Swipe-Worthy Stories: 16 Best Apps for Creating Instagram Carousel Posts (2025)
Instagram carousel posts are the secret weapon for brands, creators, and marketers who want to boost engagement, tell richer stories, and showcase products or ideas in a swipeable, immersive format. With carousels, you can combine up to 20 images or videos in a single post, break down complex topics, or create seamless panoramic visuals that keep your audience swiping for more. But to make your carousel posts stand out, you need the right app—one that offers beautiful templates, easy editing, AI tools, and smooth export for Instagram. Here are the 16 best apps for creating Instagram carousel posts in 2025, reviewed for every creative need and workflow.
"A great Instagram carousel isn’t just a slideshow—it’s a story, a tutorial, a product launch, and a brand statement, all in one. The right app makes it effortless."
Why Use a Carousel Post on Instagram?
- Higher engagement: Carousel posts average over 5% engagement and get more comments and shares than single-image posts.
- Tell richer stories: Break down tips, tutorials, or narratives across multiple slides for deeper impact.
- Showcase products: Highlight features, before/after shots, or multiple angles in one post.
- Seamless visuals: Create panoramic or scroll-through images that wow your audience.
- Boost reach: Carousels keep users swiping, increasing time spent on your content and signaling value to the algorithm.
How We Picked the Best Instagram Carousel Apps
- Templates and design tools for seamless swipe posts
- Support for both images and videos
- AI-powered features, scheduling, and collaboration
- User-friendly interface and workflow
- Free and premium options
- Positive reviews and active updates
Tip: Carousels with 3-5 slides and a strong first image perform best. Use a mix of images, text, and video for maximum engagement.
The 16 Best Apps for Creating Instagram Carousel Posts (Reviewed)
1
SCRL
SCRL is the #1 app for creating seamless, swipe-through Instagram carousels and collages. Its intuitive interface lets you design panoramic carousels, merge photos, and create scroll-through layouts that flow perfectly across up to 20 slides. Choose from hundreds of hand-picked templates, add text, overlays, and export high-quality images ready for Instagram. SCRL is ideal for creators, artists, and brands who want to make visually stunning, story-driven carousel posts.
Pricing
- Free (with watermark)
- Pro: from $9.99/mo
Features
- Seamless panoramic carousels
- Collage templates
- Drag-and-drop editor
- High-res export
- No design skills needed
Pros
- Best for seamless carousels
- Easy to use
- Gorgeous templates
Cons
- Watermark in free plan
- Pro needed for full export
2
Canva
Canva offers a massive library of free and premium Instagram carousel templates, all fully customizable in its drag-and-drop editor. Choose from business, educational, or personal themes; add your own photos, text, icons, and brand colors; and export slides perfectly sized for Instagram. Canva’s collaboration tools, media library, and AI-powered design features make it a top pick for brands, teams, and anyone who wants professional results fast.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $14.99/mo
Features
- Carousel templates
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Brand kits
- Collaboration
- Stock media
Pros
- Huge template library
- Easy for teams
- AI design tools
Cons
- Some features paid
- Requires account for saving
3
Predis.ai
Predis.ai is an AI-powered Instagram carousel maker that generates custom carousels, captions, and hashtags in seconds. Just describe your idea or business, and Predis creates a branded carousel with editable templates, copy, and visuals. You can tweak designs, add stickers, change colors, and schedule posts directly to Instagram. Predis is perfect for marketers and agencies who want to automate carousel creation and speed up content production.
Pricing
- Free plan
- Paid: from $29/mo
Features
- AI carousel generator
- Editable templates
- Caption & hashtag AI
- Scheduling
- Brand kits
Pros
- AI-powered
- Fast & easy
- Great for agencies
Cons
- Branding limited on free
- Some features paid
4
Panorama Scroll Carousel Maker
Panorama Scroll Carousel Maker lets you create stunning panoramic carousels, photo grids, and split-pic swipe posts. Use the panorama crop tool to merge images into scrollable carousels, or split a single image across multiple slides for a dramatic effect. The app offers a variety of templates, backgrounds, filters, and text tools, making it easy to design unique carousel layouts for your Instagram feed.
