Free alternatives to PicsArt: The best apps for editing photos on your phone

PicsArt PicsArt has been one of the go-to apps for mobile photo editing and visual content creation for years. However, the rapid development of the sector means that there are increasingly more powerful and free alternatives capable of competing with and even surpassing PicsArt in certain aspects. If you are looking for a complete, fast, free photo editor with advanced features, here we bring you a comprehensive and detailed list with The best free alternatives to PicsArt so you can find the one that best suits your needs.

In this extensive review, we cover everything from options designed for professionals who want maximum control over their images to simple and intuitive apps ideal for users looking for quick and impressive results on social media. While keeping all the original content up-to-date, we also add the most relevant, comprehensive, and up-to-date information on the industry's leading apps, so you have the best possible selection just a click away. You'll find everything from AI-powered editors and artistic filters to advanced retouching tools, collage creation, object removal, and much more, for both Android and iOS.

PicsArt: Why look for alternatives?

PicsArt has earned its place thanks to its ease of use, active community, powerful editing tools, effects, and stickers, as well as the ability to create collages and edit videos. However, The rise of micropayments, premium features, and the emergence of more intrusive advertising have led many users to seek alternatives that offer a smoother experience, without hidden costs and without restrictions. Other common reasons for seeking alternatives include greater originality, new filters, artificial intelligence, or more professional workflows.

For this reason, we thoroughly analyzed the most complete and reputable apps to cover any need related to mobile photo editing, from small touch-ups to the creation of authentic digital works of art, all with 100% free options or with most of its features without paying.

PhotoDirector: Advanced Creative Editing with AI

PhotoDirector is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and powerful photo editing apps currently on the mobile market. Available on Android and iOS, combines an intuitive interface with professional tools and the power of artificial intelligence to facilitate the creation of striking images, both for social media and for personal and professional projects.

Main features of PhotoDirector:

• More than 400 filters and free effects, constantly updated.
• Layer editing and mixes, Photoshop style.
• AI Tools: Avatar Generation, AI Enhancement, Sky Replacement, Object Removal, and Generative Fill.
• Convert photos to cartoons, anime, and art styles using AI.
• Automatic collages, themed templates, stickers, animated stickers, and creative text effects.
• Facial retouching: reduction of dark circles, acne removal, teeth whitening, facial contouring, and body contouring.
• Image edition RAW and advanced manual adjustment tools (curves, white balance, HSL, etc.).
• Built-in library of royalty-free stock images in the premium version.
• All basic features and most advanced features are free. and do not include watermarks on export.

The combination of AI-assisted automatic features with the ability to manually edit in detail makes PhotoDirector a top choice for users of all skill levels. Among its most highly rated features are the generative AI filling (to reconstruct parts of the image or remove objects), the ability to create avatars in seconds, and its creative filters. It also stands out for allowing body and face editing, mimicking many of the tools found in FaceTune or AirBrush.

Advantages of PhotoDirector over PicsArt:

• Better integration of AI functions.
• Advanced layer editing.
• Less advertising and greater access to free features.
• Professional-quality selfie and body retouching.

PhotoDirector is ideal for those looking for an easy-to-use app with stunning automatic results, as well as for those who want to control every technical aspect of their photo.

VSCO: Professional Filters and Advanced Adjustments

VSCO stands for professional editing and creative mobile photographyIts main attraction lies in its collection of high-quality filters, many of them inspired by classic analog film and edited by professional photographers, as well as their creative community.

Key features:

• Hundreds of photo filters, including classic, vintage, and cinematic styles (many free, many accessible with a premium subscription).
• Advanced settings: exposure, contrast, saturation, hue, temperature, clarity, and color by region.
• Retouching tools: sharpen, vignette, distort, fade, and aspect ratio crop.
• Video edition, GIF and collage creation (some features are in the paid version).
• Minimalist and fluid interface, designed for fast and creative flows.
• Communication and exposure within the VSCO community, allowing you to share your creations and discover those of other photographers from around the world.
• Sync and copy settings between images for a unified style.

VSCO's greatest strength lies in its ability to achieve professional results in just a few steps and the quality of its filters, which can transform a simple photo into a magazine-worthy image. Its manual adjustments allow you to go as far as you want, and the video editing option makes it even more versatile.

