Must Have Photo Editing Apps for Instagram

Popular Apps to Boost Your Instagram

As you may already know, there is so much that can go into a single photo before it gets posted on social media! I, myself, have a tool box of apps that I keep on my phone just in case my photo idea needs an extra boost to make it appear exactly as I want. In a visual world full of content creators and influencers, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest apps for Instagram that will help your feed look perfect. In most cases, these apps have helped boost my engagement on Instagram!

Photo Editing Apps

Before you start going crazy with your photos, the most important step is to get the correct lighting and colors. On my Lauryncakes Instagram feed, I work hard to keep the color palette cohesive. It’s all about my branding! To do this, I use many of the apps below to correct photo brightness, add filters or presets, or sharpen.

Lightroom Mobile

Each and every one of my photos that gets posted to my feed goes through Lightroom editing! Typically, I use Lightroom on my desktop, but the mobile version is also handy for on the go! If you are traveling and don’t want to lug around a heavy camera, Lightroom Mobile can be used to take RAW photos (called DNG in the app). A RAW photo simply means that more color data is collected when a photo is taken, offering a wider range of color editing! I prefer to take all my photos in RAW and then use the same two presets to achieve the Lauryncakes color scheme… and Lightroom does both of those! 

Cost: Free! If you want to add a preset to use, you may have to buy that (unless you create your own or find free ones online).

VSCO

Back in the day before I processed each photo with a preset, I used to use VSCO religiously! VSCO is similar to Lightroom in that it is a way to add filters and change photo colors. You can upload any photo into the app and choose from tons of different filters. You can also edit the brightness, sharpness, contrast, etc.

Cost: Free if you use the filters automatically provided. The app has the option to buy (one time fee) other filter packs.

SnapSeed

In my opinion, SnapSeed app is like Photoshop lite. When I take a photo on my phone and need to adjust anything, SnapSeed is the app I go to! It’s great for fixing lighting problems such as luminance. It is also awesome for fixing perspective and crop. My favorite part is that you can selectively edit brightness in this app!

Cost: Free!

Touch Retouch

Hopefully you have seen my InstaStories sharing how I edit with Touch Retouch. Most people say that it is relaxing to watch, or even go as far as to say it is ASMR! If you have every taken a photo in a busy place and had people walk into your photo, this is the app for you! Similar to the Healing Brush in Photoshop, this tool can get rid of unwanted objects and make it match the surroundings. Its fabulous for cleaning up the ground from gum and trash in your photos! The above photograph had people in it before I used this app to edit them out.

Cost: $1.99 one time fee

Apps to Add Photo LightingEffects

RNI Films

You know how it’s trendy to add flecks of dust to your photos and make them look vintage? This is the app that allows you to do it on the go! You can have it randomly choose which dust overlay you want and you can choose the opacity.

Cost: Free, with option to purchase more.

Presco Overlay

Have you ever wanted to make your photo pop with lens flares, bokeh, steam, or even snow? Presco Overlay is an app that lets you do all of the those effects! The above photo shows the editing before and after use of sun flare effects and lighting added into the photo using the app + Lightroom preset.

Cost: Free!

Alien Sky

While the previous app is good for effects of natural phenomenon, Alien Sky is perfect for sci-fi and spacial effects! It allows you to add moons, planets, suns, and stars! One of my favorite apps to play around with. The photo below is a before and after edit using Lightroom presets and then adding Alien Sky objects!

Cost: $4.99 one time fee + in app purchase options

Animation Apps

Pixa Loop

You know how some people have a still image, but one part of the image (like the clouds) move? Pixa Loop is the app they are using to animate a part of their photos! These are often called motion stills.

Cost: Free!

Life Lapse

If you’re looking to animate your photos and create a stop-motion video, Life Lapse is the perfect option! They even allow you to adjust timing. I haven’t posted any stop motion films from this app, but I have had fun playing around with it!

Cost: Free!

Slow Fast Slow

Often, I find myself wanting to slow down or speed up a video… and Slow Fast Slow app does just that! This app controls the speed of your videos for your feed OR your stories.

Cost: Free!

Are you already using any of these apps?

Tell me which ones below!