PicsArt is an all-in-one platform for creative photo and video editing.
The Miami, Florida-based tech platform allows you to take and edit videos and photos, draw with layers, and manipulate a picture depending on what you wish to achieve.
PicsArt has an automatic face recognition feature and can also allow you to cut a person out of the background when editing.
The app is available on Google and App stores and its features are free of charge. Using PicsArt lets you enjoy editing features for novices, several stickers, effects, customizable collages, straightforward UI designs with powerful tools, and a live camera.
Generally, PicsArt is a combination of creativity, fun, and simplicity.
Great pictures capture the imagination and attention of viewers. In a world where social media has taken precedence, uploading a quality image will make people want to know more and increase the chances of people reading your caption.
The need to create quality and unique photos for social media contributed to photo editing apps like PicsArt being more desirable. While PicsArt offers you loads of photo tools and effects, there are brilliant PicsArt alternatives worth discovering.
Whether you are looking for an easier, cheaper, or the best photo editing alternative for a casual photographer who wants to do a bit of fine-tuning or maybe add filters and neat effects, you can be sure to find a range of software available.
In this article, we explore a series of alternative apps to PicsArt. Most of them are free with ads, while others may require you to sign up for paid plans to access specific features.
Best Apps Like PicsArt
1. Adobe Photoshop Express
It’s unfair to talk about PicsArt and similar apps that offer fun and functionality without mentioning Adobe Photoshop Express.
Maybe you already have an idea of how powerful Adobe Photoshop Express is. The great news is that today you can enjoy those powerful tools on your smartphone, both iOS and Android.
Aside from creating collages, you can also edit photos directly from your phone. You don’t have to invest your efforts in the app as the system takes care of most things.
The app allows you to pull photos from selfies, photos, HDR images, and directly from Dropbox, Facebook, and Google photos.
While PicsArt does a great job if you are looking for an automated app to add effects, texts, borders, or emoji, it’s hardly suitable for complex editing.
Adobe Photoshop Express, on the other hand, is a great tool for fixing asymmetric issues, removing red spots and skin defects, and basic face edits.
It’s also excellent for entry-level photo editing that allows you to play around with photos for free. However, you have to pay if you want to access its best features. You should give it a try as it is a good addition if you’ve been using Photoshop on a PC.
Prices start at $20.99 per month. Adobe Photoshop Express gives you a seven-day free trial to get you started with creating gorgeous photos, rich graphics, and incredible art.
Find out the best open-source alternatives to Adobe Photoshop in this post.
2. Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom allows professional photographers and photo enthusiasts to take stunning photos from anywhere through organizing and photo editing.
You can do a lot of editing with Lightroom. It might not be as exact as PicsArt but gives you a chance to add a personal touch to your picture effortlessly.
While PicsArt allows you to add funny stickers and unusual filters and is great for collages, Lightroom will excite you with automatic and customizable tools for color correction.
As one of the best alternatives for PicsArt, Lightroom is compatible with both iOS and Android and has both free and paid options.
By paying $9.99 per month, you get a free trial plus 1 terabyte worth of cloud storage space. The package also gives you all features and functions.
Discover the tools you can use in place of Lightroom.
3. Photo Editor Pro
When looking for alternatives to PicsArt, Photo Editor Pro deserves a place on the top of the list too. Developed by InShot Inc., Photo Editor Pro is a lightweight app that allows you to use all the filters and photo editing tools free of charge. It’s available for both Android and iOS devices.
While PicsArt has tools that give your photos taken with no filter a personal flair and make them stand out, this app does more than create a collage of 18 pictures.
Photo Editor Pro takes care of your photo editing needs whether you want to share it with friends or on social media. The app also offers a tool that can make you look taller or slimmer.
As earlier mentioned, this app is free. However, ads will appear as you use the app. Therefore, you better sign up for its premium plan if you wish to use Photo Editor Pro for any length of time.
4. Snapseed
Snapseed is one of the apps similar to PicsArt that is worth giving a try. This app is a powerful tool that can help you make professional images.
Unlike PicsArt, this app is more robust and can help you make subtle edits. Snapseed is intuitive and offers dozens of advanced tools. It has at least 30 editing tools allowing you to edit photos with a fun vibe.
The app is best suited for users who have been editing pictures for a while, is compact, powerful, and will excite you once you start using it.
Snapseed has a cleaner UI compared to PicsArt. Both PicsArt and Snapseed are great. What can make you choose Snapseed as a better alternative is your preferences? Snapseed is your to-go-to app if you need in-depth photo editing.
Snapseed is one of the popular alternatives to PicsArt for mobile devices. The app was developed by Google and boasts millions of downloads.
Snapseed retouches your photo quickly, gives a bokeh effect for softer backgrounds, and can also work in digital formats like JPEG and RAW.
The app is free to download and has no in-app purchases.
