We all know how beneficial the Instagram craze has been for small businesses, non-profits and even individuals. There’s a million reasons why I’m a fan of the app myself. But now with the addition of Android apps, you can enjoy more Instagram fun on your mobile device than ever before! Here are some reviews…
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Instagram Android
- VSCO
Price: Free
Available on: Android and iOS
VSCO provides free filters that often beat Instagram’s in-app options in terms of quality and professionalism. VSCO also offers plenty of editing tools (like customized sharpen, brightness/contrast, and skintone correction), so you can fully tweak your photo before exporting to Instagram. Plus, like Instagram, VSCO offers its own social capabilities: you can follow people directly on VSCO, and post and share photos from within the app. - Priime
Price: $2.99
Available on: iOS
Priime offers a selection of over 100 filters created in collaboration with professional photographers. If you aren’t sure which filter will look best, you can even receive recommendations from Priime’s Smart Suggestions.
Images via App Store
- Snapseed
Price: Free
Available on: Android and iOS
Sometimes, your photo has varying degrees of darkness and brightness and you don’t want to auto-enhance all of it. Snapseed’s brush tool allows you to selectively adjust for exposure, saturation, and color temperature, which is ideal for situations where you’d rather selectively edit. Snapseed also gives you plenty of control and fine-tuning, and even provides tools to remove small blemishes or unwanted objects. - Pixlr
Price: Free
Available on: Android and iOS
With Pixlr, you can build your own filters with effects, overlays, and textures. When you’re happy with a filter you’ve created, you can save that filter and use it again. This can be particularly useful if you’re trying to build a unique brand image. Pixlr also lets you selectively adjust your brightness and sharpness. It includes a red-eye fixer and an array of photo-editing tools. - Litely
Price: Free
Available on: iOS
If you’re frustrated by photos that look overly filtered and edited, Litely is the tool for you. Litely offers uniquely subtle filters with the intent of enhancing the natural beauty of a photo. You can drag your finger anywhere on the image to make adjustments, and tap your finger to compare “before” and “after” versions. You can also choose different variations of the same filter (like “argyle,” “argyle high,” or “argyle faded”) to ensure the filter looks natural with your photo.
Instagram Apps for Followers
There aren’t many automated ways to gain followers, which makes the task a tedious challenge for any social media manager. Fortunately, the following tools can combat this challenge. Although the apps won’t let you buy followers, they offer legitimate options to gain and manage followers organically. You can decipher why people unfollow you, how to improve your social media visibility, and how to keep your followers long-term. With the help of these tools, you can attract a larger following and ensure your current followers are happy.
- Followers for Instagram
Price: Free
Available on: Android and iOS
Followers for Instagram shows you accounts that unfollowed you, accounts that haven’t followed you back, and accounts you should be following based on similar accounts you already follow. You can use this data to strengthen weak relationships, make your followers happier, and understand the reasons an account might unfollow you. You might find that accounts are unfollowing you for simple, fixable reasons — like posting infrequently. Hopefully, fixing these issues improves your relationship to your Instagram audience longterm.
Images via App Store
- Social Rocket
Price: Free
Available on: iOS
Social Rocket is a “likes/followers” marketplace: every time you like someone else’s post, you gain points to exchange for followers or likes on your own posts. Although this is probably an inefficient long-term solution, it can be helpful in the beginning when you’re trying to build an initial following and want your content to spread.
Images via App Store
- Crowdfire
Price: Free
Available on: iOS
Crowdfire identifies your inactive followers. If you know your inactive followers, you can delete them from your followers pool and fix your ratio to get better analytics. Crowdfire also provides automated DM messaging, recognizes when people unfollow you, and helps you find new followers.
Screen Shot 2018-03-16 at 11.40.46 AM-1.png
Images via App Store
- Tracker for Instagram
Price: Free
Available on: iOS
Instagram doesn’t offer any efficient tools for unfollowing or following accounts in bulk. Tracker for Instagram allows you to do this directly from the app. It also shows you your overall post performance, and analyzes how followers engage with your account, so you can discover your most active users.
