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Best Creative Photo Effects Apps

181+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated July 2026

Color Splash is the household name in creative photo effects, but it's far from the only option. We track 181+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Creative Photo Effects Apps (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Color SplashColor Splash$1.994.9★ (6.5K)NoNoAug 2026
2Avatan – Photo EditorAvatan – Photo EditorFree4.7★ (5.8K)YesYesAug 2026
3Color Pop : AI Photo EditorColor Pop : AI Photo EditorFree4.6★ (78K)YesYesAug 2026
4Crazy Photo Booth - 25 in 1 EffectsCrazy Photo Booth - 25 in 1 EffectsFree3.4★ (1K)NoNoJul 2026
5Effects Cam - Visual EffectsEffects Cam - Visual EffectsFree4.4★ (3.9K)NoYesJul 2026
6Lumyer: Animated Photo EffectsLumyer: Animated Photo EffectsFree4.6★ (24K)NoYesAug 2026
7Photo Lab : Art EffectPhoto Lab : Art EffectFree4.3★ (54)NoNoMay 2026
8Labbet: Photo & Video EditingLabbet: Photo & Video EditingFree4.8★ (400)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Creative Photo Effects

Color Splash#1

Color Splash by Pocket Pixels Inc.

Selective color photo effect
Editor's Choice
📷 Photo & Video
4.9😊(6.5K ratings)
$1.99
#90in Photo & Video
Color Splash screenshot 1
Color Splash screenshot 2
Color Splash screenshot 3
Color Splash screenshot 4

Transform your photos by selectively applying color to black and white images. This app uses an intuitive brush interface to highlight specific areas, creating dramatic and eye-catching visuals. Easily edit details with zoom and multiple brush options.

What We Love

  • 💎 High-quality results
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🎨 Versatile editing capabilities
  • 🕰️ Saves time compared to manual editing

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs or crashes
  • 🖌️ Desire for more precise selection tools
  • 🎨 Limited color customization options
Avatan – Photo Editor#2

Avatan – Photo Editor by Avatan Studio, LLC

Effects and face retouch
Strong Contender
📷 Photo & Video
4.7😞(5.8K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Avatan – Photo Editor screenshot 1
Avatan – Photo Editor screenshot 2
Avatan – Photo Editor screenshot 3
Avatan – Photo Editor screenshot 4

This social photo editor allows users to create and share custom effects and editing resources. It offers tools for face retouching, body adjustments, and applying various elements like stickers and textures to photos. The platform's integrated social network ensures a constantly growing collection of editing options.

What We Love

  • 🤍 Underrated aesthetic editing app
  • 💯 Best photo editing app there is
  • 👍 Awesome effects and features

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Crashes constantly
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 📢 Too many ads
Color Pop : AI Photo Editor#3

Color Pop : AI Photo Editor by Color Pop Effects LLC

Hair,Eye,Skin Recolor Effects
Worth Considering
📷 Photo & Video
4.6😐(78K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Color Pop : AI Photo Editor screenshot 1
Color Pop : AI Photo Editor screenshot 2
Color Pop : AI Photo Editor screenshot 3
Color Pop : AI Photo Editor screenshot 4
Color Pop : AI Photo Editor screenshot 5

Transform your photos with selective coloring, recoloring tools for hair and eyes, and AI-powered enhancements. Create collages, apply advanced edits, and achieve stunning visual effects like background blur and double exposure.

What We Love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🎨 Great color editing features
  • 💡 Unique and creative effects
  • 🎨 Allows for selective coloring

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Limited free features
  • 🚫 Watermark issues

More Creative Photo Effects apps to explore

4
Crazy Photo Booth - 25 in 1 Effects
Crazy Photo Booth - 25 in 1 Effects
Crazy Photo Booth - 25 in 1 Effects
by Indigo Penguin Limited
Free

Transform your photos with a wide array of creative filters and effects. Easily apply artistic, funfair, and even x-ray styles to your images to make them stand out.

