Below are some apps that will help you edit your Instagram photos so they’re extra-polished and professional looking. We’ve chosen the ones that can help you take your photos to the next level—whether it’s adding filters, creating collages, improving the quality of your photo, or playing with reviews.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Instagram Photos
- VSCO (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it:
VSCO photo editing app
Source: VSCO on Apple Store
VSCO is one of the original and most popular photo-editing apps. In fact, it’s so popular that more than 200 million Instagram posts feature the #VSCO hashtag.
There are 10 free preset filters that make your phone-shot photos appear as though they were captured on film. There are also a range of photo-editing tools available to help elevate your photo quality, like contrast and saturation to enhance your photos, grain which adds texture to photos, and crop and skew tools which alter the perspective of your photos.
For more than 200 preset filters and advanced photo-editing tools, upgrade from the free version of this Instagram app to become a VSCO member.
- Avatan Photo Editor (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it:
Avatan Photo Editor
Source: Avatan Photo Editor on Apple Store
As well as offering effects and filters to lay over your original photo, Avatan Photo Editor makes it easy to retouch photos and create your own customized effects for photos. The basic version of this photo-editing app is free, although there’s the option for additional features or advanced tools by making in-app purchases.
- Snapseed (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it:
Snapseed JPG and RAW files photo editing app
Source: Snapseed on App Store
With this photo-editing Instagram app, you can work on both JPG and RAW files making it a powerful tool for professional photographers.
Beyond filtering your photos using its presets, you can perform serious photo-editing tasks in Snapseed. There are 29 tools and features, allowing you to edit photos by removing elements (or even people) from the photo, adjust the geometry of buildings, use curves to control the brightness of your image, and enhance images with incredible precision.
- Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it:
Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor
Source: Adobe Lightroom on App Store
Adobe products are known for their powerful photo-editing capabilities, and the Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor app is no exception. Capture and edit raw images using the app’s editing tools and elevate photos to a professional quality by adjusting their hue, saturation, exposure, shadows and more.
Try out its preset filters, get inspired by edits other Lightroom users have made using its Discover section. And learn from the interactive tutorials to take your photo-editing skills up a notch.
- A Color Story (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it:
A Color Story
Source: A Color Story on Google Play
This photo-editing app is all about making the colors in your photos pop. There are 20 free editing tools, as well as filters, effects and presets designed by professional photographers and influencers. There are also some advanced editing tools, and its Instagram grid planning preview tool helps you ensure your brand’s Instagram grid looks unified and cohesive.
Instagram layout apps
- Instagram Grid Hootsuite integration
Why you should try it:
Instagram grid layount design toold
Source: Hootsuite app directory
Create a grid of up to nine images and publish them to your Instagram account directly from your Hootsuite dashboard. You can schedule your grids in advance, and publish them when your audience is the most active on Instagram.
Note: Instagram Grid currently only works with personal Instagram accounts. Business accounts are not supported at this time.
- Layout From Instagram (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it:
Layout From Instagram photo editing app
Source: Layout From Instagram on App Store
Create collages easily using this free Instagram app, compiling up to nine photos in various combinations. Pick photos from your library or shoot as you go using the app’s built-in photo booth. Layout makes it easy to create different collage layouts, pair the collage with filters and add other personalized elements, and share to Instagram.
- A Design Kit (iOS)
Why you should try it:
A Design Kit photo editor
Source: A Design Kit on App Store
This Instagram app comes from the makers of A Color Story. Use it to personalize and customize the content on your Instagram feed by layering stickers, fonts, designs and textures over your photos. The app boasts over 60 different fonts, more than 200 collage layouts and more than 200 design options. And the realistic brushes and different backgrounds, like metallics, marble and speckle, will add texture and depth to your photos.
- AppForType (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it:
AppForType typography Instagram app
Source: AppForType on App Store
This is one of the best Instagram apps for lovers of typography. As well as offering designs, frames and collage templates, AppForType has 60 font choices to lay over your brand’s photo. What really makes this Instagram app stand out is how you can take a photo of your own handwriting and upload it to the app.
- Grid and Square Maker (Android)
Why you should try it:
Bonus: 14 Time-Saving Hacks for Instagram Power Users. Get the list of secret shortcuts Hootsuite’s own social media team uses to create thumb-stopping content.
Download now
Grid and Square Maker
Source: Grid and Square Maker on Google Play
Grid and Square Maker will turn any photo into a grid for Instagram, equally splitting that photo into multiple square images while maintaining a high resolution. This might be used by your brand to create anticipation around a big announcement.
As well as being a grid photo maker, Grid and Square Maker also turns photos into panoramic images and crops images into the perfect square to fit Instagram’s format.
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.
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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.
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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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