Apps I Use to Make My IG Stories Pop

Okay, so I’ve been getting SO many DMs asking about how I make my Instagram Stories look so good lately. Like, honestly? I’m flattered, but also I need to spill the tea because you guys deserve to know these secrets too!

Look, I’ll be real with you – I used to post the most basic Stories ever. We’re talking straight camera roll dumps with maybe a heart emoji if I was feeling fancy. But then I realized that Instagram Stories are basically free real estate for creativity, and I was totally wasting that opportunity. So I went down this massive rabbit hole of trying every single app that claimed to make your Stories “aesthetic” (ugh, I know, but it works).

Here’s the thing though – you don’t need to spend hours on each Story or download twenty different apps. I’ve narrowed it down to my absolute must-haves that actually make a difference without being super complicated.

My Go-To Story Game Changers

Canva is literally my ride or die. I know, I know, everyone talks about Canva, but there’s a reason for that. With Canva’s templates, even the most candid video can look carefully curated, and honestly, that’s exactly what I need in my chaotic life. They have thousands of Instagram Story templates that are actually trendy and not stuck in 2019. Plus, you can customize everything – colors, fonts, adding your own photos. The best part? Most of it is completely free, and you can do everything right from your phone.

What I love about Canva is that it doesn’t make you feel like you need a design degree. You know those people who somehow make everything look effortlessly chic? Yeah, Canva is your shortcut to becoming one of those people. I use it for everything from quote graphics to making my random photos look more put-together.

Unfold is where the magic happens for collages. Unfold makes the Stories look more neat and elegant, and it also makes the coolest collages, making it possible to share 2 or more photos and videos on the same Story. This app is perfect when you have multiple photos from a day and want to create that perfectly curated multi-photo layout without it looking chaotic.

The templates in Unfold are seriously gorgeous – they have this minimalist, editorial vibe that makes everything look intentional. Even if you just threw on whatever clothes were clean that morning, your outfit post will look like it belongs in a magazine. Whether you’re a photographer, creator, an entrepreneur, small business owner, or just here for fun, you can use Unfold to create engaging content.

The Editing Power Players

Now, let’s talk about the apps that take your actual content to the next level. Because let’s be honest – sometimes the lighting in your room is just not it, but you still want to post.

VSCO is still queen for that film-like aesthetic. I know it’s been around forever, but there’s a reason people still swear by it. The app includes over 200 stunning lightroom and VSCO presets and natural light leak overlay filters for added aesthetic appeal. Those presets can transform your most basic photo into something that looks like you hired a professional photographer.

I usually edit my photos in VSCO first, then bring them into whatever template app I’m using. It’s like having a foundation before you put on makeup – it just makes everything else look better.

InShot is perfect for video Stories. If you’re doing any kind of video content for your Stories – whether it’s a get-ready-with-me, a mini vlog, or just trying to fit a longer video into the Story format – InShot is your best friend. Several apps on this list are perfect for cutting videos for Instagram Stories. The ones we recommend are CutStory and InShot. It’s super easy to trim clips, add music, and make everything flow smoothly.

The Secret Weapons

Here’s where I’m going to share some apps that not everyone talks about but are total game-changers.

StoryLab – this one flew under my radar for way too long, but it’s amazing for when you want something that looks professional without the learning curve. It has these templates that are specifically designed for Stories, and they actually look current, not like they were made in 2018.

CutStory is clutch if you have longer videos that you want to split perfectly across multiple Stories. Instead of awkwardly cutting off mid-sentence, this app automatically splits your video at the right intervals. It’s one of those things that seems small but makes such a huge difference in how polished your content looks.

What’s Actually Trending Right Now

Let me tell you what’s working in 2025 because the aesthetic game changes fast. One of the latest Instagram Story trends involves using eye-catching sticker text to drive more clicks, so don’t sleep on Instagram’s built-in features either. But combining those native features with these apps? That’s where the magic happens.

Right now, I’m seeing a lot of success with more dynamic, interactive content. Think polls, questions, but styled in a way that fits your overall aesthetic. These apps help you create cohesive backgrounds and layouts for all that interactive stuff.

My Honest Take

Look, at the end of the day, the best app is the one you’ll actually use consistently. I’ve tried probably fifty different apps, and these are the ones that stayed on my phone because they’re actually helpful without being overwhelming.

Don’t get caught up in trying to make every single Story a masterpiece. Sometimes the most authentic, quickly-made content performs the best anyway. But having these tools in your back pocket means that when you do want to put in a little extra effort, you can create something that really stands out.

The key is finding your style and then using these apps to enhance it, not completely change who you are. Your personality should still shine through – these are just tools to help you present it in the best possible way.

What apps are you currently using for your Stories? I’m always looking for new tools to try, so drop your favorites in my DMs! And if you try any of these, definitely tag me so I can see what you create.