Photo editing and creating collages for sharing on social media has evolved enormously in recent years. These days, we're not content with just taking a photo: we want each image to convey personality, originality, and stand out visually among the millions of daily posts on platforms like Instagram. Thanks to the advancement of mobile technology and the variety of apps available for both Android and iOS, it's possible to edit, retouch, create compositions, and optimize images or videos from anywhere, with results that rival professional desktop programs.
Today's mobile phones are equipped with cameras with high-quality sensors and lenses, but the real leap in creativity comes with the use of photo editing appsThese tools open up endless possibilities: from subtle retouching and sophisticated filters to the creation of complex collages, frames, stickers, text, and special effects. Although programs like Photoshop and Lightroom remain the benchmark in the professional world, general users and influencers find mobile apps to be a complete and versatile solution for achieving their visual goals.
InstaSize InstaSize was long one of the star apps for adjusting images and creating collages before uploading them to Instagram, allowing users to preserve the integrity of the original photo without losing quality or important details. However, InstaSize's transition to a paid model has left many users looking for free and practical alternatives with equivalent or even superior features in some respects.
Why look for free alternatives to InstaSize?
The need for easy, fast, and free editing is a constant, especially for those who regularly publish on social media. Until recently, InstaSize offered a simple and functional interface: frames to fit any format, customizable backgrounds, collage creation, filters, text, and the ability to share directly to Instagram and other platforms.
Unfortunately, the move to a premium model after the first month of use and the mandatory payment method, even for the trial version, has led to a significant drop in ratings, and millions of users have opted for other apps. Currently, There are multiple free and cross-platform tools, many of them with advanced and innovative options., which replace or surpass InstaSize in usability, results and variety of effects.
The best free alternatives to InstaSize for photo editing and collage creation
In this article, you'll find an extensive overview of the most recommended apps, both classic and new, for editing your photos and creating collages for free. The list ranges from mobile apps to online and multiplatform solutions, integrating information and practical recommendations so you can choose the one that best suits your workflow and creative needs.
1. Square Quick
Square Quick is a great option for those who want to post photos on Instagram without losing detail due to the platform's automatic cropping. This app adds customizable frames that preserve the original format and composition of your images, plus hundreds of emojis, stickers, and artistic effects. Ideal for selfies, portraits, and creative photos, it features features like:
- Creating collages with multiple photos.
- Defocused backgrounds for bokeh effect.
- Customizable texts with different fonts and colors.
- Gradient, mosaic, and color frame effects.
- Share directly to Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and other networks.
- Intuitive and lightweight interface, designed for speed and convenience.
Perfect for those who want eye-catching results without technical complications or financial investments.
2. Pixlr
Pixlr is one of the oldest and most highly rated tools in mobile and online photo editing. It stands out for offering completely free features, the ability to work offline, and an impressive array of filters, effects, and options. Its main advantages include:
- Over two million combinations of effects, frames, and overlays.
- Quick and easy editing or more detailed processes for advanced users.
- Automatic correction tools, cropping, rotation, color retouching, brightness/contrast and intensity adjustments.
- Creating collages with a multitude of templates and styles.
- Double exposure function for creative images.
- Integration with social networks to share direct results.
Pixlr also has web and desktop versions, allowing for a flexible workflow between mobile devices and computers.
3. AirBrush
If facial retouching and selfie enhancement are your thing, AirBrush stands out as one of the most powerful portrait editing apps.. Its notable features include:
- Magic Auto Retouch Tool: Smooths skin, whitens teeth, corrects blemishes, and enhances eye brightness in one tap.
- Makeup modes and beauty filters.
- Manual adjustment for those who prefer control over every detail (eye size, facial structure, contours, etc.).
- Creating montages and editing any type of photo, not just selfies.
The interface allows you to take photos right from the app, applying effects immediately, or edit any image in your gallery later. Although some advanced features are reserved for the paid version, the free option more than covers the needs of the average user.
4. InShot – Photo and Video Editor
InShot is one of the most popular and complete editors for both photos and videos. Its powerful tool panel allows you to:
- Edit videos with music, cropping, filters, stickers, and transition settings (including slow and fast motion).
- Add custom text to videos and photos, with multiple fonts, sizes, and colors.
- Fusion of different clips and creative montage.
- Creating collages and visual grids ideal for Instagram.
- Direct export in the most suitable quality and format for each social network.
Its strength lies in its ease of use and the integration of professional tools, such as audio and video synchronization, or the ability to flip and rotate clips at will.
5. Snapseed
Snapseed, developed by Google, is a favorite app for amateur and professional photographers. It allows you to edit images with a level of control and precision that is difficult to find in free applications:
- 29 tools and filters, including selective brushes, perspective correction, double exposure, HDR, and more.
- Non-destructive editing: All changes can be reverted, adjusted, or deleted at any time.
- Process RAW images and save preset styles to apply the same edits to other photos.
- Instant before/after view with just a click of the image.
Its learning curve is slightly higher than average, but the results can be professional-level, especially if you explore external tutorials and resources.
