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IT4nextgen > Best-Of > 12 Best Photo Editing Apps for Android to Create Special Effects

12 Best Photo Editing Apps for Android to Create Special Effects

Last Updated December 9, 2022 By Subhash D Leave a Comment

Click! Share! Upload! Post!

This is the mantra followed by most youngsters these days. And I am also one who is recently bitten by the selfies and groupfies bug! Thanks to social media and apps! We are more interested in spending time with our phones than with friends. For quite some time I was not much interested in the complicated world of likes and shares. Since all my friends and close ones are on multiple social sites, I was also coerced into joining this mad race to stay in touch with them. And soon I was in need of the Best Photo Editing App for my Android phone.

I must confess social media is not as bad as I earlier believed. So, here I was, ready to play the game of social networking. But I never earned more than 20 likes on my Instagram or Facebook pic posts. And the ones that I got were from my family members. It was like they had to hit the like button because they are “mi faimilia.”. I only wished that I could look as hot, happening, and flawless as my friends.

I was just beginning to take the matter into my stride when my brother told me “Dude! Do something about your pics! Use some filters!” It was a loud enough wake-up call for me. The right app and the correct filter are what I needed to present myself and earn more likes and shares. Everything changed when I discovered the amazing and magical world of photo editing apps.

So, here are my views on some of the best Android photo editing applications, to help distressed souls like me.

Best Photo Editing Apps of 2018

1. Candy Camera

JP Brothers, Inc. is an app-developing company that became a hot cake among youngsters with the Candy Camera application. When it was first launched, no other app offered so many filters and features. I am not talking about the standard contract, and brightness correction features guys! This app means serious business. It has multiple special features, to enhance your facial appearance with some alterations.

screenshot of candy camera app

Do you think lightening the skin complexion is super cool? Yes! Download this app for free, and you will get a host of new beautification settings, which will change the way you see yourself. It has so many filters that it took me a few hours to figure out the benefit and effects of each filter.  The software specialists were not joking when they alleged that Candy Camera is like a mini version of Photoshop. The more you practice, the better you will be to give a Vogue magazine touch to your selfies or groupfies.

Download Candy Camera

2. Photo Editor Pro

Another photo editing application that I could not ignore at all is the Photo Editor Pro. The app was developed by Zentertain, and any Android user will be able to download it for free. Whether you want to add that extra gorgeousness to your selfie or make your groupfies more appealing, this app is for you. No one can miss the awesome pics touched up with Photo Editor Pro.

screenshots of photo-editing-pro

You will find several handy features which other such apps may also offer. But some of the filters and effects are exclusively available in this app. Apart from adjusting the brightness and contrast; you will also be able to change the Tilt Shift, color splash, and temperature of the snap. Kids find this application particularly interesting as it offers them a chance to insert cool stickers in the pictures. So, if you have some rowdy kids at home getting on your nerves, get them engaged with the astonishing filters of Photo Editor Pro to play with.

Download Photo Editor Pro

3. Pixlr

If you desire to get fast results, without too much fuss, then Pixlr is the best Android photo editing app for you. The renowned app developers who made Pixlr-O-Matic created this speedy and compact application for the ones living life in the fast lane. This is an uncomplicated editing app even for beginners. It allows novice social networkers to make an impressive presence on their social media profiles, with edited images having a professional touch.

image showing pixlr android app

With this app, you can remove red-eye flaws, improve sharpness, adjust the lighting, and lighten skin color. Girls love this application as it is a one-touch solution for all their selfie editing needs. The special beautification features give their pictures an air-brushed touch. I especially like compiling snaps, as I can never pick one from the lot. It is one of my favorites as it has a separate collage mode. Once the editing process is complete, you can select the social networking site, and upload the snap immediately.

Download Pixlr App

4. Snapseed

If you are looking for a photo editing application that is an all-inclusive package whether features, filters, or effects, then you need not look beyond the Snapseed app. Personally, I prefer to keep the original images unaltered. That way, I can use other effects on them later. I have not seen many apps come with this feature. If you download and use Snapseed for touching up your pics, then you will be able to retain the edited and unedited snaps saved in a separate folder.

screenshot of snapseed photo-editing android app

It has a multitude of filters and allows the user to apply optimization options to make images compact and smaller for quick uploads. Though it will not provide DSLR-grade sharpness or focus, you will be pretty impressed with the results. I can bet that android users do have more than one photo editing app installed on their phones. Snapseed is the ultimate tool to link Google Photos or Dropbox. So, sharing images was never so easy.

Download Snapseed

5. Vignette

It may come across as a good feature to you now, but it was not the case a few months back. I made lots of mistakes, so I learned about the right combinations to select while editing my images before sharing them on social sites. If you have a notion that you will be able to nail it with complex photo editing tools, then you are wrong. It is better to start with apps with simple features, and then gradually move towards some really complicated ones.

screenshots of vignete app

One such simple and basic photo editing app is the Vignette. You can also use it to capture your snaps directly. This app allows the user to experiment with camera styles and vintage effects, namely Diana, Polaroid Lomo, or Holga. It also offers photo booth mode and double exposure. The app does not have features like rotation or cropping. You need to access the edited images separately, and then post them online. Get this simple-to-use app with limited features.

