This post was originally published in June 2020. It has been edited to reflect my rebrand from She Saw Style to The Espresso Edition and includes the apps that I currently use for blogging and content creation.
Content creation is so much simpler when you know exactly which apps to use.
After spending over six years creating content and blogging full-time, I feel like I’ve got a bit of a handle on which apps I find most helpful. I shared a post similar to this in the past, and since then, I’ve narrowed the list down to just 8 apps that I use nearly every day to elevate my Instagram stories and social media feeds.
Clearly, there are apps that drop daily, and I’m sure to have new names added to my favorites in the future, but I can’t see myself canceling subscriptions or deleting any from this particular list any time soon. These are my tried and true, holy grail, top of the top, can’t live without apps!
I’m also sharing four free lightroom presets in this post. you’ll want to keep reading!
Apps to Download Right Away
These are the apps I use on a daily basis to create content that’s unique and on-brand!
This is a no-brainer. Obviously, if you’re a content creator, Instagram is most likely your number one platform. I highly suggest not putting all your eggs in the Insta basket and using other social media apps, but most of this post will revolve around what I use for Instagram itself!
There is so much you can do on the Instagram app!
In the past, I’ve received DMs asking about how I create my Instagram stories. Someone wondered where I got my templates (pssst – I have a templates story highlight saved on my feed so you can use my templates too), and another individual wanted to know about the gifs I use (I typically search for specific items and then add whatever color or style I’d like. Ex: “coffee mug brown boho”). I told them that so much can be accomplished in-app!
In addition, you can accomplish some fun things on your stories, editing-wise, that might surprise you!
Start playing around with stories and see what you can do! And look up videos on reels or TikTok for more inspiration. There are tons of tutorials that will blow your mind.
More apps that will make content creation a breeze:
Tezza
Tezza is a creative genius and everything she touches is magic, in my opinion. When she launched her photo editing app, I downloaded it right away. I love that you can edit photos and videos with her presets, dust filters, subtitles, and more. I use this app to edit all of my reels and TikToks as well as some of the photos and videos I share to my IG stories.
Adobe Lightroom
I’ll admit that I typically use the desktop version of this program since it allows me to have more control. However, I do enjoy the app because I have saved my presets to it and can quickly and easily upload and edit something straight from my camera to post! Speaking of presets…
I am offering four of my Lightroom presets (for both desktop and mobile) right now!
All you need to do is sign up right here, and you’ll get all four to play with. If you use them on your Instagram feed, be sure to tag #EspressoEdits so I see them.
TouchRetouch
I’m not a Photoshop wizard, by any means. I need something super simple to use when I want to get rid of a weird shadow or change a texture. This app does all of that and more!
Planoly
I’ve been using Planoly to plan my Instagram feed for years now. In fact, I may have downloaded it prior to my official “blogging” days, in which case, I’ve been using it for an almost ridiculous length of time! I pay monthly for all their features and believe it’s worth every penny. It saves my hashtags, allows me to schedule my posts, and the additional blogging resources on their website are phenomenal!
TikTok
It took me a really long time to accept that this is the new generation of content creation. While it’s still not my preference for sharing my bookish content (that will always, always be photos and writing – thank goodness for my blog), I do enjoy watching what others post on this app – and every once in a while, I find joy in making videos as well. There’s a reason that most bookstores have a Booktok table!
Canva
My holy grail app. Not only do I use this for my Instagram and other social media content, but I use it for my Pinterest pins, website headers, newsletter graphics, business cards, etc. It allows you to alter pre-made templates, or create your own. I’ve been using this for years and I can’t recommend it enough. I log into my Canva account almost as frequently as I log in to Instagram. It’s that important!
Splice
Want to create a beautiful video, but don’t want to dive into fancy computer software? This is going to be your new best friend. I use Splice for artsy lookbook videos, aesthetic coffee captures, and more! It’s easy to learn, and has lots of options – including free music! I also use this to transform my TikToks into reels (without the pesky logo)!
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Bookstagram Tips That Will Increase Your Engagement Rate // How to Take Especially Cozy Bookstagram Photos
Which apps do you use the most for content creation?
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I’ve never used Tezza, I’ll have to check it out. Lightroom & Canva are my bffs lol.
These are such great apps to recommend! I’m have some of these but not all of them so I’ll have to make sure I get them, they seem really helpful. Xx.
Great suggestions! Thanks for sharing, especially what terms to search for GIFS. I love it!
This is making me want to up my Instagram game for sure (mine gets sadly neglected because I can just never figure out what I want from it). I’ve only heard of a few of these so definitely some more to check out now – thanks for the recommendations!
I need to try Splice! I’ve downloaded it before but kept getting an error so I forgot about it. I love using Lightroom and I have used Later for my feed planning and posting for a few years. I would also add Notion to keep everything organized and on schedule. 😉 and now I’m off to find you on TikTok
So many of these apps were new to me so I’ll have to check them out ASAP! I used to use Lightroom for my photos but then there was an app update that catapulted me out of my comfort zone so now I just use and pay for the VSCO app.
