While not everyone wants to or has the means to buy a film camera, they are interested in creating a vintage aesthetic in their photos. One way in achieving this is by using vintage photo editing apps.
With new trends constantly taking over social media, one that doesn’t seem to go is vintage photography. The rise in the use of vintage film cameras over the past few years has created what feels like a resurgence in film photography that is here to stay.
Best vintage Photo editing apps for iOS and Android
The following table is a quick summary of our findings when trialing and reviewing 11 of the best photo editing apps that provide the ability to apply vintage photography effects to your photos. Follow along further in the article to learn more about each individual app.
| App | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lomograph | Light leaks, analog date stamps | Authentic vintage aesthetic | In-app purchases for additional features |
| Huji Cam | Random light effects | Easy to use | Limited editing tools |
| 1998 Cam | Dust effect, 100+ film filters | Wide range of filters | In-app purchases for additional filters |
| Snapseed | Grainy Film tool, comprehensive editing tools | Powerful editing capabilities | May be overwhelming for beginners |
| Afterlight | Dusty textures, light leaks | High-quality filters | Requires subscription for full access |
| Pixlr | Double exposure tool, wide range of effects | Versatile and creative | Interface may be confusing for beginners |
| Retro Camera + | Variety of camera effects | Easy to share on social media | In-app purchases for additional features |
| VSCO | Community of creators, vintage-inspired filters | Inspiring community | Requires membership for full access |
| RNI Films | Film stock filters, advanced editing tools | Authentic film-inspired filters | In-app purchases for additional film packs |
| Hipstamatic X | “Random Shake” feature, vintage filters | Unique and fun to use | In-app purchases for additional effects |
| Polarr | Custom overlay tool, vintage-inspired filters | Powerful and customizable | Requires subscription for full access |
Lomograph
4.7⭐ and 38K Ratings
Deep Dive into Lomograph: A User’s Perspective
Lomograph, with its stellar rating of 4.7 stars across 37,000 reviews, stands out as a top choice for vintage photo editing. But what makes it so special? Let’s delve deeper into its features and user experience.
Unique Features and Functionality
Lomograph is not just an app; it’s a creative tool that transforms your regular photos into experimental and creative analog film photos. It draws inspiration from Lomography, a style of photography characterized by its inherent low-fi quality. This means your photos won’t just look old; they’ll have the authentic feel of being taken with a film camera.
Lomograph offers a variety of vintage photo filters, including light leaks, retro filters, analog date stamps, and special effects. These features allow you to customize your photos to your liking, creating a unique vintage aesthetic.
Ease of Use
Despite its advanced features, Lomograph is user-friendly. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for both beginners and experienced photographers to navigate and use. You can apply filters and effects with just a few taps, making the photo editing process quick and hassle-free.
In-App Purchases
While Lomograph is free to use, it also offers several in-app purchases that grant you access to a wider library of additional filters not included in the free version. This means you can expand your creative possibilities if you choose to invest a little more.
User Experience
Users praise Lomograph for its ease of use, variety of filters, and quality of the vintage effects. Many users have noted that the app has helped them achieve the vintage aesthetic they were looking for in their photos.
Usage Tips
For a more authentic vintage look, try combining the light leak filter with the analog date stamp. This can give your photos a unique, old-school aesthetic.
In conclusion, Lomograph is more than just a vintage photo editing app; it’s a tool that allows you to express your creativity and achieve a unique aesthetic in your photos. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just someone who loves to experiment with photo editing, Lomograph is worth a try.
Huji Cam
4.2⭐ and 11K Ratings
Huji Cam: Relive the Past
Huji Cam, with an impressive rating of 4.2 stars, is another excellent choice for vintage photo editing. It’s designed to give your photos an analog film feel, reminiscent of old memories.
Unique Features and Functionality
Huji Cam is known for its ability to replicate the feel of traditional film cameras. It achieves this through a combination of filters and effects that mimic the look of photos taken with film cameras in the 80s and 90s.
Ease of Use
Huji Cam is user-friendly with an intuitive interface. It’s simple to apply filters and effects, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
In-App Purchases
While Huji Cam is free to download, it offers in-app purchase options for added functionality, allowing users to access more advanced features and filters.
User Experience
Users appreciate Huji Cam for its authentic vintage filters and easy-to-use interface. The app’s ability to transform digital photos into nostalgic, film-like images has earned it high praise.
Usage Tips
Experiment with the random light effects to add an unexpected and unique touch to your photos.
1998 Cam
4.8⭐and 19.5K Ratings
1998 Cam: Step Back in Time
1998 Cam, with the highest rating on the list of 4.8 stars, allows you to create and capture amazing photos with a vintage touch, making it feel like it’s the summer of 1998.
