Best AI apps for iPhone 2025

AI has come a long way since 2022, when it became the next big thing but was only available for desktops. In 2025, users have access to the best AI apps for iPhone to boost productivity, streamline tasks, and simplify creation right on their smartphone.

Together with the Cybernews research team, I have studied the market from A to Z to find the best AI apps for iPhone users. I reviewed their functionality, performance, cost, and user reviews and shortlisted the 5 best ones for 2025.

5 best AI apps for iPhone – shortlist

1. Lensa AI – best AI app for photo editing
2. Synthesia AI – great choice for AI video generation
3. Picsart AI – top app for AI-powered art generation
4. ChatGPT – best AI chatbot for iPhones
5. Quillbot – leading AI keyboard app for iPhones

What are AI apps?

In a broad sense, an AI app is an application designed to use artificial intelligence (AI) in some or all the tasks it completes. AI is any software designed to perform tasks by thinking as a human would – in essence, it mimics human behavior. AI software uses machine learning technology to learn by reading and processing data sets larger than a human could ever process on their own. On top of that, it does this in record time, often mere seconds.

AI apps are designed to improve smartphone user experience. They can analyze data, automate processes, and even predict trends. They can help users perform time-consuming tasks more efficiently.

There are many types of AI apps for iPhones and other devices, from productivity tools to creative image generation to powerful AI-powered chatbots. Speaking of chatbots, one of the most recognizable AI chat apps and AI apps in general, ChatGPT, is an excellent example of what these apps can do. It uses AI to respond to various prompts and user questions. ChatGPT can do this by understanding your queries, analyzing and digesting vast amounts of data people have made and posted online, and then generating an appropriate answer.

With the help of machine learning, ChatGPT has effectively trained itself from the countless examples its designers have given it. The tool found patterns and relationships in written text, effectively learning to generate text independently. More than that, the app continues to learn and develop as time passes, getting better and better at responding adequately to queries.

The best AI apps for iPhone – our detailed list

Now that you know what AI apps are and have viewed our shortlist of the top apps on the market, it’s time to dive deeper into each one. The research team and I have tested all 5 tools over several days to provide concise yet in-depth reviews of the apps and evaluate their functionality, ease of use, and features.

1. Lensa AI – best iPhone AI app for photo editing

Rating:	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
iOS app price:	$7.99/month
Features:	Face retouch, object remover, photo filters, background blur, magic avatars

Lensa AI is my pick for the best free AI app for iPhone photo editing because it offers everything you need to effectively edit your photos, especially portraits, in just a few taps.

The app is tailored to iPhone users, so you won’t have to worry about adjusting to a new interface or unfamiliar buttons. With this tool, you get to enhance both photos and videos, add filters for social media, and even create a custom avatar.

The app has grown very popular in the last few years – it has been featured on celebrities’ social media and even covered by various news outlets. The photo-editing powerhouse offers a 7-day free trial and then comes at $7.99/month.

Here’s a look at the features I liked the most:

• Face retouch. The AI can professionally edit your portrait and enhance it to your liking. It can improve both old and new photos.
• Photo filters. If you’re into filters for social media, you’re bound to love what’s available on Lensa AI. You’ll get to use presets like optical distortions, VHS effects, and grain and ISO.
• Magic avatars. This nifty feature lets you create an AI avatar. You can let the AI do its trick automatically or customize the avatar as you want.
• Object remover. Removing objects from images has become quite popular nowadays, but many editor tools do this poorly, leaving obvious traces. Lensa AI handles this better, filling the void with what’s in the background.
• Background blur. Lensa AI’s background blur is much better than what you get on your phone’s camera. You can tweak the cinematic blur to your liking and input the right blur filter to any selfie.

2. Synthesia AI – top AI video tool

Rating:	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Starting price:	$25.00/month
Features:	Video generation, script creation, video customization, preset and custom avatars, voiceovers

Visit Synthesia

If you’re looking for an AI solution for creating videos, you can hardly go wrong with Synthesia AI. Even though it doesn’t have an app to download directly to your iPhone and you have to use it through a mobile browser, it’s still the best AI app for iOS video generation. I accessed it easily via Safari and had no issues with running the software.

It can create studio-quality videos within minutes and generate AI avatars with remarkable likeness to real humans, capable of talking in over 140 languages.

Here’s what it covers in terms of features for $25.00/month:

• Script creation with AI assistance. You can create AI videos with your own script imported through a link or doc, but you can also make a script with the app’s help.
• Generated video customization. Synthesia AI is not just an AI video generation tool – it’s also a video editing powerhouse with a whole host of customization options for AI-generated videos.
• Collaboration capabilities. You don’t have to publish a video to send it to your team members or friends. You can also share it through the tool and invite others to comment and offer insights.
• Free AI video generation. Synthesia AI is primarily a paid tool but offers a limited AI video generator for free.
• Voiceovers in over 140 languages. You can turn text into video by importing text to Synthesia AI. An avatar can do a voiceover in almost any widely spoken language, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi, and French. You can also clone your own voice.
• Edit existing videos. With Synthesia, reshoots are not required because the tool allows you to easily edit and alter videos you’ve already made with the app.
• AI and custom avatars. You can use over 230 avatars Synthesia has made, depending on the plan. However, you can also create your own personal avatars.

