Instagram is a platform that relies heavily on visually appealing and catchy content. So, content creators and those with business accounts need to ensure that their pictures stand out among a sea of media posted by millions of other users. The right Instagram filters, photo and video editing apps, and top Instagram photo editor tools can make an Instagram feed stand out. Most such tools are cost-efficient and easy to use.
VSCO
This is one of the most feature-loaded editing tools, and it comes with numerous filters and advanced image manipulation capabilities. For these reasons, VSCO is among the most popular professional photo editors, and users use them to fine-tune their posts. Some of VSCO’s highlights include film-inspired filters that replicate the look of old-school analog photography; its 200+ presets; the availability of sub-tools to make extensive adjustments to the exposure, contrast, saturation, white balance, and background clarity of images; its built-in camera tool to manually control shutter speed, focus, and ISO and capture Instagram-ready pics directly within the app; and the tool’s shared platform for users to connect with other creatives.
VSCO’s non-premium version, which comes with a limited selection of tools and presets, is also a popular option for those just starting their content creation journey. In the paid version, users can purchase a membership at $19.99 per year to unlock this app’s full suite of advanced editing tools, presets, and exclusive educational content.
Adobe Lightroom
Users looking for mobile photo editing apps for Instagram will find very few tools as all-encompassing and resourceful as Lightroom. This app has several mobile presets that make photo editing and posting quick for users. Other useful features of Lightroom include multiple options for image color correction, specific color editing, temperature adjustment, contrast correction, and exposure modifications. Many users use this app’s color slider functionality to modify specific hues in different objects in a given image.
Like VSCO, this app is available in multiple variants. Unlike other editing apps, this free version has multiple advanced features and tools. Lightroom Premium, its paid version, unlocks cloud storage, syncing capabilities, and advanced editing tools for users at a monthly price of $4.99. The Creative Cloud Photography Plan from Adobe, the tool’s parent company, costs $9.99 per month and provides users access to all image-editing tools, including Adobe Photoshop and 20GB of cloud storage, in addition to Lightroom Premium.
Facetune
This popular editing software is intuitive, feature-loaded, and quick, which is why a lot of Instagram users rely on it. This app allows users to subtly alter certain aspects of their face, body, or surroundings without being too apparent. For this reason, people use Facetune to enhance their images even after applying presets from other apps to them.
FaceTune has three major highlights. Its patch tool helps users get rid of skin spots, particles, and breakouts to make minute modifications to specific areas on their pictures while keeping other areas untouched. The detail tool does the opposite: it lets users select certain spaces or spots in a picture and then makes those areas “pop” out more than their surroundings. Finally, the smooth tool acts as an airbrush/photoshop to make grainy/harsh images smoother and more visually appealing.
Most users find Facetune’s free version useful, but the $7.99 monthly VIP subscription is a worthwhile investment. This version unlocks access to all features, filters, premium tools, and updates without including watermarks and ads.
Foodie
Many Instagram users post pictures of delectable dishes and recipes for their followers. Foodie is an app that makes the images of meals and ingredients appear visually appealing. This app offers filters, multiple presets, and a smart guide feature to make food image editing quicker and more effective for posting on social media platforms. Some of the best attributes of this app include its fluid and customizable interface, which users will find easy to use after a few instances of logging in. Foodie is a free tool, which means users don’t have to make in-app purchases or subscriptions.
Canva
Users seeking AI-powered photo editors for Instagram can check out Canva for the best results for their images. This app uses algorithms to generate real-world designs for invitations, CVs, and social media posts. One of the well-publicized AI-driven features of this app is “Magic Design,” which allows users to enter written prompts to create brand-new templates and make extensive changes to media. For instance, individuals can use Magic Design to change or add backgrounds to photos intended for Instagram posts. This feature and Canva’s “Magic Eraser” make Canva a popular choice for photo retouching on Instagram, particularly as a powerful background remover app.
Canva Premium is worth buying, as it offers many AI tools and drastically higher usage limits to users for just $15 per month.
These apps are great for content creators and businesses with Instagram pages who rely on their Instagram audience for sales. Those who are just starting out can use the free versions of these apps or opt for a one-month trial for the premium version. Some apps only offer a trial period between one and three weeks, so users should review the terms and conditions before signing up for a premium subscription.