InCollage, listed on the store as Collage Maker - Photo Collage, has crossed 100 million downloads on the back of one promise, a single app that handles collages, frames, AI avatars, stickers, fonts, and a basic photo editor. The free tier covers the core collage flow well enough. The ads between actions are the issue, and so are the gated layouts, the watermark on some templates, and the AI avatar tools that meter outputs in a way that pushes users to Pro within a few sessions.
We tested 7 InCollage alternatives that handle the collage job at least as well, with cleaner pricing or deeper specific tools. Each pick covers either the layout grid, the AI side, or the broader design surface around the collage.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PicCollage | Layout grid specialist | Yes, ad-supported | VIP around $4.99/mo | Android, iOS |
| Photo Grid | Free collage with many layouts | Yes, ad-supported | Premium around $4.99/mo | Android, iOS |
| Canva | Templates and design | Yes, with limits | Canva Pro around $14.99/mo | Android, iOS, web |
| Picsart | All-in-one with collage | Yes, ad-supported | Plus around $11.99/mo | Android, iOS, web |
| Adobe Express | Adobe-stack templates | Yes, light | Premium around $9.99/mo | Android, iOS, web |
| Photo Lab | Filters, frames, AI effects | Yes, ad-supported | Pro around $4.99/mo | Android, iOS |
| Mixoo | Lightweight collage app | Yes, ad-supported | Pro around $3.99/mo | Android, iOS |
Why people leave InCollage
Ads between every export. Each save can trigger an interstitial. For a single collage that is tolerable, for a session of multiple posts it is exhausting.
AI avatars meter outputs. The 90+ avatar styles advertised on the store page meter outputs per day, pushing Pro within a few sessions.
Premium layouts and stickers are paid. The 500+ layout catalogue counts paid templates. The genuinely useful ones tend to be Pro.
Editor beyond collage is shallow. Filters, crop, text, and basic colour work. No real bg remover, no AI cleanup at the quality of Photoroom or PicWish.
No desktop sync. Phone only. Anyone editing across devices has to ferry files manually.
The best InCollage alternatives
PicCollage, best for the collage grid specialist
PicCollage is the long-running collage leader on mobile and the closest direct swap for InCollage’s grid and freeform layouts. The layouts are designed by people who understand composition, and the freeform mode handles overlaps and rotations cleanly.
PicCollage vs InCollage on collage quality is broadly even, with PicCollage winning on layout polish and InCollage winning on bundled extras.
Where it falls short: Editor tools beyond collage are basic. No background remover, no real AI cleanup, no avatar generator.
Pricing:
- Free: Layouts, basic editing, ad-supported
- VIP: around $4.99 a month for premium stickers, fonts, no ads
- vs InCollage: Cheaper VIP tier, narrower scope, better collage polish
Migrating from InCollage: Re-import the same photos and pick the closest layout. Freeform mode replicates InCollage’s adjustable grid.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The cleanest collage-only swap.
Photo Grid, best for free collage with many layouts
Photo Grid is the other long-running collage app at the top of the category. The free tier covers a wide layout catalogue, basic editing, stickers, and text, with ads. The collage and grid logic is mature.
Photo Grid vs InCollage on the free tier is broadly even. Both ship hundreds of layouts. Photo Grid has fewer AI features, more focus on the core collage job.
Where it falls short: Premium gates the cleaner templates and ad-free use. AI tools are limited.
Pricing:
- Free: Layouts, basic editing, ad-supported
- Premium: around $4.99 a month
- vs InCollage: Comparable price, narrower AI scope
Migrating from InCollage: Re-import photos and pick a similar layout. Grid templates map almost one-to-one.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The free pick for collage-first work.
Canva, best for templates and shareable designs
Canva treats the collage as one template type inside a deeper design tool. Templates for social posts, stories, Reels covers, and posters all carry collage-style layouts. The bg remover, Magic Edit, and Magic Studio cover most of what InCollage’s AI side promises.
Canva vs InCollage on template breadth is decisive. InCollage focuses on collage layouts. Canva focuses on the finished design the collage sits inside.
Where it falls short: Bg remover is Pro only. Editor is heavier than InCollage on older Androids.
Pricing:
- Free: Template catalogue, basic editor, limited AI
- Canva Pro: around $14.99 a month for bg remover, Magic Studio, brand kit
- vs InCollage: Pricier monthly, much broader scope
Migrating from InCollage: Upload photos to Canva, pick a collage template close to the InCollage layout, customise.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The pick when the collage is part of a wider design.