3. Picsart AI – top Apple AI app for art generation

Rating:	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Starting price:	$5/month
Features:	Image generation, image styles, photo and video editor, logo generator

Among all the creative tools, Picsart is the best AI image generator. Not only does it create images in hundreds of styles, but it can also generate images with 8K resolution.

On top of that, I didn’t have to rely on the AI to generate the exact image I needed because Picsart has an editor tool for tweaking generated images with effects, filters, text, and more. Plus, I got access to extra features like a video editor, logo generator, and even a text editor.

Bear in mind that the tool is subscription-based, but the price is very low, at $5/month if billed annually. You also get to generate a limited number of images for free, making it one of the best free AI apps for iPhone.

Here are the main features I recommend testing out:

• Prompt-based image generation. The app’s primary feature is generating quality images based on user prompts. Like many other AI image generators, you only need to describe what you want, and the tool will generate it.
• Hundreds of available image styles. You can generate an image in a different style using the right prompt or customizing an already-generated image. You can also choose between different moods, colors, and even designs inspired by artists.
• Picsart editor. Picsart also has an editor tool you can use to tweak generated images. It covers various styles and lets you add text, stickers, and shapes and even draw freely. You can also alter the background, remove objects, and resize photos.
• Free image generator. The tool offers a limited free generator, which is excellent for testing the app.
• Video editor. Since Picsart is actually a suite of AI tools, the brand also has a video editor that lets you add music and effects to clips, among other things. It’s primarily designed to create videos for social media.

4. ChatGPT – overall best iOS chat app

Rating:	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Starting price:	$20/month
Features:	Text generation, query responses, task automation, web search, data analysis, image generation

Visit ChatGPT

ChatGPT deserves a spot on any list of the best AI apps. It’s the tool that started the whole craze surrounding consumer AI, and it’s why people tend to look for the best ChatGPT app for iPhone instead of searching for the top AI chat apps. In other words, ChatGPT effectively became synonymous with AI chat and AI generative text tools.

The tool was launched in 2022, but that seems ages ago due to how far it catapulted the whole AI consumer app market. As early as January 2023, ChatGPT became the fastest-growing consumer app of all time, gaining a record 100 million users in just two months.

It uses the GPT-4o large language model, which allows it to generate human-like conversational answers based on written user input.

Even though you most likely already know what ChatGPT offers, you might have missed a few features for creative work. Based on my tests, I’ve compiled a list of the highlights:

• Text generation based on user input. ChatGPT can answer any query in seconds. It understands user input and can generate an answer based on online information. It technically mimics human speech but can still generate original responses.
• Summarize and get insights from an existing text. You can feed the app existing text and ask it to summarize or even extract original ideas and insights.
• Task automation. ChatGPT can perform repetitive tasks on your behalf in record time. For instance, it can generate code, so you don’t have to write it on your own.
• Real-time conversation. A relatively new feature that allows you to have real-time conversations with ChatGPT. Like in other AI talking apps, you can choose the voice it uses and then converse as you would with a human person.
• Web search. ChatGPT can now search the web in real time, just like a search engine. However, unlike search engines, it can answer specific questions and support its answers with relevant sources.

5. Quillbot – best AI keyboard for iPhone for content improvement

Rating:	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Starting price:	$9.00/month
Features:	Paraphraser, grammar checker, plagiarism checker, AI detector, summarizer, citation generator, translator, flow optimizer

Visit Quillbot

Quillbot is an AI tool focused on improving your writing. It’s not an AI chat app but a keyboard app that’s technically a suite of 8 apps, including a grammar checker, plagiarism checker, AI detector, and summarizer.

Writers from universities in the US and Europe use it, along with around over 35 million writers, including from US and European universities who use Quillbot on a daily basis. It works as both an app and an extension. You can download it to Chrome, Edge, or iOS and macOS devices or use it as a Word add-on. I personally found it useful for drafting social media posts, emails, and messages and found that it’s more integrated than text-based tools like Grammarly.

Quillbot comes with several features you should know about:

• Paraphrase and summarize texts. Quillbot can paraphrase and summarize any text. It has nine paraphrase modes: Natural, Formal, Creative, and Custom. The last one technically allows you to create a mode you want it to use.
• Grammar checker. Quillbot can complete a grammar check to identify and fix any mistakes. The checker works in several languages besides English, including Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.
• Plagiarism checker and AI detection. Quillbot comes with embedded plagiarism and AI detection. It scans the web to see if the text exists somewhere and what percentage of it is copied and tells you what parts might be considered AI-written.
• Translator. Quillbot can be a very handy translator tool, as it’s more capable than regular translator software, like Google Translate. It can translate texts in over 40 languages.
• Generate text and emails. Quilbot analyzes your writing and provides suggestions for adding content. It can also generate entire emails with up to 500 prompts daily.

