This post was originally published in June 2020. It has been edited to reflect my rebrand from She Saw Style to The Espresso Edition.
Content creation is so much simpler when you know exactly which apps to use.
After spending over five 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 within Instagram!
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 on 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!
Unfold
This has been a go-to app when it comes to creating cute templates for Instagram stories. I used this even more for my lifestyle and fashion account. I love that they launch new options every few months, so there’s constantly a fun feature to try, whether that’s a font, template, or sticker. It’s ridiculously user-friendly if you are worried about not having “editing/graphic skills.”
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
Wanting 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 keeping the pesky logo)!
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Which apps do you use the most for content creation?
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Lux Pups says
Iβve never used Tezza, Iβll have to check it out. Lightroom & Canva are my bffs lol.
Carrington | Chaos and Coffee says
These are such great apps to recommend! Iβm have some of these but not all of them so Iβll have to make sure I get them, they seem really helpful. Xx.
Robyn Jones says
Great suggestions! Thanks for sharing, especially what terms to search for GIFS. I love it!
Lindsey says
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!
Francesca says
I need to try Splice! Iβve 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. π and now Iβm off to find you on TikTok
Hayley says
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!
Jen says
This is such a helpful post! I’m going to check some of these out! Thank you for sharing this!
Cristina Rosano says
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
Jolayne says
Planoly is new to me. I will definitely check it out! Thanks for the list.
Amie says
I absolutely love Lightroom, I have all my folders set up for images and it makes the world of difference!
Love, Amie β€
The Curvaceous Vegan
rebecca says
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
Lizzie says
I love lightroom and unfold! So many great apps here! Need to check out the others!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Raji says
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!
Kayleigh Zara says
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
Kelly Diane says
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.
Amanda says
Thank you for sharing these! I think I definitely need to get some more photo apps and a scheduling app. Great ideas!
Loine says
Thatβs an amazing blogpost! Iβm 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!
Sumedha says
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.
Maple says
Amazing Blog Post!! I didnβt knew the Tezza one π
Miragail says
These are all great recommendations! I am especially interested in Planoly, thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Freya says
Iβm 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!
Gemma Jayne says
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
Alice in Sheffield says
Oooo there’s lots of apps I’ve not tried on here for creating videos and templates I’ll check them out
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
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.
Lauren says
These are some great apps to have. I have Canva and Unsplash. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
Lauren
Charissa says
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!
Bethany Jones says
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
Sarah Lindner says
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
Anna English says
I played around with the Tezza app over the holidays and loved it!
Rachael says
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
Darleen says
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?
Mary Monique says
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
Laura Leigh says
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
Em says
I also use so many of these! I don’t use Tezza or Splice but most of the others I do!
Rosie Ireland says
I’m downloading Splice right now! Such a good way for me to edit my videos and reels!
Rosie
Jenny in Neverland says
I’ve never heard of TouchRetouch but I’ll be downloading it asap – thank you for sharing!
Amanda says
Canva is definitely one of my faves– so much you can create!
Amanda Elizabeth - meet at the barre says
I’ve been using the Lightroom mobile app a lot more lately and it has been so much easier than the desktop version!
Juliet says
New reader here. I just downloaded literally all of these apps now. I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
https://ampersart.com/