Facetune Alternatives (2026): 10 Apps Compared

Facetune built its name on portrait retouching, with tools for smoothing, reshaping and adjusting selfies. If you've used it, you'll know how handy that can be for profile pictures, team headshots and the odd social post. You might still want another option, perhaps for a different set of tools, a different look or a different way of trying things out.

Here are ten Facetune alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. They cover phone apps, web editors and a desktop program. I've taken each description from the tool's own website or app store listing, so check the current details there before you download anything. For a wider view of AI editing, my roundup of AI photo editors for business goes further.

Facetune alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site or store listing shows a free version or a free download, usually with optional extras. Trial only means a free trial without an ongoing free version. No means neither is stated. Offers vary by country and device, so confirm in your own app store.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
AirBrush	Mobile and web app	Face, skin and video touch-ups	Yes
BeautyPlus	Mobile and web app	Selfie edits and AI portraits	Yes
Lensa	Mobile app	Beauty edits, presets and object removal	Yes
Meitu	Mobile app	Beauty-focused photo and video editing	Yes
Perfect365	Mobile and web app	Makeup and hairstyle try-on	Yes
PhotoDirector	Desktop and mobile app	Generative AI editing on computer and phone	Yes
Remini	Web and mobile app	Sharpening and restoring photos	Yes
Snapseed	Mobile app	Detailed edits from a big-name maker	Yes
VSCO	Mobile and web app	Film-style presets and a photo community	Trial only
YouCam Perfect	Mobile app	Object removal, sky edits and selfie filters	Yes

Ten selfie and portrait editing apps to try instead of Facetune

AirBrush

Best for: People who want portrait touch-ups on a phone, with versions for computers and a browser editor too.

BeautyPlus

Best for: Anyone who wants selfie retouching, AI portraits and collages from either a browser or a phone.

Lensa

Best for: Phone users who like one-tap presets alongside beauty edits, object removal and hair try-on.

Meitu

Best for: People who want a beauty-led photo and video editor from a company that builds several related apps.

Perfect365

Best for: Anyone curious about trying makeup looks and hairstyles on a photo before committing to them.

PhotoDirector

Best for: People who want one editor across Windows, Mac and phone, with a free Essential version.

Remini

Best for: Anyone who wants to sharpen or restore soft, old or low-resolution pictures.

Snapseed

Best for: Phone users who want control over exposure, colour and selective edits from a well-known maker.

VSCO

Best for: Photographers and creators who like a distinctive look and a community, trying it with a free trial.

YouCam Perfect

Best for: People who want to remove distractions, swap skies and add selfie filters in one app.

What to look for in a portrait retouching app

Portrait apps differ more than their screenshots suggest. Some focus on light touches like brightening, blemish clean-up and gentle smoothing. Others lean into heavier reshaping, filters or AI-generated looks. Decide which end of that range suits your purpose before you install a handful of apps and clutter your phone.

• Subtle versus dramatic. A natural result usually suits business headshots better than a heavily filtered one.
• Single photos or batches. If you edit a whole team's headshots, check how easily you can repeat the same settings.
• Phone, web or computer. Pick the device you edit on most.
• Export quality. Look for options that save at a good size and keep your original untouched.

Keeping portrait edits realistic and honest

Light retouching is normal, but heavy changes to a face or body can mislead people, particularly in adverts, testimonials and before-and-after pictures. Many ad platforms have rules about edited or altered images, so read the current policy of each platform you advertise on before you publish. Being open about an edit is the safer habit.

Only edit photos of yourself or of people who've given you permission, and check each tool's rules on real people's likenesses and commercial use. This is general guidance, not legal advice, so check your own situation where it matters.

Privacy checks for portrait editing apps

These apps work on pictures of faces, so it's sensible to read what each one says about how photos are stored, whether they're used to train models, and how to delete them. Look for a clear privacy page, the permissions the app asks your phone for, and whether you can use the basics without handing over more than you need.

If you're deciding which AI tools belong in your business at all, my guide to AI tools for small business owners covers the wider picture, and you can also ask about working with an AI consultant in the UK.

A final practical point is storage. Portrait apps can make several copies of a picture while you experiment, so it's worth clearing out the drafts now and then and keeping your untouched originals in a folder of their own. That way you can always go back to a natural version if a client or a platform asks for one.

Questions to ask before swapping your Facetune routine

• Does the app keep my original photo safe while I experiment?
• Can I undo or adjust each change separately?
• What does the free version include, according to the store listing?
• Does it add a watermark to my exported pictures?
• Can I delete my uploads and account later?
• Does it work on the phone and computer I use?

Why a smaller selfie editing app can be a sensible pick

Smaller apps often do a few things well and update quickly, but their longevity can be less certain. Look at when the app was last updated, read its description in the store and try it on a picture you don't mind experimenting with. If it behaves well, it's worth keeping on your phone.

Do you make a selfie editing app or AI photo tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A short checklist before you settle on a Facetune alternative

Choose two apps that match how heavy or light you like your edits. Try both on the same picture, compare the results with your untouched original, and keep the one that looks like you on a good day. Then check its privacy page before you use it for client or team photos.

Frequently asked questions

What can I use instead of Facetune?

You can use another portrait or selfie editor, a general photo editor with retouching tools, or a desktop program. Which one fits depends on whether you want light touch-ups or heavier effects.

Are selfie editing apps free?

Many are free to download with optional extras, but what's included changes often. Check each store listing and the app's own site for the current position in your country.

Is it okay to retouch photos for my business?

Light retouching is common, but changes that could mislead customers, especially in adverts, can break platform rules. Read each platform's current policy and be open about edits.

Do these apps keep my photos?

It differs between apps. Read each privacy page to see how photos are stored and used, and look for a way to delete them.

Can I edit someone else's photo?

Only with their permission. Check each tool's rules on real people's likenesses and commercial use, and check your own situation if you're unsure.