Creating the perfect edit for your Instagram feed just got a little easier. With the variety of photo editing apps at our fingertips, capturing and sharing an ideal photo is possible for anyone. Here are some of our favorite photo editing apps that can help you create the right look for your feed.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Instagram Filters
- Instagram
For years, Instagram used to get a lot of slack for having terrible filters. They were among the very first to use camera presets. But they never seemed to get it right.
But Instagram has stepped up its game since then. Although the filters mostly have the same names as eight years ago, they now look more natural and create better results.
Of course, Instagram filters still need a lot of work. But at least it now lets you have more control over how you want your images to look. It’s efficient since you don’t have to leave the app to edit images. It even allows you to change brightness, contrast, and saturation.
If you’re not in the mood to use third-party apps, this is the quickest and easiest option for you. Once you finish applying edits, just share and start seeing those hearts on your screen.
Person holding a phone with Instagram on the screen
Photo by energepic.com from Pexels
- VSCO
When it comes to Instagram filter apps, VSCO is one of the best out there.
VSCO was created to emulate the properties of real film stocks from big companies such as Kodak and Fujifilm. If you crave that grainy film look, this is the perfect tool to use.
Unlike other apps that poorly imitate the look of old photos, VSCO filters look realistic. The main reason is that they put a lot of time developing presets to match the actual films they copy.
With VSCO, you can try various film stocks such as Fuji Velvia or Kodak Portra with a simple tap on the screen. These presets do such a great job that telling them apart from real film photos is quite challenging.
Another advantage of using VSCO is that you can manually adjust the parameters of the filters you use. So if a preset looks too contrasty, you can always tone it down to your liking.
If you don’t like too much grain, all you have to do is move the slider up or down to change the amount of noise in your photo.
The film look has long been trendy, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon. We suggest you try the VSCO app now, and we guarantee you’ll be using it a lot.
The VSCO instagram filters app logo
- Snapseed
Snapseed is one of the best mobile photo editing apps out there. Apart from offering filters, it also includes all the tools you need, from removing blemishes to improving skin tone.
Snapseed has a wide variety of filters you can try. It has options that turn your photos to look like Polaroid snapshots or old-timey sepia photos.
It also includes choices such as Glamourglow to enhance portraits and HDR Scape for improving landscape photos.
And what if you’re not a big fan of the film look? Then, you have the option to create your own ‘Look’, which is Snapseed’s version of presets.
The feature allows you to change any parameters from saturation to exposure, which you can save for future use. What’s incredible about it is that you can even share it with your friends.
Snapseed is owned by Google, also the company behind Android phones. But thankfully, this app is also available on Apple’s app store, and it works well on iPhones.
That means you can use it no matter what device you have. Just make sure you have enough space on your device because a tool this powerful requires a lot of memory.
Instagram filter app snapseed’s icon
- Lightroom
If you have Adobe Creative Cloud, you need to download Lightroom Mobile on your phone. This is the perfect app to use if you want unlimited options for filters that look professional.
Lightroom Mobile has most (if not all) of the photo editing tools you expect to see on the regular desktop version. It even lets you upload new filters onto the app, just like you do on your computer.
Oh, and did we mention you can also buy presets online to add to your collection?
Like the Lightroom on your desktop, you also have the option to create or tweak existing presets. It’s handy when the filter you chose alters the colour or the mood of your photo a little too much.
Of course, Lightroom Mobile takes a little getting used to at first because the user interface is different. But once you become familiar with all the tools, you’ll see that it’s just as effective as the regular Lightroom.
Instagram filter app adobe lightroom’s logo
- Afterlight 2
The Instagram apps on our list only offer regular presets. But what if you want to make a filter that includes all sorts of effects, such as double exposure and colour shift? If that’s the case, Afterlight 2 is the app for you.
Afterlight 2 boasts a robust photo editing suite that competes with Lightroom and Snapseed. It can edit RAW files and even lets you advanced tools such as curves and HSL.
Sure, Lightroom and Snapseed have those features as well. But what makes Afterlight 2 different from its competitors is that it lets you combine filters. It’s a neat tool, especially if you’re not good at creating customised presets.
With Afterlight 2, you can mix and match any filter on your collection.
You can also create overlays and textures to add personality to your images. Just tap the screen if you feel like adding prismatic light leaks to your portraits. You can even adjust the effect you choose to make everything blend naturally.
