Best Apps to Create Images for Instagram Posts

Instagram is the only strong medium to express and communicate with people via impactful images on social media. Naturally then, the Instagram images that users use for their profiles are the most important part of their accounts. It is no more enough to just click a picture and upload it without any caption or location.

If you are not getting the expected number of Instagram views or Instagram followers, there may be some gaps in the way you create images for uploading on Instagram. For businesses especially, it should be a top priority for their Instagram profiles to have personalized, appealing and engaging images so as to attract the right set of potential clients.

Tips to Start with

Instagram pictures need to have a certain charisma for your followers and for users who spot you on the Instagram explore page. Here are some basic points to stick to no matter what tool you use to create your images for Instagram:
Never get engrossed into the concern of what the Instagram community defines as “good” or “bad” images. To maintain originality and attract followers at the same time, find something that you or your business identifies with.
Give a good time to the content you want to post before you begin editing or creating the image.
Always weigh the pros and cons of artificial and natural lighting for the particular image.
Don’t hesitate to utilise the grid view on your camera as it helps in perfect alignment and angle of the image.
. Your image needs to send out a message, so you have to make sure the subject of your image represents the motive behind your post and catches other people’s eye.
It’s good to incorporate a good palette of colours or shapes in the image.
A tool to help you create and edit your image is a good option to reach a particular expectation.

Dimensions for Instagram Posts

Before diving into design, it’s crucial to know the correct dimensions for Instagram posts. Here’s a quick guide:

Square Posts: 1080x1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Portrait Posts: 1080x1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
Landscape Posts: 1080x566 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)
Stories: 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)
Reels: 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)
Carousel Posts: Use the same dimensions as square, portrait, or landscape posts, but ensure consistency across all slides.

Best Instagram Scheduling Apps.

Outstanding

9.9

Canva is a web-based and mobile app that allows users to create designs using a drag-and-drop interface. It offers thousands of pre-designed templates for Instagram posts, stories, reels, and more. You can start with a blank canvas or choose from a variety of layouts.

Workflow

Select a template or start with a blank canvas.
Use the drag-and-drop editor to add elements like text, images, icons, and shapes.
Customize colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand.
Use the "Brand Kit" feature to save your brand colors, fonts, and logo for consistency.
Download your design in PNG or JPEG format, or share it directly to Instagram.

Unique Features

Magic Resize: Resize your design for different platforms (e.g., Instagram post to story) with one click.
Animation: Add subtle animations to your posts or stories.
Collaboration: Share your design with team members for real-time editing.

Drag-and-drop editor.
Thousands of templates for Instagram posts, stories, and reels.
Thousands of templates for Instagram posts, stories, and reels.
Collaboration tools for team projects.
Animation and video editing features.
Brand kit for consistent branding.

Brand kit for consistent branding.
Pro plan: 12.99/month or 119.99/year (unlocks premium templates, photos, and features).

Extremely user-friendly, even for beginners.
Vast library of templates and design elements.
Available on both desktop and mobile.
Collaboration features are great for teams.
Free plan is robust for basic needs.

Free plan is robust for basic needs.
Some premium assets require a subscription.
Can feel overwhelming due to the sheer number of options.

Outstanding

9.9

Adobe Spark, now rebranded as Adobe Express, is a professional design tool tailored for social media content. It integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud and offers customizable templates for Instagram posts, stories, and reels.

Workflow

Choose a template or start from scratch.
Customize the template with your own images, text, and branding elements.
Use Adobe Fonts and stock images to enhance your design.
Add animations or video elements if needed.
Export your design and upload it to Instagram.

Unique Features

Adobe Integration: Sync your designs with Adobe Creative Cloud for seamless editing across devices.
Branding Tools: Save your brand colors, logos, and fonts for consistent designs.
Video Editing: Create short videos or animations for Instagram Reels.

Customizable templates.
Access to Adobe Fonts and stock images.
Animation and video editing tools.
Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.
Branding tools for consistent visuals.

Free plan with basic features.
Premium plan: $9.99/month (unlocks premium templates, Adobe Fonts, and more).

High-quality, professional designs.
Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.
Great for branding and consistency.
Easy to use for both beginners and professionals.

Steeper learning curve compared to Canva.
Limited free templates and assets.
Requires a subscription for advanced features.

Outstanding

9.9

GoDaddy Studio is a mobile app designed for creating Instagram posts and stories with artistic elements. It focuses on text overlays, templates, and design tools to help users create visually appealing content.

