VSCO
VSCO is a photo and video editing app with a creative community, now with eight AI Lab tools including prompt editing, plans from free to $499.99/year.
About VSCO
What is VSCO (2026 update)
VSCO is a photography and video editing app that combines a mobile editor, a preset filter library, and a creative social feed where members share images and follow other creators. It sits in the art and creative design category, and it is best known for its film-inspired presets that give digital photos a warmer, more analog look than typical phone camera output. Beyond editing, VSCO functions as a content platform, letting members build a public profile, curate collections called Spaces, and browse a community feed that is intentionally quieter than Instagram, with no public like counts or comment threads on most posts.
What is new in 2026
The biggest shift in 2026 is the buildout of AI Lab, VSCO’s dedicated AI editing suite. In January 2026, VSCO added Prompt, a tool that lets you describe an edit in plain language, such as adjusting color, lighting, tone, or cropping, and have the AI apply it directly to the photo. In March 2026, VSCO expanded AI Lab again with five more tools, including Dehaze for restoring contrast and color in flat or misty outdoor shots, Denoise for removing grain and high-ISO artifacts while preserving texture, and additional tools for hair and detail refinement. Combined with the earlier Upscale tool (up to 4x resolution) and Remove tool (erasing unwanted objects), AI Lab now totals eight tools. On the business side, VSCO launched VSCO One in mid-2026, a $499.99 per year professional tier aimed at working photographers that bundles the existing Pro plan with full access to VSCO Workspace, a studio management platform for client bookings, contracts, and invoicing.
Key features
- 200+ film-inspired presets and filters, including the Film X preset pack, with 15 available on the free plan
- AI Lab suite: Prompt (natural-language edits), Upscale, Remove, Dehaze, Denoise, and hair/detail refinement tools
- Mobile photo and video editor with manual controls for exposure, color, grain, and split-toning
- VSCO Studio Pro for advanced, studio-grade editing on higher tiers
- Community feed and Spaces for curating and sharing collections without public like counts
- Canvas projects for building multi-image layouts, and on Pro/One a professional portfolio website with a custom domain
- VSCO Workspace (via VSCO One) for client galleries, contracts, invoicing, and bookings
Pricing in 2026
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | 15 presets, basic mobile editor, community access, 1 Canvas project, 100 one-time AI credits |
| Plus | $29.99/year ($2.49/month billed annually) or $7.99/month | 200+ presets including Film X, advanced editing and video tools, ad-free experience, 10GB gallery storage, 250 monthly AI credits |
| Pro | $59.99/year ($4.99/month billed annually) or $12.99/month | All Plus features, VSCO Studio Pro, unlimited AI Lab access, unlimited client galleries, portfolio website with custom domain, 50 Canvas projects, 500 monthly AI credits |
| VSCO One | $499.99/year ($41.67/month, annual only) | Everything in Pro plus full VSCO Workspace (studio management, invoicing, contracts, bookings), unlimited contact forms, 6 user accounts, 4 brand slots, 30-day refund trial |
Prices reflect what VSCO lists on its official plans page as of this writing; check the official site before budgeting since promotional pricing can shift.
Who should use it
VSCO fits casual and semi-serious photographers who want a fast way to make phone photos look more intentional without learning a full desktop editor, and content creators who want a preset-driven look for a consistent feed aesthetic. The AI Lab tools appeal to anyone who wants quick fixes, like removing an object or cleaning up noise, without opening Photoshop. VSCO One is aimed specifically at working photographers who need client-facing tools like invoicing and contracts alongside their editing, not hobbyists.
Limitations and alternatives
The free Starter plan is limited to 15 presets and one Canvas project, so anyone who wants the full preset library or unlimited AI Lab access has to pay for Plus or Pro. VSCO One at $499.99/year is a steep jump from Pro and only makes sense if you actually need the Workspace business tools. AI credits are also capped by tier, so heavy AI Lab users on Plus may run out before the month ends. Alternatives include Adobe Lightroom Mobile, which offers deeper manual color grading and syncs with desktop Lightroom for photographers already in the Adobe ecosystem; Snapseed, a free Google-owned editor with granular local adjustment tools but no social community; and Afterlight, a paid-once-ish mobile editor with its own preset and texture packs that skips the subscription model entirely for casual users who just want filters without a monthly fee.
Frequently asked questions
Is VSCO free to use?
Yes, VSCO has a free Starter plan with 15 presets, a basic mobile editor, one Canvas project, community access, and a one-time allocation of 100 AI credits. Full preset access and unlimited AI Lab require a paid plan.
What is VSCO AI Lab?
AI Lab is VSCO's AI-powered editing suite, expanded to eight tools by March 2026, including Prompt for natural-language edits, Upscale, Remove, Dehaze, Denoise, and hair or detail refinement tools.
How much does VSCO Pro cost?
VSCO Pro costs $59.99 per year when billed annually (about $4.99/month) or $12.99/month billed monthly, and includes unlimited AI Lab access, VSCO Studio Pro, and a portfolio website with a custom domain.
What are good alternatives to VSCO?
Adobe Lightroom Mobile for deeper color grading and desktop sync, Snapseed for a free editor with granular local adjustments, and Afterlight for preset-based editing without a subscription are common alternatives.
Information last verified: September 2026.
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