25+ unique photo effectsPhotographic filtersFunfair distortions
🎬 Entertainment
(1K)
free
5
Effects Cam - Visual Effects
Effects Cam - Visual Effects
Effects Cam - Visual Effects
Overlay Movie Visual Effects
Free

Easily add realistic special effects like fire, explosions, and blood to your photos. Import or take pictures, then tap to add and adjust visual elements to create your own action scenes.

Add realistic special effectsFire, explosions, blasts, blood effectsImport or take photos
🎬 Entertainment
(3.9K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Lumyer: Animated Photo Effects
Lumyer: Animated Photo Effects
Lumyer: Animated Photo Effects
Add motion,GIFs & live effects
Free

Transform your photos and videos with dazzling animated effects and AI-enhanced filters. Create seasonal magic, enhance pet portraits, and achieve professional-quality edits. Share your animated creations as GIFs or live wallpapers.

Animated photo and video effectsAI-enhanced filtersSeasonal and holiday themes
📷 Photo & Video
(24K)
free with in-app purchases
7
Photo Lab : Art Effect
Photo Lab : Art Effect
Photo Lab : Art Effect
No.1 Creative Photo Art Editor
Free

Transform your photos with a vast array of artistic effects, including pixelation and blurring. Easily edit and enhance your images with a user-friendly interface and real-time adjustments. Create personalized pictures and share your masterpieces with friends and family.

Artistic photo effectsPixelation and blurringReal-time editing
📷 Photo & Video
(54)
free
8
Labbet: Photo & Video Editing
Labbet: Photo & Video Editing
Labbet: Photo & Video Editing
Grain, Textures & Film effects
Free

This app offers film-inspired photo editing tools for creators seeking a personal, imperfect aesthetic. Achieve authentic textures, grain, and vintage effects to give your images a tactile, analog feel.

Film-inspired looksAuthentic grain and dustVintage color tones
📷 Photo & Video
(400)
free with in-app purchases
9
angls - Creative Photo Editor
angls - Creative Photo Editor
angls - Creative Photo Editor
Glitch photo effects
Free

This app offers unique tools for experimental photo editing, allowing users to create glitch art and digital distortions. Manipulate pixels with precision using clone and flip effects, with real-time previews to guide your creative process.

Experimental photo editing toolsGlitch art and digital distortion creationClone and Flip pixel manipulation
📷 Photo & Video
(3)
freemium
10
Prequel: Photo & Video Editor
Prequel: Photo & Video Editor
Prequel: Photo & Video Editor
Aesthetic Vintage Filters App
Free

This app offers a vast collection of over 800 aesthetic filters and effects to transform your photos and videos. Create unique visual styles with tools for 3D effects, text, music, and stickers. Unlock unlimited access to all features with a premium subscription.

800+ effects and filtersVideo templates3D effect creation
📷 Photo & Video
(340K)
freemium
11
EFEKT Video Effects & Filters
EFEKT Video Effects & Filters
EFEKT Video Effects & Filters
Clip Editing, Glitch & Blur FX
Free

Create unique videos and photos with dynamic, sound-reactive effects. Morph your reality with over 50 customizable visual styles and add personalized touches with drawing tools and text overlays. Export in Full HD for sharing on social media.

50+ unique video and photo effectsSound-reactive effectsCustomizable effect parameters
📷 Photo & Video
(17K)
free with in-app purchases
12
LensFlare Optical Effects
LensFlare Optical Effects
LensFlare Optical Effects
Add spark to any photo!
$4.99

Enhance your photos with a wide array of realistic optical effects. Add professional touches like anamorphic flares, sun rays, and sci-fi light effects with just a few taps. Transform your images into stunning works of art.

Over 70 optical effectsAnamorphic flaresNatural sunlight effects
📷 Photo & Video
(663)
paid
13
Zoomy Zoom Effect Pics & Video
Zoomy Zoom Effect Pics & Video
Zoomy Zoom Effect Pics & Video
Zoomer In & Out Photo or Video
Free

Easily add dynamic zoom effects to your photos and videos for social media. This app allows you to create engaging motion clips in seconds, perfect for Instagram stories and other platforms, without needing complex editing software.

