Apps to Enhance Your Instagram Stories
TOP 6 APPS FOR CREATING INSTAGRAM STORIES
Take your Insta game to new heights.
F ollowing in the footsteps of Snapchat, Instagram introduced a feature called Stories that allows you to post photos and videos that vanish after 24 hours. Beyond embellishing your stories with playful GIFs, emojis, and a slew of face filters (been there, done that), there are all sorts of other story add-ons to be found in the App Store. I found six apps that can take your Instagram Stories to the next level and drive traffic to your profile. They can do everything from cropping your photos to the correct ratio to designing influencer-approved layouts. Get ready to see your creativity soar.
GET STARTED WITH INSTAGRAM STORIES
Instagram Stories allow users to post photos and videos that can be viewed for 24 hours. To post a Story, you'll need to open Instagram and tap Your Story at the top left of the screen. You can then either upload pictures directly from your Photos app or capture content within the app (try the Superzoom setting or looping Boomerang videos). From there, you can add filters, stickers, and text to bring your photo or video to life.
To view your friends' stories, tap their profile icons that show up along the top of your feed. Simply tap the screen once to proceed to the next photo or video, and swipe left or right to toggle between users' stories. A Design Kit (Free)
Brought to you by the creators of the photo-filter app A Color Story, A Design Kit comes equipped with all the panache-packed tools you'll need to make your photos stand out. Start by selecting the designated Story cropping option. Let your imagination run wild by choosing from more than 30 modern fonts, brushes, design elements, and illustrated stickers. (Some options require in-app purchases.) Seamlessly toggle back and forth between its sister app A Color Story with the simple touch of a button.
InShot - Video Editor (Free)
Use InShot to ensure that your photos and videos are optimized to fit Instagram Story's 9:16 aspect ratio. By selecting your canvas size, you can remedy awkward cropping issues prior to uploading in Instagram, which has notoriously bad cropping options in Stories. Incorporate a blurred backdrop or a gradient to fill any white space. Huji Cam (Free)
Cue the nostalgia: Snap photos “just like the year 1998” with Huji Cam, a viral photo app inspired by everyone's favorite retro disposable camera. Complete with a timestamp (select from ‘98, current, or none) and the occasional light leak, Huji is guaranteed to lend a vintage aesthetic to your IG Stories. Use the viewfinder to frame your shot and wait patiently as your film develops. Unfold — Create Stories (Free)
Curate beautiful stories with Unfold, a toolkit for avid storytellers. Whether you're generating content for your personal account or a brand, this app is chock-full of sleek, minimalist layouts to elevate your IG Stories. Choose from the basic free templates or purchase one of the premium collections. The film frame series is one of my personal favorites, as the frames for filmstrip and Polaroid pair perfectly with Huji Cam snapshots, not to mention short video clips. Additionally, you can add text and change the background color to fit your aesthetic. Over Edit & Add Text to Photos (Free)
There's no need to be limited by the five fonts Instagram offers in its Stories. Over's plethora of modern fonts will give all your visuals a distinct look.
Over boasts no shortage of templates to jump-start your next social media campaign. Create regram-worthy #QOTD (quote of the day) graphics or add fun text overlays to all your photos. A Pro membership ($14.99/month) unlocks all templates and fonts. 8mm Vintage Camera ($2.99)
When Boomerang and Hyperlapse clips grow stale (two video types offered within Instagram Stories), throw it back to a bygone era with 8mm Vintage Camera. The retro filters—complete with light leaks, dust, and frame shakes—imitate that of an old Hollywood film. Toggle between eight different lenses and thirteen aged, grainy filters for a cinematic effect. To use the app, peer through the viewfinder and hit record (the red button in the center). Your video will save to your Photos app once you're finished filming.
TAKE YOUR STORIES TO THE NEXT LEVEL
With these handy apps on standby, you'll be well on your way to cranking out original content that keeps your Instagram audience engaged. Whether you're looking to create more cohesive stories, dabble in video, or beautify your images with eye-catching graphics, the sky's the limit.