its presets are inspired by classic film tones, offering soft colors, gentle contrasts, and a timeless look. The app is especially popular among Instagram users who want their photos to feel curated without looking overly edited.
You can tweak every filter with exposure, temperature, and fade controls to match your personal style.
With its clean, minimal interface, VSCO focuses on subtle edits that enhance the overall mood of an image rather than dramatic transformations.
2. Prequel
Prequel is all about bold, eye-catching aesthetics that stand out on social media.
It’s packed with trendy filters like pastel tones, dreamy glow effects, retro film styles, and cinematic color grades. Many filters also come with matching effects, such as dust, grain, and light leaks, to complete the vibe.
The app is perfect for creating a consistent aesthetic, whether that’s soft and romantic or vibrant and futuristic.
With real-time previews and easy customization, Prequel makes it simple to give every photo or video a distinct, polished look that fits current Instagram and TikTok trends.
3. Tezza
Tezza is designed for anyone who wants their photos to look like they came straight from an influencer’s feed.
The app offers a carefully curated set of aesthetic filters, from warm, sun-kissed tones to cool, vintage-inspired edits. Each filter is paired with tools like grain, fade, and shadow tinting, so you can fine-tune the mood to match your style.
Tezza’s presets are known for adding depth and personality without making images look over-processed.
It’s especially popular for lifestyle, travel, and fashion photography where a consistent, Instagram-ready aesthetic matters.
4. RNI Films
RNI Films focuses on authentic film-style filters that replicate the look of classic analog cameras.
Each preset is inspired by real film stocks, giving photos a rich, timeless feel with natural color shifts and subtle grain. The app offers a variety of styles, from warm and nostalgic to cool and moody, making it versatile for different creative directions.
Filters can be adjusted for intensity, and basic editing tools are included for quick fine-tuning.
It’s a great choice if you want your images to have that “shot on film” character without actually using a film camera.
5. Huji Cam
Huji Cam is all about capturing that nostalgic 90s disposable camera vibe.
When you take a photo in the app, it automatically adds vintage-style filters with warm tones, light leaks, and a date stamp in the corner, just like old printed photos.
The experience feels intentional — you don’t edit afterward, you simply shoot and see what you get. This makes it perfect for candid moments, casual hangouts, or adding a playful retro touch to your feed.
It’s a fun way to create photos that feel authentic and imperfect, in the best possible way.
6. Dazz Cam
Dazz Cam recreates the charm of vintage film cameras, offering filters and effects that mimic everything from 80s VHS tones to classic 35mm film.
It lets you shoot directly in different camera modes, so you can see the effect in real time before taking the picture.
Many styles include grain, light leaks, and subtle color shifts for an authentic retro look. Whether you’re after a soft, dreamy aesthetic or bold, high-contrast film tones, Dazz Cam makes it easy to get that throwback vibe without needing any post-editing.
It’s especially popular for lifestyle and travel shots with a nostalgic twist.
7. KUNI Cam
KUNI Cam delivers a mix of retro-inspired filters and creative effects that work well for both photos and videos.
Its presets often feature warm tones, subtle fades, and soft grain for that lived-in, film-like aesthetic. You can also add extras like light leaks, dust, and vignette effects to give your shots more character.
The app’s interface is straightforward, making it quick to apply a filter and adjust intensity without getting lost in menus.
It’s a great choice if you want consistent, vintage-style edits that still feel fresh and modern for today’s social media feeds.
8. Afterlight
Afterlight combines artistic filters with creative texture overlays to give photos a distinct, stylized look.
Its filter collection covers everything from soft, pastel tones to rich, dramatic color grades, making it versatile for different moods. What sets it apart is the ability to layer effects like dust, light leaks, and double exposures for a more customized aesthetic.
The editing tools are easy to use, so you can fine-tune each filter’s strength and make subtle adjustments without overcomplicating the process.
It’s ideal for anyone who wants their images to have both polish and personality.
