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Highlight vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Highlight's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Highlight
This App
Picsart AI Photo Editor, Video
Nemesis
PhotoEffect - Free Pic and Photo Collage Maker & Grid Editor
Contender
Leprecam
Contender
Retro Camera - Photo Editor
Contender
Art Photo Editor - Edit Photos
Contender
8K Video Recording
Peer
CINEMA24 - Cinematic Multi Cam
Peer
Dual Lens
Peer
Stories AR
Peer
Core Identity
DeveloperAnalytik Jena US LLCPicsArt, Inc.Thanagorn MarukcanonAsinine Games IncDanijel CvetkovicDanijel CvetkovicJohn ArcherJiYeon NohPawel ChmielSTORIES AR LLC
CategoryPhotographyPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoEntertainmentPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & Video
PlatformAndroidiOS, AndroidiOSiOSiOSiOSiOSiOSiOSiOS, Android
Store Metrics
Rating0.0 / 54.7 / 55.0 / 54.2 / 53.5 / 52.3 / 55.0 / 53.3 / 55.0 / 52.9 / 5
Ratings Count01,192,728152311727
PriceFreeFreeFree$0.99FreeFree$4.99$0.99$4.99Free
Release DateJun 19, 2023Jan 2, 2013Mar 1, 2016Mar 9, 2013Apr 29, 2018Jul 23, 2018Mar 27, 2026Jul 7, 2021Sep 25, 2019Aug 6, 2019
Last UpdatedDec 9, 2025Jul 1, 2026Mar 1, 2016Mar 7, 2026Apr 29, 2018Jul 23, 2018Mar 29, 2026Apr 28, 2026Apr 5, 2023Jun 6, 2025
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentiment-negative--------
Score-25/100--------
Praises-
  • Extensive library of editing effects and creative tools provides unmatched artistic versatility
--------
Complaints-
  • Aggressive advertising and forced pop-ups disrupt the editing workflow and degrade user experience
--------
Requests-
  • Option to disable AI-driven features and content for users preferring traditional editing tools
--------
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Focused interface reduces friction for casual users
  • Manual color channel controls offer professional-grade precision
  • Editors' Choice badge across five markets sustains organic install velocity
  • 60M+ sticker library functions as a community-driven acquisition moat
  • Distraction-free interface attracts users overwhelmed by feature-bloat
  • Completely free model removes subscription friction
  • Focused manual toolset provides immediate utility
  • Niche holiday focus reduces user friction for seasonal editing
  • Low-complexity interface allows for rapid photo-bombing
--
  • Paid-gate model captures one-time conversion revenue without subscription friction
  • Simplified interface reduces barrier to entry for casual 8K users
---
Weaknesses
  • Zero monetization model limits development capital
  • No community-driven retention loops
  • Lack of generative AI capabilities
  • Premium tier pricing above category median
  • 0.6★ Android-iOS rating gap on majority Android base
  • Aggressive ad-frequency triggers high-churn complaints
  • Zero revenue generation limits development capacity
  • Lack of AI-assisted editing workflows
  • No cloud-save functionality
  • Manual erasing workflow is high-friction compared to AI-extraction tools
  • No feature updates since 2013
  • No social-sharing integration
--
  • Software-upscaling approach lacks the native quality of hardware-native capture
  • iPad incompatibility restricts reach for mobile-editing workflows
---
Pricingfreefreemiumfreepaidfreefreepaidfreemiumpaidfreemium
Momentum-Intense-----IntenseZombieMaintenance
Update Cadence-5 versions, ~5d avg-----5 versions5 versions5 versions

Compare Highlight head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Highlight, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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