Download Vignette

6. Photoshop Lightroom

photoshop-lightroom's image

If you are not new to the world of photo editing, then you must be aware of the huge popularity and efficiency of Adobe Photoshop. Professionals use this software for all photo editing-related tasks. This software is not available for cell phones. There was a massive demand for such versatile tools for smartphone users. Software developers saw a great opportunity in this demand and so they were inspired to create a handy photo editing tool compatible with iOS and Android gadgets.

Photoshop Lightroom can be downloaded from Google Play Store for free. It makes use of raw data and enhances the look and texture of the image. You can use its astonishing features even if you do not have an Adobe Creative Cloud account. If you are a novice, then it is better to steer clear of this app, till you gain some mastery of the art of photo editing.

Download Photoshop Lightroom

7. Photoshop Express

When I started using Photoshop Express, I was overwhelmed by its features. Apart from the basic editing features, there was so much to explore and try. An app that offers so much can be downloaded for free on any Android-powered handset. I was highly impressed with so many border effects that were offered.

screenshot of photoshop-express

It has an amazing style and localized adjustment effects as well. Apart from these effects, the app allows users to work with raw data. So, if you want to edit images that have been captured with DSLR cam fields, then this is the perfect app for the task. Once you familiarize yourself with the effects and filters, you will be able to enhance the look of each pic significantly.

Download Photoshop Express

8. PicsArt Photo Studio

I was compelled to download the PicsArt Photo Studio at the behest of a friend who is an app nerd. During a family get-together, everyone was discussing the amazing features of this app. I felt like a member of the primitive age when I admitted that I didn’t have it on my smartphone. The teasing laughter of my cousins was enough to make it a point to figure out what was so amazing about this photo editing tool.

screenshot of picsart

I must say I was impressed with its features. There was only one glitch. It has two separate versions. The user must shell out some cash to get the full-featured version. The free version has basic photo editing features. But if you are just starting out in the photo editing arena, the free version will keep you busy for several weeks. The paid version will also give you the power to create GIFS from your static images. You will definitely get additional likes on your social network profiles.

Download PcsArt Photo Studio

9. Prisma

Prisma made its debut in the photo editing market in 2016. It was created by some Russian software developers, and the app was able to capture the attention of people all over the globe immediately. The funny thing is that Prisma was never designed to edit images. It only offered unique graphic filters, which allowed the users to give a painting effect to the images.

image showing prisma app's screenshot

It has many amazing artworks and stylish customization. If you wish to apply amusing effects in your images and selfies, then you must download this application immediately. The app works on a unique algorithm that creates the desired graphic or rustic touches. When I started using this photo styling app, I was pretty impressed with the look of my images and the response of my online friends.

Download Prisma

10. Facetune

If you are not happy with the basic photo editing applications you have been using and want something that will give a professional touch to your snaps, then you must get Facetune. It is compatible with both Android and iOS mobiles. Whether it is to lighten the skin or to smoothen the rough texture, you will be able to edit the images just like a professional photo editor.

image of facetune app

The features are interactive and can be customized as per the need of the user. Some special features allow the user to reshape the face, whiten the teeth, or increase the sharpness of the image. I will suggest that you start practicing with basic apps, and then attain the skills of editing photos with this one-of-a-kind online tool.

Download Facetune

11. Tiny Planet FX Pro & Small Planet

Youngsters may also feel interested in changing the shape of the images, rather than applying several filters. It is another way to enhance the beauty of a selfie. Kids find it great fun to turn panoramic photos into tiny planet-type frames. There are two separate applications, which offer exactly this functionality.

mobile-screenshot of tinyplanet

Some users fail to attain the desired results since they have not used some basic apps prior to Tiny Planet FX Pro & Small Planet. You must also get familiar with a basic photo editing tool before you work with the features of this app. Once you master these filters, you will astonish the world with the creativity in your posts. Both apps can be downloaded from the Google Play store. The only limitation is that Tiny Planet FX is not free. If you are in no mood to shell out extra bucks on a photo editing application, then Small Planet will be a perfect alternative.

Download Tiny Planet FX Pro

12. Aviary

Lastly, I cannot resist the temptation to mention the name of another free application available on Google PlayStore. It has manual as well as one-touch adjustment features, which will take care of all your photo editing requirements. If you are new to this art, then using the basic filters will come in handy.

image depicting photo-editing app from Aviary

Once you have acquired enough expertise in editing snaps, you can switch over to the specialized effects. The cosmetic features will ensure that you look radiant and flawless, no matter what the quality of available light was. You will be able to insert stickers with this app. To attain access to customization, you need to download the paid version. Once you use this version, you will not want to use any other photo editing application.

Give Special Effects to Snaps with Photo Editing Apps

Well, folks! That is all for now. I sincerely hope that you will be able to get what you are looking for. Once you hit the jackpot, even that mean girl in your class will be forced to hit the “like” button on your snaps, not because she honestly likes them, but because she is jealous, and is probably wondering how is it that your snaps look cooler than her posts.

For professional photo editing and portrait retouching, download one of these photo editing software for beginners that is very user-friendly for total newbies.

Let’s keep it a secret between us! I will get back to you will some amazing info on effective apps, when they hit the market.

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Filed Under: Best-Of

About Subhash D

A tech-enthusiast, Subhash is a Graduate Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Founder of it4nextgen, he has spent more than 20 years in the IT industry.

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