# Photopia: Cartoon Photo Editor — user reviews > 50 indexed App Store user reviews of Photopia by NEWVISION MOBILE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, rated 4.30/5 from 7,445 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photopia-cartoon-photo-editor/id1467875471/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photopia-cartoon-photo-editor/id1467875471.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 5,355 · 4★ 600 · 3★ 392 · 2★ 195 · 1★ 903 ## What do users think of Photopia? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Interesting functions - 💡 Cartoon/anime effects - 🚀 Efficient photo editing **Cons** - 💰 Majority of features require payment - 🔒 Automatic subscription charges - 🐛 Buggy and unreliable - ⚠️ Misleading advertising **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes and freezes - Inability to restore purchases - Confusing user interface **Most requested features** - More free filters and effects - Ability to try premium features before paying - Clearer pricing and subscription information ## Newest reviews (18 of 50) ### 2/5 — Do not get this app *2020-07-17, version 1.9.1* I wanted to see myself like in a cartoon or what o would look like when I get older. So I downloaded it. When I got in I saw most of everything cost money. But I still went to the part we’re you take your picture and you turn old. It took the picture and then the money popped up. It said that I needed money to take that picture! Why! If everything cost money, why doesn’t the app itself just cost money. ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2020-06-11, version 1.8.0* So I saw an add for this app a couple of times about how you can turn you’re photo’s into cartoony kind photo’s and after seeing it a bit of times I decided to download it just for the cartoony effect. BUT as I downloaded it I looked on and saw that I had to pay for it NO WHERE on the add had it said ANYTHING about this and, I wasn’t about to spend some money on something I would barely use! Also took like 10 minutes for the X out button to get on the first screen it brought you to, I THOUGHT the ONLY way to get out of that page was to PURCHASE the special effects but I Waited a bit and the X button FINALLY popped up. But you know I didn’t think it was to much of a problem YET because I thought I could at least I could try the cartoony effect out with my photo’s even if I could not use them. BUT I could not even do that! Like what if I would want to buy the specials effects pack but can’t even test them first! I was very disappointed after that and deleted the app. Tip: If you’re gonna make an add about you’re special effects at least make it noticeable that they cost money Tip 2: Before you let people buy you special pack let them test it out with you’re photo’s Tip 3: PLEASE make the special effects screen X button more noticeable and be already there because if you accidentally click it you have to wait wait and WAIT! The only good things about this app was the beauty effects the rest of the free effects you could literally get from camera roll.☹︎ **Developer response:** Hello! First of all, thank you very much for downloading and using Photopia app, the app is now free to use, most of the content is free of charge, and only some of the exclusive features require a subscription. We will continue to update more free content and features in the future. ### 2/5 — Just make the app cost money! *2020-05-11, version 1.7.1* I went into this app expecting to at least be able to use it, but absolutely nothing is free! I can’t use any of the features described in the add, if you want to use this app without paying for it, don’t bother, just buy an editing app. The only thing I could do on it was put a filter on my photo, which is something you can do on many free apps. Just make the app itself cost money ### 1/5 — Offer was a scam *2020-03-09, version 1.5.5* Once I opened the app for the first time it said try premium features with a free trial and you can cancel the subscription anytime before the next billing cycle. Well guess what, I went to my apple account to cancel the subscription right away (so it won’t roll over to the next billing and it showed that it already charged me a year worth of subscription and canceling with only save me from paying for next year! Total scam of marketing!!! ### 1/5 — Robbed me of my money *2020-03-06, version 1.5.5* This is the worst ad for an app ever, it literally said FREE on it for access to cartoon editor and it charged me $78 dollars !! That’s insane I even clicked the terms of use to be sure it was free NOT ONCE did it say any dollar amount anywhere! And even after installing the app it took forever to find the actual cartoon editor which wasn’t even worth the download to begin with. I pray I get my money refunded because this is insane, app uninstalled. ### 1/5 — So stupid 🙄 *2020-02-25, version 1.5.3* I was so excited just because I’ve been looking for an app with FREE cartoon effects, keyword FREE. And I had to delete so many things for this stupid app because I had run out of storage and I needed space to download. So I finally get onto the app and I’m all excited, I’m looking for the cool effects I was so excited for, I pick the photo I wanna make a cartoon, and when I was ready to edit it, it asks for monthly payment like wth. If you were gonna make an app that includes monthly payments, why make the app free? Might as well charge to get the app and make everything inside free, not the other way around where