Are you looking to take your Instagram feed to the next level? We have tried and tested several options over the years to break down the best Instagram photo editing apps you can use to enhance your account and make you look like a pro! Ready to get more followers and engagement?
Instagram is one of our favorite social media platforms, but it isn’t without its flaws! With its constantly changing algorithm, it can be hard for even the best and biggest bloggers and influencers to get their content in front of the right eyes. Add in the fact that one BILLION people use the app, and you can understand how it can be really hard to set yourself apart from the herd.
Instagram growth is all about creating beautiful content of value, being consistent in what you publish and when, and encouraging conversations and engagement with your followers. To do that, you need to post some attractive content!
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There are many ways to improve the looks of your feed and overall aesthetic; it’s just about taking the time to find the best tools at your disposal and learning at least the basics of photo editing.
Whether you are a content creator looking to improve your photo editing skills, or someone who simply likes to take pictures and wants to learn the basics, there are several apps available for free or at a small price. If you are looking for the best photo editing apps for iPhone or Android, you are sure to find something on this list!
Why should you edit your photos?
If you want to create what is commonly referred to as an “aesthetic,” your photos need to be consistent. When someone new visits your account, one of the first things they will do is scroll a mindlessly down your page without taking much time to actually open individual shots and admire your content.
Why do people bother scrolling if they aren’t going to open photos?
To get a feel for your look, or, aesthetic.
You have about 5 seconds and just a few rows on your grid to convince a new visitor to follow you. Sometimes, they won’t even look beyond the first three rows (9 photos). If your shots don’t mesh at a glance, or if they don’t stand out enough to make someone want to look more closely, chances are you aren’t getting a follow.
Maybe your photos are too dark, maybe they’re too washed out, or perhaps they’re just straight up bland. These days, follower counts (both the number of followers and how many you are following) tend to matter, so people may not want to give you a slot on their coveted following list if you just don’t stand out.
So, how CAN you stand out? You can edit with one or some of the following photo editing apps.
What is the best app for editing photos for Instagram?
Instagram editing apps can make even the most simple photo better. While the subject of your photos obviously matters quite a bit, you can truly take the most basic shot and make your followers wonder how a picture of a leaf could be so beautiful.
1. Afterlight 2 – $2.99
Afterlight is a crowd favorite due to its HUGE library of filters, and it’s many advanced effects and capabilities.
For example, you can separate RGB channels and create glitchy abstract effects, you can superimpose two pictures, and you can add a vintage touch or a film effect using natural textures (all examples pictured below).
You can also do the essential photo editing adjustments, like hue, saturation and lightness, and customize with typography and designs, with full layer control.
Filters can be applied with a single tap, making for a quick and easy edit.
Some quick facts:
- 70+ filters, and any additional filters will be included in future updates and will always be free
- Supports importing RAW images and exporting HEIC format
- Control curves, RGB, HSL
- Create your own filters
- Option to save settings to later apply to new photos
- Zoom while editing to view fine details.
- Frames, overlays and textures available
- Typography available, with 50+ fonts and a library of designs
- Available in 15 languages
Skill level: beginner (for filter use), intermediate (for more difficult adjustments)
Download Afterlight 2 for Apple here.
2. A Color Story – FREE (offers in-app purchases)
A Color Story has the greatest library of them all, with 300+ filters, 100+ effects and 20+ tools! We LOVE this app and used it for years.
Not only can you choose from the massive amount of filters, but you can make your regular adjustments such as curves, clarity, contrast, brightness and more.
You can also use the grid to plan out what you are going to post on Instagram and in what order. The grid is a great way to make sure photos complement each other, further allowing you to create an eye-catching aesthetic.
The filters are sold by pack, usually somewhere between 8 and 15 filters by theme, costing about $2.99 to $3.99 each. You can pick and choose which packs you like and pay for them individually, or you can pay for an unlimited membership. The paid version is $2.08/month (or $24.99/yr) for complete access to ALL filters, effects and editing tools. Sounds like a lot, but trust me when I say it is SO worth it.
