Grunge as a style captivates with its raw, dishevelled aesthetic. Want to make your pictures look grungy? We’ve created a list of the top 7 grunge effect photo filter apps for your Android or iOS device. They capture the gritty and cool feel of grunge, marrying historical inspirations with the modern trends. So get ready to embrace the art of imperfection!
And for even more fun you can check out the best moster effect photo apps.
Grungetastic
Let’s start our list with the app that attracted me with its gritty yet stylish look. Grungetastic stands out amongst other photo editing tools and filter apps.
It has seven distinct styles, each loaded with grunge. From Classic Grunge to Worn Pop and more, you’re sorted. Obviously, an app like this isn’t for everyone. But if you’re a fan of the rough, rugged look, it’s a perfect fit. Add splatters, smudges, and scratches, rip, rub, and distress in any way possible – the library of textures and borders is vast. Plus, it supports full-size images, so you won’t be forfeiting quality for style.
I enjoyed that it’s super easy to use and control the effects, from colours to textures and borders. Presets are included, but you can also create your own ones. I was feeling adventurous, so I hit the “Randomize” button, and observed app doing its thing on its own which was pretty cool.
One more thing I must note, the app is not free – but it’s not too expensive either, and requires a one-off payment rather than a subscription. Considering the benefits of the tool, I think it’s worth it.
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PhotoJus Grunge FX
The second app I wanted to explore has an array of vintage effects and is all about giving your photos a rugged, old look.
The app includes over 40 creative effects. You can apply these with a single click – it’s super easy to use. Plus, I found the live effect intriguing. It allows you to adjust your camera settings before taking a picture. This gives you more impact on the final image.
Editing is simple too. Once a photo is taken, you can remove the grunge effect from certain areas, such as the faces.
Another nice perk is that you do not require internet to use the app. You can save your edited photos to your album for later use or share them once you regain internet access.
Regarding your phone’s storage, it doesn’t demand much.
The app is free, but for a limited time. You need to pay for the pro pack. However, this still makes it at least temporarily available in free version, compared to the previous app I reviewed. At the same time, its library of special effects is not as vast as the first app. So I’m a bit on the fence regarding the two of them.
grunge photo editor
One more cool – and free – camera app called Grunge Photo gives your photos an amazing grunge redux. However, it’s not extremely popular with rather few downloads. So I figured I’d check it out.
With this too, you can add the grunge effects to photos you already have, or use them when you take a photo. It’s super easy to use: you need no more than a couple of taps, and the scruffy effect is on your photo. It also supports auto-focus to make your tasks simpler. You can use both cameras of your phone when taking real-time photos with it, too.
There are many effects to choose from; it’s like having an art studio in your hand, where you can test and add unique grunge styles to every photo.
When it comes to storage, it’s lightweight and considerate with your phone memory.
However, you cannot edit your pics without getting disturbed by ads. But it’s a free app, after all, and like everything free, it has limitations.
Recolla
Speaking about vintage and distressed photo effects, I can’t help but mention another app I came across. Actually, it drew my attention with its cool and elegant interface, which I guess also looks quite retro and unique with its little wheel.
This app can nostalgically transform your photos by giving them an old-fashioned touch. Basically, it gives a retro taste to your captures, drawing upon the developers’ research of the photos from the past couple of centuries. Imagine sepia filters, grainy effects, and an overall vintage vibe: overall, there are 12 gorgeous filters.
In terms of its recognition, it isn’t the talk of the town among apps. I actually think it’s a cute little tool, although its editing options are quite limited.
The highlight of Recolla is how user-friendly it is. Choose the photo style based on the era, and there you go! Your photo becomes a vintage masterpiece. You can take new photos or import them from your gallery, and sharing them is as easy as pie.
An added advantage is that it’s light on your phone’s memory.
Lastly, it’s not a free app. But it’s not expensive either: for the price of a cup of coffee, you get a lovely little filter app.
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Koda Cam-Photo Editor, 1998
Another neat tool for photo enthusiasts, Koda Cam sprinkles a lovely vintage aura over your pictures.
This app works with interesting retro filters which can transform your photos into throwback pictures that could be from the exciting 90s. In fact, there are over 30 analogue film filters, as well as light leak and Lomo filters, gradient effects, glitches, and, of course, what I was specifically looking for – over 20 kinds of scratches and dust.
One of the merits of this platform is the user-friendliness. You can tweak your photos, adjust colours, and toy with the exposure – it’s much more than a basic photo editing tool. Plus, the app lets you see the filters effects on the picture before taking it, as well as apply them onto already taken photos.
There are some advertisements and in-app purchases in this app. What I think is quite generous is that it allows to use all the features in a category for 24 hours after watching an ad, which makes it like the whole Pro version of the app is temporarily unlocked.
RipPix
Next tool for enhancing pictures with an artsy feel is an application named RipPix. It brings the feel of a dusty vintage photo album to your pics.
The highlight of the app is that it can transform any image into a focal point with a cool torn paper effect. It offers a range of unique functions. You can try out tarnished and stained picture effects, rip off your photo edges, and make scissor-shaped cuts. Create collage art pieces, merge landscapes effortlessly, or highlight objects with cut-outs.
Basically, there’s a selection of vintage textures, old papers, and presets that turn your standard photos into cool worn-out works.
Let’s mention some cons though: some users found the application’s filter and background editing needs a slight upgrade. Also, including extra photos during editing could be easier.
But to sum up, it’s a nice little tool – plus, while it’s not free, it’s really cheap.
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Disposable Camera – OldRoll
Finally, we’ve got the app called Disposable Camera to wrap up our list. This one is like a time machine back to the ’80s. The creators captured the feel of old cameras and vintage film. They have several camera styles that remind you of the classic devices like Leica M6 and Kodak Portra. They’ve sprinkled in a polaroid look with filters like INS P. There is a range of fun effects like light leaks, VHS-style blurs, and grainy film texture. Bear in mind that this is not a photo editor, though.
In practical terms, it’s all about the simple click and capture. It also has a neat date stamp and lets you take cool retro selfies.
Some folks find operating the app a bit difficult and would like a faster way to import photos and see how different filters affect the look. It’s a bit of a process, but I think I can manage it with a bit of patience.
The app is free, but there are ads, and you can pay for some premium features.
In a world of pixel-perfect photos, grunge effects add a touch of raw, unfiltered artistry to your snapshots. So whether you’re reliving the ’90s or embracing a timeless retro style, these grunge effect photo filter apps have you covered.