Strengths compared to PicsArt:

• Professional filters with a unique look.
• Opportunity to create creative profiles and connect with photographers from around the world.
• Workflow designed for visual consistency (very useful on Instagram or for brands).
• Regular updates and new filters exclusive to subscribers.

VSCO is perfect for those looking to develop a personal photography style or aspire to the aesthetic of larger Instagram accounts. While a subscription unlocks its full potential, the free version offers enough filters and tools to stand out.

Snapseed: Professional power at no cost and without ads

Developed by Google, Snapseed is an absolute benchmark in free mobile photo editing., offering a set of tools that rival professional desktop programs. It's completely free, includes no ads, and supports RAW files, making it a favorite among thousands of photographers and mobile photography enthusiasts.

Its main functions include:

• Advanced settings for exposure, color, contrast, contours, white balance, levels, selective, and brush.
• Over 29 tools, including spot removal, HDR, perspective, cropping, rotation, marquee, text, and vignette.
• powerful tool selective adjustment to edit only specific areas of the image.
• Professional real-time filters and artistic effects such as Noir, Drama, Vintage or Film Grain.
• Possibility of working with RAW files while preserving all image information.
• Portrait retouching, head pose, blurring and vignetting.
• Does not include advertising or micropayments. Everything is 100% free and without watermarks.

Snapseed allows for everything from quick edits to professional workflows on mobile, with the huge advantage of not charging for its features. Its interface, while requiring some learning, is efficient and flexible; you can save and apply your own preset styles after creating a customized workflow.

Advantages over PicsArt:

• All of their tools are free, with no restrictions or ads.
• Professional RAW/JPG editing capabilities.
• High-level selective tuning tools.
• You don't need an Internet connection to work.

Snapseed is ideal for those looking to control every setting and achieve professional-quality results on their phone, without relying on subscriptions or ads.

Adobe Photoshop Camera: Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Creative Effects

Adobe Photoshop Camera is Adobe's modern take on bringing the power of artificial intelligence to mobile imaging. Specifically geared toward creativity and easy editing for users of all levels, it integrates Adobe Sensei technology to deliver Real-time automatic effects, scene recognition and intelligent editing.

Its main capabilities include:

• Real-time effects and filters, applicable before or after taking the photo.
• Automatic scene and element recognition to modify backgrounds, introduce objects, change from day to night, or add fantasy elements (moons, clouds, neon environments, etc.) without touching the main subject.
• Creator-run effects shop with new additions regularly.
• Retouching and adjustment tools such as contrast, lighting, cropping, desaturation, and brightness.
• Exclusive portrait editing, selfie enhancement, and AI background changes.

Adobe Photoshop Camera stands out for its ability to transform any image into an artistic creation with just one click, and for its collection of thematic effects developed by artists and creatives from around the world. Although many of its advanced features depend on the Adobe ecosystem, The app offers a powerful free editor with AI features that outperform many rival apps.

Advantages over PicsArt:

• Automatic scene analysis thanks to AI.
• Real-time editing and preview of effects.
• Modern interface and unique artistic filters.

Pixlr: Quick edits and creative effects for everyone

Pixlr is a particularly useful alternative for those looking to edit photos in a simple and intuitive way, without sacrificing a good collection of eye-catching effects and filters. Available for both Android and iOS, Pixlr is geared toward users of all skill levels, allowing users to create their own unique photos. from basic editions to complex artistic creations.

Its functions include:

• Artistic filters, preset effects, and overlays to customize any image.
• Quick adjustment tools: crop, rotate, auto-brightness, red-eye repair, and blemish cleanup.
• Selective adjustment brush and localized effects.
• Customizable collage templates, frames, borders, and stickers.
• User-friendly interface and very fast learning curve.
• Premium options unlock all features, but the free version is sufficient for most uses (no watermark).

Pixlr stands out for achieving eye-catching results in just a few seconds And because its workflow is extremely fast. It's recommended for those who want an app to quickly enhance photos before posting them on social media, sharing on messaging, or creating memes and collages without complications. Although it lacks professional features like RAW processing or layered editing, its simplicity and variety of effects make it a direct rival to PicsArt for many regular users.

YouCam Perfect: Automated Facial Editing and Beautification

YouCam Perfect is the best choice for those looking for automatically enhance selfies and portraitsIts powerful artificial intelligence engine and beautification tools allow for fast, natural-looking results. It's ideal for influencers, beauty content creators, and anyone who prioritizes results when it comes to face and body retouching.

