Top 12 Best Apps For Instagram Editing: Photos + Videos
No really, we’re obsessed with these apps.
Let's talk editing apps. Because while your iPhone camera is great, it's the editing that turns a good photo into a scroll-stopping moment. As a social media agency that's helped brands achieve up to 9,244% growth in engagement, we know a thing or two about what works.
Here's our curated list of the best editing apps that actually deliver results — no fluff, just the tools we use daily for our clients.
Quick Reference GuidE ↓
Best Photo Editing Apps That We Love 📷
1. Adobe Lightroom Mobile
What we love: This app is the real deal for professional editing. The ability to create and save custom presets means you can maintain consistent branding across all your content. Plus, the selective adjustment tools let you perfect specific areas without affecting the whole image.
Key features:
Advanced color correction
Preset management
Selective adjustments
Cloud syncing
Pricing: Free version available, Premium from $9.99/month
Best for: Businesses serious about their visual brand
2. VSCO
What we love: When you need that perfect aesthetic but don't want to spend hours editing, VSCO delivers. The filters are subtle enough for professional use but powerful enough to transform your images. We especially love how you can adjust the filter strength for the perfect balance.
Key features:
Film-inspired filters
Basic editing tools
Content planning features
Creative community
Pricing: Free version available, Premium $19.99/year
Best for: Achieving that cohesive feed aesthetic
3. Snapseed
What we love: Don't let the "free" tag fool you — this Google-created app packs a serious punch. The selective adjustment tool is a game-changer for precise edits, and the healing tool makes removing unwanted elements look like magic. Perfect for businesses wanting pro results without the subscription.
Key features:
29 tools and filters
Selective adjust tool
RAW photo editing
Custom presets
Pricing: Completely free
Best for: Advanced editing without the subscription
4. Facetune
What we love: Whether you're touching up professional headshots or making products pop, Facetune makes it easy. We appreciate how the tools are intuitive enough for beginners but detailed enough for pros. Just remember: subtle adjustments keep things looking natural and professional.
Key features:
Portrait retouching
Background editing
Light manipulation
Texture tools
Pricing: Free version available, Premium from $3.99/month
Best for: Portrait enhancement and product photography
5. Apple + Google Photos
What we love: Sometimes the best tool is the one you already have. Both Apple and Google Photos have seriously stepped up their editing game, offering surprisingly powerful adjustments right in your native photos app. Perfect for those quick edits when you need content posted ASAP.
Key features:
Basic adjustments
Auto-enhancement
Portrait mode editing
Built-in filters
Pricing: Free with device
Best for: Quick edits on the go
Video Editing Apps That We Love 🎬
6. CapCut
What we love: This is the secret weapon behind many of those polished Reels you're seeing. The text animation features are incredibly intuitive, and the built-in sound library is always current with trending audio. Best part? It exports in high quality without watermarks, which is crucial for professional content.
Key features:
Multi-track editing
Trending effects
Sound library
Text animation
Pricing: Free
Best for: Creating engaging Reels and TikTok’s
7. InShot
What we love: When you need to create quick, professional-looking video content without the learning curve, InShot is your friend. The aspect ratio adjustments are seamless (perfect for repurposing content across platforms), and the transition effects actually look professional. We especially appreciate how easy it is to layer multiple audio tracks.
Key features:
Easy aspect ratio adjustment
Professional transitions
Music library
Text and sticker options
Pricing: Free version with watermark, Pro from $3.99/month
Best for: Quick video edits and platform adaptation
8. TikTok's Native Editor
What we love: Don't sleep on TikTok's built-in editing features. The platform consistently rolls out new effects and transitions before anyone else, and the auto-caption feature is surprisingly accurate. Plus, the timing tools make it easy to sync your content to music — a game-changer for trending audio.
Key features:
Built-in effects library
Auto-captions
Music synchronization
Trending filters
Pricing: Free with platform
Best for: Creating native-looking social content
9. Adobe Premiere Rush
What we love: Think of it as Premiere Pro's more approachable cousin. You get professional-grade color correction and audio mixing in a mobile-friendly package. The ability to sync projects across devices means you can start editing on your phone and finish on desktop without missing a beat.
Key features:
Professional color grading
Cross-device syncing
Multi-track timeline
Motion graphics templates
Pricing: Free version available, Premium from $9.99/month with Creative Cloud
Best for: Professional video editing on the go
All-in-One Apps (Both Photo + Video) ✨
10. Canva
What we love: This is our go-to for a reason. The template library is enormous, and the brand kit feature keeps your visual identity consistent across all content. What really sets it apart is how it handles both static and video content equally well. The collaboration features make client approvals a breeze.
Key features:
Extensive template library
Brand kit management
Photo and video editing
Team collaboration tools
Pricing: Free version available, Pro from $12.99/month
Best for: Creating cohesive brand content
11. Tezza
What we love: If you're looking to create that coveted cohesive aesthetic without spending hours editing, Tezza is your answer. The presets are actually stylish (not those overdone Instagram filters), and the video features are surprisingly robust. We love how it helps maintain a consistent look across both photos and videos.
Key features:
Unique preset collections
Video editing tools
Custom filters
Real-time editing
Pricing: Free version available, Premium from $3.99/month
Best for: Creating a consistent brand aesthetic
12. Prequel
What we love: When you want to add some creative flair without going overboard, Prequel hits the sweet spot. The effects and filters are unique without being gimmicky, and they're constantly adding new ones that actually work for business content. It's especially great for creating eye-catching Stories and Reels covers.
Key features:
Artistic filters and effects
Video editing capabilities
Story templates
Regular updates with new effects
Pricing: Free version available, Premium from $4.99/month
Best for: Adding creative elements to content
Pro Tips for Choosing Your Editing Stack 💡
Start with the basics: Pick one photo editor and one video editor you love and master them.
Consider your content mix: If you're heavy on video, invest in robust video editing tools.
Think about your workflow: Choose apps that work well together.
Test the free versions first: Many apps offer robust features without the premium price tag.
The Bottom Line?
Here's the thing about editing apps: they're tools, not magic wands. The best app is the one that fits your workflow and helps you maintain consistency in your content. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your content game, focus on mastering a few key tools rather than downloading every app available.
Remember: quality over quantity. It's better to create three beautifully edited posts a week than seven mediocre ones. (Trust us, we've got the data to prove it!)
Ready to Take Your Social Media Beyond the Apps?
While these apps are great tools, they're just one piece of the social media puzzle. If you're ready to transform your social media from pretty to performing, let's talk about how our team of specialists can help you create content that not only looks good but drives real business results.
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WRITTEN BY:
Chelsea Evans-Flower
Founder + CEO