Photo masking allows you to create and work with different photo layers, edit particular parts, and even remove and add new backgrounds for visual impacts. While desktop photo editing software lets you do such things easily, doing the same on a smartphone can be tricky.
For this, you need apps on your smartphone to work with the image background, create layers, and combine multiple pictures with different editing options. So, how do you find them? Well, here are the top 4 photo masking apps for Android and iOS in 2024 for quick use.
The list includes Snapseed, PicsArt, Adobe Photoshop Express, and Superimpose. From selective area adjustments to the use of AI to change the backgrounds and visual retouches, these apps offer many masking facilities. Whether you are a social media enthusiast or a beginner in photo editing, these apps will give you perfect-looking and engaging photos every time.
List of Top Photo Masking Apps:
Do you want to change the background of your image or only clip the foreground? Or do you need to adjust the color and lights on selective parts of an image? These photo masking apps truly deliver what you have been looking for long.
1. Snapseed: Free Goodie with Powerful Tools
Snapseed is a free photo editing app with surprisingly powerful tools, versatile editing features, and a user-friendly interface. It is equally popular among severe and casual photo editors and an excellent photo masking option.
To begin with, its "Selective Adjust" tool is a star feature for masking photos. With selective adjustment, you can precisely work with specific areas of your photo. You can use its brush for detailed control to fine-tune the image. You can use the following options:
Color and light adjustments
Saturation and HDR adjustment
Shadow and warmth of the image
Also, use the "Brush Exposure" tool to edit the brightness and other aspects of the masked area. For better control, from the "Brush" icon, turn on the "Eye Icon" to see the edits in the masked area effectively. It is highly adaptive for precise controls. You can even change the background using the "Double Exposure" option.
Top Features:
Selective Adjust tool for precise masking and adjustments
Brush Exposure and “Eye icon” for targeted edits within the masked area.
Use of versatile editing tools for a complete photo-editing experience
Pros:
Completely free,
Intuitive interface
Powerful editing tools beyond masking
Cons:
Background removal is a lengthy and challenging process
Who should use Snapseed:
Snapseed has a user-friendly interface with intuitive editing options, which is great for beginners. Advanced users can also choose its HDR-Scape, double-exposure, lens blur, etc., functions for advanced editing options.
2. Adobe Photoshop Express: Free Powerhouse with a Familiar Feel
Don't get confused by the app's "Express" title; the app ultimately comes free with advanced photo masking options with excellent control. Thanks to its robust editing options and clean interface, it is a favorite among iOS and Android users. Also, if you wish to unlock its full potential for professional photo editing, you can buy it for $9.99 monthly.
The interface of Adobe Photoshop Express Photo Editor appears familiar to you if you have ever used Adobe Photoshop or Mobile Lightroom. It is a great experience to use the app with such familiarity, and you will truly appreciate its intuitive menus and icons.
Also, the app shines beautifully when it comes to a quick, easy, and seamless photo masking facility. Its "Refine Edge" tool sets the industry standard for smartphone masking photos. Working with complex images with multiple layers to create different masks with precise controls is ideal.
When you wish to remove any particular subject or object from photos, its "Cut Out" tool is a touch above every option. You can tap and select any object once you go to the "Cut Out" option and remove it quickly.
Plus, it includes layer editing for photo masking. It is a core Photoshop concept for adjusting color, light, shadow, warmth, saturation, etc., particularly on the masked areas. Moreover, you will get brushes and lassos facilities. These are favorable for more traditional masking workflows.
Finally, you can combine two photos with it, as you choose one image for the foreground and another for the background. It is easy and fast, which is particularly useful for beginners in the photo editing world.
Top Features:
Many filter options for adding visual aesthetics to images
You can integrate it with other Adobe editing apps
Automatic background removal with “Cut Out” option
Multiple layer editing with a few images simultaneously
Pros:
Familiar and easy interface
Different photo adjustment options
Spot healing and noise removal
Cons:
Limited features for the free version
Who should use Adobe Photoshop Express:
Adobe Photoshop Express is best for combining two images as background and foreground. Also, its background or object removal is automatic and fast with a familiar interface.
3. PicsArt: Free Fun with Creative Flair
Filters, stickers, text overlays, and AI-based background removal– you name the options; PicsArt has it built-in. From creative filters to basic editing options and advanced erase tools, its editing options will take your photo masking experience far and wide.
You can upload one image and click on its "Remove BG" option to change the background. You can choose images from your device or its given options. Also, there is an "AI Background" option for better creativity without hard work.
Its AI-powered "Cutout" tool needs minimal effort to work with the background or foreground. It is perfect when you need quick edits. For more detailed work, PicsArt offers different tools such as "Clone," "Adjust," "AI Expand," etc., functions.
The best part of its “AI Expand” is that it quickly gives you a perfect masked photo for an Instagram Story, YouTube Thumbnail, Facebook Profile, and banners. It saves your time massively. Also, you can use its overlays and backgrounds for seamless and imaginative photo manipulation.
Top Features:
Library for overlays and many AI-generated backgrounds
Effects options with nearly countless filters
Perfect for those who love playing with AI options for photos
Pros:
User-friendly interface
Fun and creative features
Quick retouch options for fine-tuning images
Cons:
Advanced features need in-app purchase
Who should use PicsArt:
PicsArt is perfect for adding creative manipulation to any image for social media buffs. From combining two images to changing the background and adding stickers, it has everything to kick off your photo editing as a beginner.
4. Superimpose: Champion for Creative Masking
Nothing beats Superimpose when it comes to the best photo masking app. It is mainly designed for photo masking with industry-standard brushes, lassos, and gradients. As the name suggests, you can upload any image and superimpose it with its different images.
It is ideal for quickly creating superimposed and masked photos for social media, YouTube, and Instagram posts. Also, it has overlays, effects, and lasso options to make the images creative and fun-looking.
With its "Lasso" tool, you can select and work on any cutout. The "Lasso" tool gives you two selection options:
Cut outside
Cut Inside
Once you cut out the subject perfectly, you can overlay it with existing images in the app. The app also gives you an "Auto" function to superimpose the image or change its background. The library for superimposing images has more than hundreds of nice and functional preset options.
Long story short, editing and masking images and making engaging images within seconds with Superimpose becomes fun.
Top Features:
Offers lassos, superimpose, adjustments, and effects functions
Easy blending of multiple images for masking
Options for adding texts, stickers, frames, and borders
Pros:
Easy to use
Connectivity with different apps
Ideal for beginners
Cons:
Lacks advanced editing options
Who should use Superimpose:
Superimpose is ideal for quick and fun photo manipulation. Its overlays, effects, and background library will transform an ordinary image into a brilliant one within seconds and with a few clicks. If you are a beginner and want captivating images for your social media, Superimpose is a great choice.
Conclusion
Photo masking requires time, effort, and patience. With our recommended top 4 photo masking apps for Android and iOS users, the task will undoubtedly become easier.
However, you should be open to learning the different functions of these apps to take full advantage of their editing capabilities. Always remember that the more you play with different masking functions, the better your images will be.