6. VSCO
VSCO is synonymous with advanced visual editing and high-quality filters. This platform is ideal for those looking for a refined aesthetic in their Instagram posts and also allows you to join a community of creators and influencers. Key features:
- 10 free presets, with expanded access by paying for the premium version.
- Advanced camera with manual control of exposure, white balance and focus.
- Powerful adjustment tools: contrast, saturation, clarity, grain, cropping, straightening, and more.
- Batch processing and direct posting to the VSCO social network.
VSCO filters are considered among the best for achieving an analog film look, enhancing colors, and adding visual coherence to your Instagram feed.
7. Can go
Canva goes beyond a simple photo editor: it's a complete graphic design platform, accessible from any browser or through its mobile app. Perfect for:
- Creating visual collages for Instagram, Facebook, Stories, and any other social media platform.
- Quick editing with hundreds of pre-designed templates, filters, and elements.
- Design of brochures, posters, banners, stories, short videos, and animated publications.
- Collaborative project work, ideal for teams and content creators.
The free version is extremely comprehensive and allows you to export designs in PDF, PNG, or JPG. Premium users unlock access to millions of graphic resources and additional options.
8. Google Photos
Google Photos is more than just a cloud-based gallery: it offers built-in editing tools and the creation of animations, collages, and automatic arrangements. Among its advantages are:
- Basic editing without loss of quality: cropping, color adjustment, auto-retouching, applying instant filters.
- Automatic creation of collages, animations and thematic albums.
- Cross-platform synchronization and secure cloud storage.
While editing is less advanced than other apps, it's ideal for those looking for simplicity and ease of use, with Google support and automatic image organization.
9. PicsArt
PicsArt is one of the most downloaded and prolific editing and collage apps in terms of creative possibilities. Its functions include:
- Create collages of up to 50 images with customizable templates.
- Art filters, drawing effects, frames, stickers, and animated text.
- Advanced editing tools such as curves, cloning, cropping, blending, and selective color adjustment.
- Built-in camera and ability to make videos and memes.
PicsArt has its own community where you can share your creations, as well as easily export to Instagram, WhatsApp, and other networks.
10.BeFunky
BeFunky stands out for its ease of use and its powerful editing and collage tools, accessible both online and in the app. Ideal for quick but quality projects:
- Wide range of collage templates and batch image editing.
- Filters, overlays, facial retouching, and customizable text tools.
- Cloud-based editing, allowing you to continue working on any device.
Allows you to share results on social networks or download them directly to your device.
11. Fotor
Fotor is an online editor and mobile app known for its ease of use and smart retouching tools. perfecto para:
- Quick and automatic editing or manual editing according to preferences.
- Creating collages, posters, invitations, and social posts.
- Apply smart filters and effects with one click.
- RAW file processing for advanced photographers.
12. Instagram Layout
Layout is the official Instagram app for creating simple collages quickly and intuitively. Its integration with your phone's gallery makes the selection and composition process especially fast. Among its features:
- Various customizable templates and layouts.
- Manual adjustment of edges, crops and rotations.
- Direct export to Instagram with maximum use of the network's format.
13. Moldiv
Moldiv is another tool specialized in collages and advanced editing. Stands out for:
- Over 200 shapes and templates for creative collages.
- Integration of texts, filters, and touch-ups to customize every detail.
- Unique camera options for professional photography and high-quality selfies.
14.Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe Photoshop Express brings professional tools to all users through a free, simplified version. Notable options include:
- Automatic correction of light, color and tone.
- Trimming, straightening, spot and red-eye removal.
- Application of more than 45 creative filters.
- Support for RAW and TIFF images.
- Simple and easy to learn layer editing.
It also allows you to share and sync projects between devices via the Adobe cloud.
15. Photo Grid
PhotoGrid is ideal for those who want to unleash their creativity in collages, memes, GIFs, and original visual posts. Its features include:
- Over 300 grid layouts for collages.
- Edit up to 15 photos in a single composition.
- Integration of stickers, graffiti and animated effects.
- Options for creating memes and short videos.
16.PicCollage
PicCollage makes it easy to import, arrange, and advanced edit images into custom collages. It allows:
- Select from hundreds of pre-designed templates.
- Crop, rotate, overlay, add borders and shadows.
- Add stickers, effects, doodles, and freehand text.
- Save projects in progress and resume them later.
17. Ribbet
Ribbet is characterized by its simple interface and advanced editing and collage tools. Its most notable features are:
- Creating collages with predefined shapes such as stars, hearts, or musical notes.
- Basic and advanced editing, with customizable filters and cloud storage.
- Available on the web and mobile app, with free and premium options.
18. Enlight (iOS only)
Enlight is an advanced editor for iOS users looking for complete creativity and control over their edits. Among its features:
- Multi-layer editing, image blending, and control over lights/shadows.
- Multiple filter and color modes, double exposure, and digital art creation.
- Allows you to paint directly on the image for color correction or special effects.
