The art of taking selfies has come to stay, all thanks to the explosion of Android and iOS mobile technologies. But, being human means we are barely satisfied with anything, and that’s why we just can’t leave our pictures “raw”.
This is exactly where photo editing apps come in!
Speaking of which, Facetune has become one of the most popular picture editing apps in the world. It’s a photo editing software that helps you modify and improve your photos on Android or iOS devices—and it’s suitable for both selfie and portrait editing.
However, Facetune comes with some drawbacks, which many first-time users find frustrating—especially its complicated editing framework.
Plus, its features are quite difficult to understand, so it’s not the best for beginners. To add to that, it costs as much as $3.36 to get!
That said, I’d like to assume you’re looking for the best free apps like Facetune. That’s why you’re reading this article in the first place right?
If that’s the case, then you’ve “struck gold”. I’ve taken it upon myself to scout for 10 of the best free apps that are similar to Facetune.
Let’s dive right in!
Best Free Apps Like Facetune
1. CreamCam
If you’re a selfie lover who wants to achieve the most flawless skin complexion after editing, then you should consider using CreamCam.
The filters are world-class, and you don’t need a tutorial or guide to learn how to use them. In fact, you really don’t have to do much except hit the button to apply the filter of your choice.
It’s as easy as ABC!
CreamCam is 100% automatic, so you don’t need to do any manual editing. You would agree that it is perfect for beginners and amateur photographers.
Each CreamCam filter has its own unique function, which you can use to eliminate blemishes such as wrinkles, acne, and dark spots. You can also use the brightness slider to easily correct uneven skin tones and different light conditions.
So, why should you pick this over Facetune? It’s much easier to use, has awesome after effects, and it’s free!
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2. Camera360
The Camera360 photo editor stands out as one of the coolest, most user-friendly picture editing apps around. As if its original awesomeness wasn’t enough, the developers saw fit to add some extra features, which have made it an ideal alternative to Facetune.
You’ll also be glad to hear that this app is easy to use and you can get it for free!
What’s more? It works on both Android and iOS devices, so you can enjoy the best photo editing experience regardless of the type of smartphone you are using.
You can take pictures with it, or import already existing images from your phone’s gallery into the app for editing.
I must admit, the Camera360 interface is good-looking and easy to comprehend. You will find most of the buttons neatly placed in a tabular form on the lower part of your screen, while the other buttons are visibly placed at the top of the screen.
The Camera360 app isn’t as automated as CreamCam, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to use. Let’s just say it caters best to those who have had some prior experience with photo editing.
Nonetheless, applying and tweaking filters and effects are pretty straightforward. You will find all the effects you need on the top part of your phone screen. There are also icons for flash, as well as front and rear camera options for you to choose from.
All you need to do to import pictures into the Camera360 app is click on the Gallery option, find the picture you wish to edit, click on it, and it’s in. You also have the option of importing images from your Camera360 gallery and stock gallery.
One thing I found quite interesting with this app is that the images you click through the app are automatically stored in another special gallery. This allows you to easily find your edited pictures anytime you need them.
There is also a Camera360 cloud, which expands your storage options. This allows you to access your work from other devices that have the app installed.
The gallery features some shortcuts that allow you to quickly return to the camera, and there is a batch feature that lets you mark several images if you wish to delete them all at once.
When compared to Facetune, you will find that Camera360’s user interface is much neater and simpler. The interface also carries all the options you will need to work your magic.
3. Adobe Photoshop Express
When it comes to photo editing, Adobe is a name that has to be respected, due to the quality of software and apps they’ve been putting out for decades.
Photoshop Express is one such program, and you can use it on mobile, desktop, and web.
As you would expect, Photoshop Express is packed with Adobe’s world-class imaging smarts, as well as a formidable arsenal of tools that enable you to achieve the best possible editing for your pictures.
Like the other apps listed in this post, Adobe Photoshop Express is 100 percent free to download on Apple and Google Play store.
To download the app, you will first need to create an Adobe account. You can also sign up using your Google account or Facebook if you do not have an Adobe account.
You may be wondering why I picked Photoshop Express as a worthy Facetune alternative. After all, Adobe has other world-class photo editing apps and software.
Well, Adobe’s Photoshop Fix and Photoshop Mix are both great, but they lack Photoshop Express’s mix of layer effects and basic adjustments. In short, they are all more complicated to use than Photoshop Express.