Unique Features and Functionality
1998 Cam emulates the most popular cameras of the 90s, particularly disposable film cameras. It offers over 100+ film filters and effects like light leak, dust, and grainy filter effects.
Ease of Use
1998 Cam is straightforward to use, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to apply filters and effects to both new photos and those imported from your gallery.
In-App Purchases
While the app is free to download and doesn’t apply watermarks in the free version, in-app purchases unlock access to all filters, an ad-free experience, and more.
User Experience
Users love 1998 Cam for its wide range of filters and the authentic vintage feel it gives to their photos. The app’s high rating is a testament to its quality and user satisfaction.
Usage Tips
Use the dust effect sparingly to avoid overpowering the main subject of your photo.
Snapseed
3.6⭐and 8.2k ratings
Snapseed: A Powerhouse of Photo Editing
Snapseed, with a rating of 3.6 stars, is a popular general-purpose mobile photo editing app that is popular with many Instagram and social media creators.
Unique Features and Functionality
Snapseed offers over 29 tools and features, including advanced editing functionality like healing brushes, brushing, HDR, and perspective shift. Among these features, it is rich in vintage photo capabilities, including vignetting, lens blur, glamour glow, grainy film, and vintage and double exposure features.
Ease of Use
Snapseed is easy to learn, with in-app tutorials providing tips and tricks. Its interface is user-friendly, making photo editing a breeze.
In-App Purchases
Snapseed is a free-to-use app, making all its powerful features accessible without any additional cost.
User Experience
Users appreciate Snapseed for its comprehensive set of editing tools and the high-quality results they can achieve. Its vintage photo capabilities are particularly praised.
Usage Tips
Try using the ‘Grainy Film’ tool to add a realistic film grain effect to your photos.
Afterlight
4.7⭐and 15.6K Ratings
Afterlight: Your One-Stop Shop for Photo Editing
Afterlight, with an impressive 4.7 star rating, is a robust photo editing app with great vintage capabilities.
Unique Features and Functionality
Afterlight offers advanced photo editing capabilities, including advanced curves, HSL, gradients, and grain filters. It has an ever-expanding library of filters created by photographers for photographers, with over 130 unique filters to choose from.
Ease of Use
Afterlight’s interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced photographers.
In-App Purchases
While Afterlight is free to use, an additional subscription unlocks full access to all features and future content within the app.
User Experience
Users love Afterlight for its high-quality filters, real film textures, and precise editing tools. It’s often praised for being a one-stop shop for all photography and editing needs.
Usage Tips
Combine the dusty textures with a light leak for a truly vintage look.
Pixlr
3.6⭐and 1.3K Ratings
Pixlr: Unleash Your Creativity
Pixlr, with a rating of 3.6 stars, is a great option for achieving a vintage look in your photos. This free and easy-to-use photo editor has an impressive library of free effects, overlays, and filters.
Unique Features and Functionality
Pixlr offers a vast library of effects, overlays, and filters, allowing for over 2 million different combinations. This makes it a highly versatile tool for creative photo editing.
Ease of Use
Pixlr is easy to get started with and doesn’t require an account to use the app. Its interface is user-friendly, making it easy to apply effects and filters.
In-App Purchases
Pixlr is a free-to-use app, making all its features accessible without any additional cost.
User Experience
Users appreciate Pixlr for its wide range of effects and filters, as well as its ease of use. It’s often praised for its versatility and the creative possibilities it offers.
Usage Tips
Use the double exposure tool to create unique, vintage-inspired compositions.
Retro Camera +
4.5⭐and 120 Ratings
Retro Camera +: Capture the Elegance of Film
Retro Camera +, with a rating of 4.5 stars, is your solution for capturing vintage-looking photos on the go.
Unique Features and Functionality
Retro Camera + offers over 40+ camera effects, allowing you to capture and edit photos with a vintage aesthetic. It also allows you to share your images directly to Instagram and over 30 other apps.
Ease of Use
Retro Camera + is easy to use, with an intuitive interface that makes it simple to apply effects and filters.
In-App Purchases
While the app’s basic features are free, in-app purchases offer additional functionality and features.
User Experience
Users love Retro Camera + for its wide range of vintage effects and the ease with which they can share their edited photos on social media. The app’s high rating reflects its user satisfaction.
Usage Tips
Experiment with the different camera effects to find the one that best suits your style.
VSCO
4.5⭐and 233.1K Ratings
VSCO: A Community for Expression
VSCO, with a rating of 4.4 stars, is more than just a photo editing app; it’s a place where expression matters most.
Unique Features and Functionality
VSCO offers a range of presets and tools to edit your photos, including a selection of vintage-inspired filters. It also features a community of creators where you can share your photos and discover content from other users.
