As a Bookstagrammer, you’ve probably realized how much editing can really make your photos pop.
A little tweak here and there—whether it’s brightening up the colors or adding some creative flair—can make all the difference in how your posts stand out.
I’ve tried so many apps over the years, and I’m super excited to share my personal favorites with you.
These apps are not only great for editing your photos but also perfect for adding a touch of creativity and helping you organize your feed.
A polished, cohesive look is key to making your Bookstagram shine, and these apps will help you get there with ease.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your feed, I’m sure these tools will make your Bookstagram photos look amazing!
What to Look for in a Photo Editing App for Bookstagram
Before diving into the apps themselves, I want to quickly walk you through the key features I personally look for in a photo editing app.
I know it can be overwhelming, but trust me, you’ll want an app that’s intuitive, versatile, and gets the job done without too much hassle.
- Ease of Use: If you’re like me, you don’t have all day to spend editing your photos. I love apps that are easy to navigate and make quick edits so I can get back to reading! Simple interfaces are key here.
- Features: I want apps that offer everything I need to elevate my photos, from filters and adjustments to text overlays and the ability to organize my feed.
- Cost: I’ll always look for free apps first, but some premium features are totally worth the investment if they enhance my feed. That said, I never want to break the bank just to make my photos pretty!
- Aesthetic Consistency: Maintaining a consistent look is a must for a cohesive Bookstagram feed. I look for apps that help me keep everything matching, whether it’s color tones or general vibe.
Related: 55 Beginner-Friendly Reel Ideas for Your Bookstagram
Best Editing Apps for Bookstagrammers
1. Adobe Lightroom
Best For: Achieving that consistent, polished Bookstagram aesthetic.
Features: Okay, let me start by saying that Lightroom is one of my all-time favorites! It’s so powerful.
It has a ton of advanced tools that allow you to adjust the tiniest details of your photo—things like brightness, contrast, shadows, and highlights.
You can even adjust the colors to give your feed a cohesive vibe.
The best part? You can create your own presets (filters) and apply them to all your photos, which is perfect if you want to maintain a specific aesthetic across your whole feed.
Price: Free (basic features); premium options available.
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: I absolutely swear by Lightroom for my photos. It lets me tweak the tiniest details so that every photo looks perfectly polished.
And honestly, once you get a hang of it, creating a preset that matches your feed style makes everything so much easier!
For Bookstagrammers who are serious about maintaining a professional look, Lightroom is a game-changer.
2. Canva
Best For: Adding some fun text and graphics to your photos.
Features: Canva is so versatile! It’s not just for book covers or graphics—it’s fantastic for creating polished Instagram posts and stories.
I use it all the time to add text, graphics, and even book covers to my photos. It has tons of templates, so if you want a quick post that looks amazing, it’s perfect.
Price: Free (with optional premium upgrades).
Platforms: Mobile and Web.
Why You’ll Love It: If you want to add a bit more flair to your photos, Canva is where you want to go.
I love adding book quotes, fun text, or even simple graphics to make my photos stand out.
It’s also perfect if you’re running promotions or book giveaways. Canva makes everything look polished with minimal effort.
3. VSCO
Best For: Quick edits with a professional look.
Features: VSCO is beloved by Bookstagrammers everywhere for its simple yet effective tools.
It has a ton of beautiful filters that can completely transform a photo.
I love using it for quick adjustments to brightness and saturation to bring out the colors in my photos.
Price: Free (with optional premium features).
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: If I’m in a rush, VSCO is my go-to app. It’s easy to use, and I can apply filters that make my photos look professional in seconds.
It’s also really handy for maintaining a consistent tone throughout your feed.
I know it’s a favorite for many Bookstagrammers because it’s super user-friendly and always delivers that polished, professional finish.
4. Snapseed
Best For: Detailed, high-quality retouching.
Features: Snapseed is a fantastic app for those who want to really fine-tune their images.
It offers tools like selective adjustments (you can adjust specific parts of the image) and healing tools for fixing any imperfections.
If you need to make sure every little detail is perfect, this app has you covered.
Price: Free.
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: I really enjoy Snapseed when I want to focus on specific details in my photos.
Whether I’m fixing a spot on a book cover or adjusting the brightness of a specific area, Snapseed lets me do it all.
It’s the perfect balance between simplicity and detailed editing, which makes it easy to get high-quality results.
Also See: 15 Bookstagram Captions That Will Get Your Followers Talking
5. PicsArt
Best For: Adding creativity and fun elements to your photos.