Picsart, best for all-in-one with collage
Picsart covers everything InCollage tries to do, deeper. Collage layouts, freeform, AI cutout, AI generation, stickers, brushes, filters, fonts. The free tier is ad-supported but does not watermark exports.
Picsart vs InCollage on depth across every tool is decisive. Picsart has the longer iteration history.
Where it falls short: Plus and Gold gate the better AI tools. Heavier on older phones.
Pricing:
- Free: Editor, collage, stickers, ad-supported
- Plus: around $11.99 a month for AI tools and no ads
- vs InCollage: Pricier monthly, much deeper toolset
Migrating from InCollage: Reopen the same photos in Picsart. Collage, frames, AI tools, all in one place.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The all-in-one swap that actually delivers.
Adobe Express, best for the Adobe stack at a fair price
Adobe Express ships collage templates inside the broader Adobe Sensei toolset. The bg remover, the Adobe Fonts catalogue, the Quick Action presets, and the Adobe Stock library all sit alongside the collage flow.
Adobe Express vs InCollage on typography and the bg remover is a clear win for Express. On collage layout variety, InCollage wins on raw count.
Where it falls short: Generative AI uses are metered. Interface borrows from desktop Photoshop, which slows first-time users.
Pricing:
- Free: Bg remover, basic templates, limited AI
- Premium: around $9.99 a month, or bundled with Creative Cloud
- vs InCollage: Comparable monthly price, deeper Adobe pipeline
Migrating from InCollage: Upload photos to Express, pick a collage template, customise. Brand kits live under Brand.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The pick for users already on Adobe Creative Cloud.
Photo Lab, best for filters, frames, and AI effects
Photo Lab is the trend-effects specialist. The collage layouts are competent, and the standout feature is the catalogue of templated photo effects, frame compositions, and AI-style edits, well over a thousand at this point. For users whose InCollage sessions lean on the AI Avatars and the playful frames, Photo Lab covers similar ground.
Photo Lab vs InCollage on creative effects is a clear win for Photo Lab. On core collage, InCollage is broader.
Where it falls short: Pro is needed for the cleanest effects and ad removal. Some effects feel dated.
Pricing:
- Free: Wide effect catalogue, ad-supported, watermark on some outputs
- Pro: around $4.99 a month
- vs InCollage: Comparable price, deeper effects catalogue
Migrating from InCollage: Use Photo Lab for the AI avatar and frame-effect outputs. Use PicCollage or Photo Grid for the core collage.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The right pick for templated frame and effect outputs.
Mixoo, best for a lightweight collage app
Mixoo is the small, fast collage app for users who want the basics without the all-in-one bundle. Layouts, stickers, text, basic filters, clean export. The free tier is ad-supported but light, and the Pro upgrade is cheaper than most competitors.
Mixoo vs InCollage on speed and simplicity is a clear win for Mixoo. On feature breadth, InCollage wins.
Where it falls short: Smaller catalogue. No AI features. No advanced editor.
Pricing:
- Free: Layouts, ad-supported
- Pro: around $3.99 a month
- vs InCollage: Cheaper, much narrower scope
Migrating from InCollage: Re-import photos and pick a similar layout. Whole flow is faster than InCollage’s editor.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The minimalist pick for fast collage work.
How to choose
Pick PicCollage or Photo Grid as the direct collage replacement, depending on whether you prefer polish or the broader free catalogue. Pick Picsart if you want one app for collage plus everything else InCollage tries to do.
Pick Canva or Adobe Express when the collage is part of a wider design for an audience. Pick Photo Lab when frame effects and AI avatars are the real draw. Pick Mixoo when you want a small, fast collage app and nothing else.
Stay on InCollage only if the specific AI avatar tools and the 500+ layout count are exactly what you need and the ads do not slow you down.
FAQ
Is InCollage free to use?
InCollage offers a free tier with most layouts, ad-supported, with the AI avatars metered. The premium templates, ad removal, and unlimited AI sit behind a Pro subscription.
What is the best free InCollage alternative?
PicCollage and Photo Grid both ship strong free tiers with hundreds of layouts. Canva’s free tier is also generous for design templates beyond pure collages.
Which app has the best AI avatars?
Lensa and ToonMe lead for AI avatar quality. InCollage’s bundled avatars and Photo Lab’s effect-style avatars are easier to use but less polished.
Can I make a collage on desktop?
Canva, Adobe Express, and Picsart all run on web with full collage support. Pure mobile-first collage apps like InCollage and PicCollage do not have desktop versions.
What is the cheapest InCollage alternative?
Mixoo Pro at around $3.99 a month is the cheapest paid tier. Photo Grid and PicCollage free tiers cover most casual collage work without paying.