Best Pro & Advanced Filter Apps
1. Lightroom Mobile
Lightroom Mobile offers professional-level editing tools and high-quality presets for photographers who want complete control over their images.
You can adjust every detail — exposure, color balance, highlights, shadows, and more — while saving your favorite adjustments as custom presets for future use. The app supports RAW files, making it ideal for serious photography work.
Its filter library ranges from natural enhancements to stylized looks, and each can be fine-tuned to match your creative vision.
Whether used for subtle touch-ups or detailed retouching, Lightroom Mobile is a reliable choice for pro-grade results on the go.
2. Darkroom
Darkroom is built for fast, professional-grade editing with a clean, intuitive interface.
It offers a range of high-quality filters that can be applied to photos and videos, with the option to adjust every detail for precise control.
The app supports RAW and large file formats, making it a favorite among photographers who want to edit on mobile without losing quality.
One standout feature is its ability to create custom filters, so you can develop a signature style and apply it consistently.
It’s a strong choice for anyone serious about maintaining a polished, cohesive look across all their content.
3. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo brings desktop-level editing power to mobile devices, making it a strong alternative to Photoshop.
While it’s packed with advanced tools for detailed retouching, it also offers a range of professional-grade filters that can be applied non-destructively.
These filters cover everything from subtle enhancements to dramatic color transformations, and each can be fine-tuned for maximum control.
The app supports RAW editing, layer-based workflows, and complex adjustments, making it ideal for photographers and designers who need precision.
It’s best suited for users who want deep editing capabilities alongside high-quality filter options.
4. Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo combines powerful AI tools with professional-level filters to create polished, high-impact images.
Its filters can dramatically change the mood of a photo, from bright and vibrant to cinematic and moody. The AI features automatically enhance lighting, colors, and detail, which speeds up the editing process without sacrificing quality.
For advanced users, every filter is fully adjustable, allowing precise control over tones, contrast, and color grading.
It’s especially popular for landscape and portrait photography where depth, sharpness, and atmosphere are key.
Luminar Neo is a strong option for those wanting pro results with less manual work.
5. Photoshop Express
Photoshop Express offers a streamlined version of Adobe’s professional editing tools, paired with a versatile library of filters.
These range from quick one-tap enhancements to stylized effects for creative projects. You can adjust filter intensity, combine effects, and make targeted edits to specific areas of the photo.
The app supports RAW files and high-resolution images, making it suitable for professional work on the go.
With its balance of simplicity and depth, Photoshop Express is ideal for users who want reliable, high-quality edits without the steep learning curve of full Photoshop.
6. Polarr Pro
Polarr Pro takes customization to the next level, offering advanced filters that can be built entirely from scratch.
Alongside its library of professionally designed presets, you can adjust every element — from color curves and HSL sliders to shadows, highlights, and tone mapping.
One of its standout features is the ability to share and import filters via QR codes, making it easy to trade styles with other creators.
It’s a powerful choice for photographers and content creators who want a unique, signature look that can be applied consistently across photos and projects.
7. GIMP
GIMP is a free, open-source editing program that offers professional-grade tools and an extensive range of filters.
While it’s primarily desktop-based, it’s a great option for those who want advanced editing without the cost of commercial software.
Its filters can be used for everything from subtle photo enhancements to bold, artistic transformations, and the open-source nature means there are countless community-made filter plugins to explore.
GIMP supports layers, masks, and RAW editing, making it a flexible choice for photographers and designers who want full creative control without subscription fees.
Final Thoughts
The “perfect” filter app really depends on what you want from it.
If you just need something quick to make your photos pop, the free options here will do the job without costing a dime. If you’re chasing that dreamy, Instagram-ready vibe, the aesthetic picks are where you’ll find your match.
And if editing feels more like an art form to you, the pro-level tools give you all the control you could ever want.
At the end of the day, filters aren’t just about making pictures look better — they’re about setting a mood, telling a story, and making people feel something when they see your post.
Try a couple from different categories, experiment, and see which one fits your style best.