YouCam Perfect's strengths:

• Remove unwanted objects with AI and automatic background and sky retouching.
• Facial feature modification: enlarge eyes, whiten teeth, smooth skin, eliminate acne and dark circles.
• Tools to change body shape, lengthen legs, reduce waistline, and enlarge breasts.
• Animated stickers, beauty effects, collages and templates.
• User-friendly interface designed for immediacy.
• Most basic features and some advanced enhancements are free, although some premium features require a subscription.

One of its star features is automatic retouching, which allows you to transform a selfie in just a few seconds. It also features a one-touch removal system and a wide gallery of stickers and effects. Highly recommended for portrait photography and social media.

Adobe Photoshop Express: Fast, professional editing on mobile

Adobe Photoshop Express is the simplified mobile version of Adobe Photoshop, designed for users looking for quick but high-quality retouchingIt stands out for its ease of use and its integration with the Adobe cloud, although most of its key features are available for free.

Main Features:

• Dozens of filters, effects, and quick retouching tools.
• Crop, rotate, auto-correct exposure and color.
• Red-eye removal and blemish correction tool.
• Editing images in RAW format.
• Photo combinations and collage creation.
• Optional synchronization with Adobe Creative Cloud.

Photoshop Express is perfect for those who want professional-quality results without too much hassle or learning advanced workflows. While it lacks the layer-based editing capabilities of its desktop counterpart, it stands out for its retouching tools and speed.

Canva: Collages and easy graphic design from your mobile

If you are looking to create not only edited photos, but also collages, social media posts, presentations, or designs with creative textCanva is the absolute reference. Canva is geared toward creating graphic pieces, and while it includes basic photo editing, its strength lies in its templates and the ease with which it generates striking visual content.

Key details of Canva:

• Customizable templates for collages, banners, posters, stories, flyers, presentations, and more.
• Basic photo editing tools: cropping, filters, brightness/color adjustment, background erasing.
• Library of graphic elements, icons, text, stickers and frames.
• Drag-and-drop interface, very intuitive and fast.
• Extensive free features; premium options for access to exclusive resources and more advanced editing.

Canva is ideal for those looking for Create eye-catching content without graphic design experience, for example, for social media, school projects, posters, and more. Its community of templates and resources is huge and constantly updated.

Pixlr X, Fotor, Photopea, Krita, GIMP, and other notable free editors

In addition to the options mentioned above, there are other powerful alternatives whose main strength lies in online or desktop photo editing, but which often offer complementary mobile apps or versions adapted to work on any device. Here are some of the most recommended:

• pixlr X: Fast online editor with dozens of artistic filters and free access. Ideal for quick enhancements and creative effects.
• PhotorFocused on auto-enhancement, collages, batch editing, and easy-to-apply filters. Available both as an app and online, with plenty of free features.
• Photopea: Advanced online editor, very similar to Photoshop, with support for layers, masks, and PSD and RAW editing. Runs in the browser, no installation required.
• Chalk y GIMPPowerful free desktop programs, aimed at advanced users who require Photoshop-like features. They have companion apps for Android and are ideal for illustration and in-depth retouching.
• Movavi picverse: Focused on automatic enhancement and easy removal of unwanted elements in the image.

The choice between these alternatives depends on the type of user and the type of editing you are looking to perform:

• For creative touch-ups and stickers: YouCam Perfect, Canva, and Pixlr stand out with their library of effects and stickers.
• For professional photo editingSnapseed is the most comprehensive and free option; if you're looking for an artistic filter and community, go with VSCO.
• For artificial intelligence and automatic functions: PhotoDirector and Adobe Photoshop Camera lead the way with their powerful, up-to-date systems.
• For advanced graphic design and collages: Canva and Adobe Photoshop Express are preferred for those who need to create more than just a photo.
• For advanced editing on desktop or browser: Photopea, GIMP and Krita are unstoppable in terms of power and freeness.

For most users looking for versatility, power and a free experience, Snapseed, PhotoDirector and VSCO They make up the podium of the best alternatives to PicsArt, followed by specific apps like Pixlr or Canva, tailored to your creative needs. If you're into selfie and body retouching, YouCam Perfect also deserves its place in the top.

With the proliferation of editing apps, the key is finding the one that best suits your workflow and creative needs. We encourage you to try several options and discover which is your ultimate tool to take mobile photo editing to the next level without paying a cent and without sacrificing professional results.