photo by Cinema of Poetry

If you’re ready to take your Instagram account to the next level, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created a list of our favorite Instagram apps that will elevate your posts and make your social media life just a little easier. Long gone are the days of editing your images on your desktop before posting with your phone. These 17 Instagram apps will help streamline your workflow and give you useful tools right at your fingertips. 

Below are 17 useful apps to help with all your Instagram needs, from making reels to tracking analytics.

Photo Editing Instagram Apps

1. Lightroom

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free with the option to purchase upgraded tools.

This app provides the Lightroom desktop software tools you know and love in the convenience of your phone. It’s a must-have for wedding photographers on the go.

2. VSCO

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: It’s free to download and use with limited functionality. Their annual membership is available for $29.99.

VSCO is one of the most popular photo editing apps available and for good reason. This app offers quality photo editing tools, premium filters, and a unique community to share and interact with. Once a member, you also have access to a library of over 200 presets.

3. Afterlight 

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free with in-app purchases and upgrades. 

The Afterlight app offers fast, pain-free photo editing. But just because it’s easy to use doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful–this app offers RAW image support along with multiple fine-tuning tools.They also just released vintage film presets that give your photos that cool, nostalgic feel.

4. Snapseed

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free.

Snapseed is Google’s mobile photo editing app and was one of the first to support RAW image files. This Instagram app boasts 29 tools to enhance your images and create your own presets. It’s a reliable and completely free service. 

5. Photoshop Express

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free with in-app upgrades.

The same Photoshop software used by millions of creatives is also available as a mobile app. This app makes complex edits super simple–all from your phone.  

photo by Translucent Photography

Design and Layout Instagram Apps

6. Layout

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free.

For collages and unique photo layouts, Layout is the popular go-to app. It was built by Instagram, after all. With Layout, you can easily transform up to nine photos from your camera roll into one, shareable image. 

7. Canva

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free with in-app purchases.

Canva Pro is fundamental to our Photobug workflow. We love the desktop version and the mobile app is just as useful. You can create graphics, remove backgrounds, and edit photos and videos all on this one magical app. It’s also great for creating highlight covers.

8. Unfold

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: The basic version is free. Unfold+ is available for $2.99/month.

Unfold is a toolkit for storytellers and beloved by many influencers. With hundreds of templates, photo editing tools, and a bio site builder, this platform has both aesthetics and substance. 

9. A Design Kit

Platform: iOS
Price: The free version gives you limited access. Their membership, ADK+, is available for $3.99/month.

A Design Kit was built by the same team that created A Color Story (another popular photo editing app). With A Design Kit, you can make cute designs for Stories or your main feed using their multiple templates, brushes, stickers, and more.

10. Storyluxe

Platform: iOS
Price: Free to download with in-app purchases.

When it comes to elevating your Instagram Stories, look no further than Storyluxe. It has over 700 photo and video templates to take your Stories to the next level.

photo by Shari and Mike

Video Editing and Reels Apps

11. InShot

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: There is a free version available, while InShot Pro pricing starts at $3.99/month.

This app has an intuitive and flexible interface that makes video editing easy. It’s perfect for any wedding photographer who is new to making Reels for Instagram. 

12. KineMaster

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free version has limited tools, while their membership price starts at $4.99/month.

KineMaster helps you make professional-quality videos fast. It’s a great Instagram app to have as a business owner for any promotional content you may want to post.

13. Splice

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: There is a free version with basic editing tools. For advanced editing features, subscription is $9.99/month.

Splice has all the power of a desktop video editor boiled down into a mobile app. Before you know it you’ll be creating shareable, top-quality Reels with ease.

photo by Gaby Scheer Photo

Planning and Analytics Apps

14. Later

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Their free membership offers limited scheduling. Membership starts at $18/month. 

Looking for a way to schedule your Instagram posts? Later is a social media management app that allows you to schedule posts to auto-publish ahead of time. Their latest feature allows you to schedule your Reels, too.

15. Buffer

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Tiered pricing with a free membership available. 

Buffer is another social media management app option at a more affordable price. This app was built specifically to help small businesses with social media planning. It’s an all-in-one mobile planner that includes a calendar, scheduler, and place to view post performance.

16. Iconosquare

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: After a 14-day free trial, membership prices start at $49.99/month.

The key to growing your following is understanding your audience. This app is both a management suite and analytics tool. With Iconosquare, you can access exclusive analytics and performance numbers to grow your account and even track hashtag success. 

17. Flick

Platform: iOS and Android
Price: A 7-day free trial is available, and then plans start at around $10.00/month.

Flick is one of the top hashtag generators out there. Once you find your perfect hashtags, they make it easy to create a set you can save and use again and again. But beyond hashtags, they’ve recently expanded into other marketing and analytics tools.

There you have it–17 Instagram apps to take your account to the next level. Are you looking for other ways to upgrade your business? Check out this post to help you find and hire your perfect freelancers.  

photo by Meggy Mac Photography