The apps we focused on come from very different backgrounds. Some are professional tools, others specialize in social media content. It was a bit tricky trying to apply the same criteria to all of them, but we somehow managed to cover as much ground as possible.

We compared the number of features available and also took the prices into consideration. This allowed us to see how much bang for your buck you can get from each piece of software and whether paying for it is worth it at all.

To make things easier, we used the same images throughout in order to see which app performs the best, gives the most realistic but also the most visually attractive results. Overall interface and compatibility with other apps were also on our list of priorities.

There are few programs more famous than Photoshop. During more than two and a half decades of its existence across numerous platforms, it has quite literally become synonymous with the process of retouching pictures. With the advent of smartphones and their ever-growing power, Adobe decided to port this powerful set of tools onto the new gadgets, and we must admit that they have done a wonderful job.

True to its original purpose, Photoshop Express casts a wide net and manages to cover each and every nuance of editing. This is not just about selfies - it is also about landscapes, cityscapes, multi-figure compositions, and everything in between.

The journey begins by logging in through Google or Facebook and allowing the app to access the media on your device. You can edit an existing picture or snap a selfie on the go. That's when the fun begins.

You can crop the image, add effect, superimpose a wealth of filters, remove blemishes, unwanted elements, and backgrounds, use the liquify tool to move your features around, remove noise, apply blur, and tweak things to perfection. Red-eye correction and stickers are, naturally, also a part of the free package. In addition, you can also create watermarks, use the amazing collage feature, and directly share your artwork through social media.

You can go for a perfectly airbrushed look or something more subtle - the choice is yours. The software doesn't favor one nor the other but instead offers you everything you may need to show yourself the way you like. This approach sets it apart from most other apps that try to simplify the process to such an extent that certain basic features are completely omitted. Photoshop does not make that mistake and offers a strong foundation as well as advanced features.

The free version is perfectly ok and will satisfy most casual users. For many, there will be no need to consider the premium option.

When it comes to the paid version, you have two options. One is to invest $9,99 a month and, for that sum, gain full access not only to Photoshop Express but also to the mobile version of Lightroom. This makes a separate purchase of the latter redundant and will save you quite a bit of cash.

The second possibility you have is reserved for those who want the absolute maximum from their software. It costs a staggering $49.98 but allows you to access the full palette of tools that Adobe has to offer - including the above-mentioned Lightroom, along with 18 other apps. Illustrator, InDesign, and XD are just a part of this amazing offer.

If illustration, design, or photo editing is something you do for work, this could be well worth the investment. Yes, the sum is a bit bigger than that paid for most other apps on the list but, for truly premium results, it can be a good buy.

A comprehensive solution such as Photoshop offers a challenge for any reviewer. It took us quite a bit of time to find anything even remotely resembling a flaw. Perhaps the only one that would fit the bill is the fact that you cannot upgrade to the premium version through the app's interface and, instead, have to use the browser for the transaction. Of course, this can still be done on your smartphone, but it would be nice if the feature were actually integrated.

Apart from that, we couldn't single out any other issue. Some users may find the visual aspect of the app a bit too plain, but, fortunately, it more than makes up for it with an impressive selection of tools that will satisfy the needs of amateur and professional alike.

We must admit that this was an app we were completely unaware of prior to this little test. Oh boy, were we in for a surprise. It was almost as if it arrived in the form of a belated Christmas present. There are so many great things about it, we don't really know where to start.

For those as unfamiliar with it as we once were, you should know that this is a colorful, whimsical answer to all your social media prayers. Perfect for selfies or, indeed, any other form of visual content you wish to create, it offers an almost endless array of possibilities.

Silly ideas and crazy effects bring together elements of photo editing and graphic design into a seamless whole. New features are added on a regular basis, so you are likely to visit and re-visit this app many times over.

You start with a short free trial and only then have to pay a mere $4.99 on a monthly basis. It's half the price of Photoshop but doesn't lag much behind it. Of course, it's still far from a truly professional app, but it covers just about anything you can think of if your aim is to create cool, zany, hilarious imagery. If you're not satisfied, you can always cancel your payment.

Once you start editing, you will discover that you can remove any background from your selfie with pretty great precision, add a new one (colors, gradients, and images are available, but you can also upload your own), and superimpose any of the filter presets.

The interface is simple enough, even if it does take a bit of getting used to. There is, however, one thing you ought to bear in mind. This will not be the perfect app for getting that perfect, airbrushed, flawless look. Instead, Bazaart focuses on the "art" part - allowing you to add cute, scary, funny, or crazy effects. Stickers are also beyond amazing, and montage and collage tools do their job well. Layer them all up to create a true digital masterpiece.

