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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Facetune vs Photoshop Express Photo Editor

Facetune 4.6★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Photoshop Express Photo Editor
Photoshop Express Photo Editor 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Photoshop Express Photo Editor is the better choice for general photo editing due to its broader range of tools and more stable performance, despite both apps facing criticism for recent changes to their free and paid features.

Full reviews: Facetune · Photoshop Express Photo Editor

Both Facetune and Photoshop Express Photo Editor are popular photo editing apps, but recent updates have led to user dissatisfaction regarding paywalls and feature changes. Photoshop Express offers a wider array of general editing tools and is generally more stable, while Facetune focuses more on subtle facial and body touch-ups, though its recent AI integration has been polarizing.

Head to head

Features and Editing Capabilities edge: Photoshop Express Photo EditorR9R11R15R18
Facetune Facetune is praised for its ability to make subtle, natural-looking edits to faces and bodies, with users appreciating its creative control and quick touch-up options R11R23. However, recent updates have removed popular filters like 'golden hour' and 'neon lighting' and introduced AI features that some users find alter faces too much, making them look 'AI fake' or 'terrible' . There are also complaints about limited control, such as applying the same hair edit to everyone in a photo R9, and glitches during warping or with video filters R15R18.
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express offers a wide range of editing tools, with users finding it intuitive and powerful for quick edits and creative designs . It's noted for having various tools even in its free version, allowing for professional-level edits . However, some users feel the free options are rudimentary and that the tools can be 'finicky' . Recent updates have heavily pushed AI, making it harder to do manual work , and some expected features like removing reflections from glasses are not present even in the premium version . A crucial 'Combine Photos' feature was also removed, impacting freelance artists .
Ease of Use tieR1R6R8R23
Facetune Facetune is generally considered easy to use for quick touch-ups and subtle changes R23. However, some users find the 'compare original' button difficult to tap R8 and recent updates have made the app less intuitive, with some features becoming harder to find or use R1R6.
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express is often described as highly intuitive and easy to use for quick edits . However, some users find it not as easy as hoped and complain about a 'messy' UI with too many useless options in settings . Object removal can be difficult due to lack of guidance .
Reliability and Performance edge: FacetuneR15R18R61R72
Facetune Facetune users report issues with videos becoming glitchy and freezing after applying filters R15. The warping feature is also prone to glitching, causing loss of unsaved progress R18.
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express has significant reliability issues, with users reporting the app freezing, crashing, or seizing up upon launch . It can undo work, ruin hours of effort, or fail to save edits R61. There are also complaints about duplicated clips during editing and issues with fonts not downloading or disappearing R72. Some users also experience pixelation on iPad and problems opening files created in newer desktop versions of Photoshop .
Price and Value tieR3R4R12R16
Facetune Facetune faces widespread criticism for its pricing, with many users stating that 'everything is paid' R3R4R19R34. Long-time users are disappointed that tools previously free are now locked behind VIP access R4. There are complaints about the price increasing from $10 a month to $12 a week R12R36, or yearly subscriptions costing over $80 R16R40. Many feel it's overpriced, especially compared to free alternatives like CapCut . Some paying subscribers also report needing to pay extra for new AI features . The app also forces a watermark on saved images unless a subscription is purchased .
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express is also heavily criticized for its paywall, with users stating that 'almost everything is paid' or 'premium' . Features that were once free are now behind a subscription R106. Users find the subscription 'very pricey' and complain about a large watermark on saved photos in the free version R88R92R106R120. There's constant nagging to upgrade . Some users feel it doesn't offer more than cheaper/free apps .
Support and Billing edge: FacetuneR7R16R25R40
Facetune Facetune has significant issues with billing and subscriptions. Users report being charged for yearly subscriptions after canceling free trials R7R16R40. Some users claim there was no free trial despite being offered one, leading to disputes with both Apple Support and Facetune . There are also accusations of the company being a 'scam' and refusing to cancel subscriptions or issue refunds R25.
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express users report issues with account deletion and problems with credits not being restored for premium users . There's a warning that canceling a subscription might incur a $100+ charge .
Pick Facetune if

You prioritize subtle, natural-looking facial and body touch-ups and are willing to pay for a subscription, understanding that some features and filters have changed recently R23.

Pick Photoshop Express Photo Editor if

You need a broader range of general photo editing tools, appreciate an intuitive interface for quick edits, and are comfortable with the Adobe ecosystem, despite the app's stability issues and aggressive paywall .

Evidence note: Both apps have a strong negative skew in recent reviews, primarily due to changes in pricing models, the locking of previously free features behind paywalls, and the introduction of AI features that are not universally liked. Facetune also faces significant complaints regarding billing and subscription cancellations.