Adobe doesn’t joke around when it comes to photo editing, which is why they take the win against Facetune for me. The features on Photoshop Express can be used to edit professionally, while Facetune’s features are better suited for portrait photographers and social media influencers.
Check out some of the best open-source Photoshop Alternatives here.
4. Pixlr-o-matic
If I were to briefly describe Pixlr-o-matic’s interface, I would say “simple and neat”. It has a lovely throwback appeal, and the logo is nothing short of classy.
This app is fairly easy to use, since all the buttons are clearly visible. You will find them displayed just below the logo, which takes you straight to the company website when you click on it.
On the left corner, you will find the settings icon which allows you to adjust the app settings and functions to your taste. You will also find some default pictures on the interface, which you can use to practice your editing skills at a go.
Another feature I found interesting is how the last edited image is made visible on the home page. App navigation is pretty straightforward too.
To begin using Pixlr-o-matic, you can choose an image from your gallery or take a picture with the app’s built-in camera. If you decide to go with the app’s camera, you will be permitted to use other pre-installed third-party camera apps.
Once you have chosen the picture you want to edit, you will find a quick zoom in/zoom out option. This takes you to the “My Effects” section, where you will find more than enough filters and effects to choose from.
Compared to Facetune, Pixlr-o-matic is free to use. It is also less complicated and the buttons are much easier to find.
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5. Perfect365
As the name implies, the Perfect365 photo editor allows you to edit your pictures to perfection.
It allows you to add several makeup features to your images, which include different colored wigs and other aesthetic add-ons.
Just like the other Facetune alternatives discussed so far, using the Perfect365 app is also very easy. All you need to do is take a picture with the in-app camera or import one from your Gallery.
While the picture is being imported, the app will begin to analyze the key points of your face and allow you to make the required adjustments during editing.
If you really want to have some fun with your images, then Perfect365 is for you.
With this app, you can do awesome tricks like:
- Widen your smile
- Stretch out your face
- Add some makeup
- Add a wig
Once you’re done editing, you can easily share your masterpiece across your social media platforms.
For those looking to have more fun with their pictures than what Facetune allows, then Perfect365 is a great choice.
6. Snapseed
Snapseed’s 2.0 version was released in 2015 and has gone on to become a widely used picture editor. You can find and download the app for free on the Apple store and Google Play store.
Even though Snapseed can be used for professional picture editing, it still has a user-friendly nature. And this is why it is a highly sought-after photo editing app among industry professionals.
It is stocked with world-class editing tools which include edit brushes and film filters. All these give you smooth and colorful finishes, which you and your clients will definitely appreciate.
Snapseed is an ideal alternative to Facetune for a good number of reasons.
First, it can be used for more professional tasks, and not just for fun. It also has a lot more editing effects than Facetune, and it is easier to use.
Before I forget, you can get it for free, but the same cannot be said of Facetune.
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7. Meitu-Beauty Camera
You can get Meitu-Beauty Camera for free via Google Play store or Apple store. It has some great features that will make photo editing fun and professional at the same time.
This app has been given the thumbs up by some top celebrities and brand influencers, and this goes to show just how good the app is.
It has some key customization features that make your pictures stand out among the rest. With this photo editor, you won’t just be perfecting your image, you can also add text and edit the background.
There are beautification settings on the app which you can use to set the right tone for your skin. You can also use the in-app effects to do the following:
- Have a straight nose
- Have a wider smile
- Whiten your teeth
The best part is, these functions are automatically done. All you need to do is click on your preferred effect and you’re done.
Thanks to its groundbreaking artificial intelligence, Meitu has the ability to automatically detect your facial features and infuse cute motion stickers and effects to your face as you take your selfies.
Sharing your edited images with your friends afterward is as simple as you can imagine. A click is all it takes to have your new images spread across your social media platforms.
Facetune doesn’t have the face-altering abilities of Meitu. So, if you’re one to play around with your facial features, then this is the right app for you.
8. Relook
If you’re looking for an iOS photo editing app that’s free and works like Facetune, consider Relook.
This mobile app is stocked with effects and filters that are used by professional photographers. Even a first-timer can make use of its features, thanks to its very simple interface.
With this app, you can achieve magazine quality edits, and its Bright-3 skin layering and multi-phase separation function can be credited for this.
With Relook, you can do the following:
- Eliminate redness
- Lighten your skin tone
- Adjust lights and shadows
- Brighten the color of your eyes
- Add volume to your lashes
- Shape your eyebrows
These among many other features combine to give you the most natural finish you could wish for from any photo editing app. Facetune cannot give you this kind of natural finish, so Relook takes the win in this regard.
