It takes more than an understanding of photography to take stunning photos. Sometimes, to get them just right, you need to do a little editing.

Because so many people are taking photos with their phone, there have been major developments in accessible editing apps. With so many available, it is hard to know which one is right for you.

You don’t have to waste your time with trial and error because we’ve narrowed down 6 great options that can be used with Android, iOS, or both.

Take a look:

For iOS

IOS devices have always had solid cameras and quality built-in editing options. But if you are a professional, or serious about the quality of your photos, sometimes you need a little more. These apps work with iPads to give you the best in portable editing.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom app has many of the same elements as the desktop version. Like all the Adobe products, it provides a wide range of editing tools. Whether your photo needs light touch ups, or advanced edits, you can get it done with Photoshop Lightroom.

The app is free but to access its most powerful tools, you’ll need to sign up for a Creative Cloud subscription. At US$9.99 a month it can be costly but it will give you the ability to edit RAW images and adjust selected areas of an image, instead of the entire thing. The Creative Cloud subscription not only gives you full access to Photoshop Lightroom on your iPad but you’ll be able to use it on your Mac or PC, too. The quality of this app is top notch but for the casual photographer, the price tag may be too high.

Serif Affinity Photo

Serif Affinity Photo is a real monster. While it functions best on iPad Pro, you don’t need one to run it. Similar to the software available for Mac, the tools have be tweaked and redesigned for use on a smaller tablet screen. Because it offers nearly everything available in the desktop version, Affinity Photo is the perfect solution for a professional photographer who needs editing abilities while on a shoot or on the move. And being easy to use, it gives amateur photographers the chance to take their pics to a professional level.

One of the downsides to this app is that it will not work on iPads released prior to 2017.

It costs US$19.99 which is a wonderful price when you see the quality it offers in return. This is, without a doubt, one of the best editing apps for iOS.

For Android

Android phones contain some of the best cameras on the market and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are some solid editing apps to go along with those cameras. Here are a couple worth checking out.

Prisma

Prisma is an app that allows you to mimic artistic styles. Unlike most apps that make this claim, this one is actually good. The free version of the app comes with several built in features and you are given the opportunity to buy more features in-app. You can share your creations directly to a special Prisma feed, send it via message or email, or post it through any social media app. If you’re looking to do something interesting and graphic with your photos, this app is for you.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Photoshop Express combines some of the best Adobe editing tools into one app.

Before you get started with Photoshop Express, you will need to create an Adobe ID or sign in with the one you already have. From there you can take new photos, edit ones already on your phone or use an image from Adobe Creative Cloud.

Photoshop Express has all the offerings you’d expect from an editing app. You can crop, rotate, adjust brightness and correct red eye but it is the available smart filters that make this app different from the rest. These filters are designed to correct common problems with exposure, fogging, and color temperature. This app also offers a range of artistic borders and effects that can be easily adjusted with a slider.

For iOS and Android

There are a few apps that work exceptionally well with both iOS and Android. If you work across multiple devices and platforms, the following apps are worth a serious consideration.

Google Snapseed

If you are looking for an app that can do just about anything, Snapseed is it. With Snapseed you can perform RAW image edits, adjust colors and whites, add HDR effects, and enhance select areas of the image. It contains all the standard filters as well as some that are fully customizable.

And because cell phone cameras contain a fixed lens, Snapseed has a feature that allows you to modify field of depth, perspective, curves and brightness.

One of the coolest features is its ability to recognize faces in your photo, allowing you to subtly change the direction of the face or enhance its brightness. This feature can take your portrait or selfie game to the next level.

The Expand tool calculates what the field around the subject might look like and uses that information to make the canvas larger. This tool is a little limited at the moment and works best with an abstract or uniform background. It isn’t so great with diverse or shifting backgrounds.

The best part is that Google Snapseed is free. Not just free at download and full of in-app purchases, it’s completely free.

VSCO

VSCO isn’t just an app, it’s an entire community. You can follow other photographers and view their photos while sharing your own pics both in app and on your social channels.

It gives the ability to adjust contrast, exposure, temperature, and straighten horizons. You can skew the image and adjust tints. It also has a range of beautiful and adjustable filters.

The only real downside to this app is that you cannot save a photo directly to your phone. Instead, you have to email it to yourself and save it from there.

VSCO has a free version and the app will prompt you to sign up for VSCO X. This will unlock some more features and filters. The annual membership is relatively inexpensive but if you are not serious about photo editing, you are better off staying with the free app.

Any of these apps would give you the tools you need to create photos that stand out above the rest, but the one you choose depends on your needs. Ask yourself what you wish to accomplish and let that be the foundation for your decision.