Features: Stickers, filters, collage tools, and more. If you want your Bookstagram feed to stand out with something unique, PicsArt gives you the freedom to experiment.
You can add quirky overlays, create collages, and get really creative with your photos.
Price: Free (in-app purchases available).
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: PicsArt is perfect when I want to add something extra fun to my photos.
I love experimenting with the quirky stickers and artistic effects.
It’s ideal if you’re trying to add a playful or whimsical vibe to your Bookstagram posts.
6. Unfold
Best For: Gorgeous Instagram Stories.
Features: Unfold is a lifesaver when it comes to Instagram Stories.
It offers minimalist templates that make your photos look polished and professional.
I love how it’s so simple to use, yet the results are stunning.
Price: Free (some premium templates).
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: If you’re sharing a lot of Instagram Stories, Unfold is a must-have.
It allows you to create clean, beautiful stories that match your Bookstagram aesthetic.
I use it all the time for my behind-the-scenes posts, book announcements, and more.
7. Over (GoDaddy Studio)
Best For: Typography and branding.
Features: Over is excellent for adding text overlays, creating custom fonts, and even building a personal brand for your Bookstagram.
Whether you’re watermarking your photos or adding book titles, it’s got everything you need to make your photos pop.
Price: Free (with premium upgrades).
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: Branding is key on Bookstagram, and Over makes it super easy to add your own personal touch.
Regardless of whether it’s creating a signature look with text or adding your watermark, Over helps you give your content that polished, professional feel.
8. Facetune
Best For: Refining and perfecting your photos.
Features: Facetune offers tools for smoothing out imperfections, removing blemishes, and blurring backgrounds.
It’s all about fine-tuning the details to make your photos look perfect.
Price: Free (limited features); premium available.
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: Facetune is a fun app to polish up any imperfections in your photos.
I love using it to enhance details and make sure everything looks crisp and clear.
It’s a simple app that delivers great results, especially when you need that extra boost.
Related: 200+ Bookish QOTD to Get Your Followers Talking on Bookstagram
9. Preview
Best For: Planning and organizing your feed.
Features: Preview is a dream for organizing your feed.
You can drag and drop your photos to see how they’ll look together before posting them.
This app is great for making sure your grid stays cohesive.
Price: Free (premium available).
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: This app is perfect for anyone who cares about their feed’s overall aesthetic.
I love planning out my posts in advance with Preview because it helps me maintain a clean, cohesive look.
It’s especially helpful when I want to balance the colors or themes across my posts.
I find that planning ahead with Preview saves me time and stress, and ensures that my feed flows smoothly from one post to the next.
10. Afterlight
Best For: Easy editing with artistic filters.
Features: Afterlight is perfect for those who want a bit more of an artistic touch.
It offers a wide range of filters, textures, and blending options.
The tools are very user-friendly, and the results are always polished and beautiful.
You can add creative effects like light leaks, dust particles, and gradients, which can make your Bookstagram photos stand out in a fun way.
Price: Free (with in-app purchases).
Platforms: iOS, Android.
Why You’ll Love It: Afterlight is great when you’re in the mood to experiment with your photos and try out unique artistic effects.
I’ve used this app to create dreamy, soft images that complement my bookish aesthetic.
If you want your feed to have a more whimsical or vintage vibe, this is the app for you.
You May Also Like: 16 Must-Try Exciting Content Ideas For Your Bookstagram Account
As you can see, there’s a wide variety of photo editing apps out there, each with its own strengths and features.
It really depends on what kind of look you want to achieve and how much time you want to invest in editing your photos.
Personally, I tend to use a mix of apps—Lightroom for that polished, consistent aesthetic, Canva for fun text and graphics, and Preview to organize my feed.
Every app I’ve mentioned here has its place in my editing routine, and I’ve found that using the right app for the right purpose makes all the difference in the world.
If you’re just starting out, don’t stress about having the perfect feed right away.
The beauty of Bookstagram is that it’s all about sharing your love for books, and while a beautifully curated feed helps, the most important thing is being genuine and passionate about what you share.
These apps can help make your photos shine, but your personality and love for books will always be what makes your feed unique.
Experiment with different apps, find your editing style, and don’t be afraid to get creative.
I’ve had so much fun learning and growing my Bookstagram, and I hope these app recommendations help you on your own journey!
Read Next: 10 Bookish Influencer Programs Perfect for Growing Your Bookstagram