VSCO
by Visual Supply Company · Photo & Video · Photo Editing
Photo and video editor known for film-inspired filters and a creative community.
Quick Answer: VSCO has a verified Real Score of 3.8/5 based on 59,000 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.4/5. Mixed reviews from verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 59,000 verified reviews
Gap Alert: VSCO's App Store rating is 0.6 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Beautiful film-like filters
- Clean editing interface
- Creative community
- Video editing included
Common Complaints
- Subscription for best filters
- Social features underused
- Limited advanced tools
- Price increased
Verified Reviews (20)
Best filters in the game
VSCO's film emulation presets are the most natural-looking of any app. A06, C1, and the Kodak Gold presets make phone photos look like they were shot on film. The aesthetic quality is unmatched.
Subscription for filters is steep
VSCO Pro at $8/month just for access to all presets and tools feels expensive. When Lightroom gives you more for $10/month, VSCO needs to justify its pricing beyond pretty filters.
Video editing is a nice addition
VSCO added video editing with the same film-quality presets. Applying that gorgeous VSCO look to videos creates cohesive content across photos and video. The video tools are simple but effective.
Community is refreshingly ad-free
VSCO's social feed has no ads, no algorithm, and no like counts. Just beautiful images from creators. It's what Instagram used to feel like - focused on art, not metrics.
Editing tools are basic compared to Lightroom
For simple exposure, contrast, and filter adjustments, VSCO is fine. But it lacks curves, HSL sliders, and advanced masking. Serious editors will hit the ceiling quickly.
Film recipes create authentic looks
VSCO's film recipes that simulate specific film stocks (Portra 400, Ektar 100, Tri-X) are remarkably accurate. As someone who shoots actual film, the digital emulations are impressive.
Clean, distraction-free interface
VSCO's editing interface is minimal and focused. No clutter, no upsells in your face, just tools and your photo. The design philosophy respects the creative process.
Free version is too limited now
The free tier gives you maybe 10 presets and basic tools. The experience is so limited that it feels like a demo. At least give free users more filters to demonstrate the quality.
My go-to for Instagram content
Every photo I post on Instagram goes through VSCO first. The presets give my feed a consistent, professional look that gets compliments. VSCO is my secret weapon for social media aesthetic.
Grain and fade add character
The grain and fade tools add film-like character that other apps struggle to replicate naturally. The grain looks like actual film grain, not digital noise. Subtle but important distinction.
Montage feature for collages
Creating collages and montages within VSCO for multi-image posts is handy. The layouts are tasteful and the editing tools apply to the montage. Good for storytelling.
Preset adjustment is underrated
Every preset can be adjusted in intensity (0-12) and fine-tuned with individual tools. This means each preset is actually a starting point for hundreds of variations. More flexible than it appears.
Not for professional photographers
VSCO is for content creators and social media users, not professional photographers. If you need RAW editing, tethered shooting, or print preparation, stick with Lightroom.
Journals feature is underappreciated
Creating visual stories (Journals) with photos, text, and layout is like having a mini blog within VSCO. For travel stories and project documentation, it's a unique creative outlet.
HSB skin tone adjustment
The HSB (hue, saturation, brightness) adjustment for skin tones helps maintain natural-looking skin across different presets. This attention to portraiture quality distinguishes VSCO.
Social features feel abandoned
VSCO's social platform exists but feels like an afterthought. Low engagement, minimal discovery, and no real community interaction. It's essentially an editing app with a gallery feature.
White balance control is good
Fine-grained white balance and tint control lets you set the mood precisely. Cool blue tones for moody shots, warm golden for sunset vibes. Color temperature control matters.
VSCO girl aesthetic is real
Love it or not, VSCO defined a visual aesthetic for a generation. The "VSCO girl" look with warm tones, grain, and fade influenced how an entire generation edits photos.
Export quality is good
Photos exported from VSCO maintain quality without aggressive compression. When sharing edited photos, the file quality preservation is noticeable compared to other apps.
Minimalist approach is refreshing
In an era of bloated apps doing everything, VSCO stays focused on beautiful photo editing. The minimalist philosophy means it does one thing extremely well rather than everything poorly.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026