Seven Instagram alternatives for the iPhone

Instagram created a social-media uproar last night when it changed its terms of service to state that it could license user photos for display by advertisers without consent and without compensation. Granted, Instagram isn't the first social-networking service to claim the right to use uploaded content, but the broad language with phrases like "without any compensation to you" spurred a quick and vocal backlash. And rightly so.

Fortunately, it took less than a day before Instagram began to realize its mistake. As rivals began to pounce on its fumble and users threatened to leave, CEO Kevin Systrom wrote a blog post this afternoon promising that the company would alter the language and that it had no plans to use photos in advertisements.

So while the situation is looking better, it's understandable if you're still spooked. Despite the company's backtrack, the entire affair shows not only how important it is to read terms of service, but also how it can be hard to understand them.

Before you lawyer up, though, know that Instagram is not the only app for sharing photos. Indeed, there are many titles and we've listed some of our iOS favorites below. Alternatively, if you're on Android, CNET editor Jaymar Cabebe updated his list of Android alternatives earlier today (Snapseed, which also is available for iOS, is a highlight). And if you really, really want to say goodbye to Instagram for good, here's how to back up your Instagram photos and delete your account.

Before we begin, just note that some of the apps listed below are full photo-editing apps that also have photo-sharing capabilities. All let you use a variety of filters, including the retro-looking tinge that made Instagram so popular.

Hipstamatic ($1.99)
Hipstamatic boasts a fun, retro design, but it works in the opposite way to most camera apps, including Instagram, in that it forces you to apply a filter to a shot before you snap it, not after. You can adjust the look of your photos by selecting different lenses and film types, but you must make these choices before hitting the shutter button.

Hipstamatic also lacks its own social network; your sharing options include Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, and even Instagram. The app features a handful of lenses, flashes, and films, and 99-cent HipstaPaks net you more.

Camera+ (99 cents)
If you are looking to leave Instagram for a more full-powered camera app (though one without its own photo-sharing feed), spend a buck on Camera+ and give it a go. It provides an insane amount of control in setting up your shot, and an impressive number of tools to use when tinkering with it afterward. For example, you can set the focus and exposure separately when lining up a shot, using two fingers.

The editing tools are simplified -- no sliders here. In addition to rotating and cropping tools, you simply select a scene and a border to adjust the look of your photos.

There is also a great collection of filters, which give your shots that Instagram feel (there is even a filter called Toy Camera), and you can buy nine additional filters for 99 cents. Your sharing options are limited to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, e-mail, and text message.

Camera Awesome (free)
The awesomely named Camera Awesome app, like Camera+, is more camera app than social photo-sharing app. It delivers professional controls in setting up your shot, and the app can also take video.

The app features a number of preset filters, textures, and frames and you can also manually edit your photos, adjusting the sharpness, temperature, vibrancy, and contrast.

The app is free and includes a limited number of filters; in-app purchases deliver more. Sharing options cover the usual suspects: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket, Instagram. You can also share via a site run by the developer, SmugMug, but you can't view a feed of photos shared on SmugMug without exiting the app.