Photo Editor: HSL & Skin Tools vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Photo Editor: HSL & Skin Tools's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Core Identity
DeveloperAlan CushwayPicsArt, Inc.Oliver LandekaPablex Studio 3DLuan Tran MinhArthur Eduardo Skaetta Alvarez Desenvolvimento de Software LTDA.David PerezOsawa ShunsukeGlitche Ltd.Hue Nguyen Thi
CategoryPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoEntertainmentPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & Video
PlatformiOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOSiOSiOSiOS, AndroidiOSiOSiOS
Store Metrics
Rating4.6 / 54.7 / 54.6 / 54.7 / 54.7 / 54.6 / 54.0 / 54.3 / 53.3 / 54.7 / 5
Ratings Count2651,192,6731161,49917320319929207113
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree$0.99FreeFreeFree
Release DateMar 6, 2019Jan 2, 2013Oct 30, 2017Oct 21, 2016Mar 26, 2020Dec 14, 2021May 9, 2020Apr 18, 2019Aug 13, 2014Mar 30, 2026
Last UpdatedMay 7, 2026Jun 30, 2026Oct 29, 2025Apr 28, 2026May 5, 2026May 4, 2026Oct 16, 2022Mar 1, 2026Apr 2, 2026May 8, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentpositivenegativepositive---mixednegative--
Score85/10025/10085/100---35/10035/100--
Praises
  • Granular control
  • Extensive library of editing effects and creative tools provides unmatched artistic versatility
  • Ease of use for seasonal content
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  • Simple screen tracking markers provide a functional alternative to physical tape for post production
  • Manual control over shutter speed and ISO settings enables high quality astrophotography results
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Complaints
  • Subscription gating
  • Aggressive advertising and forced pop-ups disrupt the editing workflow and degrade user experience
  • Lack of frequent content updates
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  • Lack of clear instructional guidance leaves new users confused about core functionality
  • Misleading feature expectations regarding chroma key capabilities cause dissatisfaction among purchasers
  • Frequent application crashes during image processing stages for long exposure photography sessions
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Requests-
  • Option to disable AI-driven features and content for users preferring traditional editing tools
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  • Standardized ISO increment options to improve precision for manual photography adjustments
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Granular HSL control enables professional-grade grid consistency.
  • Editors' Choice badge across five markets sustains organic install velocity
  • 60M+ sticker library functions as a community-driven acquisition moat
  • Niche, low-friction experience tailored for quick holiday pranks
  • Lower barrier to entry compared to feature-heavy editors
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  • Offline-first processing architecture enables usage in low-connectivity environments
  • Simplified UX reduces friction for casual users
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  • Real-time compositing engine enables low-latency preview
  • Auto-3A camera lock provides professional-grade consistency
  • Focused utility for long-exposure photography
  • Bluetooth shutter support reduces shake for high-fidelity captures
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Weaknesses
  • Subscription gate for basic tools limits top-of-funnel conversion.
  • Premium tier pricing above category median
  • 0.6★ Android-iOS rating gap on majority Android base
  • Aggressive ad-frequency triggers high-churn complaints
  • Maintenance-mode update cadence on Android since Sep 2024
  • Lack of AI-driven editing tools to improve output quality
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  • Zero monetization strategy misses revenue capture
  • Lack of social sharing features limits organic growth
  • No cloud-save functionality despite user demand
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  • 2.06 Android rating indicates severe usability friction
  • Lack of in-app onboarding leads to high new-user confusion
  • High crash frequency during image processing
  • Paywall gates essential manual settings
  • 35/100 sentiment score
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Pricingsubscriptionfreemiumfreemiumfreefreefreefreemiumfreemiumfreefree
Momentum-IntenseSteady---ZombieMaintenance--
Update Cadence-5 versions, ~5d avg4 versions---4 versions1 versions, 1 majors/6mo--

Compare Photo Editor: HSL & Skin Tools 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 Photo Editor: HSL & Skin Tools, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0