Screen Shot 2018-03-16 at 12.04.19 PM.png
Images via App Store
- Followers & Likes on Instagram
Price: Free
Available on: iOS
Followers & Likes on Instagram creates lists of your most engaged and least engaged followers, which is helpful because it gives you a better understanding of your target audience. It also shows you which posts attract the most likes and comments from your best followers. Knowing your most popular posts helps you evaluate and modify your future content strategy.
Best apps for instagram aesthetic
Canva
Canva is one of the very best free apps available. I use Canva to create Instagram stories, Pinterest Pins, blog graphics, Twitter graphics, cover photos, headers, my media kit, my rates, and even collaboration proposals. I love how easy it is to use, and how accessible it is on a variety of devices. I love the colossal range of fonts to replace Instagram’s standard story fonts. And if you’re not into designing, there are plenty of templates to customise and share straight away.
There’s a membership named Canva Pro, which is available for £99.99 a year. But there’s no need to invest straight away until you’re confident in the free app. And if you’re happy to get creative and make your own templates, feature your own photography, and clear out when storage fills, you’ll be just fine with the free version.
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
VSCO
VSCO is one of the best apps for adding ready-made presets to photos and videos. It’s the OG of editing apps too. I still use it regularly, for Instagram stories and Reels. However, editing video does require a VSCO X subscription which is £19.99 a year. Still, the free presets have plenty to offer, and it’s a great tool for quick and easy adjustments to your content. You can make your own recipe, which is essentially your own preset, and apply it to all your photos in one tap.
Pinterest is a great place to for inspiration if you’re looking for preset recipes too. By using the same or similar presets across your blog and Instagram feed, you’ll create an aesthetically pleasing, cohesive aesthetic with minimal effort. My favourite free presets are M5, M3, G3, and C1.
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
Snapseed
Snapseed is the ultimate free editing app – there are no additional purchases or memberships. I use Snapseed to enhance photos that have already been edited. It’s ideal for spontaneous shots that need a little boost before posting. Snapseed is another tool that intimidated me at first, because there seem to be a lot of icons and very little instruction. It can be overwhelming! But the Google-owned app has an extensive online manual that really helped me to get to know the features.
And there’s a lot to know. Snapseed has a good range of filters – all for free. You can make basic edits, like brightness, contrast, and shadows. One of my favourite features is the Healing tool, which is perfect for removing small objects, spots, and blemishes. Additionally, you can scroll through the Vintage, Grainy Film, and Glamour Glow to add an extra layer to the final image.
snapseed editing, iphone photography, instagram aesthetic, editing tips, ios app
snapseed editing, iphone photography, instagram aesthetic, editing tips, ios app
snapseed editing, iphone photography, instagram aesthetic, editing tips, ios app
Over
I use Over for my Instagram stories and the occasional Pinterest Pin. Like Canva, it has a range of templates on offer. But the variety is limited on the free plan. The best thing about Over is its blank transparent template and ability to save photos as PNGs. That’s how I create an Instagram story sharing my new in-feed post above a camera roll photo.
The app’s mask feature is the one I use the most. It allows you to erase parts of any image and avoid the plain white background. That then means you can create a whole graphic that includes multiple images on one background. It’s like a mini Photoshop for your phone.
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creative instagram story, new post, blogger ideas, swipe up, over template, ios app
creative instagram story, new post, blogger ideas, swipe up, over template, ios app
creative instagram story, new post, blogger ideas, swipe up, over template, ios app
Planoly
Planoly is the tool I use to plan my Instagram content ahead of time. It’s a great way to get captions out of your head and tied to a photo, so there’s no stress when it comes to posting time. As I work a secular job through most of the week, I shoot a lot of my content in bulk during the freelance days to keep on top of the workload. So, planning my Instagram feed in advance helps me to save time. I don’t schedule Instagram posts, but I always know what I’m going to share ahead of posting.
