Is the Retrica app free?

Yes. Retrica is free to download on both Google Play and the App Store. The free version includes a large number of filters and all core tools. A paid Premium version is available with additional exclusive filters and advanced options.

Can filters be applied in real time while shooting?

Yes — this is one of Retrica's standout features. You can see the filter applied to the image live on your camera screen before taking the shot, allowing you to choose the perfect filter and achieve your desired result without any post-editing.

Does Retrica work for video as well?

Yes. You can record short video clips with filters applied during recording. The app also supports capturing 10-second short clips with effects.

Can group selfies be taken without a selfie stick?

Yes. The app's built-in timer lets you prop your phone up and set a countdown before the photo is automatically captured — making it easy to take hands-free group selfies without any additional equipment.

How does Retrica compare to other camera apps like VSCO and Snapchat?

The key difference is that Retrica specializes in classic and vintage filter application in real time with a focus on the shooting experience itself. VSCO is stronger for professional post-capture editing. Snapchat focuses on interactive AR filters and ephemeral Stories. Retrica's combination of simplicity and a wide selection of aesthetic filters makes it particularly well-suited for selfie enthusiasts.

Retrica App — Best Selfie Camera with Real-Time Filters for Android & iPhone

Retrica — The Best Selfie Camera App with Real-Time Filters

Retrica is one of the most well-known apps for adding effects, filters, and editing photos on Android and iPhone devices. It lets you add beautiful, artistic touches to photos stored on your phone or captured through the camera. You can take selfies and then apply beautiful filters and effects to make your photos look stunning.

The app has been installed more than 100 million times on the Google Play Store, reflecting the enormous popularity it enjoys among smartphone users worldwide.

Key Features of Retrica

190+ Real-Time Filters

Retrica provides a large collection of ready-to-use filters and effects for both photos stored in your phone's gallery and photos captured through the camera — with over 190 filters available for direct use.

One of the app's key features is the ability to apply effects to photos and videos in real time during shooting — meaning you can see the effect applied to the image while you're framing the shot, before saving the final photo to your phone.

Filters for Every Taste

Retrica includes over eighty different filters and many visual styles that give photos a classic look — including sepia tones, black and white, and many other options for virtually every color and taste.

Photo Collage

Retrica lets you combine different shots into a single image within a set time frame, capturing multiple poses and compositing them together.

You can take a single photo or capture up to nine consecutive snapshots to create a fun and original composition.

Frames and Editing

The app lets you add attractive frames to your photos to give them an artistic look, and you can create photo albums, merge multiple photos into one, and adjust the dimensions of each photo used.

Watermarks and Blur Effects

Additional features include adding watermarks and applying a Blur effect to specific areas of photos, giving them a soft, dreamy appearance.

Video Recording with Filters

You can record short video clips while applying filters and changing them during recording.

The app lets you create a short 10-second video clip with effects applied directly.

Timer

You can take group selfies without a selfie stick by propping your phone up somewhere and setting the timer to capture the shot automatically after a set delay — giving you a perfectly composed group photo.

Built-In Social Network

The company made Retrica a social platform as well — you can create a personal account, publish your photos, view and interact with other users' work. It operates similarly to Instagram in that following a user shows you their profile and all their shared content.

Front and Rear Camera Switching

Retrica allows easy switching between the front and rear camera for convenient access and better performance.

Ease of Use

Retrica is easy to use and doesn't require lengthy tutorials unlike other apps, while still being professional and making the most of your phone's camera for high-quality results.

It works well even with weaker phone cameras, and includes powerful filters you can preview in real time before capturing — so you always know exactly what your photo will look like.

How to Download Retrica

The app is available for free on the Google Play Store for Android and the App Store for iPhone and iPad. A paid Premium version is also available with additional exclusive filters and advanced options.

Final Thoughts

Retrica is one of the best specialized camera apps for filter-based photography — and what truly sets it apart is its real-time filter application before the shot is taken, making it a genuinely creative tool rather than just an after-the-fact editing app. Whether you're a selfie enthusiast or love capturing family moments, Retrica delivers a fun and distinctive photography experience completely free of charge.