Comparison

Superimpose X vs Distressed FX

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Superimpose X

Create stunning photo art with advanced layering, blending, and masking tools. This powerful editor offers a wide array of adjustments, effects, and brushes for both professionals and amateurs. Save your work in sessions and reuse masked images as stickers.

Highlights
  • Multiple layers (up to 24)
  • Extensive adjustment and blending modes
  • AI-powered masking
  • Masking Library for reusable stickers
  • Session Library for project saving
  • Non-destructive editing and effects
  • Export PSD with layers
Features
Read full description

Superimpose X is a serious photo editor, and the editor is yours with the app — layers, masks, blend modes, brushes, effects, shadows, text and precision tools, with no subscription to use any of it. When you want more, two studios are built right in and unlock with a subscription: an AI Editor that generates and transforms images, and a true multi-track Video Editor. THE PHOTO EDITOR Build complex edits by hand with the control of a desktop app and none of the complexity. Cut out people and objects, combine images, paint masks, adjust colour, add depth and shadow, then refine every detail. • Layer-based editing with up to 24 layers • Magic Wand, Magic Lasso, brush and shape masks • 18 blend modes and 16 adjustment layers • Non-destructive layer blur and adjustments • 63 photo effects, plus clarity, colour, tone and detail controls • Text and curved text • Motion, Zoom, Spin, Lens and Selective Blur, and gradients • Warp, perspective transform and distortion • Paint, smudge, clone stamp and effect brushes • Shadow and Light Wrap tools • Camera fill with real-time masks and blend modes • Masking Library for reusable cutouts and stickers • Session Library that saves your projects automatically • PSD export with layers • Over a million royalty-free stock photos AI EDITOR Start from a photo, a sketch or a sentence and let AI do the heavy lifting, then take the result back into the layer editor to finish it properly. • Image generation from text • AI editing and inpainting • Background creation and replacement • Outpainting and image expansion • Enhance, relight and repair • Sketch to image • Headshot generation • Face swap • Image to image transformation • Image to video • AI people masking VIDEO EDITOR A real multi-track editor, not a template filler. • Edit video, images, audio and text on multiple tracks • Stack effects and animations for results that are yours • Masks for precise work, including green screen • Track objects through a shot and ramp clip speed • Animate text with elegant presets • Split, trim, rotate and freeze clips • Colour effects, blurs and distortions • Audio EQ, filters and transitions • Royalty-free photos, videos, music and GIFs • Export in a range of formats, including GIF ONE APP, ONE PROJECT The three studios share the same project. Composite a frame in the photo editor and drop it on the timeline. Generate a background with AI and mask it by hand. Pull a still out of a video and edit it as layers. Nothing is exported and re-imported just to move between them. Terms of use: https://www.superimposeapp.com/superimposex_terms_of_use.html Privacy Policy: https://www.superimposeapp.com/privacy2.html

About

Distressed FX

Transform ordinary photos into unique works of art with a vast collection of textures and overlays. This app offers exclusive access to all current and future filters and effects for a single payment, making photo editing accessible and creative.

Highlights
  • Access to all current and future filters
  • Exclusive new effects and features
  • Wide range of textured images and overlays
  • Transform mundane photos into art
  • Ideal for still life and landscape photography
Features
Read full description

Distressed FX Plus is a special edition of the highly acclaimed original. For a small single payment, you will get access to all current and future filters, as well as exclusive access to all new effects and features ahead of release on the original app. This is an extraordinary opportunity to harness all the amazing effects from Distressed FX. If you are ready to take your photos to the next level, this is the ideal investment at a bargain price. Creating gorgeous artwork from your photos has never been easier. With Distressed FX, simply take a photo and choose from a wide range of textured images and overlays. Transform even the most mundane photo into a work of art. See our hashtag #distressedFX on Instagram to see 100k+ examples! ** Featured by Mac Format and Black + White Photography Magazine Join us at: www.facebook.com/DistressedFX www.instagram.com/distressedfxapp/ • Particularly suited to still life and landscape photography - this app will perfectly compliment your existing collection of photo apps. Distressed FX is powered by the textures of Cheryl Tarrant, a texture artist from Tennessee. Her popular and unique style is now available in your pocket, wherever you go. • Follow Cheryl on Instagram http://instagram.com/distressedfxapp • Be our friend on Facebook www.facebook.com/DistressedFX • Follow us on Twitter : @distressedfx See examples of the Cheryl's distinctive work here: www.flickr.com/photos/jewellofdistressed/ ** Find out more about Distressed Textures at www.distressedfx.com & www.distressedtextures.com Distressed FX (tm) is a trademark of Cheryl Tarrant in the United States of America.

