First off, a big “congratulations” is in order to the revolutionary and fastest growing tech company the world, Instagram. We wanted to focus an entire post on Instagram as it’s recent popularity has been incredible. It has also joined the advertising game with it’s recent launch of sponsored posts, which have stirred up quite some controversy. If there’s one site our social media team can’t seem to stay off, it’s Instagram so we wanted to share our favourite photo editing Instagram apps to give you a sneak peek behind the scenes.
Before we jump into this post, let’s take a minute to look at how Instagram is stacking up in the world of Social Media. Recently, Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s quarterly results and the numbers are staggering. To get you up to speed here is a quick overview of the stats via Zuckerberg’s released infographic:
You read that right. 400 million monthly users. With this information in mind, it’s pretty safe to say that Instagram is one of the main networks you should be using as part of your social media strategy, whether it be for personal or professional use. So without further adieu, let’s look at some essential apps you should have in order to make your Instagram posts look like a pro’s!
8 Essential Photo Editing Instagram Apps
1. SnapSeed
SnapSeed is a simple, easy-to-us, and powerful application that brings professional grade photo-editing right to your fingertips. It’s available in the App Store and Google Play. The interface is presented in an easy fashion so all users can easily navigate through editing options. This is by far the most popular and recommended for beginner’s and expert’s who regularly use IG.
2. After light
After Light allows basic photo-editing techniques for anyone to perfect their image and share it quickly with all their friends. It has 74 unique filters, 78 natural textures and 128 frames all in one free app. The possibilities truly are endless with this one, and the best part is it’s available to everyone – even those on Window’s phones.
3. Camera+ ($2.99 iPhone and $4.99 iPad)
Camera+ helps you use your iPhone and iPad to shoot the best possible photos and share them with the world. This app is, again, for everyone from the Instagram first-timer to the seasoned veteran. One of the main differences with this app is that it actually replaces the original camera that is included with the iOS software, making it simple and easy to edit all the photos you take. One downfall, however, it is only available on iOS.
4. VSCO
VSCO is an art and technology company based in Oakland, California. A quote from Business Insider states, “VSCO Cam allows users to transform bland photos into gallery-worthy artistic images.” The app doesn’t contain much text and has a steep learning curve but once you get the hang of it, prepare for a new level of Instagram photo quality.
5. Hipstamatic ($0.99+ in App Store)
Hipstamatic contains a multitude of lenses and filters which range from simple and easy to extremely complex… Depending on how much you want to spend. While this app does have (a lot of) in-app purchases, it also has nearly unlimited combinations of what you can do and create. There’s even an app dedicated to viewing people’s creations made with Hipstamatic!
6. Mextures ($2.79 in App Store)
Mextures lets you create your own formula using 100’s of textures, film presets, and adjustments. Upon our research, Mexture has been dubbed the closest app in comparison to photoshop for the iPhone. It’s pretty damn cool and you’ll definitely want to check it out for yourself.
7. Quick
Quick, previously known as Overgram, brings beautiful typography to your photos. This tool allows you to easily generate, promote, market, sell, caption, comment, review, and tell a story on a photo. I personally love it for creating meme’s (but that’s my dirty little secret).
8. Instasize
Instasize has 6750 downloads with a 4-star rating in the app store, pretty impressive right? Here is the iTunes description: InstaSize is the best and, possibly the easiest, way to edit and post entire photos and videos (videos not available on iPhone 4 and iPad2). It uses professional film inspired filters, localized creative stickers and borders, perfect touch-up adjustments, and unique collage frames. It’s basically all the professional editing you need to create and share beautiful photos and videos.
You are basically a professional photographer now, you are welcome.
I haven’t pushed Instagram along yet, but this is a good place for me to start. I’m really a newbie.
Instagram is a lot of fun Cassara! Once you get the hang of it, there’s no turning back haha
This is a comprehensive list that I have been looking for…2016 editing Instagram app thanks for sharing.
So glad we could help you out Patrice! 🙂
I usually just use the filters on IG. I will check some of these out.
I do too Robin, but these apps open up a whole new world of possibilities 😉
I am going to have to check a few out then 🙂
I love photo editing apps and I’m just a tad obsessed with Instagram as well! I’ve used Camera+ and Snapseed in the past, and I’m currently trying out VSCO for the first time. That Hipstamatic looks like a fun one to play around with. Thanks for some more photo editing ideas!