Ease of Use
VSCO’s interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to apply filters and edit your photos. The app also offers tutorials and tips to help you get the most out of its features.
In-App Purchases
While VSCO is free to download, a VSCO membership offers additional features, including over 200 presets, advanced photo editing tools, and access to the VSCO community.
User Experience
Users appreciate VSCO for its high-quality filters and editing tools, as well as the inspiring community of creators. The app’s vintage filters are particularly popular for their ability to create a nostalgic feel in photos.
Usage Tips
Use the Discover tab to find inspiration from other users and experiment with different presets and editing tools.
RNI Films
4.8⭐and 8.4K Ratings
RNI Films: Your Photos, But Better
RNI Films, with a rating of 4.6 stars, is a photo editing app designed for those who appreciate the beauty of analog photography.
Unique Features and Functionality
RNI Films offers a range of filters inspired by real film stocks, allowing you to give your photos a vintage look. The app also features advanced editing tools, including exposure, contrast, and color adjustments.
Ease of Use
RNI Films has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to apply filters and edit your photos. The app also allows you to save your editing process as a custom preset, so you can apply the same edits to other photos with a single tap.
In-App Purchases
While RNI Films is free to download, it offers in-app purchases for additional film packs.
User Experience
Users love RNI Films for its authentic film-inspired filters and advanced editing tools. The app’s ability to create a realistic vintage look in photos has earned it high praise.
Usage Tips
Experiment with different film stock filters to find the one that best suits your photo’s mood and aesthetic.
Hipstamatic X
4.5⭐and 120 Ratings
Hipstamatic X: Retro Camera & Photo Lab
Hipstamatic X, with a rating of 4.2 stars, is a photo editing app that brings back the look, feel, unpredictable beauty, and fun of plastic toy cameras from the past.
Unique Features and Functionality
Hipstamatic X offers a range of vintage-inspired filters and effects, including light leaks, dust, and scratches. The app also features a “Random Shake” feature that randomly applies filters and effects, creating a unique look every time.
Ease of Use
Hipstamatic X’s interface is fun and easy to use, making it simple to apply filters and effects to your photos.
In-App Purchases
While Hipstamatic X is free to download, it offers in-app purchases for additional filters and effects.
User Experience
Users appreciate Hipstamatic X for its fun and easy-to-use interface, as well as its unique vintage filters and effects. The app’s “Random Shake” feature is particularly popular for its ability to create unexpected and unique looks.
Usage Tips
Use the “Random Shake” feature to create unexpected and unique looks.
Polarr
4.6⭐and 1.9K Ratings
Polarr: Professional Photo Editing Made Accessible
Polarr, with a rating of 4.3 stars, is a powerful photo editing app that caters to both beginners and professionals.
Unique Features and Functionality
Polarr offers a comprehensive set of editing tools, including color, light, detail, and vignette adjustments. It also features a range of vintage-inspired filters that can give your photos a nostalgic feel. One of the standout features of Polarr is its custom overlay tool, which allows you to create and save your own filters.
Ease of Use
Polarr’s interface is well-designed and intuitive, making it easy to apply filters and adjust your photos. The app also offers interactive tutorials that guide you through its features and editing techniques.
In-App Purchases
While Polarr is free to download, a Polarr Pro subscription offers additional features, including custom overlays, advanced editing tools, and access to all filters.
User Experience
Users appreciate Polarr for its powerful editing tools, customizable filters, and user-friendly interface. The app’s vintage filters are particularly popular for their ability to create a nostalgic feel in photos.
Usage Tips
Create and save your own filters to apply a consistent aesthetic to your photos and use the overlay tool to add unique effects.
FAQs
What features should I look for in a vintage photo editing app?
When looking for a vintage photo editing app, consider the following features: a variety of vintage-inspired filters and effects, ease of use, the ability to adjust the intensity of filters and effects, additional editing tools such as cropping and adjusting brightness/contrast, and good user reviews. Some apps also offer unique features like light leaks, dust effects, and the ability to add a date stamp, which can enhance the vintage feel of your photos.
Can I use these vintage photo editing apps on both iOS and Android devices?
Yes, most of the vintage photo editing apps mentioned, including Lomograph, Huji Cam, 1998 Cam, Snapseed, Afterlight, Pixlr, Retro Camera +, VSCO, RNI Films, Hipstamatic X, and Polarr, are available on both iOS and Android devices. However, it’s always a good idea to check the specific app on your device’s app store to confirm compatibility.
Tudor Stanescu is a professional photographer and videographer with almost 15 years of experience shooting urban cityscapes, portraiture, weddings, and much more. He has worked on many commercial projects with the likes of Ford, Scotia Bank and Format to name a few. Growing up in the 90s has also brought Tudor back to exploring film photography over the last 5 years as he rediscovers his passion for the art of photography.