Screenshots

Superimpose X4 screens
Distressed FX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Superimpose X at $4.99 against Distressed FX's $19.99. Superimpose X also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (86% vs 72%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Superimpose X costs $4.99 and Distressed FX $19.99 up front. Superimpose X sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Distressed FX sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Superimpose X against 4.8 for Distressed FX. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3K and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Superimpose X's written reviews are positive against 72% of Distressed FX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Superimpose X ships an update every 10 days, Distressed FX every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Superimpose X versus Distressed FX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSuperimpose XDistressed FX
Price$4.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (3K ratings)4.8 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better72.3% of reviews
Number of ratings3K — better1.2K
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#26 — better#130
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size378 MB51 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperPankaj GoswamiWe Are Here

Customer experience

Superimpose X

All ratings3,021 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral2.1%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews897 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral4.6%
Negative9.7%

Distressed FX

All ratings1,234 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral1.7%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews101 reviews
Positive72.3%
Neutral5.9%
Negative21.8%

User reviews

Superimpose X

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Amazing editing capabilities
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly
  • 💡 Powerful layering and masking tools
  • 🚀 Efficient and fast performance
  • 👍 Excellent value for money

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🐛 Bugs with certain tools (brush, text, etc.)
  • 🔒 Concerns over recent subscription model changes
  • 🔒 Frustration over loss of legacy features

Distressed FX

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Creative and artistic photo editing
  • 🎨 Excellent texture and overlay options
  • 💡 Customizable layers and blending modes
  • 🎨 Ability to create unique digital art

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with new iOS versions
  • 🐛 Crashing and download errors
  • 🐛 Inability to restore previous purchases
  • 🤔 Lack of clear instructions and tutorials

Bugs and requests

Superimpose X

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Masking tool issues causing halos
  • Text layer bugs causing loss of text
  • Inconsistent behavior when merging layers
  • Crashes when using certain effects

Requested features

6 requests
  • More layer support
  • Additional font and text options
  • Improved color adjustment tools
  • Custom brush settings
  • Ability to rearrange layer order
Show 1 more
  • Expanded stock image library

Distressed FX

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to download or load certain textures/overlays
  • App crashing when opening photos
  • Saving edited photos at lower resolutions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Masking and selective editing tools
  • Zoom and precise control for editing
  • Ability to use app on Mac devices
  • Improved customer support and communication

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Superimpose X

Subscriptions6
  • Pro Membership (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Superimpose X (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • AI Membership (Yearly)7 Days trial$17.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Pro Membership (Yearly)$17.991 Year
  • Superimpose X Pro (Yearly)3 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Superimpose X Pro (Yearly)$34.991 Year
One-time2
  • 500 Pro AI Coins$3.99
  • 1000 Pro AI Coins$6.99
13 purchases

Distressed FX

One-time13
  • Beyond SkiesFree
  • The HeavensFree
  • Bokeh IllusionsFree
Show 10 more
  • The LightsFree
  • Artist BeginningsFree
  • Box of colorsFree
  • Old World GalleryFree
  • Obscure TexturesFree
  • Painterly GrungeFree
  • Sky BeautyFree
  • The NeutralsFree
  • Vintage CollectionFree
  • Atmospheric LightFree

Questions

Is Superimpose X free?
Superimpose X costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Distressed FX free?
Distressed FX costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Superimpose X or Distressed FX?
Distressed FX is rated higher. Superimpose X averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while Distressed FX averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.
Do Superimpose X or Distressed FX have ads?
Neither Superimpose X nor Distressed FX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Superimpose X or Distressed FX?
Superimpose X ships an update every 10 days, and Distressed FX every 3 months. Most recently, Superimpose X was updated on October 29, 2026 and Distressed FX on October 29, 2026.
Which is more popular, Superimpose X or Distressed FX?
Superimpose X currently peaks at #26 in the App Store charts, and Distressed FX at #130. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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