Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Collage Maker vs Photo Collage Maker & Creator

Collage Maker 4.8★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Tie
Photo Collage Maker & Creator 4.8★ · Free + IAP 68

For users prioritizing a potentially richer feature set and video editing capabilities, Collage Maker (App A) might be a better choice, despite its significant issues with ads and paid features; however, for a more straightforward, reliable collage experience, Photo Collage Maker & Creator (App B) is preferred, assuming users are willing to pay for premium features.

Full reviews: Collage Maker · Photo Collage Maker & Creator

Both Collage Maker (App A) and Photo Collage Maker & Creator (App B) are popular collage apps offering free versions with in-app purchases, but both face significant criticism regarding aggressive monetization, excessive ads, and usability issues. While App A offers more advanced features like GIF to video conversion, App B is often praised for its ease of use, though both struggle with user frustration over paid content and technical glitches.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: Collage MakerR1R2R3R7
Collage Maker Collage Maker offers a range of features, including photo and video collages, GIF to video conversion, and various editing tools R2. However, many users find that essential templates and editing options are locked behind a paywall R1R3R19. Some users also report issues with video saving and exporting R7.
Photo Collage Maker & Creator Photo Collage Maker & Creator provides various collage options and is praised for its ability to create impressive collages . However, some users note a lack of new patterns or icons over time and a limitation on the number of photos that can be used . There are also complaints about rigid layouts and a lack of freehand options .
Ease of Use edge: Photo Collage Maker & CreatorR10R11R12R19
Collage Maker Some users find Collage Maker easy and convenient to use R11. However, a significant number of reviews describe the app as difficult to use, navigate, and edit R10R12R19. Recent updates have also made it harder to use for some long-term users .
Photo Collage Maker & Creator Photo Collage Maker & Creator is frequently praised for being very user-friendly and easy to use . However, some users find it difficult to manipulate photos due to poor or missing instructions , and some beginners find it confusing . There are also complaints about the interface not being user-friendly and issues with photos being cut off .
Reliability & Performance tieR4R7R9R14
Collage Maker Collage Maker has a mixed record on reliability. While some users have used it for years without disappointment R9R14, recent reviews highlight issues such as the app getting confused and requiring multiple restarts R4, not saving videos R7, glitching R17, and not staying open after updates . Some users also report ads causing the app to stop functioning .
Photo Collage Maker & Creator Photo Collage Maker & Creator also faces reliability issues, with reports of the app not working most of the time, requiring multiple restarts , and pictures lagging . One user reported that paying for premium did not unlock extra features and received no response from the company .
Price & Value tieR1R3R6R13
Collage Maker Collage Maker is heavily criticized for its aggressive monetization. Users complain that too many features, templates, and even saving projects require payment or a subscription R1R3R6R22. The annual subscription price of $36 is considered too expensive by some . Many also report an overwhelming number of ads and pop-ups, especially for membership R13R16R17.
Photo Collage Maker & Creator Photo Collage Maker & Creator also faces strong criticism for its monetization strategy. Users feel that they have to pay for almost everything . There are multiple reports of deceptive practices, such as automatic yearly subscriptions, charges after canceling trials, or being charged immediately upon signing up for a 'free' trial . Ads are also a significant complaint for some users .
Privacy & Permissions tieR21R49R79
Collage Maker One user expressed serious concern about Collage Maker suddenly requiring access to ALL photos, not just selected ones, describing it as 'creepy and suspicious' and a potential data harvesting tactic R49. Another user reported the app changing default file associations without permission R21.
Photo Collage Maker & Creator Photo Collage Maker & Creator also raises privacy concerns, with users reporting a pop-up demanding access to ALL photos for the 'best user experience' as the only option to proceed R79.
Pick Collage Maker if

You need specific features like GIF to video conversion or more advanced video editing capabilities, and are willing to navigate a potentially ad-heavy and paywall-laden experience R2.

Pick Photo Collage Maker & Creator if

You prioritize a generally easy-to-use interface for basic photo collages and are prepared to pay for premium features to avoid limitations and ads .

Evidence note: Both apps have a strong free-vs-paid asymmetry, with many negative reviews for both stemming from frustration with paywalls, subscriptions, and excessive ads in their 'free' versions. The lifetime ratings are high, but recent reviews often paint a more negative picture due to these monetization strategies. Evidence for reliability and privacy is limited to a few specific, though concerning, user reports for both apps.

