Best Editing Apps for Travel Photos

For travel and sunset photos, Lightroom mobile is the best all-round editor, Snapseed is the best free one for detailed fixes, and VSCO is best for a consistent film-like look. Here’s what to reach for and when.

The picks

• Adobe Lightroom (mobile) — the standard. Best for RAW, colour, and applying presets for a consistent gallery. Free tier is strong; paid adds cloud sync and more. Pair it with our preset pack.
• Snapseed (free) — the best free editor. Brilliant selective edits (brush an area brighter), healing, and curves. Great for quick sunset fixes.
• VSCO — beautiful film-style filters and a clean workflow for a cohesive feed look.
• Photoshop Express / Lightroom presets — for one-tap looks and quick cleanups.
• TouchRetouch — remove distractions (wires, people) from a scene.

A simple travel workflow

1. Shoot RAW.
2. Do the main edit in Lightroom (exposure, white balance, HSL) — see our Lightroom tutorial.
3. Snapseed for any selective tweak or object removal.
4. Apply a preset to keep your look consistent.

Get the shot right first with how to photograph the perfect sunset. More in Golden Hour.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free photo editing app?

Snapseed is the best free all-rounder for detailed edits, and Lightroom mobile's free tier is excellent for RAW and colour. Both are great for travel and sunset photos.

Which app do professionals use for travel photos?

Adobe Lightroom is the professional standard for RAW editing and consistent colour across a gallery, with presets to speed up the workflow. Many pros also use Snapseed for quick fixes on the go.