Do you want to transform an ordinary selfie into a kawaii (cute in Japanese) work of art? While an anime filter probably won’t turn your photo into a Takashi Murakami-like masterpiece, it can certainly make your anime hero/heroine character dreams come true.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making anime art but never had the artistic skills to do so, you’ll be happy to know you can turn any photo into an anime character with the help of AI.
Say goodbye to complicated photo editing software that takes weeks to learn. With anime filter apps, you can become an anime character in mere seconds.
But alas, the market has become saturated with so many of these apps it’s become challenging to find the best ones that fit your needs.
Fortunately, we’ve come up with 12 of the best anime filter apps we believe are easy to use with the ability to turn you into an anime character in a snap.
So without further ado, here are 12 of the best anime filter apps you need to have right now.
12 of the Best Anime Filter Apps That Turns You Into an Anime Character in Seconds
Here is our list of the 12 best anime filter apps for iPhone and Android:
1.YouCam Perfect
It’s available for both iOS and Android devices, and you can download it for free. The Pro version does come with a subscription fee.
Here are the pros and cons of using YouCam as an anime filter app:
Pros
- Features 9 unique anime filter styles
- Real-time anime transformation
- Available for both personal and business use
- Your selfie is still recognizable even after adding the filter
Cons
- Plenty of ads in the free version
- Pro subscription fees are expensive
2. Meitu
Part of its popularity is credited to the app being a beauty correction tool, removing flaws and imperfections in your selfies to create smooth and beautiful photos in seconds.
But most of all, users of the app love it for the wide range of filters, totaling more than 200, providing vast options for anyone who loves getting creative with their social media profile pictures, or for anyone who simply wants to have fun with their selfies.
Here are the pros and cons of using Meitu as a photo-to-anime app:
Pros
- Huge number of filters
- More than 200+ unique anime illustrations
- Manual editing options available
Cons
- Learning curve for manual edits
- Large number of filters may be overwhelming
3.ToonApp
ToonApp is specifically designed to turn any photo into a cartoon character, offering a diverse set of animated styles. The app analyzes your photo and uses your facial expression, head shape, and facial features to create a completely animated selfie.
It also features photo editing tools such as removing or adding backgrounds. Here are the pros and cons of using ToonApp as a photo-to-anime filter app:
Pros
- Features a large number of animated styles
- Automatic background remover
- Easy to use
- Free to download
- Manual editing available
- Can add effects or use templates
Cons
- Users have reported it’s not beginner-friendly
- Not the best if you’re specifically looking for an exclusive photo-to-anime app
4.Anime AI
If you want to transform your photo into an anime fantasy character, Anime AI is for you. It’s available both for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free.
Here are the pros and cons of using Anime AI:
Pros
- Can do group photos
- Can do batch processing
- Specialized Japanese anime styles
- High-quality images
Cons
- Free version is packed with ads
- Limited features in the free version
5.Fotor
Fotor is a photo editing tool that also offers AI tools that allow you to transform your selfies into fun and creative avatars. It makes use of AI drawing tools, which is the AI manga filter that turns photos into anime characters.
You can also use the AI anime character creator to make your very own anime characters with the text-to-image tool.
Here are the pros and cons of using Fotor to turn your selfies into anime characters:
Pros
- Offers a broad range of features such as photo editing tools, drawing tools, and avatar maker
- Can transform pet photos into anime avatars
- Features plenty of filters and templates
- Convenient user interface
Cons
- Limited features for the free version
- Not ideal for anyone who wants a simple photo-to-anime app
6.PhotoDirector
PhotoDirector is a comprehensive photo editing app that offers a full suite of features. You can transform your selfie into an anime avatar, enhance the quality of your photos, add stickers, text, and effects, and remove backgrounds.
If you want to make an anime character out of your photo for social media or marketing purposes, this app is a great tool for creating creative images.