the app is free but everything inside has to be payed for. So supid, don’t download 🤡 ### 1/5 — BULL$H!T *2020-02-23, version 1.5.3* This is ridiculous! I downloaded this app and automatically was charged $80. Deleted the app and emailed support asking for my money back. After hearing nothing back I figured might as well re download the app if I’m not getting my money back and now that I’ve re installed the app, none of my purchases will restore. RIDICULOUS. Emailed again demanding my money back. I will take this further if need be. ### 2/5 — Uhh *2020-02-15, version 1.5.3* I’m going to make this short, so there is way too many things that you have to pay for like it’s fine if it like two but this is at least half probably more who knows! But I love how you can make yourself look better like if I need a smaller nose bam there it goes, this is my opinion so please no hate. ### 2/5 — Not great *2020-02-10, version 1.5.3* I got this app thinking I could get nice cartoonish photos but this app is no different than the others that are free. I am trying to cancel and request a refund as I cancelled the trial and was changed before it was over. There is no where to contact a costumer service or send an email for help. I don’t recommend this app. ### 1/5 — False advertisement + you have to pay *2020-02-10, version 1.5.3* the ad I saw for this showed someone turning into a anime person but it turns you into cartoon so stop lying to make people think they can turn into anime. The second you enter the app it’ll make you pay. You have to pay and there isn’t a X in the corner. You make people think that these apps are free and there not. It’s annoying There are fake reviews if you keep looking at them because this app would be rated 2-3 stars but there are fake reviews so that more people download the app. ### 1/5 — Advertises as Free, Download and Immediate $79 request *2020-02-09, version 1.5.3* I downloaded it to see if it would be another fun picture editor to add to my collection. Sure, with the other apps I watch ads for some features but it’s still free for me. This app opens and immediately asks for near $80 for a yearly subscription. I, of course, declined and a 3 day free trial pops up in its place. I try to decline it and I’m still stuck looking at the sign up button that sparks the request for $80. *shrug* It’s a pass for me more because it advertised as free but that’s far from the case. At least be up front about the astronomical charge. ### 1/5 — Went from good to [Non family friendly word]. *2020-02-06, version 1.5.3* Alright, So I first got the app when most effects were free like dragon, I deleted it for a game. I got it back, and now EVERY effect is pay to use. It's terrible to do that, and that made the app terrible. There's no photo "Editing" in this app anymore. Every feature you could just do from your phone without the app. It'd be much better If you at least made the Dragon effect free again. Otherwise, I'll have no reason to support the app and spread word to the world to avoid it, because it Isn't a photo editing app anymore, it's useless. ### 1/5 — It took my money *2020-02-01, version 1.5.3* So I downloaded the app then as soon as I got on the app it asks if I would like to go pro I said no but it wouldn’t let me click it then I exited the app but it said that I have bought a whole year worth of this app in pro I’m so confused on why this happened and I do not recommend this app cause it doesn’t do anything it says it does even in pro! Also if anyone has tips on how to get my money back that would be appreciated ### 1/5 — This app will ROB you *2020-01-29, version 1.5.2* The app requires you to first pay a subscription fee before use, therefore in order to test whether the effects the app claims it’s capable of is true, you have to make a payment prior to that. The cartoon filters they advertise are complete exaggerated compared to what the app is actually able to do. The cartoon filters the app can actually do are complete inadequate and incompetent. This app will look good in advertisements, make you pay for what you think you’re getting, then give you completely garbage filters. Basically, THIS APP WILL ROB YOU!! ### 1/5 — AVOID - NOT EVEN A WORTHWHILE PHOTO EDITOR *2020-01-23, version 1.5.2* This app tries to swindle you from the start, misusing the word free all over the place when you first open the app and giving you extremely limited options if you don’t subscribe. Then, they automatically present you with the insanely expensive yearly subscription under the guise that you might be getting some kind of free trial. Of course, if you try to walk away, they instantly offer you a legitimate 3 day free trial. Even still, they make you do I think monthly at best after those 3 days. Only after going into your subscriptions in your account do you find there’s a weekly option. Of course, they don’t let you get away with just the one week either, it automatically renews, so beware. ### 2/5 — ps it’s not all free *2020-01-20, version 1.5.2* I went to the app for the cartoon feature and when I got there it says unlock all the features for free but of course it’s not. It’s actually $75 a year but don’t worry you get 3 days for free 👍 it does have a tiny free section of basic edits for pics but that’s all. I gave it a 2 star because if you want to cough up $75 for some edited pics then this might be for you. ### 1/5 — BAIT AND SWITCH BEWARE! *2020-01-19, version 1.5.2* On the very first screen, it says “Access All Features FOR FREE” Then, the only