Workflow

Open the app and select a template or start with a blank canvas.
Upload your photo and add text, stickers, or design elements.
Customize fonts, colors, and layouts.
Save your design and share it directly to Instagram.

Unique Features

Artistic Templates: Offers unique, artistic templates that stand out.
Text Overlays: Easily add and customize text with a variety of fonts.
On-the-Go Editing: Designed for quick, mobile-friendly edits.

Text overlays and artistic fonts.
Pre-designed templates for posts and stories.
Photo editing tools.
Customizable design elements.

Free plan with limited features.
Pro plan: 14.99/month or 99.99/year (unlocks premium templates and fonts).

Great for on-the-go editing.
Great for on-the-go editing.
Easy to use for quick designs.

Limited features in the free plan.
Not as versatile as Canva or Adobe Spark.
Mobile-only, no desktop version.

Outstanding

9.9

Unfold is a mobile app specifically designed for Instagram Stories and Reels. It offers minimalist and elegant templates that make your Stories stand out.

Workflow

Choose a template from the app’s library.
Add your photos or videos to the template.
Customize text, colors, and layouts.
Export your design and share it directly to Instagram Stories or Reels.

Unique Features

Story Templates: Focuses exclusively on Instagram Stories and Reels.
Minimalist Design: Offers clean, elegant templates that are easy to customize.
Quick Editing: Perfect for creating Stories on the go.

Story and Reels templates.
Customizable fonts and colors.
Analytics: Measure engagement and track performance.
Photo and video editing tools.
Simple and intuitive interface.

Free plan with basic templates.
Unfold+: 2.99/month or 29.99/year (unlocks premium templates).

Perfect for Instagram Stories and Reels.
Minimalist and elegant designs.
Easy to use.

Limited to Stories and Reels.
Fewer features compared to other apps.
Requires a subscription for premium templates.

Outstanding

9.9

VSCO is a photo editing app known for its high-quality filters and editing tools. It’s ideal for enhancing Instagram photos before posting.

Workflow

Import your photo into the app.
Apply filters and adjust settings like exposure, contrast, and saturation.
Use advanced tools like selective editing and skin tone adjustments.
Use the "Brand Kit" feature to save your brand colors, fonts, and logo for consistency.
Save your edited photo and upload it to Instagram.

Unique Features

VSCO Presets: High-quality filters that mimic film photography.
Advanced Editing: Tools like selective adjustments and color grading.
Community Platform: Share your edits with the VSCO community for inspiration.

Advanced filters and presets.
Photo editing tools (exposure, contrast, etc.).
Community platform for sharing photos.

Free plan with basic filters.
VSCO Membership: $19.99/year (unlocks all filters and tools).

High-quality filters.
Great for photo editing.
Simple and intuitive interface.

Limited design features.
Limited design features.
Requires a subscription for advanced features.

Outstanding

9.9

PicsArt is a versatile photo editing and collage-making app. It’s perfect for creating unique and creative Instagram posts.

Workflow

Open the app and choose a photo or start with a blank canvas.
Use tools like filters, stickers, and drawing tools to edit your photo.
Create collages by combining multiple photos.
Save your design and share it to Instagram.

Unique Features

All-in-One Tool: Combines photo editing, collage-making, and design tools.
Stickers and Drawings: Add creative elements to your photos.
Animation: Create animated posts or Stories.

Filters and editing tools.
Collage maker.
Stickers and drawing tools.
Animation and video editing.

Free plan with ads.
Gold membership: 5.99/month or 55.99/year (removes ads and unlocks premium features).

All-in-one editing tool.
Creative features like stickers and drawing tools.
Creative features like stickers and drawing tools.

Creative features like stickers and drawing tools.
Ads in the free plan.
Requires a subscription for premium features.

Outstanding

9.9

Snapseed is a professional photo editing app by Google. It offers advanced editing tools for enhancing Instagram photos.

Workflow

Import your photo into the app.
Use tools like selective adjustments, healing, and perspective correction.
Apply filters and adjust settings like brightness and contrast.
Save your edited photo and upload it to Instagram.

Unique Features

Non-Destructive Editing: Make changes without altering the original photo.
Selective Adjustments: Edit specific areas of your photo.
Professional Tools: Offers advanced editing features like curves and white balance.

Advanced editing tools (selective adjustments, healing, etc.).
Filters and presets.
Non-destructive editing.