Add zoom motion to photos and videosSupports clips up to 15 secondsIntuitive pinch-to-zoom interface
📷 Photo & Video
(342)
free with in-app purchases
14
Leapbox: Artistic Effect Maker
Leapbox: Artistic Effect Maker
Leapbox: Artistic Effect Maker
Creative Photo Editor & Camera
Free

Transform your photos with artistic effects, filters, and dynamic stickers. Create unique cartoon avatars, explore vintage aesthetics, and refresh images with creative templates. Enhance your social media presence with standout edits.

Cartoon effect makerTime machine effectsGlitzy and vintage filters
🎬 Entertainment
(713)
free with in-app purchases
15
PRESETS: Filters for Pictures
PRESETS: Filters for Pictures
PRESETS: Filters for Pictures
Photo Editor, Vintage Camera
Free

Transform your photos and videos with over 200 Lightroom-inspired presets and 100 effects. This app offers advanced editing tools for precise adjustments and powerful video editing features like trimming and transitions.

Over 200 Lightroom-inspired presets100+ visual effectsAdvanced photo editing tools
📷 Photo & Video
(10K)
free with in-app purchases
16
Effectshop Pic & Collage Maker
Effectshop Pic & Collage Maker
Effectshop Pic & Collage Maker
Photo Editor, Editing Effects
Free

Unleash your inner artist with this photo editing app. It offers powerful tools for applying filters to specific areas, layering multiple effects, and creating seamless image compositions. Enhance your photos with adjustable blur, customizable stickers, and high-resolution saving.

Local filters for selected areasApply multiple filters to graphics/textSeamless filter area integration
📷 Photo & Video
(2.6K)
free with in-app purchases
17
Butterfly Photo Frame - Creative and Effective Frames for your photo
Butterfly Photo Frame - Creative and Effective Frames for your photo
Butterfly Photo Frame - Creative and Effective Frames for your photo
by Patel Rikunj
Free
📷 Photo & Video
(0)
18
PhotoMania - Photo Effects
PhotoMania - Photo Effects
PhotoMania - Photo Effects
Picture Editor, Cards, Filters
Free

Transform your photos with a vast array of creative filters, effects, and artistic styles. Easily enhance images, create unique cards, and add frames to make your pictures stand out. Share your masterpieces on social media or use them as wallpapers.

Over 700 filters and effectsArtistic painting and sketch stylesPhoto frames and billboards
📷 Photo & Video
(3.6K)
free with in-app purchases
19
MocaDeco - Be Creative
MocaDeco - Be Creative
MocaDeco - Be Creative
Photo Editor & Visual Creator
Free

Transform your photos with a vast array of creative tools. Apply dramatic filters, unique overlays, and artistic text to craft stunning visuals. Enhance your images with detailed adjustments and manual camera controls for professional-quality results.

Over 200 overlays in 16 themesOver 140 unique filters in 12 themes700+ artworks and 150+ fonts
📷 Photo & Video
(463)
free with in-app purchases
20
Crazy Photo Effects Booth
Crazy Photo Effects Booth
Crazy Photo Effects Booth
by Appkruti Solutions LLP
Free

Transform your photos with a wide array of hilarious and unique effects. Combine multiple effects to create custom looks like a Hulk or an Alien. The free version offers live previews and sharing, while the pro version unlocks more effects and camera roll access.

Live effect previewCombine multiple effectsAutomatic photo saving
🎬 Entertainment
(684)
free with in-app purchases

FAQ about Creative Photo Effects

What are the best creative photo effects apps for iPhone?
Color Splash tops our creative photo effects apps ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 6.5K App Store ratings, and it's priced at $1.99.
Yes — 18 of the top creative photo effects apps we rank are free to download, including Avatan – Photo Editor and Color Pop : AI Photo Editor.
Color Splash has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 181+ creative photo effects apps on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app allows you to convert your photos to black and white while selectively keeping certain areas in their original color. This creates a dramatic effect that draws attention to the colored elements, making your images more striking.
You use your finger as a brush to paint over the parts of the image you want to keep in color, or to convert sections to black and white. The app offers zooming capabilities for precise editing and multiple brush types for different effects.