option is to “Start Now” for $7.99/week! Who in the freaking world would pay $32+ per month for a simple photo app?! Especially when much more sophisticated programs, like Photoshop, cost half the price? Nobody. That’s who. You can press the conveniently tiny and hidden ‘X’ and be offered a 3-day free trial, but I won’t even consider this. Apps like this are designed to make money off of people who forget to turn off renewals. It’s disgusting. ### 1/5 — I don’t like it😖 *2020-01-15, version 1.5.2* I really don’t like this app because I literally can’t use anything, without paying $8. The only thing you can do with out paying is, magazine cover. It says I can access all features, then I press it, all of a sudden I have to pay. They make it seem like everything is fun but when you get on there you have to pay for everything. So unless you want to spend eight dollars on everything, this is just the app for you. So I highly don’t recommend this app if you think everything thing is free, cause it isn’t. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — SCAM!!! DO NOT DOWNLOAD! *2021-03-12, version 2.0.3* Do not let your kids download this “free” app. We have parental controls set up so that a parent has to approve downloads of any app, and since this is listed as free, we allowed it. Somehow he was automatically signed up for an $80 year long subscription. Reading other recent reviews, it looks like others inadvertently were signed up for subscriptions as well. DO NOT TRUST AND DO NOT DOWNLOAD! ### 1/5 — Mostly shady and buggy trash *2020-06-20, version 1.8.1* This is a great app, but support and feedback from developer is non-existent. The app defaults to a 1year sub for $79 and if you are not paying attention and install it you won’t have a choice to get your money back. I’ve contacted them thro email and within the app and you might as well go build a sand castle in the ocean, at least you’ll see some kind of feedback. ### 1/5 — Might as well not be free *2020-06-15, version 1.8.1* The only reason I am not giving this one star is because the things you can do with it are pretty cool. But you can hardly do ANYTHING without paying for a membership, like you might as well just charge for the app. Don’t get this if you don’t want to spend money. Edit: I just got a developer response and just don’t listen to them, no most of the content is NOT free, the first thing that pops up when you open it is something asking you for membership or whatever, and you can barely use anything, as I said before. Changing this review to 1 star. Don’t get this app. **Developer response:** Hello! First of all, thank you very much for downloading and using Photopia app, the app is now free to use, most of the content is free of charge, and only some of the exclusive features require a subscription. We will continue to update more free content and features in the future. If you still need help, please email to contact us, we'll try our best to help you solve the problem. ### 1/5 — Horrible 😷 *2020-05-05, version 1.7.1* I rarely take the time to review apps but this app is horrible none of what it says it offers works the use of the cartooning yourself picture scans your imagine for a few minutes and drawing looks nothing like you along with other features they print you in to purchasing before u can try the features so they can assure their money if u close out you’re then offered a three day trial, horrible app honestly ### 1/5 — do not download *2020-03-27, version 1.5.8* I downloaded the app thinking wow I get to use a cool cartoon affect but right when I got on the app a slide popped up that said free trial start now🤔 and immediately knew that it was a rip off😡 over all this app is NOT what it claims to be🤬 you half to buy the effect that it shows in the ads😡 especially since in the ads it says “free” but it’s not you half to pay A LOT of money😑😡 ### 1/5 — Scam *2020-03-19, version 1.5.6* I expected to have at least some features for free but no then I got a subscription deal and you would expect it to be a week subscription or a month one but no it was a year subscription and the worst part is that I decided to buy it expecting for at least a 3-7 day free trial but no the app decided to just eat my money so there goes nearly $80 down the drain and it never even let me restore my purchase. Please young people take this information and don’t make the same mistakes I did. **Developer response:** Hello! First of all, thank you very much for downloading and using Photopia app, the app is now free to use, most of the content is free of charge, and only some of the exclusive features require a subscription. We will continue to update more free content and features in the future. If you purchase a subscription within the app and would like a refund, you must contact Apple directly, as we are unable to process refunds. Only Apple can process refunds for purchases made through an Apple iTunes account. For more information, you can contact Apple Customer Support. If you still need help, please email to contact us, we'll try our best to help you solve the problem. ### 1/5 — Not a fan *2020-03-19, version 1.5.6* I downloaded the app because I had seen so many ads about cartoon maker apps that all looked like clickbait, but I was still curious. As soon as I opened it, a card popped up saying “Unlock All Features for Free” or something like that, but I knew it obviously wasn’t free so I didn’t even bother. Then I tried to use the cartoon filter, the only reason I downloaded the app, and it