5. Koda Cam
If you are looking for a PicsArt alternative that lets you turn anything into a retro-looking image, then you should consider the Koda Cam app.
The simple yet amazing app has vintage filters that take you back to 1990 photography with a romantic classic film style.
While PicsArt applies filters to the photos you already have, Koda Cam gives your photos a retro vibe and allows you to only use the preset filters or light leaks generated randomly.
This app has been around for some time, but now it’s resurfacing as a result of the growing popularity of retro cameras.
Koda Cam retro filters and effects can work best for your summer and spring photos. The app can make your photos look amazing with its instant vintage touch that combines old-fashioned camera effects with modern ones.
Koda Cam is currently available on the Play Store only. However, since it is lightweight and easy to use, you should consider it as a better alternative to PicsArt.
Koda Cam is free with optional in-app features going for $2.99 per item.
6. BeautyPlus
BeautyPlus might not necessarily work as a photo editing app like PicsArt, as it comes with a sophisticated camera to help you create a perfect photo on your phone.
It is a free double-duty Android app that serves as a selfie camera and editor. Its well-packaged functionality makes retouching photos a breeze.
Despite BeautyPlus requiring high-level skills compared to PicsArt, its interface remains intuitive even for beginners looking to airbrush their features.
Like PicsArt, BeautyPlus provides interesting filters and special features to create an exciting Instagram feed.
The app also has a wide range of add-on collections that allow you to add stickers and texts. BeautyPlus is free but its premium features are only available when you pay for the subscription (ranging between $0.99 to $49.99 per item).
If you upgrade to BeautyPlus premium, you can unlock more than 20 features for your best edits.
7. Photo Studio
Photo Studio is one of the best apps like PicsArt to consider. Just like PicsArt, the app is a complete ensemble of filters, and effects with the ability to tweak and transform your photos.
While Photo Studio is enough to create stunning photos, it might not suit low entry devices because of its size.
Photo Studio enjoys high ratings on Google Play Store. The app is made up of about 200 filters and several correction tools. It is normal to expect ads while using the app because it’s free.
Since this is not a lightweight app like PicsArt, you better prepare an adequate storage space. Despite its size, the app offers high-quality results, so you may consider it as long as you have enough space to accommodate it.
Check Out: GIMP vs Photoshop
8. Photo Editor By BeFunky
If you are looking for a PicsArt alternative that is free and without ads, then you should consider Photo Editor by BeFunky.
Like PicsArt, the app boasts a range of incredible features which allows you to create sharp pictures from your device.
Photo Editor by BeFunky has a collage maker that supports up to six pictures. Just like the rest of the PicsArt alternatives, it has numerous effects for editing images. This app also allows you to spice up your photos with any frame.
You may argue that since this app has no ads and it’s free, its services suck. Well, the maker of the app, BeFunky is committed to providing a robust platform, with a series of powerful tools to provide high-quality images.
Other than editing photos, the app allows you to manage collages, add pictures, and more. Since you are not paying to get the app, why not try it now?
9. LunaPic
LunaPic is an online photo editor that allows you to edit, rotate, resize, crop, and add effects to your photos.
The app also allows you to create slideshows, collages, and convert videos to gifs. Unlike PicsArt which needs installing, LunaPic is completely online and requires no signing up or installation.
While you can access LunaPic for free on your browser, you’d need to purchase the mobile app to use on your Android or iOS devices.
LunaPic might not have all the filters and effects that there are, but you can use it to create quality photos. If you love Tumblr, this app can help you make the gifs you want.
10. Afterlight
Afterlight is an image editing app that offers quick and straightforward editing. It might not be one of the free apps like PicsArt, but can be an excellent alternative to PicsArt, thanks to its rich features and functions. The app is available for iOS and Android and only edits the visuals of the photo.
Like PicsArt, it simplifies photography by offering a mix-up of tools and features for unique variations. The app gives you various options, from color and composition to structures and other add-ons.
Their fusion library is made of a curated list of features for free download and these filters are added every Saturday.
Afterlight comes with an array of fun stickers too. You can use it for free. But, to enjoy its premium features you have to pay for its premium version at $2.99 per month with no hidden costs.
Explore: Best AI Image Generators
11. Pixlr
Pixlr allows you to edit a photo quickly, and add various stickers, effects, and text. Unlike PicsArt, the app has two versions, for beginners and advanced users.
Pixlr offers more than standard editing tools. You can use professional brushes, filters, and overlays to enhance your photo. One thing you’ll notice about Pixlr is the streamlined UI making it similar to Photoshop.
While anyone can learn how to edit like a pro with PicsArt, Pixlr can be somewhat challenging to beginners. Despite the challenges, you can still use Pixlr to experiment with professional tools and improve your editing skills.
