What iOS picture editor with layers and text that doesn't require a monthly fee or explicitly ad-supported.

[Andrewcw]

So Adobe decided to kill Photoshop Mix finally. It was my fat finger go to editing photos and text with layers.
None of their current product match what they did for free. They want their monthly fee. Along with a bunch of others want a monthly fee or are only ad-supported. I'm ok with buying something.

What i need is to be able to use layers, have some masking ability to cut things out. And the ability to put in text.
Searching only ends up with AI generated sites parroting the same crap that's outdated.

 

[cateye]

Doesn't Photoshop Elements cover these use cases? It supports masking (including AI-based removal tools), layers, and text. Unlike Photoshop proper, it's a OTP, no subscription. It'll also have a familiar UI if you've used Photoshop or other Adobe software in the past.

There's also Affinity Photo, but it's meant more as a competitor to full-fat Photoshop itself (whether or not it actually achieves that is... dubious. But it's still a decent piece of software at a great price) and has a similar learning curve. Affinity's new owners, Canva, are currently offering a 6 month free trial on their suite of prosumer-orieinted design software, including AP, so there's no harm in seeing if it accomplishes what you're after.

EDIT: oops. Didn't read the subject line correctly, you said iOS. Sorry to waste your time. I know Affinity Photo exists for iPadOS, if that's an option.

 

[rodalpho]

I was going to say pixelmator but that went subscription too, sigh. Best bet is probably affinity or just edit online with photopea.

 

[pixelmonkey]

I think it’s been more or less depricated, in favor for Pixelmator pro for Mac and Photomator, but Pixelmator for iOS is still in the App Store for $12.99 CAD - last update to it was 2weeks ago.

Pixelmator

 

[rodalpho]

it’s all more than a little confusing, actually. The one you linked to appears to be an older version, and I have no idea why it was updated. Maybe for users grandfathered in or something? I do show as owning it also. Their newer version is subscription only.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/photomator-photo-editor/id1444636541
Edit: yeah, that’s pretty much how I remember it happening a couple years ago.

https://www.pixelmator.com/blog/202...and-a-sneak-peek-at-pixelmator-photo-for-mac/

 

[Andrewcw]

Ok i'll look at pixelmator. I see the OSX version went subscription and the Photomator package went full subscription on all platforms.

Affinity's learning curve on how to use multiple files was too great.

--edit
Ok i played with it a bit. The adding layers are somewhat intuitive vs Affinity. Though it is very basic and the algorithms to determine masking are very primitive compared to that adobe product i used. I'll live with it i guess. I'll assume Photomator their other product has it. But that's definitely under subscription.

 

[pixelmonkey]

Yeah - I’m not sure about Pixelmator either - I own it, but it didn't really fit in with my own flow. It seemed like a possible match for the OP though. I guess it still gets love because pixelmator pro isn’t on iOS.

Pixelmator Pro went Mac only and Photomator Pro doesn’t appear to have layers. They both have a lifetime license option however. Hiding in plain sight when it pops up the subscription option.

 

[Carhole]

Sketchbook Pro. It’s like three bucks and the best drawing app I have on every platform. Not to mention that license I think is actually cross-platform these days after the group of devs left Autodesk to continue this application’s refinement. Don’t quote me—had to buy it twice because I was an early adopter. Anyhow, It’s very lightweight and yet not. It’ll import and export .psd all day long. The contextual tools are buried in the chosen layer’s pop out dialog when it’s tapped so it is slightly different from PS and better in so many ways.

I have every big drawing and painting suite and use this one the most. Sounds like it’ll cover your needs, however if you’d like to learn to hate a GUI spend money on Procreate. It can also do what you want but it has a really sideways learning curve for elementary image edits.

You could always buy Affinity’s tools which happily replace Adobe’s at a fraction and of course remain yours like Sketchbook does, though I’ve also found basic operations can be counterintuitive when first migrating from an Adobe workflow. YMMV and all.

 

[MallykA]

Trying out Luminar Neo right now, surprisingly good! Does everything I need and no subscription nonsense, just buy it once and done.