Here are the pros and cons of using PhotoDirector:
Pros
- User-friendly
- Full suite of tools and features
- Offers 10 different anime background styles
- Free to download
Cons
- Slow to import or export images from and to the app
- Limited free version features
- Too many features if you only need an anime filter for your selfie
7.UniDream
UniDream is the first anime filter app we have on our list that can transform videos into anime-style movies. It can turn photos into anime art, you can generate images from text, do manual editing to add details, and so much more.
It’s a fun app that lets you get creative with your photos and videos. Say for example you have a video of your birthday and you want to turn it into a short anime movie, you can definitely do so with UniDream.
Here are the pros and cons of using UniDream as an anime filter app:
Pros
- You can use it without signing up
- You get to have 3 free trials
- Manual editing after generating images
- Supported in different languages
Cons
- Limited use for the free trials
- Some images are poor in quality
8. Anime Face Changer
Anime Face Changer is an anime filter app for Android. It’s a simple and basic anime filter app that allows you to manually edit your selfies. It’s not as intuitive as the other apps we’ve featured on this list, so if you’re looking for a one-touch anime filter solution, this may not be for you.
However, if you want a tool where you can control details on your photo, such as how big you want your eyes to be, or what color you want for your hair and other details, this app is for you. Choose the Manga Avatar Creator to turn your selfie into an anime character.
Here are the pros and cons of using Anime Face Changer:
Pros
- Basic and simple features
- Manual editing of photos
- Free to download
- Variety of anime styles
Cons
- This anime filter app is not available on iOS
- Manual editing may be too much work for some people
9. Anime Camera: Manga, Cartoons, Comics
Here’s another simple anime filter app that transforms your photos into anime and cartoon characters. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices, and it’s free to download. Aside from anime and cartoon filters, Anime Camera also removes and adds background for the complete photo transformation.
Here are the pros and cons of using Anime Camera as an anime filter app:
Pros
- Social media integrated
- Over 100 anime and cartoon effects
- Easy to use
- You can add stickers to your anime photos
- Features basic photo editing tools such as background and object remover
Cons
- Plenty of ads in the free account
- You only get 1 free trial
10.TwinFace
TwinFace is a simple selfie-to-anime app that’s popular for its social media integration feature. If you want to get creative and use an anime version of your selfie as a profile picture, you can share it directly on any social media platform from the app.
It’s also popular for its quick anime transformations without having to choose specific filters. Here are the pros and cons of using TwinFace as a photo-to-anime filter app:
Pros
- Easy to use and great for beginners
- Social media compatible
- Free to download
Cons
- Anime filter app for Android users only
- Low-quality pictures
11.Anime Filter
Anime Filter is not an app but it’s the only one on our list that you can get completely free and can be accessed whether you’re using an iOS or Android device. Simply head over to the Anime Filter website and you can instantly use the tool as much as you can.
This is great for anyone who has limited storage space on their phone but still wants to try transforming their selfies into anime characters.
Here are the pros and cons of using one of the best photo-to-anime converters online:
Pros
- No need to download, completely free
- Intuitive user interface
- Simple and basic tool that’s great for beginners
- Great for anyone who wants a completely animated transformation
Cons
- Can’t use it without the internet
- Your features will be unrecognizable since it completely transforms your selfie into anime
12. Anime Faces AI
Here are the pros and cons of using Anime Faces AI:
Pros
- Easy to use interface
- Manual editing available for created avatars
- Free to use
Cons
- Anime templates are not customized for your specific photo, which means two different selfies may look like the same anime character
- Doesn’t capture expressions very well
There you have it, 12 of the best anime filter apps for both iPhone and Android and one that can be accessed on the web using any browser.
While there are plenty of other apps that offer anime filters in the market, these 12 are the most easy-to-use, and accessible, and offer fast, fun, and creative anime transformations from regular photos or selfies.
Since we gave you the 12 best anime filter app options, we want to make it even easier for you to choose the best one that fits your needs.
In the following section, we’ll give you tips on choosing the best anime filter app.
