App Showcase: Avatan – Photo Editor

What it does

Avatan is a hybrid photo and video editor combined with a social platform for creators. Users can perform detailed edits using a wide range of tools, from basic adjustments to advanced features like color curves and retouching. Its defining feature is a community-driven feed where users can share their edited images as reusable presets, allowing others to apply complex styles with a single tap.

Where it shines

The app excels at integrating its utility and social components. The main feed (00:06) immediately showcases the app's potential through user-generated content, turning inspiration directly into action. Its monetization model is also well-integrated. Instead of a hard paywall, premium features are clearly marked, and the subscription screen only appears when a user tries to access one (02:49), capturing intent at its peak. The depth of the editing suite, featuring tools like HSL (03:22) and Levels (03:36), gives it power that rivals more traditional desktop editors.

UX highlights

• Community as a feature. The entire home screen is a browsable library of effects from other users, which serves as a powerful discovery and onboarding tool.
• Contextual upgrades. The paywall is triggered by attempting to use a premium tool, making the value proposition clear and timely.
• Deep toolset. The app provides granular control over images with advanced features like Curves (03:28), HSL, and a comprehensive set of retouching tools (04:10).
• Favorites system. Users can save their favorite filters (00:58) and effects, personalizing the editor and speeding up their workflow over time.
• Non-destructive previews. Applying effects or filters shows a live preview (00:55) that can be easily adjusted with a slider before committing.
• Clear iconography. Tools are well-organized and easy to understand, helping users navigate the large number of features available.

Monetization & growth

Avatan uses a freemium model with a soft paywall. The app offers a substantial number of free tools, but gates more advanced or unique features behind a premium subscription. The paywall (02:50) is presented with three options: monthly, yearly, and a one-time lifetime purchase, catering to different user preferences. It also offers a 3-day free trial to encourage conversion. The growth loop is fueled by creators who post new effects, which in turn attract more users who want to use those effects, some of whom will convert to premium or become creators themselves.

Who it’s for

The app targets a broad audience, from casual social media users who want to quickly apply trendy filters to more serious hobbyists and creators who desire fine-grained control over their edits. The social discovery aspect also appeals to users looking for inspiration and a community to share their work with.

Notes & opportunities

The app's flow for saving a favorite filter for the first time requires creating an album (00:22), which adds a slight point of friction to a common action. While the monetization is contextual, an initial pop-up about monetization appears very early in the editing process (00:19), which could be slightly jarring for a first-time user still exploring the interface. Smoothing this interaction could improve the initial editing experience.