Free

Professional-grade editing.
No cost.
Easy to use.

No templates or design features.
Limited to photo editing.

Outstanding

9.9

Adobe Lightroom is a professional photo editing app with presets and advanced tools. It’s ideal for creating a consistent Instagram aesthetic.

Workflow

Import your photo into the app.
Apply presets or manually adjust settings like exposure, contrast, and color grading.
Sync your edits across devices using Adobe Creative Cloud.
Save your edited photo and upload it to Instagram.

Unique Features

Presets: Save and apply custom filters for consistent editing.
Color Grading: Advanced tools for adjusting colors.
Cloud Sync: Access your edits on multiple devices.

Presets and filters.
Color grading and advanced editing tools.
Color grading and advanced editing tools.

Free plan with basic features.
Premium plan: $9.99/month (unlocks all features).

High-quality editing.
Customizable presets.
Customizable presets.

Requires some editing knowledge.
Subscription needed for advanced features.

Outstanding

9.9

Crello, now VistaCreate, is a design tool similar to Canva but with a focus on animations. It’s great for creating animated Instagram posts.

Workflow

Choose a template or start with a blank canvas.
Add text, images, and design elements.
Use animation tools to add movement to your design.
Export your design and share it to Instagram.

Unique Features

Animation: Create animated posts or Stories.
Templates: Offers a wide range of templates for different design needs.
Easy to Use: Intuitive interface for quick designs.

Templates for posts, stories, and animations.
Stock media and design elements.
Animation tools.

Free plan with limited features.
Pro plan: $10/month (unlocks premium templates and animations).

Great for animated posts.
Easy to use.
Affordable pricing..

Limited free templates.
Fewer features compared to Canva.

Outstanding

9.9

InShot is a video and photo editing app with Instagram-friendly features. It’s perfect for creating Reels and Stories.

Workflow

Import your photo or video into the app.
Use tools like filters, transitions, and text overlays to edit your content.
Add music or sound effects for Reels.
Export your design and share it to Instagram.

Unique Features

Video Editing: Perfect for creating Instagram Reels.
Text Overlays: Add text to your videos or photos.
Music and Sound Effects: Enhance your Reels with audio.

Video and photo editing tools.
Filters and transitions.
Filters and transitions.

Free plan with a watermark.
Pro plan: 3.99/month or 14.99/year (removes watermark and unlocks premium features).

Great for video content.
Easy to use.
Affordable pricing.

Watermark in the free plan.
Limited design features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Canva is ideal for beginners and offers a wide range of templates.
Adobe Spark (Adobe Express) is great for professional designs.
Unfold is perfect for Instagram Stories and Reels.
VSCO and Lightroom are best for photo editing.

Yes, most apps like Canva, Adobe Spark, and PicsArt offer free plans with basic features. However, premium features (e.g., advanced templates, no watermarks) usually require a subscription.

Square Posts: 1080x1080 pixels (1:1 ratio).
Portrait Posts: 1080x1350 pixels (4:5 ratio).
Landscape Posts: 1080x566 pixels (1.91:1 ratio).
Stories and Reels: 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 ratio).

Use color theory to create a cohesive palette. Tools like Adobe Color or Canva’s Color Wheel can help you choose complementary colors that align with your brand.

An Instagram aesthetic is the overall look and feel of your profile. To create one:

Use consistent filters (e.g., VSCO or Lightroom presets).
Stick to a color palette.
Maintain a consistent theme (e.g., minimalistic, bold, or vintage).

Use apps like Snapseed, Lightroom, or VSCO to:

Use apps like Snapseed, Lightroom, or VSCO to:
Apply filters or presets.
Crop and straighten images.

Use fonts that align with your brand personality:

Serif fonts (e.g., Times New Roman) for a classic look.
Sans-serif fonts (e.g., Helvetica) for a modern feel.
Script fonts for a creative or elegant touch.

Templates save time and ensure consistency, while custom designs allow for unique creativity. Use a mix of both depending on your goals.

Yes, you can edit the caption, tags, and location, but not the image itself. Delete and repost if necessary.

Conclusion

Creating Instagram images is a blend of creativity, strategy, and the right tools. By understanding the platform’s requirements, using the best apps, and applying design principles, you can create stunning posts that engage your audience. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, these FAQs and tools will help you elevate your Instagram content creation game. Experiment, learn, and watch your Instagram presence grow!