Tips for Choosing the Best Anime Filter App for Your Needs
Here are some tips for choosing the best anime filter app for your specific needs:
- Determine Why You Want to Use an Anime Filter App
Why do you want to use an anime filter app? Do you need it for fun social media posts, your profile photo, for making memes, or maybe for commercial purposes?
By understanding why you want or need to use this app, you can determine which ones will match your needs the most.
Say, for example, you only want a fast and free tool to turn your selfie into a fully animated image to use as your social media profile pic. Then you might be happy with Anime Filter,which is #11 on our list.
But, if you want something more comprehensive, such as featuringphoto editing tools, drawing tools, and AI anime-generated characters, then what you need is Fotor, which is #5 on our list.
- Make Sure the App is Compatible with Your Device
Not all anime filter apps are compatible with all devices. Make sure the app you choose can be downloaded on your phone or PC.
There are apps specifically made for Android or iOS users, so make sure you check device compatibility before attempting to download or you’ll be disappointed.
- Choose Easy-to-Use Anime Filter Apps if You’re a Beginner
If you’ve never used photo editing software apps before, you might need to choose anime filter apps that are user-friendly and have an intuitive user interface.
Some apps have a steep learning curve and you’ll end up frustrated if you paid for the Pro version only to realize it takes time to actually use the features.
For beginner-friendly anime filter apps for iPhone and Android, we recommend ToonApp, Meitu, and Anime Filter.
- Choose Photo Editing-Integrated Apps if You Want More Control
Most of the apps we included on our list have one-touch anime transformations. However, if you want more control of your images, you can choose apps that offer manual editing.
Manual editing allows you to add or remove specific details, change the background, and so on. This feature gives you more control of your anime photos, which is great if your intention is to use the app for your brand, content, or for your business.
The apps that offer manual editing include Meitu, ToonApp, Fotor, UniDream, Anime Face Changer, Anime Filter, and Anime Faces AI.
- Pay for Subscription If You Need More Features
If you’re intending to use an anime filter app on your iPhone or Android device for fun, you’ll be happy with the free versions of these apps. However, if you’re using it for content, for work, or for business, you might want to consider paying for the Pro versions.
The Pro versions have more features, more templates, and more filters, and you don’t have any limitations on how much you use the app.
Personalize Your Anime Avatar with Imagewith.ai
For other apps, the background may still remain, so you need another tool to remove it for you.
For fast, high-quality, and intuitive background removal of your anime avatars, look no further than Imagewith.ai’s Output feature.
Imagewith.ai is an AI photo editor that has revolutionized the way we edit photos. Offering three simple tools, which are Overscale, Clearoff, and Outcut, the app can enhance photos,remove unwanted objects, and remove backgroundswith just one click.
Say goodbye to tedious and long manual photo editing tasks that only professionals or graphic designers are trained to do. With Imagewith.ai’s Outcut tool, anyone can remove backgrounds from any image, even your anime avatars.
Let’s take a look at why Imagewith.ai’s Outcut is the perfect companion to your anime filter app:
- Intelligent Background Removal
- Accurate and Precise Results with AI Technology
- Fast Processing
- Seamless Results
- Cutting-Edge and Revolutionary Background Removal
With Outcut, you can experience one-click background removal for any photo, whether it’s your selfie or your anime avatar.
Some anime filter apps don’t check all of your boxes, so it’s good to know that there are simple AI tools like Imagewith.ai that can finish the job with ease and precision.
Creating an anime character out of your selfie used to be something only graphic designers could do in the past. With AI technology, however, any regular folk can create cool, cute, and fun anime characters out of their very own selfies.
Whether you need a simple app for social media purposes or a comprehensive anime filter app with a full suite of features, the 12 best anime filter apps we feature in this list are sure to meet your goals.
But, if the app you choose to download doesn’t have photo enhancement, unwanted object removal, or background removal, it’s good to know that Imagewith.ai is here to help.