Pricing
- Free (with ads)
- In-app purchases
Features
- Panorama crop
- Photo grids
- Templates & filters
- Text & effects
- High-quality export
Pros
- Best for panoramic carousels
- Flexible layouts
- Easy for beginners
Cons
- Ads in free version
- Android only
5
Carousel: AI Posts for Insta
Carousel: AI Posts for Insta uses AI to generate beautiful, informative carousel posts with customizable templates. Pick your brand colors, select a template, and add your text and photos. The app follows proven engagement formulas, like AIDA, to keep your audience swiping to the end. It’s perfect for business owners, educators, and creators who want to save time and maximize engagement.
Pricing
- Free (with ads)
- Pro: in-app purchase
Features
- AI-generated carousels
- Custom templates
- Brand color palettes
- Content suggestions
Pros
- AI saves time
- Great for info posts
- Easy preview
Cons
- Limited free templates
- No undo button
6
Unfold
Unfold is a favorite for minimalist, editorial-style Instagram carousels. Choose from hundreds of elegant templates, add photos, text, and videos, and export slides ready for Instagram. Unfold supports seamless storytelling and is perfect for brands, influencers, and creators who want a polished, magazine-inspired look.
Pricing
- Free (with limited templates)
- Pro: $19.99/yr
Features
- Minimalist templates
- Photo/video support
- Text overlays
- Scheduling
Pros
- Elegant design
- Easy to use
- Great for storytelling
Cons
- Most templates paid
- Limited animation
7
Mojo
Mojo is the go-to app for animated Instagram carousels. Add animated text, transitions, and music to your slides, or choose from hundreds of dynamic templates. Mojo is perfect for creators who want to add motion, energy, and a modern edge to their carousel posts.
Pricing
- Free (with watermark)
- Pro: $9.99/mo
Features
- Animated templates
- Transitions & music
- Text animation
- Export for Instagram
Pros
- Best for animation
- Trendy designs
- Easy customization
Cons
- Watermark in free plan
- Pro is pricey
8
Adobe Express
Adobe Express (formerly Spark) lets you create professional carousels with drag-and-drop templates, brand kits, and a huge media library. Add photos, videos, text, and icons, then export perfectly sized slides for Instagram. Adobe Express is ideal for brands and teams who want to maintain a consistent, on-brand look across all carousel posts.
Pricing
- Free
- Premium: $9.99/mo
Features
- Carousel templates
- Brand kits
- Media library
- Scheduling
- Cross-device sync
Pros
- Professional quality
- Great for teams
- Easy to use
Cons
- Some features paid
- Learning curve
9
Over (GoDaddy Studio)
Over (now GoDaddy Studio) is a design app for creating branded Instagram carousels and graphics. Choose from hundreds of templates, add text, logos, and overlays, and export your slides for Instagram. Over is great for marketers and small businesses who want total control over their visual identity.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $14.99/mo
Features
- Branded templates
- Text & overlays
- Logo integration
- Scheduling
Pros
- Branding tools
- Customizable
- Great for businesses
Cons
- Some features paid
- Busy interface
10
StoryArt
StoryArt is packed with creative templates for Instagram carousels, Stories, and posts. Choose from thousands of layouts, add animated text, stickers, and effects, and export slides ready for Instagram. StoryArt is perfect for influencers, bloggers, and anyone who wants to add a creative flair to their carousel content.
Pricing
- Free (with limited templates)
- Pro: $9.99/yr
Features
- Creative templates
- Animated text
- Stickers & effects
- High-res export
Pros
- Huge template library
- Easy to use
- Regular updates
Cons
- Some features paid
- Ads in free version
11
InShot
InShot is a versatile video and photo editor that supports multi-image layouts and video carousels. Use its collage, text, and filter tools to create swipeable posts, or edit videos for carousel slides. InShot is easy to use and perfect for creators who want to mix images and video in their carousels.