Frequently asked

Are these collage apps truly free?
No, both Collage Maker (App A) and Photo Collage Maker & Creator (App B) are free to download but heavily rely on in-app purchases and subscriptions, with many essential features, templates, and even the ability to save projects often locked behind paywalls R1R3R22R31.
Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both apps are frequently criticized for having too many ads and pop-ups, especially for premium memberships, which significantly disrupt the user experience R13R16R17R28.
Are there concerns about privacy with these apps?
Yes, both apps have raised privacy concerns among users, with reports of Collage Maker (App A) suddenly requiring access to all photos and changing default file associations R21R49, and Photo Collage Maker & Creator (App B) presenting a screen that only allows proceeding if full photo access is granted R79.

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. [R1] Collage Maker 1/5 · US To much: Tried to put pictures on a page no layout just wanted them all on the same page. Can’t really do anything without paying for it..
  2. [R2] Collage Maker 5/5 · US Better Update Successful!: It's been almost a long time until you said you would get the GIF to video conversion feature working again, but you actually redeemed yourselves this time, and I'm eternally grateful!
  3. [R3] Collage Maker 3/5 · US There’s a free version and a paid: Free version has half of the templates and a watermark
  4. [R7] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Not working: Won’t save video
  5. [R10] Collage Maker 2/5 · US Not user friendly: This app is very difficult to use, navigate, edit. I’d like to find another app that I’m sure is doing better - and especially cheaper or even free bc it’s not worth paying for.
  6. [R11] Collage Maker 5/5 · US Excelente: Facil y excelente
  7. [R12] Collage Maker 3/5 · US Nice but: Excellent opportunity wish it performed more easily--we'll see how it goes . . .
  8. [R19] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Frustrating to use for basic edits: It’s impossible to find basic templates, such as a grid of three rectangles. Instead you have to scroll through an unorganized, unlimited selection of trendy topic-based ugly cutouts. Practically unusable.
  9. [R4] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Gets Confused: Requires multiple restarts
  10. [R9] Collage Maker 3/5 · US I’m in Love: I just LOVE this app I have had for years & it has gotten better
  11. [R14] Collage Maker 5/5 · US The Best App Ever for Photo Editing: 15 years plus it has never disappointed me always fresh and inspiring
  12. [R6] Collage Maker 3/5 · US Cool: We always have to pay for stuff even this it's not always worth it but it is a little bit there'sOther apps that are better than this but it is cool but after a three day tryoutMakes you do like everythingOne piece at a time it's really annoying I recommend it if you're willing to pay the money but it's cool it's not my favorite.
  13. [R13] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Too many ads: Ads
  14. [R21] Collage Maker 3/5 · US Didn’t trust anymore: I had to delete this app because something strange started happening. I was listening to a mp4 file in my file folder. And when I clicked on the next file it automatically opened in Live Collage. The default was changed to Live Collage and I couldn’t change it. ChatGPT said, “Developers sometimes sneak new permissions and file associations into updates buried in changelog lan
  15. [R49] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Why suddenly need access to ALL photos???: Have had this app for many years. Just tried to open and it said the app only works if it has access to all photos, not just the ones I selected. What. This is the creepiest and most suspicious this ever. Even worse than this app hiding secret folders in files. Check folders. Ridiculous. These are scammers Update: they responded and said it is required u
  16. [R79] Photo Collage Maker & Creator 1/5 · US Allow access to ALL photos?: When launching this app a screen pops up telling me that allowing access to ALL photos gives the best user experience. With a single option to tap that says “allow photo access.” Something like that. That’s the only option available to proceed and begin using the app. Having worked in the tech space and knowing that some vendors openly admit to using their apps to harv
  17. [R22] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Saving Options are a Pain: Oh I get why I was not able to save the project to my photos; what was supposed to be a free app turned out to be paid. If it’s free then okay but if it’s paid I would have rather been told that upfront instead of downloading all my pictures and then being forced to pay before I could do anything with my project. Your tactics are not okay. I will Surely be canceling befo
  18. [R31] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Can’t even use it: It’s actually really sad you have to PAY to download a collage. A money grab to be honest.
  19. [R16] Collage Maker 2/5 · US Bueno: Bueno pero con mucha publicidad!!!
  20. [R17] Collage Maker 4/5 · US Glitchy and Too many adds: The app is great, use it a whole bunch. But the thing is it glitches a lot, and there is so many adds. Every time I press something an add to sign up for membership pops up. And whenever I save a video you have to see an add. Overall the app is awesome it is fun and easy, but there is too many adds.
  21. [R28] Collage Maker 1/5 · US Too many: Pop ups

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