Ever opened Instagram, TikTok, or Lightroom and thought,
“Wait.. what’s the difference between a preset, a filter, and a LUT?”
You're not alone.
They all sound like the same thing — and yeah, they all edit your content — but they actually work in different ways depending on what you’re editing and how much control you want.
This guide breaks it down in simple terms:
Presets vs Filters vs LUTs — what they are, when to use them, and how to choose the right one (especially if you're editing iPhone photos or videos).
First: What Are They?
Let’s keep it simple:
- Presets = Photo editing settings saved in apps like Lightroom (usually used on photos).
- Filters = One-tap effects you use in social apps like Instagram or TikTok.
- LUTs = Colour grading tools mostly used for video, especially if you’re editing flat or LOG footage.
What Is a Preset?
A preset is basically a saved edit for your photo.
Instead of manually adjusting brightness, contrast, colour, etc. every time, you just tap once — and it’s all applied instantly.
You’ll usually use presets in apps like Lightroom Mobile, especially when you would like quick edits that are consistent and easy to use.
Presets control stuff like:
- Exposure (brightness)
- Contrast (depth between light/dark)
- Colour tones (warm, cool, vintage, muted, etc.)
- Shadows & highlights (recovering detail)
- Saturation, vibrance, temperature
Why Presets Are Great:
- They’re fast — edit a whole batch of photos in seconds
- They save time — no need to start from scratch every time
- They help your photos look better without needing editing experience
- They’re customisable — you can still tweak things after applying one
Basically, presets give your photos a solid base edit, while keeping things consistent — especially useful if you’re building an Instagram grid, portfolio, or just want your photos to look clean without spending forever editing.
At PlatSupply, our presets are built specifically for iPhone and ProRAW photos — so they actually work the way your phone processes colour and light.
What Is a Filter?
A filter is the simplest way to edit a photo — like what you get in Instagram, TikTok, or VSCO.
You just pick a filter, maybe adjust the strength, and that’s it.
No fine-tuning.
No layers.
No real control.
They’re good when:
- You want to post quickly without much thought
- You’re not worried about consistency or detail
- You’re editing inside a social app (like Instagram etc.)
But here’s the thing — filters are pretty limited.
They’re made to be fast, not necessarily good.
So if you care about how your photos look, or want more control, presets are almost always the better option.
What Is a LUT?
LUT = Look-Up Table
(Yeah, the name’s not helpful.)
What you need to know:
A LUT is like a preset, but for video.
It applies a saved colour style across your footage — great for making your video look cinematic, polished, or just not flat.
You’ll use LUTs in video editing apps like:
- Final Cut Pro
- Premiere Pro
- DaVinci Resolve
- VN (for mobile editing)
- CapCut
When to use LUTs:
- You’re editing videos
- You shoot in LOG or flat colour profiles (like Apple LOG etc.)
- You want a consistent look across your content
- You don’t want to manually colour grade everything
LUTs are a game changer for content creators — whether you're shooting on a phone or a camera.
They can take your video from flat to polished in seconds, even if you're editing on the go.
At PlatSupply, we design camera-specific LUTs for devices like iPhone, Sony, and more — so your edits look clean, cinematic, and consistent, no matter what you’re shooting on.
Presets vs Filters vs LUTs: The Real Difference
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
| Tool | Used For | App/Software | Best For | Customisable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presets | Photo editing | Lightroom Mobile / Desktop | iPhone photos, quick but high-quality edits | ✅ Yes |
| Filters | Quick edits | Instagram, TikTok, VSCO | Social posts, speed | ❌ Very limited |
| LUTs | Video editing | VN, Final Cut, Premiere, DaVinci | iPhone videos, cinematic looks | ✅ Yes (depends on app) |
Which One Should You Use?
It depends on what you’re editing — and how much control you want.
Use Presets if:
- You’re editing photos (especially on iPhone)
- You want a clean, consistent look without doing it all manually
- You want better quality than what a filter gives you
Use LUTs if:
- You’re editing video
- You want that polished, colour-graded feel without the complexity
- You shoot flat footage (LOG) and need to bring it to life
Use Filters if:
- You’re in a rush
- You’re editing inside an app like Instagram
- You’re not really fussed about customisation
Presets, filters, and LUTs all do similar things — but they’re built for different use cases.
If you're shooting content on iPhone (photos or video), presets and LUTs will give you the best results — with the least amount of effort.
At PlatSupply, we make it easy for beginners and creators to get clean, consistent edits — without overcomplicating the process:
- Presets built for iPhone, ProRAW, and everyday shooting styles
- LUTs designed for cameras like iPhone, Sony, and more
- Packs made for real-world lighting and environments — not one-size-fits-all templates