Pricing
- Free (with watermark)
- Pro: $3.99/mo
Features
- Multi-image layouts
- Video editing
- Text & filters
- Export for Instagram
Pros
- Versatile
- Great for video carousels
- Easy export
Cons
- Watermark in free plan
- Some features paid
12
Preview
Preview is a visual Instagram planner that lets you design, schedule, and preview carousel posts in your feed. Drag and drop images, create multi-slide layouts, and plan your content calendar in advance. Preview is ideal for creators and brands who want to maintain a cohesive, swipe-worthy feed.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: from $6.67/mo
Features
- Carousel planning
- Feed preview
- Scheduling
- Hashtag finder
Pros
- Great for planning
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- Some features paid
- UI could be modernized
13
PicMonkey
PicMonkey is a powerful design app for creating Instagram carousel graphics, with advanced photo editing, templates, and brand kits. Add text, overlays, and effects, and export slides ready for Instagram. PicMonkey is great for creators who want more control over their carousel visuals.
Pricing
- Free trial
- Pro: from $7.99/mo
Features
- Photo editing
- Templates
- Brand kits
- Text & overlays
Pros
- Advanced editing
- Branding tools
- Easy export
Cons
- Pro required for most features
- No scheduling
14
Pixlr
Pixlr is a free, browser-based photo editor with templates for Instagram carousels, collages, and posts. Add filters, overlays, and text, or use AI tools to enhance your images. Pixlr is ideal for users who want a free, no-download solution for quick carousel creation.
Pricing
- Free
- Premium: $7.99/mo
Features
- Browser-based editor
- Carousel templates
- AI tools
- No download needed
Pros
- Free version
- Quick edits
- No install required
Cons
- Ads in free plan
- Limited templates
15
Desygner
Desygner is a design app with thousands of templates for Instagram carousels, posts, and stories. Use its drag-and-drop editor to create multi-slide visuals, add text, icons, and photos, and export slides for Instagram. Desygner is perfect for small businesses and marketers who want an affordable, easy-to-use design tool.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $4.95/mo
Features
- Carousel templates
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Stock photos
- Brand kits
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy for beginners
- Lots of templates
Cons
- Some features paid
- Basic animation
16
Crello (VistaCreate)
Crello (now VistaCreate) is a design platform with Instagram carousel templates, animated graphics, and a huge stock library. Use the drag-and-drop editor to create multi-slide posts, add video or animated elements, and export for Instagram. Crello is great for creators who want to add motion and variety to their carousels.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $10/mo
Features
- Carousel templates
- Animated graphics
- Stock library
- Drag-and-drop editor
Pros
- Animated options
- Lots of stock media
- Easy export
Cons
- Some features paid
- UI can be busy
How to Choose the Right Instagram Carousel App
- For seamless panoramic carousels: SCRL and Panorama Scroll Carousel Maker are top picks.
- For templates and design: Canva, Adobe Express, and StoryArt offer huge libraries and easy customization.
- For AI-powered automation: Predis.ai and Carousel AI Posts save time and generate content for you.
- For animation and video carousels: Mojo and InShot add motion, music, and video editing.
- For planning and scheduling: Preview and Canva help you visualize and schedule your carousels in advance.
Experiment with a few apps to find the one that fits your workflow and creative vision. Most offer free trials or robust free plans.
Pro Tips for Creating Engaging Instagram Carousels
- Hook viewers with a bold first slide—most users decide to swipe based on the cover image.
- Use a mix of images, text, and video for variety and depth.
- Keep each slide focused—one idea per slide works best.
- Maintain visual consistency with colors, fonts, and layout.
- End with a strong call to action—swipe, comment, share, or visit your profile.
- Preview your carousel before posting to ensure seamless flow and sizing.
Pro Tip: Carousels with 3-5 slides and a clear narrative drive the highest engagement. Use templates to speed up your workflow and keep your brand style consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
An Instagram carousel post lets you upload up to 20 images or videos in a single swipeable post—perfect for storytelling, tutorials, product showcases, or before/after reveals.
SCRL and Panorama Scroll Carousel Maker are the best for creating seamless, scroll-through panoramic carousels.
Yes! Canva, Pixlr, Preview, and Desygner all offer free plans with carousel templates and editing tools.
Mojo and InShot are top picks for animated and video carousels, with dynamic templates and video editing tools.
Yes, apps like Canva, Predis.ai, and Preview let you design, schedule, and auto-publish carousels to Instagram.
Conclusion: Make Every Swipe Count
With the right carousel app, you can turn ideas into swipe-worthy stories that engage, educate, and convert. Try a few of these top tools to find your perfect fit, and watch your Instagram engagement soar—one slide at a time.