Pixlr allows you to edit and create stunning designs on your browser, your phone, or desktop for free. It gives you access to professionally crafted templates, but you’ll need to pay for its premium version to access all the icons, templates, and tools.
The premium version of Pixlr can help push your creative boundaries and explore easy-to-use templates, elements, and fonts. The premium package offers a 30-day free trial, is ad-free, and allows you to cancel at any time.
Access their premium package at a discounted rate of $4.90 per month or go higher with their creative package, discounted at $14.99 per month. If you want to save more, pay yearly.
12. PhotoGrid
PhotoGrid is a favorite app to many users, perfect for making photo collages. It allows you to create stunning photos for social media such as Facebook posts, Instagram posts and stories, banners and covers, Pinterest collections, and YouTube thumbnails.
Unlike PicsArt, PhotoGrid allows you to create memes. Other than editing photos, the app also allows you to combine videos and images with live stickers from their sticker collection that you’ll love.
You can create up to nine videos with this app and synchronize each video clip to have them aligned at the same moment in time.
If you prefer free apps that offer an excellent experience then PhotoGrid is worth considering, as long as you see no problem with ads here and there. You can access the premium version with no ads at $2.50 per month.
13. PicLab
PicLab is an interesting PicsArt alternative that you should consider. With over 20 million downloads, the app fulfills your photo editing needs by providing an easy way to create unique photos and help you convey unique messages. It is available for both Android and iOS devices.
PicLab is designed with usability in mind. It makes it easy, fun, and effortless to edit all kinds of photos from selfies, scenery, fashion, and food, to architecture.
You don’t need to have any previous design experience to enjoy this app. Just download the app and start uploading, editing, and sharing as many photos as you want.
PicLab does more than provide filters and special effects like PicsArt. With PicLab you can also use the preset to crop your picture. Generally, PicLab is a great tool to edit pictures just like PicsArt but a bit different in terms of functionality.
This app is free but you need to pay to access PicLab Pro premium features ($0.99-$9.99 per item). The premium package unlocks all features; it gives you access to over 65 premium overlays, 60 premium fonts, and over 1000 sticker options.
Check Out: Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives
14. Prisma Photo Editor
Prisma Photo Editor uses amazing photo effects to transform your photos into paintings. With Prisma’s art filters, you can convert your images to look like Picasso or Munch.
Prisma Photo Editor releases new art filters every single day. The app also releases special styles from time to time to make your images even more fun.
Unlike PicsArt whose free versions offer basic functions, Prisma Photo Editor combines the best features of the picture editor, photo background changer, and blemish remover.
Whether you are looking for simple picture editing, want to blur photos, or use a selfie editor, Prisma will give you the experience you are looking for.
While both PicsArt and Prisma Photo Editor can transform an ordinary picture, Prisma uses artificial intelligence to convert your photos into artwork. These artworks are inspired by the greatest artists in history. Just like PicsArt, the app is available for Android and iOS.
The app has a free limited version or a three-day free trial. However, if you need images with a higher resolution and more filters, you can consider a monthly subscription of $7.99 (In-App purchases).
15. Canva
Canva is a more established tool that can be the best fit if you use photography for marketing purposes. The app comes with enough graphic design templates to suit your photo editing needs.
Canva is also your to-go-to app if you are looking for a fast and easy photo editing solution with built-in assets.
On the other hand, Canva is a large portal. The app allows you to create custom templates and designs for flyers, brochures, and social media, and perform basic photo editing.
While PicsArt is considered the largest creative platform that is actively developing, Canva remains an amazing graphic design software that comes with many stock photos, illustrations, and vectors.
In addition, Canva has great import options with the ability to speed up your editing workflow using presets or advanced features.
Unlike PicsArt which is an excellent option for beginners and inexperienced editors, Canva is best suited for advanced users looking to give a professional touch to photos and videos.
On the bright side, Canva can also work for beginners who specialize in marketing and who don’t want to install heavy photo editing software on their devices.
Canva is a free photo editing tool. However, if you wish to upgrade to Canva Pro or Canva for Enterprise to access premium content and tools, you will be required to pay an annual fee of $54.99 for up to five people and $30.00 per person per month respectively.
Wrap Up: What is the Best PicsArt Alternative
The wide range of options may overwhelm beginners. In your search for a perfect alternative, you’ll encounter a bunch of options on the Play Store and App Store.
Since there is no limit to how many alternative apps you can install, you may be tempted to install whichever app you find easy to use.
However, these alternatives are not free. Some of them may require you to sign up for subscription plans, therefore, it’s important to know what exactly you are looking for.
If you are looking to give your photos a professional touch with exciting automatic and customizable tools for color correction, then Lightroom should be your best choice.
Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing.
Tom has been a full-time internet marketer for two decades now, earning millions of dollars while living life on his own terms. Along the way, he’s also coached thousands of other people to success.