Free and Low-Cost Tools for Instagram

Like any social platform, Instagram can be optimized with a few good tools. If you’re just starting out with Instagram for business, you may want to try a few free tools first and then check out some very helpful low-cost tools.

This post is an overview of several popular tools we’ve used for our accounts and our clients, but as free/paid plans change on a fairly regular basis, we recommend doing your own research too or call us for a free consultation to discuss them in more detail.

There are 3 types (or categories) of tools we recommend:

(1) Tools for Creating & Editing Content

Your content on Instagram is visual: photos or videos, and you may want to either edit the images themselves or include some text and special effects with them.

Note: cellphone cameras are becoming more and more sophisticated, so you may find that the built-in image editing functions for your camera are all you need to start with, as well as the Edit option within the Instagram App itself.

Free Tools to edit your photos and videos:

1. VSCO – photo editing, for iOS and Android devices
2. SnapSeed – photo editing, for iOS and Android devices
3. PicFlow – create slideshows with photos and music, iOS only – download from App Store
4. PhotoGrid – edit photos, create collages, create videos and more, for iOS and Android devices

Free Tools to add text or special effects to your photos and videos:

1. Canva – edit your photos, use templates and stock photos to create content
2. Adobe Spark – use templates to create custom graphics
3. Over – use your photos or templates to create posts, customize colors, fonts, and more, iOS and Android devices
4. Ripl – quickly create video posts

Low-Cost Tools & Apps for creating and editing your content:

1. WordSwag – add text to your photos or choose from a database of photos and quotes, iOS and Android devices
2. Typorama – similar to WordSwag: add text to photos, choose from stock photos – iOS only
3. Phonto – add text to your photos, iOS and Android devices
4. PicMonkey – edit your photos, create custom graphics with templates or your own designs (free trial available)

(2) Tools for Scheduling & Posting your Content

Without any third-party tools or apps, you would open Instagram on your phone and upload content from your phone to your account.

But for optimal business-use, you will find that being able to schedule posts ahead of time can make Instagram more effective.

For example, if your goal is to post content three days a week on Instagram, you can create the content ahead of time, use a tool to schedule the content for the upcoming week, and then get on with the rest of your day.

Then you’re simply monitoring your Instagram account and responding to comments or messages, instead of haphazardly visiting the platform each day wondering what to post.

Tools for scheduling your content (photos and videos):

1. Buffer (free and paid plans)
2. Later (free and paid plans)
3. Hootsuite (free and paid plans)
4. Planoly (free and paid plans)
5. Tailwind (free trial available)

If you want to use a social media management tool/dashboard like Sprout Social, Sendible, or AgoraPulse, you’ll be able to schedule Instagram posts within the tool.

(3) Tools for Analyzing your Account & Content

Now that you’re posting content on a consistent basis, you’ll want to take note of how many followers your account is gaining, how many users are seeing your content, and what posts get the best engagement rates.

There used to be a variety of free analytics tools for Instagram, but as the platform has matured, most third-party analytics tools are paid or part of a larger social media management tool.

Analytics tools include:

1. Instagram’s built-in Analytics dashboard for business accounts is a good way to start. All business accounts get an Insights tab that shares information from the last week.
2. Another free option is Squarelovin, which is a desktop tool that shows more detailed information about monthly analytics, engagement, your community and more.

If you decide to upgrade to an all-in-one social media management tool like Sprout Social or AgoraPulse, analytics for Instagram and other social media platforms are included in your dashboard.

So use this list as a starting point: test a few tools (not too many at once!), and then start to consistently use them to maintain a consistent presence on Instagram.

If you have a favorite tool to add to the list, leave a comment here or send us a direct message on our Instagram account: Instagram.com/SocialMediaLCS

Here are a few more lists of Instagram tools (free and paid):

Instagram Tools: 20 Essential Apps for Growing Your Following on Instagram

30+ Free Instagram Tools to Help You Grow Your Following