said I had to pay for it. The free filters aren’t even good. They’re very subtle and not pleasing to the eye, in my opinion. But why in the world would someone pay $80 to unlock some filters?! I do not recommend downloading this app, and if you are going too, make sure you’re willing to spend $80 on basically everything. ### 1/5 — Tricky thing *2020-03-18, version 1.5.6* I don’t even remember my intentions when downloading this (I think I saw it on Facebook and wanted to give it a shot) but seeing as it was free I wasn’t expecting much. Apparently I still expected too much, as almost everything requires you to pay—and not just a couple of dollars mind you. The pop-ups I was getting was trying to have me pay $78 and some change to use it for just a year. Many of the features are ones you have to pay for. Would not recommend at all **Developer response:** Hello! First of all, thank you very much for downloading and using Photopia app, the app is now free to use, most of the content is free of charge, and only some of the exclusive features require a subscription. We will continue to update more free content and features in the future. If you purchase a subscription within the app and would like a refund, you must contact Apple directly, as we are unable to process refunds. Only Apple can process refunds for purchases made through an Apple iTunes account. For more information, you can contact Apple Customer Support. If you still need help, please email to contact us, we'll try our best to help you solve the problem. ### 1/5 — BAD *2020-03-13, version 1.5.6* I dislike it cause it was an ad on TikTok and I thought you know it’s free when I download the app it straight up tells me Pay 75 or 73 dollars a year like where do they think money comes out of like it was so Annoying then when I tried to do my picture that I wanted to be looking a cartoon it wouldn’t let me and I think u SHOULD NOT get this app but if u have money I guess you can get it. ### 1/5 — Worst app ever *2020-03-11, version 1.5.5* Honeslty, worst thing I ever downloaded. Didn’t tell me subscription prices and in a very small font it said it’ll automatically charge me $78 after 24 hours. Free trial was impossible to find and it made my phone crash when I tried to use a picture. It was literally a 78 dollar app that did what your phone could. The cartoon option was a literal joke. It looked like my middle school free apps I used to use. Don’t get scammed. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — awesome *2020-06-17, version 1.8.1* With several updates, the function is more and more interesting. I like the function of changing hair style! ### 5/5 — support! *2020-06-12, version 1.8.1* you can find many functions in it! HIghly recommend! ### 5/5 — Great app but... *2019-12-29, version 1.5.2* I love the app but the pro version said there is a free trial and when I did that I decided I didn’t like it so I went to cancel it but my card has already been charge the $79 so I don’t know what to do but I would like my money back please ### 5/5 — Needs a little more passas *2019-11-29, version 1.4.9* It’s good but it needs more passas because you didn’t put any inspiration you just copied selfie. Art suggest that you stop coping ### 5/5 — Beauty in picture *2019-11-23, version 1.4.9* Lol this is so fun plus you could add a twist you should add face filters like snap chat plus funny ones and let us make videos and add sound affects now that will be so so so funnn I like this games but please add my funn tips cause your game is a little bit boring add twists I’m so so so sorry. ..........😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘 ### 4/5 — Impressed *2019-11-19, version 1.4.8* This app is awesome I was reading some of the comments and I was scared that I would have to pay for everything or only be able to do a few things. I’ve only had this app for about 4mins and I’m already in love. There are some filters that you need to pay for but if you don’t want them then don’t get them! ### 4/5 — Great on the hand editing *2019-09-02, version 1.4.0* I like the app for its use of filters to either make something look more dynamic or for the vintage look. As a cosplayer I’m always trying to look for something that can give my photos a little hit of an edge that compliments my craft. ### 3/5 — Its okay. *2020-01-05, version 1.5.2* So I keep seeing ads of this on tiktok, they had billie elish then turned her to a chartoon/Anime character, then i went to try it out. I used a picture I really like and its so cute (Yes I understand you guys save them :/ ) then I tried to find something to make s chartoon, then I found the editing feture, I love it so much! It make the lights so bright (LOVLEY LIGHTING!!)! And made me look so cute!! The editing feture is why I love this app!!! ### 3/5 — Kinda good *2019-10-17, version 1.4.4* The game is. Good but I kinda get mad when the fortune say I got 75 while my brothers got 85 or 89 sum thing. And I think y’all should check this out but then you have to pay for it like can you please take away the paying thing you are making children upset ### 3/5 — How I just got this game *2019-08-06, version 1.3.1* Hi Photopia Makers! I love this game already but I can’t find what I need in this app that I saw. But that isn’t All! Also I need a account for this and I don’t have Facebook, Or anything else like that. 1 Mote thing. I gotta sign in just to put pictures in apps! :( But that’s all! I’d say a short little Review ;) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*