My go-to app for content creation in general is definitely Canva. I don’t think I could live without it!
This is such a helpful post! I’m going to check some of these out! Thank you for sharing this!
Really need to check out Tezza! I already use Canva and lightroom, but should really get around lightroom more and learn better about it! Really love your pictures and stories so will have to check them put, thanks for sharing x
Planoly is new to me. I will definitely check it out! Thanks for the list.
I absolutely love Lightroom, I have all my folders set up for images and it makes the world of difference!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
yessssss these are all my favorites too, except i use InShot instead of Splice for video. All of these apps make creating sooo much easier and i also love that Unfold now has a grid planner.
xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com
I love lightroom and unfold! So many great apps here! Need to check out the others!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
I’ve only used Canva from these so far, I’ll have to check out these other options too. Thanks for sharing this great resource!
I’ve heard some really incredible things about Tezza to be honest! I’ve seen fellow bloggers talk about it alot. Thanks for sharing these x
This is such a helpful post. I love Lightroom and Canva for creating content. I need to check out the others you have mentioned too.
Thank you for sharing these! I think I definitely need to get some more photo apps and a scheduling app. Great ideas!
That’s an amazing blogpost! I’m so happy because I discovered a bunch of apps! I already knew of retouch, lightroom and Canva but all the others are great discoveries! Thanks!
This guide is so helpful! Would have loved this when I was still taking photos haha.
I’ve recently moved away from regular photographs to digital art content on Instagram so my content creation has completely changed. I post my art on Instagram and use Canva for book review posts. My current content has been working much better for me since I really don’t like photography haha.
Amazing Blog Post!! I didn’t knew the Tezza one 😊
These are all great recommendations! I am especially interested in Planoly, thank you for bringing it to our attention.
I’m particularly interested in the editing apps like Tezza, where would we be without them these days! Thank you so much for sharing what you use!
I use Canva a lot but have not really thought about other apps or even looking into other apps. I think where I work full time and only blog with my limited spare time so I guess my time goes into writing rather than editing or looking into apps. But this was very useful and made me think about some apps I can use, so thank you for this xx
Oooo there’s lots of apps I’ve not tried on here for creating videos and templates I’ll check them out
I use almost all of these and they are fantastic apps! I love how all of your content reflects your brand so well, I need to utilize these apps to do that for myself too. Also, I hadn’t heard of Touch Retouch, but I’m downloading it ASAP.
These are some great apps to have. I have Canva and Unsplash. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
Lauren
These are great app suggestions for content creators! I LOVE Canva, and they’v made great strides with their app version, but I still wish they’d refine it a little more. I’ve also been meaning to give Planoly a try!
These suggestions all sound really good, I have instagram and canva but have been looking for a better photo-editing app so I might have to have a look into some of the apps you have suggested
I haven’t used most of these…I need to try playing with some of them. I’ve only dipped my toes in Planoly, but was never consistently using it so I stopped and I can’t go without Canva. Will have to look more into! xoxo, Sarah
I played around with the Tezza app over the holidays and loved it!
Fab post, we already use quite a lot of these but we are 1000% going to download Tezza!! It sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing xx
Yup! I have most of those apps. I’ve heard good things about Tezza app. But thought you have to pay a monthly fee to use it? Sounds like it’s worth it?
I’ve never used some of these photo editors but they look so helpful. I try to refrain from downloading so many apps on my phone. I’m just focusing mostly on Pinterest for a change. Thanks for sharing. Informative article!
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
whoa downloading splice right now! I had never heard of it before – excited to check it out and give it a try. thanks for the intro lady!
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
I also use so many of these! I don’t use Tezza or Splice but most of the others I do!
I’m downloading Splice right now! Such a good way for me to edit my videos and reels!
Rosie
I’ve never heard of TouchRetouch but I’ll be downloading it asap – thank you for sharing!
Canva is definitely one of my faves– so much you can create!
I’ve been using the Lightroom mobile app a lot more lately and it has been so much easier than the desktop version!
New reader here. I just downloaded literally all of these apps now. I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
https://ampersart.com/
I haven’t heard of a lot of these so thank you so much for sharing them; I will be checking some of them out!
I absolutely love using Lightroom for editing my photos, I need to look at Tezza and TouchRetouch x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I love and use splice all the time! I have never used Tezza!
Thanks for the recommendations. I just downloaded Tezza and it looks amazing. I had never heard of it before. I’ve always used colorstory. I’ll add this now.
Leah
MissPettigrewReview.com
This is such a helpful list! I have most of these apps, but not Tezza or Splice. I’ve been using Adobe Premiere for video. I did see that now you can edit videos in Lightroom now too. Curious to see if you can use photo presets on the videos…
I definitely use a lot of these apps that you mentioned. Canva is so helpful for creating blogging and LTK content, and of course Instagram is a must! I haven’t tried the Tezza app but I will definitely download it as I am always looking for new filters and presets to use. Thank you for sharing!
xoxo,
Sydney
http://www.thelotuslist.com