Instagram stories are one of the most powerful tools for Instagram growth and a great way to connect with your audience. They are your chance to show behind the scenes of your life and in the process become a more relatable and trustworthy person for your audience. With this guide on best Instagram  Stories Apps, you will be able to create more creative and interesting Instagram stories. I have personally used these Instagram story apps on my account @wherelifeisgreat and it surely helped me reach 140k+ followers on Instagram and 10k+ Instagram stories views.

Why Use Instagram Stories Apps

Instagram Stories not only send a signal to the algorithm that you are an active user of Instagram but also help you build a connection with your audience. There are over 500 million active users on Instagram stories, yet many Instagrammers struggle with using and feeling comfortable doing Instagram stories. That’s where Instagram Stories Apps come handy!

With these 21 cool Instagram story apps, you are sure to make your stories stand out from the crowd plus get you addictive to use them, hence create more 🙂

What are the best Instagram stories apps

I have divided this guide on best Instagram story apps based on editing, videos, artistic look, special effects, and templates so that you can easily choose which Instagram story app is best for you.

Instagram story Apps for editing pics

While there are many  Instagram filters to use for your stories videos, there are not so many options in Instagram available for photos (and let’s all agree these Instagram filters look horrible!). That’s why I suggest editing your photos before uploading them to Instagram stories, the same as you would do with an Instagram post.

Lightroom app

Lightroom is the most professional tool for photographers. It is quick and easy too! I use the Lightroom app with my own Lightroom mobile presets. Presets are predefined “looks” that when applied to pictures enrich their colors and vibrancy. With just one click you transform your pictures and Instagram stories from meh to magic!

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By using presets you save time and effort and you can completely beautify your Instagram in a matter of seconds. Here are the mobile Lightroom presets that will get you exactly the same color palette and overall style that I use on my blog and Instagram! 

VSCO

Vsco is one of the most known photos editing app after Lightroom. It offers tons of editing filters to choose from, such as the retro polaroid style. It’s a great tool for quick Instagram stories edit!

A Color Story

ColorStory looks the most like the Lightroom app as it allows you to modify specific areas of the pictures and work on hues. Unfortunately, these are paid features but it’s still pretty useful for adding effects to Instagram stories.

Touch retouch

This app is great to remove unwanted people and objects from your pictures. It’s fast, easy and can perfectly substitute this Photoshop feature.

Instagram story Apps for videos

Here are some of my favorite video apps for Instagram stories that you can apply while recording the video or afterward.

Enlight Videoleap

One of the best Instagram stories apps to create artistic videos. You can use this Instagram Story app to add graphics and blend different videos or images together to create stunning designs.

Mojo

No list of best Instagram stories apps would be complete without Mojo. This beautifully animated app for video stories has 100+ templates to choose from and some really cool features. My favorite one is the chat cloud.

UNUM

Give your stories that artsy look! Unum offers plenty of creative tools & templates for today’s digital storytellers. If you’re not an expert on design, but want to present your brand in a consistent way through stories, this app will be a great help.

8mm Vintage camera

I remember the days when everyone was creating retro videos for their Instagram stories. The best Instagram stories app for that is this original retro film camera app.

Jumprope

I have only discovered Jumprope recently and it is already my favorite Instagram story app for step-by-step videos, such as food recipes.

Instagram story apps for an artistic look

These story apps took over Instagram! You probably have seen the designs created through these apps multiple times as they become very popular since last year.

Storyluxe

Over 630 unique photo and video templates with filters, backdrops, polaroid frames, etc. The best part – you can fit multiple pictures in just one Instagram story!

Unfold

This Instagram Stories app has 150+ templates such as Film Frames, Ripped Paper and more. It’s a great way to create a collage.

Nichi

Another cool collage Maker with selective handwriting fonts and stickers. What puts Nichi apart is their feminine and minimalistic designs.

StoryArt

In this Instagram story app you can add text with varying fonts, filters, themes, and other design effects.

Instagram story apps for special effects

If you are looking to add special effects to your Instagram stories, these Instagram stories apps will help you get additional sparkle,  retro vibe or cool typography.

Enlight Pixaloop

I used this app multiple times to create a special sky effect on my picture. It works as good for Instagram stories as it does for Instagram posts.

Kirakira+

If you ever wonder what app Influencers use to create a sparkle effect, for example on Eiffel Tower or their evening dress, look no further. Kirakira+ will get you that bling effect!

Tezza

What I love about Tezza app  is its vintage text that you can add to your Instagram story frames or Instagram posts. Your Instagram stories will look like a screen from a retro movie.

A design kit

This Instagram Story app has a pencil and brush tools that you can use to draw and write on your photos. It’s the perfect way to add an artistic touch to your stories.

Font Candy

Another great Instagram story app for adding text to your Instagram stories.  You can choose from 45 artistic fonts and powerful text editing capabilities, including text curving, opacity adjuster, and shadow controls.

Prisma

Would you like to go even more creative than what we mention in the list above? Try Prisma app to create paintings, comics or drawings out of your Instagram pictures.

Instagram story apps for templates

The main point of creating Instagram stories is to engage your audience and what better way to do so than interacting with them through Instagram story game templates? These Instagram story apps will help you create cool Instagram story games.

Canva

I have been using Canva for desktop for a long time for different purposes, such as creating presentations, pins, etc. Canva app is extremely useful as it comes with multiple templates to use to play with your audience, such as „travel bingo, what’s your favorite …, this or that?“

Over

The last app that I wanted to mention in this list of best Instagram stories apps is Over.  It has countless templates, fonts, and graphics to help you create eye-catching Instagram Stories on the go.

Did you like this list? Do you use any of these Instagram story apps? Let me know which one is your favorite!

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