This excellent app also features a double exposure tool, which lets you combine two images into one. It’s a challenging effect to execute on a desktop, but it’s effortless on this app.
Afterlight 2 has all the necessary adjustment tools to let you create double exposures, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Instagram filter app Afterlight 2’s icon
- Camera + 2
Camera + 2 is among the most popular apps on Instagram because it turns your device into a de facto DSLR. It has features such as Manual Mode, which lets you change settings such as aperture and shutter speed.
But how does Camera+ 2 perform when it comes to filters? Like its counterparts, this app offers dozens of presets to choose from. And just like Afterlight 2, it also lets you stack two or more filters together to create your own.
Now it sounds like the Camera+ 2 app has all the same features that others already offer, so why use it? Well, what makes this option different is its user interface. It packs so many photo editing functions, yet it is easy to navigate and use.
Camera+ 2 also has a few surprises that other apps don’t have, such as the Depth Range Control. This feature only shows up when you take a portrait photo with a dual-lens camera phone.
It’s a perfect tool to let you apply presets that only affect the foreground or the background.
You also have to remember that Camera+ 2’s camera and editing tools are so useful, and they do a great job creating pro results from smartphone images. Having all those photo perks plus the in-app filters make this app unbeatable.
Instagram filter app Camera+ 2’s icon
- Canva
Are you the type of person who likes to add filters and inspiring quotes or graphics to photos on Instagram? Then Canva is worth a test.
Canva edits photos. But it doesn’t have as many features as the other options on this list. But that is a good thing, especially if you don’t want to waste too much time learning how to apply filters on your phone.
This app has a simple user interface and minimal controls for photo editing. First, it lets you choose which format you’d like to use for your photo. It automatically resizes images for Instagram posts and even rectangular Instagram stories.
From there, you can apply filters and necessary exposure adjustments. It doesn’t have a big collection of presets. But at the same time, it’s not as overwhelming to use as its counterparts.
One aspect where Canva shines is its ability to let you add text and graphics to your photos. Sure, its competitors can do that as well, but this app makes everything quicker and easier.
Once you select the filter you want, you then have the option to choose a graphic. All you have to do is pick which one you want to add and drag it around the photo to place it wherever you desire.
When you get to create a vibrant preset with a cool quote to go with it, then you know you have a winner.
Instagram filter app Canva’s icon
- Filmm
Most of the Instagram apps we mentioned here focus more on photo editing than videos.
Of course, a few Insta apps offer video filters, such as VSCO and Canva. But none of them exclusively deal with Instagram story filters and colour grading.
With Filmm, we now get to experiment with all sorts of film and old video emulations. With just one tap, you can create nostalgic videos that don’t feel artificial at all.
Filmm boasts realistic dust and film scratches or even VHS distortions if you’re all about the 90s vibe. It also has film frames to make your Instagram stories look like Super 8 or 16mm footage. Of course, we can’t forget about the dozens of filters that make your videos pop!
Best filters on instagram
Best Filters on Instagram
Clarendon – The best Filter on Instagram
This one has a high-contrast effect and is slightly oversaturated. The Clarendon filter gives your picture a cool tint overall, but the skin tones stay warm and normal. Clarendon is the filter that looks good on any image of yours when you are not sure which one to use, be it a landscape image or portrait.
Sutro: Strong vignette filter
The edge of your picture is slightly darkened, while the middle is brightened. Sutro is also great for moody travel pictures because it adds drama to dark elements like storm clouds.
Hefe: Best Instagram filter for Scenaries
This filter instantly makes your picture clearer and more saturated with darker shadows. The landscapes of Hefe are breathtaking and otherworldly, ideal for mountains, skyscrapers, and the setting sun.
Renegade
A photographer built this stunning filter. It’s easy to find using the account @bryant. The RENEGADE filter is used to apply a light filter to your images, making it appear as though the weather was always sunny.
Stories from the Movies 7
Your glass-like camera gets a little “worn” style in this filter, giving it a vintage effect. In your images and videos, Cinema STORIES 7 will be very dramatic.
Boho Filters
This storey filter has multiple options, and depending on your mood, you can adjust the mode of your picture or video as required.
Pink Preset 2
This filter gives an effect of different seasons and also gives a feel of slowing down time.
Tokyo: Amazing Black and White Filter
When you need to douse the colour, the Tokyo filter makes it simple and beautiful. On Instagram Stories, the only black and white filter is Tokyo. For the best result, it also introduces dramatic shadows and bright whites.
Conclusion
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