I can relate Mimi! I have an Android so I haven’t used a lot of these apps but Josh has all of them on his phone haha I have VSCO as well though and I do like it!
I am terrible at photo editing but with these apps maybe I can fix that. will definitely be trying them out.
These apps make it super simple Rebecca!
Wow! I’m laughing a bit–the dog show world is famous for photo-shopping pics. So much so that I can never tell it’s the same dog in person!
But these are great–and show me how it’s done. Thank you!
Haha we definitely didn’t know that Susan! Glad we could shed a little light on it for you 😉
Fantastic apps I like the sound of snapseed I need to download that definitely!
That’s definitely one of our favourites Ana!
Great post!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am obsessed with VSCO but will deff try them all!
http://www.fashionovermatter.com
I like VSCO too Maria! Thanks for reading 🙂
WOAH! VCSO is the only app I’m familiar with. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of the other apps before. I should definitely try those!
There are so many apps out there Mai it’s impossible to know them all haha! These ones are a good place to start though 🙂
quick looks like an app that i would really like to try out
Quick is definitely one of the best Michelle!
Quick is one of my favorites!
I had no clue that these apps existed. I will definitely check some of these out. Thanks for sharing.
I know Brandi! There are so many out there it’s tough to know which ones to choose!
What a great apps. I so need this thanks for sharing this, it was a useful app for me
Awesome April! We’re glad you found one that you liked!
Yes, these apps will most certainly help me improve my blog. Thanks for sharing them.
So glad to hear that Claudette! Happy Instagramming!
Thanks for the list of IG apps, very cool!!
You’re very welcome, thank you for reading!
I didn’t know these apps existed. Thanks for sharing.
There’s so many out there it’s hard to keep track Maddie!
This is good. I have made a note to do better with my instagram account.
We hope you find one of these apps you really like Mardene!
I’m totally downloading these apps now – thanks for sharing them! I’m all about making my Instagram photos more beautiful.
That’s great! We hope you like a couple of them!
What a great app. I so need this, gonna check this out.
Great Nicole! Thanks for reading 🙂
I use quite a few of these apps already. Instagram is so fun! Probably my favorite social media channel.
Me too Mariana! 🙂
I have three of these and I’m actually rarely using them. I think I need to spend some time taking advantage of what they have to offer.
I found it hard to get into the habit of using them at first as well Liz. You have to make yourself do it 😉
I haven’t heard of these app. I will check them out. Thank you for sharing.
You’re very welcome! We hope you like some of them!
This is a fabulous post to refer to! I totally pinned this! Thank you so much for sharing these! 😀
Wonderful! We’re so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. I love finding new photo editing apps!
Me too Amber!
!! Don’t forget Line Camera! It’s free and has adjustable effects, text, borders, and collage settings! Plus, it can cross-post from the app to most major networking sites!
Ohhh I haven’t heard of that one Diana! Thanks for letting us know!! 🙂
I’ve been using it for years! They update it with free downloadable sticker and border packs too! (They do have some paid ones, but you can use all the filters without needing to pay!)
I love those apps… Vsco is the best but i don’t really it often.
Thanks for comment Rika!
Oh! I saw that instagram is rolling out a feature to allow people to manage multiple accounts at once. This pleases me 🙂
This will make all social media managers lives easier!
These are great photo-editing apps! Saved your post! Thank yo very much! Great images is essential1
Absolutely Eugenia and these make it quick and easy to make awesome photos 🙂
Glad to help Eugenia.
That is so helpful for those doing photography! I will share this.
Great! Glad you enjoyed it Lexie 🙂
Thank you Lexie!
I love IG and I always hear that the quality of pics is what makes people follow you. I’m looking forward to downloading these apps to see if it makes a difference.
They will certainly make a difference LaQuinda!
I need to check out these photo editing apps. They will make my life easier.
It takes time to learn each one but will drastically improve the quality of your photos.
I love using Instagram. I haven’t heard of any of these apps except for Instasize. Thanks for sharing.
There are many more which we will be posting about soon!
Wow, this is a great resource! Definitely have to bookmark for repeated reference. I am definitely not maximizing my Instagram account as well as I could be!
Thank K’lee.
quality post, the choice of apps for instagram are plentiful and this really helps define which are the good and useful ones. Thanks a bunch. Happy Snapping
Glad we could help out Andy.
Great apps. Thank you for sharing.