Frequently asked

Is Facetune free to use?
Facetune offers a free download, but most tools and features are locked behind a paid subscription, and even a free trial can lead to charges if not canceled carefully R3R4R19R34.
Does Photoshop Express have a watermark?
Yes, the free version of Photoshop Express places a large watermark on saved photos, which can only be removed by purchasing a premium subscription R88R92R106R120.
How much does Facetune cost?
Facetune's pricing has been a point of contention, with users reporting monthly costs around $10-12 and yearly subscriptions costing over $80, though prices can vary R12R16R36R40.
Are there issues with Facetune subscriptions?
Many users report significant issues with Facetune subscriptions, including being charged for yearly plans after canceling free trials, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and accusations of fraudulent billing practices R7R16R25R40.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R9] Facetune 3/5 · US Very little control: When you try to fix the hair in one person in a picture, the app will not allow it. It makes everyone in the picture have the exact same hair. So grandma gets the same hair as the granddaughter. Very annoying.
  2. [R11] Facetune 5/5 · US Best editing app: Whether you want to make a subtle change or get real creative this is the app to do it. Even with the new phone features nothing beats Facetune
  3. [R15] Facetune 3/5 · US Really good but: It Makes my vids so so glitchy and they keep freezing after I applied like filters. So idk why. Even when I save the vid it still the same..
  4. [R18] Facetune 3/5 · US A bug that needs to be fixed: The app will glitch out during the warping feature. It does it every five minutes or so and will not save progress, it really sucks please fix it.
  5. [R1] Facetune 1/5 · US App completely changed: App had a complete downgrade, I have the full subscription and the app just looks cheap. They out all filters and it’s just completely not what it used to be. Honestly going to find a different app. Sad such an amazing app completely ruined itself.
  6. [R6] Facetune 3/5 · US App changes ruined the app: Used to love this app but can no longer switch faces to edit when there are multiple faces in a photo which makes it worthless.
  7. [R8] Facetune 5/5 · US MAKE THE COMPARE ORIGINAL BUTTON EASIER TO TAP: I love this app but istg that little button is hard to tap and it makes me wanna throw my phone whenever I try to compare my edits to the original. Please make it bigger or at least more sensitive to the tap.
  8. [R23] Facetune 5/5 · US Great work: I use the app for quick touch-ups for my own and my friends pics. Sometimes you just need a teeny freshening. I’m old, my friends are too, but we still want to look nice.
  9. [R61] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: It undoes all my work with the fakest adjustments that can’t be undone even though they were just done. Ruining hours of tedious work.
  10. [R72] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 3/5 · US Fonts won’t download: Please fix.
  11. [R3] Facetune 3/5 · US Estoy cansada: Todo es pago
  12. [R4] Facetune 1/5 · US Disappointed customer: Can not believe all the tools have become locked without paying for VIP access. After using is for 7 years I will now be using something else.
  13. [R12] Facetune 3/5 · US Price??: been using facetune since 2019, i dont understand why it went from $10 a month to $12 a week. i use it when i need to but im disappointed
  14. [R16] Facetune 1/5 · US Careful warning!!!!!: They will trick you into a full year subscription and not give you your money back . I clicked on one of their click baits for a trial. I thought I clicked on a monthly subscription after the trial was over. I must have not and clicked on a full year at over $80. I normally watch this and make sure it’s on a month after trial. I tried to cancel right away and reached out de
  15. [R7] Facetune 1/5 · US Beware: Do not download this app for the free subscription after you cancel your free trial they will still charge your card
  16. [R25] Facetune 1/5 · US Fake reviews: These reviews must be fake because a google search of this company shows that they get you to sign up for a free trial and when you do, they refuse to cancel and charge you as much as they want and refuse to cancel, which is exactly what happened to me even though I used this app precisely once. Scam company, scam app, scam reviews. You should be ashamed.
  17. [R40] Facetune 1/5 · US Charged me when I deleted the app: I signed up for the free trial. Deleted the app before it was up and they still charged me $80 for the whole year. They said I missed the window to dispute the charge. Not great to work with at all
  18. [R19] Facetune 1/5 · US Pay app: I hate these apps they make you pay a monthly subscription to use.
  19. [R34] Facetune 1/5 · US Garbage: Garbage app, cant do anything without paying. It wouldnt let me take a screenshot? Greedy behind company.
  20. [R88] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Watermark: upset and disappointed. I loved the app and use it several times/day. I cannot use it with the logo watermark on it. To remove it you are forced to pay a very high subscription. A once loved app, now forced to look elsewhere
  21. [R92] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 5/5 · US Stupid Instant Edit Square: If you use the free version, they put a square on your photo that says Instant Edit and you can't remove it . I have tried everything to remove it and was unsuccessful. I have used the paid version and it's great but I lost my job and had to cancel everything. I'm not happy !!
  22. [R106] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 2/5 · US Used to be a great app: This app used to be great, but then they took away many of the free features and made them cost money. In addition, now every photo you save from the app has a HUGE watermark on the bottom! Really sad how bad this app got
  23. [R120] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 3/5 · GB Was brilliant: Was my favourite photo editing app, but now they’ve started including a big watermark in the corner of your picture unless you buy the premium version… typical.
  24. [R36] Facetune 3/5 · GB It’s good but £40 a month is A JOKE: Most subscriptions are £10 a month we’re talking unlimited films and tv and this is £10 a week, daylight robbery and they know it

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store