While the Instagram app itself gives tons of useful functionality, typically you need a little bit extra help to take things to the next stage.
Luckily for marketers, there is no shortage of tools designed to up your Instagram game. Actually, there are so many that it could be overwhelming to attempt to figure out what will work best for your needs.
In this guide, we have compiled the best Instagram apps in 4 important categories:
- Photo editing: Edit and resize your pictures.
- Layout and design: Create collages, creative layouts, and graphics.
- Video tools: Capture, design, and edit videos.
- Audience engagement, analytics, and data: Engage your prospects, develop your audience, and track your outcomes.
There are plenty of great apps for Instagram Stories, too, of course, however, we have tackled these in a separate blog post dedicated to the best apps for Instagram Stories.
Some of the tools in this post are free, some are freemium (the base product is free, however, additional features cost money), and others cost money upfront or have an ongoing monthly fee.
When you are just getting began, try the free tools first to get a sense of what you need, then move on to more robust paid tools when you’re ready to get your Instagram game to the next level.
17 of the best Instagram apps for marketers
Photo editing
1. VSCO
Price: Free for basic or $19.99 USD/year for VSCO membership with additional features
Download: iOS or Android
Why you need to try it
VSCO is one of the original and most prevalent mobile photo-editing apps. It’s so prevalent, in fact, that almost 195 million Instagram posts function the #VSCO hashtag. The free version comes with 10 presets that make your phone-shot photos look like they were captured on film, along with photo-editing tools like contrast and grain.
2. Snapseed
Price: Free
Download: iOS or Android
Why you should try it
Developed by Google, this precision photo-editing Instagram app works on both JPG and RAW files, making it a powerful tool for pro photographers. Beyond filtering your images, you could perform serious photo-editing tasks like removing elements (or even people) from the image, adjusting the geometry of buildings, and utilizing curves to control the brightness of your picture.
3. A Color Story
Price: Free with limited features, or $24.99/yr for full access to all filters, effects, and tools
Download: iOS or Android
Why you need to try it
Having been named both “App of the Day” and “Best New App” by Apple, A Color Story offers filters and presets designed by pro photographers and influencers. There are also some advanced editing tools, and you could make and save custom filters to develop a unique brand look. Grid planning tools allow you to ensure your entire Instagram grid is unified and cohesive.
4. Priime
Price: $2.99, with in-app purchases for additional presets
Download: iOS only
Why you need to try it
When you need a high-end, professional-grade editor that could tackle RAW and non-RAW images, consider Priime. This powerful Instagram app delivers more colors as well as maximum resolution to your saved images. It also edits live photos, that means the same effects are utilized to the motion portion.
Not a post-production expert? No problem. Priime offers smart style ideas based on a photo’s unique colors, content, and format.
Layout and design apps
5. Layout from Instagram
Price: Free
Download: iOS or Android
Why you need to try it
Developed by Instagram, Layout is a feature-rich, super-simple photo mixer that instantly “lays out” up to 9 images in various combinations to form a collage. You could choose images from your camera roll or shoot as you go with the built-in photo booth. Then it’s a matter of adjusting the dimensions of each box, including filters, and uploading.
6. Adobe Spark Post
Price: There’s a free starter plan that includes basic features. Paid individual ($9.99/mo) and business ($19.99/mo) plans offer more features and collaboration functions.
Download: iOS or Android
Why you need to try it
Combine your images with Adobe’s layouts and fonts to make creative graphics perfect for sharing on Instagram. When you are lacking images of your own, you could also choose from thousands of free photos directly within this Instagram app. You could also make graphics that incorporate no photos at all for an eye-catching method to share text-based posts on a visual social network.
7. A Design Kit
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases for extra features.
Download: iOS only
Why you need to try it
From the makers of A Color Story, this design Instagram app is full of fonts to customize your posts. It’s also it’s got loads of unique stickers specially made for the app by talented illustrators. Perhaps most importantly, it’s got lots of brushes, from markers to pencils, so you could get on trend by drawing on your Instagram images.
8. PromoRepublic
Price: Free
Download: Hootsuite App Directory
Why you need to try it
PromoRepublic offers you access to over 100,000 templates and pictures, with content suggestions and post ideas based on your industry. There are also templates for events, holidays, trends, and particular occasions—including obscure dates like National Bacon Day or National Vision Board Day. WIth the PromoRepublic Hootsuite app integration, you could access and share PromoRepublic content directly from your Hootsuite dashboard.