Photo Layout App for iPhone – Grids, Splits & Carousels

Layout types

Types of photo layouts

Splits (2 photos): side by side or top and bottom, for before/after shots and comparisons.
Feature layouts (3–5 photos): one large hero photo with smaller supporting shots.
Grids (4, 6, 9, 12…): equal cells, clean and calm.
Mosaics: cells of mixed sizes for many photos.
Seamless carousels: one design split across several slides, reading as a panorama when people swipe.
Freestyle: no cells. You place photos anywhere.

How to

How to create a photo layout in LiveCollage

Open LiveCollage and tap Grid.
Select your photos. Layouts that fit that number appear.
Tap a layout to preview it with your own photos.
Drag the dividers to resize cells. Pinch inside a cell to zoom and reposition.
Set the border width, corner radius and background.
Choose the ratio: 1:1, 4:5, 9:16 or a print ratio.
Save to Photos or share.

Design principles

Layout tips from designers

Hierarchy and rhythm

One photo should clearly lead. Alternate close-ups and wide shots.

Alignment and white space

Keep horizons and eye lines roughly level. Borders separate busy photos; no borders suit similar-toned sets.

Ratio first

Decide where it will be posted before arranging, so nothing important is cropped.

Carousels

Planning a carousel layout

For multi-slide posts, plan each slide as one cell in a wide layout. That way objects that cross the boundary line up when people swipe. Check the platform's current carousel ratio before exporting.

Every platform

Photo layout for every platform

Destination	Ratio to choose	Layout tip
Square feed post	1:1	2×2 or 3×3 grids
Portrait feed post	4:5	Feature layout with a tall hero
Story / reel cover	9:16	Vertical stack, keep text in the middle
Phone wallpaper	9:16	Low-detail photos so icons stay readable
Print	Print ratio	Thin borders, high-quality export

Terminology

Photo layout app vs. collage maker

They are mostly the same thing. “Layout” usually refers to the structure, the grid or the split, while “collage” is the finished image. LiveCollage covers both, plus freestyle collages and video layouts. See the collage maker guide.

Note: “layout” is used here as a general design term. LiveCollage is not affiliated with any other app of that name.

No surprises

What's free and what's VIP

VIP is optional and starts with a 3-day free trial. Exports have no watermark, free or VIP.

Feature	Free	VIP
Download and use the app	Yes	Yes
Grid layouts	Many free	All
Freestyle canvas	Many free	Yes
Templates	Many free templates	All premium templates
Text and fonts	Many free	All fonts and styles
Stickers and backgrounds	Many free	All packs
Video collage	Many free	Yes
AI tools	45 free credits	Credits
Watermark on export	No	No
Ads	Only on the save screen	—

Prices vary by region and are shown in the app before you subscribe. To cancel: iPhone Settings → your name → Subscriptions → LiveCollage. Deleting the app does not cancel a subscription.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What's the best free photo layout app for iPhone?

Simple, free layout apps are fine for quick grids. LiveCollage is free to download and adds many more layouts, freestyle, templates, text and video. It's rated 4.8 out of 5 from more than 178,000 ratings.

Can I change the layout after adding photos?

Yes. Tap another layout and your photos move into it.

Can I adjust the size of each cell?

Yes. Drag the dividers between cells.

Can I make a layout with videos?

Yes. LiveCollage supports video collages.

Does it work on iPad?

Yes. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Apple-silicon Macs.

Photo Layout App for iPhone and iPad