Media · iOS
VSCO: Photo & Video Editor
by Visual Supply Company
VSCO has been around since 2013 and has grown well beyond a simple filter app. At 317 MB it carries real weight on your phone, but that footprint funds a genuinely broad toolkit covering photo presets, video editing, AI-assisted adjustments, portfolio hosting, and client gallery delivery. The free tier gets you started, though the deeper features sit behind a paywall. With 276K ratings averaging 4.69, the user base is large and largely satisfied, and after time with the app it is easy to see why.
The Preset Library Is the Star
The 200-plus presets are the reason most people download VSCO in the first place, and they hold up. The Film X collection pulls from Kodak, Fuji, and Agfa references, giving shots a grain and color shift that feels considered rather than slapped on. The Recipes feature lets you save a full edit chain and reapply it in seconds, which is a genuine time-saver for anyone shooting in consistent batches. Crop and Fade round out a control set that stays approachable without feeling dumbed down.
More Than a Filter App Now
The addition of AI editing tools, video support, portfolio sites, and client workflow features makes VSCO pitch itself at working photographers, not just casual sharers. That is an ambitious range for a mobile app. The portfolio and client gallery side is a meaningful differentiator if you want one app to handle editing and delivery. Whether the AI tools justify the subscription cost depends on how much you were already paying for standalone alternatives like Lightroom Mobile or a separate gallery host.
Who Actually Benefits Here
Hobbyists wanting film-style edits without a steep learning curve will find VSCO comfortable and rewarding on the free tier. Semi-professional photographers who need client delivery and a public portfolio will get real mileage from a paid membership. Pure video editors should look elsewhere since video here is a supporting feature, not a primary one. The 317 MB install is a fair trade for what is on offer, but budget phone users should note the storage ask before downloading.
Pros
- Over 200 presets including film-inspired Film X series covering Kodak, Fuji, and Agfa looks
- Recipes feature saves and reapplies full edit chains for consistent batch editing
- Portfolio site and client gallery delivery built in, reducing the need for separate tools
- Free entry point lets you evaluate the core preset quality before committing to a subscription
- Regularly updated, with the latest push in June 2026 showing active development
Cons
- 317 MB is a heavy install for an app that starts free
- The most useful features, including AI editing and client workflows, sit behind a paid membership
- Video editing is present but not a core strength compared to dedicated video apps
- The breadth of features, from presets to business tools, can feel unfocused for users who just want a clean editor
- In-app purchase structure is not fully transparent until you are already inside the app