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9. Visage Lab
Beauty enthusiasts who are looking for a professional finish to their facial images will surely be interested in using the Visage Lab app.
The special algorithms infused into this app allow you to easily edit wrinkles, pimples, and other facial blemishes. In short, you can do this with just one click, as the cleaning process is done automatically. The same cannot be said of the Facetune app.
Among its many features include:
- Automatic face retouch
- Customizable settings and touch-ups (up to 7)
Each of these features can be applied to your picture by default. However, you can switch up the options until you find the right mix for your face.
10. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
If you’re looking to have some deep color correction done, then the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is something you should try.
As with all Adobe photo editing solutions, Lightroom boasts several impressive features. These include outstanding brushes and presets, which give you nothing but a professional finish.
The best part is it is so easy to use that a beginner will look like a pro at the end of each edit.
At first, Adobe created this solution as a professional photographer’s streaming tool, meant to complement Photoshop. Now it has become a totally independent program.
Adobe took simplicity to heart when developing this tool. This is why it has one of the most user-friendly interfaces you can find. One quick glance at it, and you’ll find all the tools and features you need neatly placed around your phone’s screen.
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How To Choose The Best Photo Editor For You
Before we get ahead of ourselves, I’d like to point out the fact that a photo editor that is right for A may not be the right one for B.
Some of us are amateurs, while others are professionals. This means the first question you need to ask yourself before choosing a photo editor is – What will I be using it for?
Do you simply need a fun app to edit pictures for your social media pages, or are you looking to do some professional-grade edits?
After you’ve answered this question, the next step will be to list out all the features you hope to find in your preferred photo editor.
After that, list out your top choices (such as the ones I’ve reviewed here), then visit each of their official websites to check out their features. If any one of the apps possesses the features you need, then your search is over.
However, if you’re one to do some extra digging, then you should consider more than the editing features of the photo editor.
Below are a few other strong points you need to take into consideration.
1. Cross-Platform License
It is quite common for professional photographers to have both a Windows PC and Mac for their picture editing. This may mean that they wish to run their photo editor on both platforms, without the need to buy a separate version for each.
Even if you use only one platform, who’s to say you wouldn’t start using another in the near future? Unless you’re getting the photo editor for free, having to buy another license for the software you already have can be annoying!
Ensure that the photo editor you go for can cut across multiple platforms without the need to purchase another license.
2. Frequency of Software Release
Check to see how regularly the app developer releases free or paid updates. This little piece of information could be very useful in a case where you are hit with a bug or security breach that needs to be fixed.
3. Check RAW File Compatibility
The photo editor you pick should be compatible with your camera’s RAW files, so conversions can go smoothly.
Speaking of which, after you are certain that the editor can convert your camera’s RAW files, check to see how good the conversions are.
An instance could arise where the app doesn’t support a newly released camera. To add to that, you could also face issues with the image quality of the converter with your RAW file.
4. Customer Support
Most people take customer support for granted, at least until they have a problem with their photo editor.
It won’t take you much time to investigate and find out the kind of customer support your photo editing solution is offering.
Check to see if you can reach the developer through their official website or user forums. If you can, then send out a simple question to see how quickly and accurately you are answered.
If you can, search for reviews to see what past users are saying about the customer support.
5. Training Material
I advise you to select a photo editor that is easy to use. However, the easy-to-use solutions may not have the extended features you need to carry out some of your professional edits.
So, if you must opt for the more complicated versions, check to see if they have any training materials you can use to get the hang of the editor quickly.
You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of an edit with no clue what to do next.
The training material could be in the form of a video tutorial or written text on the app or company website.
Final Words
Nowadays, it’s difficult to take a picture without wanting to edit it. So, the need to have your images look better is what has brought about the evolution of photo editing apps.
Facetune may be one of the most popular picture editing solutions out there, but it’s certainly not the best.
The alternatives discussed in this article are all great options and free. However, my favorite among them is Relook.
This is because it offers a more natural finish than the other apps I discussed. I mean, I’d still like to have my face looking as natural as possible, even after all the effects and filters have been applied.
Another reason I love Relook is its ease of use, which makes it a remarkable option for a beginner. There’s nothing complicated about its interface, so newbies can easily navigate through and find the effects they are looking for!
I hope this article has given you better insights into the best free apps like Facetune.
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.