Planoly has its own analytics feature, which is a marvellous way to keep tabs on your Instagram content outside the app. I like to check it at the end of each week or month to see which photos are most popular, and plan blog content that’s similar. There is an option to upgrade, but I think the free plan has plenty to offer.
instagram planning, planoly inspiration, aesthetic feed, warm tones, bookstagram ideas
instagram planning, planoly inspiration, aesthetic feed, warm tones, bookstagram ideas
instagram planning, planoly inspiration, aesthetic feed, warm tones, bookstagram ideas
Filmm
I discovered Filmm through A Color Story’s founders, Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess and their co-founder, Zoe Sugg. It’s amazing for adding film camera effects to existing photos and videos. A lot of apps don’t allow you to upload content – you must shoot through the app. But I don’t always have the time to find the app, I just want to use my phone’s camera! That’s where Filmm comes in. Interestingly, one of my most popular videos on Pinterest was made using the Filmm app.
I did pay £1.99 a few years ago to enable me to change the watermark, but the free version’s watermark isn’t all that noticeable. Filmm has a sister app named Template, which is designed for Instagram stories and feed templates. I have only used a few on my own story, but so far it’s pretty easy to navigate through too.
filmm app, iphone video, easy editing, instagram tips, cosy video, video filters, ios app
filmm app, iphone video, easy editing, instagram tips, cosy video, video filters, ios app
filmm app, iphone video, easy editing, instagram tips, cosy video, video filters, ios app
InShot
Since the introduction of Reels, I have relied on InShot. Before that, I’d mainly use the app to create graphics for my Instagram stories and blog content. But now, it’s my go-to for throwing together short clips to fit my feed. It’s incredibly easy to use, especially if you’re not a pro at editing footage. There are a horde of elements you can use, including music, to make a simple video look amazing.
I also really like InShot for its collage tool. You can pick your canvas size based on the platform you’re shooting for, and create a collage in less than a minute. Text can be added to even create your own watermark. Another great app for editing Reels or video content is Splice, but there’s less on offer in the free version in comparison to InShot.
inshot ios app, video editing, collage photos, instagram tips and tricks
inshot ios app, video editing, collage photos, instagram tips and tricks
inshot ios app, video editing, collage photos, instagram tips and tricks
Unfold
Unfold is the app I use when I want a clean and minimal edit. It has set templates that you can’t change, but can customise with your own photos to make unique. I mostly use it to showcase photography. It’s also great for throwing a bunch of photos together into one graphic with minimal effort. Since being taken over by Squarespace, the app has a lot more features such as Unfold Studio and Instagram feed planning. The Studio is a brilliant tool for adding filters to your stories (and they’re much better than Instagram’s standard set).
There’s also a ‘link in bio’ creator, which is an alternative to Linktree, Lnk.Bio, Canva, or Milkshake. Unfortunately, without a paid membership your URL will be a random mix of characters (here’s mine as an example). I currently have a custom links page made by my blog theme creator, Underline Designs. But if that option wasn’t available, Unfold would be my first choice!
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unfold app, squarespace, template ideas, instagram story, minimal photos, link in bio, instagram tips and tricks
unfold app, squarespace, template ideas, instagram story, minimal photos, link in bio, instagram tips and tricks
unfold app, squarespace, template ideas, instagram story, minimal photos, link in bio, instagram tips and tricks
Motionleap
Motionleap is made by Lightricks, a developer that has a number of apps that are popular among creatives. It is designed to help you create art on your phone and on the go. I actually found it through its YouTube channel, and downloaded the free app straight away. It has a few features that are fun to mix together, but I primarily use it to animate still photos. I like to add something subtle like candle flickers or steam to bring something simple to life.
Motionleap has a free plan, but like almost anything, it comes with limitations. Therefore, this app is best for small changes rather than huge creative projects. But it does allow you to add pre-made moving elements to existing photos if you don’t want to add the motion yourself, which is brilliant for beginners!
Conclusion
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