The best AI apps for iOS and iPhone compared

To determine the best AI app for iPhone, I compared the top picks according to their starting price, free versions, and ease of use.

iOS app	Rating	Best for	Starting price	Free version
Lensa AI	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	Photo editing	$7.99/month	Yes, limited
Synthesia AI	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	AI video generation	$25.00/month	Yes, limited
Picsart AI	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	Art generation, graphic design	$5/month	Yes, limited
ChatGPT	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	ConversationAI assistance	$20/month	Yes (basic ChatGPT)
Quillbot	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	Writing improvement	$9.00/month	Yes, limited

Cybernews methodology for testing AI tools

The Cybernews research team and I thoroughly tested and reviewed every tool on this list. We did that by applying strict criteria for all AI apps for the iPhone:

• Functionality and ease of use (35%). The most important thing is that the app is functional, meaning it doesn’t suffer from major bugs and other issues that prohibit everyday use. After determining that, I tested the app to see how intuitive it is for both beginners and advanced users.
• Performance (25%). I analyzed every app’s performance to see how well it does the things it advertises.
• Cost-effectiveness (20%). Most AI iPhone apps have a relatively limited free version and are otherwise paid for. I assessed the price and what the app offers to determine its cost-effectiveness.
• User reviews (20%). I looked into user reviews to find the most frequently mentioned benefits and drawbacks. If something was repeated often, I included it in the pros and cons sections.

Are iOS AI apps safe?

The best AI for iPhone applications use state-of-the-art security measures and follow strict data protection guidelines. They are essential for apps that handle sensitive information, such as photos, videos, and written content.

This isn't always true with other, less reputable apps, so it’s crucial to read reviews and check user feedback before downloading. Moreover, you should review the app’s privacy policy, terms of service, and the user permissions it asks for.

Remember that no app is entirely safe. There’s always a chance that some hackers will breach it, no matter how meticulously it is protected, even though it’s unlikely with the top-rated apps.

Benefits of AI apps for iPhone users

AI apps can be highly beneficial for regular users. You can also see this from how rapidly the industry is growing. According to Statista, the size of the AI market was $184.04 billion in 2024 and is set to reach $826.73 billion by 2030.

Let’s review the main advantages AI apps bring:

• Increased productivity. AI apps can improve your productivity in various ways, mainly by allowing you to complete tasks much faster. They can even do a better job with mundane and repetitive tasks.
• Enhanced creativity. AI apps like Synthesia AI, Picsart AI, and Lensa AI can help you with video creation, graphic design, and writing. As they can generate this type of content and allow you to tweak and improve it further, they effectively improve creativity.
• High accessibility. All of these AI apps are accessible to regular users and professionals worldwide. Many have free versions, while the paid ones are typically affordable.
• Cross-platform functionality. Even though we’ve been discussing AI iOS apps, it’s worth noting that these can work on other devices and operating systems, including macOS, Android, and even on the web through any browser.

How to choose the best AI apps for iPhone

Choosing the best AI app for you is all about considering certain criteria and determining how well the app meets all of them. Here are the most crucial factors my team and I recommend checking:

• Compatibility. It’s essential to determine whether the app is fully compatible with your version of the iOS device.
• Features. A key criterion is the app's features. You want to see the features you actually need from the app of that type.
• Pricing. Determine your available budget and review the pricing model. Check the plans and whether there’s a free version through which you can test the app and see if it meets your needs.
• User reviews. As with all apps, you should review the user feedback and ratings on the App Store. You can also check feedback from other relevant sites, like Trustpilot.
• Ease of use. Use the app’s free version to see how intuitive it is. If it isn’t, there’s always an alternative.
• Scalability. If you aim to use the app professionally, it’s essential to see how much it can scale with your business. It’s also vital for it to be flexible.
• Customer support. If the app has a learning curve or you need help from its customer service agents, you want it to have a robust support system. Check how easy it is to reach the agents and how knowledgeable they are.

Final word on the best AI apps for iPhone

AI apps can be ideal for iPhone users because they boost creativity and productivity with everyday apps. They can automate various processes, especially repetitive ones, or generate creative assets, like videos, saving time and allowing you to focus on more critical tasks.

iOS AI apps can transform how you use your phone, serving both professional and personal use cases.

To choose the best iOS AI app, you must first consider what you need it for. That’s also why I’ve chosen apps that provide different services, like Lensa AI for photo editing, Picsart AI for graphic design, or Synthesia AI for video editing.

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