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Apps & gadgets · From our archive

Polarr Photo Editor (Version 3.7.1)

MMMarisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD
· 1 min read

Photo: Vlada Karpovich

Written in 2017, 9 years ago. Food science changes, so check newer advice before you change your routine.

Lifestyle Consistency

Everyday Wellness Habit Consistency

Core daily lifestyle pillars recommended by nutrition professionals for lifelong vitality.

  1. Morning Hydration & SunlightCircadian rhythm anchor 100%
  2. Whole-Food Plate BalanceReal food plate foundation 85%
  3. Movement SnackingActive breaks through the day 30 min total
  4. Evening Digital Wind-DownRestful boundary 88/100

Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics & American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

Synopsis of the App

Polarr is a feature rich photo editor that can completely transform smartphone photos to appear as if they were taken with a professional camera. The app includes over 30 free filters and a large number of enhancement tools to adjust everything from skin tone and smoothness to lens distortion and lighting. With many bells and whistles, Polarr comes with a steep learning curve so it’s best suited for those with photo editing experience or who have some extra time on their hands to learn it.

Platform and Price
Free + Premium option. Apple and Android.

RDN Score
5 out of 5

Pros

  • Sleek, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly design.
  • Includes more than 30 free filters with the option to purchase more.
  • Every filter is fully editable.
  • Create and save custom filters to favorites to apply a consistent aesthetic to photo galleries.
  • Customize the toolbars and workspace for a space that works best for you.
  • Adjust skin tone, smoothness and hue using the face tools.
  • Use the text tools to freely add words to images. Select from a large number of font styles, shapes and sizes.
  • Learn how to use each tool with tutorials on correcting lens distortion, adding deep space (to change the color and exposure of a night sky, for example) and clarifying to define outlines and add vividness to outdoor photos.
  • Adjust fringing, pixilation, noise and size, clarity and sharpness and light details including exposure, contrast, brightness, diffusion and dehazing.
  • Includes adjustments for color, toning, curves, hue, saturation over an number of different color channels.
  • Unlock all pro tools for $19.

Cons

  • There’s a steep learning curve, that’s absolutely worth the work.

Bottom Line

It’s a keeper. Polarr is one of the most comprehensive photo editing apps with advanced features to help you easily get the look you want from smartphone pictures.

Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD

Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, is a nutrition consultant based in Atlanta and adjunct faculty at Georgia State University. Follow her at MarisaMoore.com, on Twitter or Instagram.