You can literally spend days playing with the enormous database of stuff available. Of course, the whole thing doesn't come anywhere near Photoshop from a purely professional perspective but, if your aim is to enjoy your time and get cool results - this is the one to turn to. If you're not feeling particularly inspired, you can always check out Bazaart's Instagram page for ideas.

Unlike Bazaart, it is impossible for anyone to say that they haven't heard of Facetune. The original app has become synonymous with the process of tweaking one's visage (sometimes to the point of it being unrecognizable). The sequel has plenty to offer.

It is more than obvious that the creators of this app have invested a lot of time and effort into coming up with a plethora of different options. You can use the software to change your eye and hair color, perfect your skin, resize your eyes, lips, or nose, reshape your brows, and add a good deal of makeup. You can even go so far as to change the clothes you're wearing - and add cool backgrounds too. Your skin could just as easily transform into something completely different, assuming a blue color or donning some reptilian scales. Frankly, the whole thing works better than most specialized makeover apps.

This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the complete package for upping your selfie game. You only have to pay 9.99 per year to unlock all premium features, making it one of the more affordable options on our list.

Most processes are pretty much automatic, setting you free from all the complicated features of more traditional apps. Compared to Photoshop, Facetune2 feels light and breezy, even if the former offers full control of the process and is ideal for professional visual artists. In that respect, Facetune2 comes closer to its major competitor - Bazaart. It's definitely geared more towards a younger crowd that spends their time on Instagram and TikTok.

Of course, you won't really be able to edit cityscapes with this program as it is very narrowly specialized, but we can honestly say that this is a perfect app for selfies - genuinely fun and a truly worthy successor to the original. You simply can't go wrong with it if your main aim is to create the best version of yourself.

This app is a very good solution on its own but still somehow manages to feel a bit incomplete. Compared to Photoshop, it falls a bit short. Due to the package deal that Adobe offers (Photoshop + Lightroom for $9.99, all 20 of its apps for $49.98), it basically does not make sense to opt for just one piece of software. It is much better to pay an extra buck and get the complete package.

A very popular solution, VSCO has amassed a very impressive following in recent years. The Pro version (which costs a mere $19.99 per year) is even better, but it still does not manage to touch our top three. The app often seems surprisingly slow and will take a good while to load some of its numerous filters. On a phone made in 2019, this shouldn't take so long. Since it does offer a number of free features, you can try it out and see if you are able to tolerate this downside.

A decent enough app that, unfortunately, has way too many features hidden behind a paywall. This is not very convenient for anyone willing to test it because, as it is, it will leave a pretty dismal impression. After a free trial, it costs $7.99 per year. A reasonable enough price but not one we'd care to pay. Definitely not our favorite on the list. For any serious work, you will need to pick something better.

It's a good free solution but without any of the truly advanced options of Photoshop or the zany filters of Bazaart. However, since you don't have to invest a single dime, you might as well give it a go. A range of preset filters that you can edit (or even create your own from scratch) will keep you amused for a while. Cropping, straightening, frames, text, and vignettes - along with the ability to edit the depth of field - will be enough for any beginner.

Another quick and easy solution that, unfortunately, offers a very limited number of options. For a $2.99 one time payment, you can't really expect to get much, but we were still hoping we're in luck with Afterlight. Not really. It could serve you well if you're just dipping your toes in the waters of social media and don't have much experience in the field. If, however, your demands are substantial, better go for something more polished. You do, after all, get what you paid for.

For $4.99 per month, you can take advantage of over 300 art styles and superimpose them over your latest selfie. A creator's community lets you share your work and discuss techniques with other users. New filters are added daily, but you won't have much luck if you try to apply too many of them. Use more than eight different presets on top of each other, and it will shut down your app - each and every time. This doesn't seem very convenient for anyone looking to craft a particularly beautiful image.

A collage maker, a drawing tool, and a photo editor - in that particular order. It's great if you carry your digital pen with you at all times and your tablet has a pressure-sensitive screen. Otherwise, it's not exactly great, especially not for selfies. The "beautify" tool can remove your wrinkles, change your skin tone or hair color, and fix blemishes, but it's nothing to write home about. A few packs of stickers for iMessage don't really do much to improve the impression. After 5 years on the market, PicsArt could do more. If you're still eager to try it, you can take advantage of the 7-day free trial or pick individual filter packs before you decide to subscribe to the whole thing.