The free version gives you the essentials for filters and starters for effects, but all of the necessary photo adjustment tools are free.
Paid version quick facts:
- 300+ filters, categorized in miniature libraries
- 100+ effects, such as light leaks, flares, color fogs, and grain
- 20+ editing tools, including fully functioning curves and HSL
- Option to save settings to later apply to new photos
- Grid available to visualize your Instagram feed ahead of posting
- Batch editing
This app covers a whole lot of ground and is one of the best to use if your goal is to create a page that really pops!
Skill level: beginner
Download A Color Story here.
3. Snapseed – FREE
Snapseed is a Google product, so you already know it’s going to be good. This powerful photo editing tool is one of the best options for both Android and iOS, and is a personal favorite of ours.
While Snapseed does require a bit of practice, you do have the option to “auto edit” at the click of a button; the app will observe your photo and make its own judgement on what needs to be tweaked. This may be the perfect solution for some, but if you are shooting for a theme, you will want to learn how to use the adjustment options like exposure, contrast, temperature, saturation, etc.
In addition to the self-editing option, there are filters such as glamour glow, lens blur, noir and HDR scape.
Some quick facts:
- 29 tools and filters
- Saves and holds high resolution rather than compressing your photo on export
- 50,000,000+ downloads
- Option to save settings to later apply to new photos
- Available in 40 languages
Skill-level: Intermediate
Download Snapseed for Apple here, and Google Play here.
4. VSCO – FREE (offers in-app purchases)
VSCO is a simple photo editing app that Instagrammers love. With a combination of free and paid presets, users have a vast selection to choose from.
This app also doubles as a social platform in its own way, with the option to follow other creators and share your images with the community. We’ve not used the app for this purpose, but we can imagine it would be nice if your focus is less on engagement and more on simply putting your photography out there.
Free version quick facts:
- Basic VSCO Presets
- Standard editing tools, like contrast, grain and saturation
- Discover content in community spotlights
- Option to save settings to later apply to new photos
Paid version quick facts:
- 130+ VSCO Presets
- Film emulation presets, like Kodak, Agfa, and Ilford
- Advanced photo editing tools, like HSL and borders
- Video coloring
- Weekly photo challenges
VSCO is free to use but there are paid filters available as well.
Download VSCO for Apple here, and Android here.
5. Adobe Lightroom CC – FREE (offers in-app purchases)
Adobe has always set the photo editing bar high, and they didn’t fail to do it again when they launched the mobile version of Lightroom.
As more and more major influencers and photographers launch and sell Lightroom presets (like a filter, but you can adjust various elements of the settings rather than just toggling the intensity of the filter as a whole), regular Instagram users can now achieve the same aesthetic as their favorite accounts on their own feed with this photo editing app.
But Lightroom is much more than presets. This app is as powerful as you’d hope, if you’re at all familiar with the OG desktop version. While there are certainly some limitations on a mobile device, you can still accomplish the essentials, and then some!
Skill level: intermediate (for the basics), advanced (for more in-depth editing)
Download Adobe Lightroom CC for Apple here, and Android here.
6. FaceTune – $3.99
If you’re a lover of selfies, FaceTune allows you to airbrush your skin to make it appear more smooth, whiten your teeth, readjust the size of your face, and more.
Just don’t overdo it, because it can be obvious!
Other than the “facelift” options, the app is incredibly basic.
This app doesn’t have any of the light and color adjustment tools that you would need to manipulate the overall appearance of a photograph. If you want to use this app to get rid of blemishes and whiten up your teeth, we would recommend using it in conjuntion with one of the above apps.
Skill level: beginner
7. BeFunky
This app is fun because you can touch up your images but also add in cool effects that you don’t find in most photo editing tools.
There is clip art, text options, frames, overlays and much more!
This is a great choice for beginners who just want to clean up their content and get a basic understanding of how to edit photos.
Skill level: beginner
Take your feed to the next level with some of the best Instagram photo editing apps! Use just one or use various features from a variety; it all comes down to your preferred look!