19. Photopea (online)
Photopea is an online photo editor similar to Photoshop, but free and requires no installation. Its strong point is its compatibility with PSD, AI, and other professional file formats, as well as layered editing and the ability to export in multiple formats. Ideal for small designs, banners, or technical adjustments.
20.Polarr
Polarr is a cross-platform option for advanced editing and custom styling. Its customizable interface allows you to adapt the tools to each user's needs. It generates QR codes and shortcodes to share styles and presets with other editors.
21. GIMP (desktop and online)
GIMP is the benchmark for free professional editing on Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. It allows you to apply any adjustment, layer editing, advanced retouching, and features comparable to Photoshop. It requires a steeper learning curve, but is ideal for large-volume and advanced projects.
22. Google Snapseed (iOS and Android)
Already mentioned above, Google Photos It also features built-in editing tools and RAW support, making it a very versatile option for mobile editors.
23. Quick (Android & iOS)
Quick is the ideal option for adding text to your photos quickly and elegantly, ideal for Instagram and TikTok users. It stands out for its large library of fonts and colors, and for the ease with which you can create attractive posts for sales, advertisements, and product presentations. If you're looking for extra customization and the ability to remove the watermark, there's a paid version available.
24. Prism
Prisma transforms your photos into authentic works of art by applying unique painting styles using artificial intelligence. With over 700 artistic filters, it lets you transform a simple photo into an oil painting, sketch, or watercolor that stands out on Instagram and other social media. It's free, though it has premium options for more effects.
25. Facetune2 (Android & iOS)
- Granular and natural adjustment of every part of the face (eyes, skin, hair, smile, etc.).
- Teeth whitening, red-eye removal, digital makeup, light filters, and creative backgrounds.
- Possibility of editing video and applying animated facial retouching.
26. A Color Story
A Color Story specializes in enhancing and modifying the color of images, highlighting whites, contrasts, and pop styles. Its filter library helps achieve a vibrant and modern visual presence.
27. Afterlight 2 (iOS)
Afterlight 2 offers advanced curve controls, brightness, color and contrast editing, and RAW and HEIC file import/export. It's ideal for mobile photographers who want consistency in their edits and the ability to create custom filters (Fusion). You can learn more at HyperOS and its editing features.
28.SKRWT
SKRWT is designed to correct lens and perspective distortions in mobile photos, especially wide-angle ones. Allows you to straighten horizons and manually adjust perspective for architectural or landscape photos.
29. Superimpose X
Superimpose X is the leader in layered editing and complex photomontage creation on mobile. Perfect for creative photographers and advanced users who want to combine images, remove backgrounds, and apply unique effects.
30. Instagram Layout
Once again, Layout remains one of the best apps for creating simple mosaics and collages natively for Instagram, without watermarks and with maximum compatibility.
31.Photo Lab
Photo Lab brings together over 1000 creative effects—montages, animations, paintings, frames, and artistic filters—to transform any image into something original and eye-catching. If you're looking for variety and fun, their effects gallery is worth exploring.
32. Pic Jointer
Pic Jointer is among the top-rated apps for creating collages and granular control over details, frames, fonts, and layout. It's easy to use, compatible with iOS and Android, and stands out for its professional quality.
33. Collage Fuzel
Collage Fuzel doesn't limit the number of images per collage and allows you to create animations, effects, and easily share on social networks. It is ideal for visual storytelling projects and impactful publications.
34. i Piccy
iPiccy is an online editor with a wealth of adjustment tools, filters, and advanced features, perfect for those looking for quick edits with professional control. Requires Flash, but offers many free features.
35. Photopea
Photopea, as mentioned above, can open and export Photoshop (PSD) files and supports complex cloud-based graphic design and editing projects.
36. Photoscape X
PhotoScape X is a free program for Windows and Mac, ideal for batch processing, GIF creation, and experimental retouching. Supports over 1000 patterns, cutouts and animations.
37. Magic Hour
Magic Hour is a companion app that helps photographers identify the best natural light for their sessions, making it easier to capture stunning photos.
38.Touch&Retouch
TouchRetouch removes unwanted objects, blemishes, and wires from your images with a simple touch, achieving fast results without prior retouching experience.
39. Movavi Picverse
40. VistaCreate
VistaCreate is a design generator for animations, publications, logos, banners, and professional visual content, with thousands of templates and social media assets.
Additional resources and online applications
In addition to mobile apps, there are numerous free and paid online editors that allow advanced retouching, collages, batch adjustments and graphic designs from any browser:
- GIMP: Free and open source alternative to Photoshop for desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux).
- Polarr: Multiplatform for advanced editing and creation of personal styles.
- iPiccy and Befunky: Fast, intuitive online editors with collage and graphic design features.
- photopea: Online editor for images and files in PSD, AI, and other professional formats.
- Photo: For batch processing and fast social editing.
The universe of free alternatives to InstaSize 2025 It's immense, and each option covers different needs: from extreme customization and professional retouching to creating simple collages, memes, animated backgrounds, or product posts. Choose the app or platform that best suits your workflow, experiment with its features, and take your images, stories, and videos to the next level of creativity and quality, without having to spend a cent.