Make Your Profile Pop: 15 Best Apps for Instagram Highlight Cover Design
Instagram Highlight covers are the first thing visitors see when they land on your profile. A beautiful, cohesive set of covers can instantly elevate your brand, organize your content, and make your page look polished and professional. Whether you want minimalist icons, custom illustrations, or bold colors, the right app can help you create covers that match your vibe and attract more followers. Here are the 15 best apps for Instagram Highlight cover design—covering templates, icons, creative tools, and customization for every style and skill level.
"Your Instagram Highlight covers are your digital storefront. With the right design, you can turn casual visitors into loyal followers—one tap at a time."
Why Use a Highlight Cover App for Instagram?
- First impressions matter: Cohesive covers make your profile look organized, on-brand, and inviting.
- Easy navigation: Icons and labels help followers find the content they want quickly.
- Boost professionalism: Custom covers show you care about your brand and details.
- Creative freedom: Choose from thousands of templates, icons, backgrounds, and colors.
- Save time: Use ready-made designs or drag-and-drop editors to create covers in minutes.
How We Picked the Best Instagram Highlight Cover Apps
- Templates and icon libraries for quick, stylish covers
- Customization: colors, backgrounds, fonts, and stickers
- Easy export and Instagram-ready sizing
- Free and premium options
- User-friendly design and positive reviews
Tip: Use consistent colors and icons across all covers for a professional, branded look. Most apps let you save templates for future updates.
The 15 Best Apps for Instagram Highlight Cover Design
1
Canva
Canva is one of the most popular design apps for Instagram Highlight covers. Choose from hundreds of free and premium templates, customize icons, colors, and fonts, and drag-and-drop your way to a cohesive profile. Canva’s media library offers thousands of icons, backgrounds, and design elements. Export in high resolution and upload directly to Instagram. Canva is perfect for both beginners and pros who want full creative control and professional results.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $14.99/mo
Features
- Highlight cover templates
- Icon & background library
- Custom colors & fonts
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Brand kits
Pros
- Huge template selection
- Easy to use
- Great for teams
Cons
- Some features paid
- Requires account for saving
2
StoryLight Highlight Cover Maker
StoryLight is dedicated to Instagram Highlight covers, with over 1000 templates and 3000+ icons and stickers. Easily customize backgrounds, borders, fonts, and add text or emojis. Choose from chalk, floral, neon, and marble designs. StoryLight is ideal for influencers and brands who want a quick, unique cover for every highlight. Save, re-edit, and keep your profile fresh with new designs anytime.
Pricing
- Free
- In-app purchases
Features
- 1000+ templates
- 3000+ icons & stickers
- Custom backgrounds
- Text & font tools
Pros
- Specialized for covers
- Easy customization
- Huge icon library
Cons
- Some features paid
- iOS and Android apps may differ
3
Highlight Cover Maker
Highlight Cover Maker is a story cover editor focused on Instagram highlights. It features over 500 icons, 200+ templates, and a variety of backgrounds, borders, and frames. The app supports easy resizing, trimming, and zooming, and offers a toolbox for custom designs. Perfect for anyone who wants to quickly create stylish covers with minimal effort.
Pricing
- Free
- In-app purchases
Features
- 500+ icons
- 200+ templates
- Borders & frames
- Customizable toolbox
Pros
- Simple interface
- Fast results
- Lots of free options
Cons
- Ads in free version
- Some premium content
4
Fotor Highlight Cover Maker
Fotor provides a free online Highlight cover maker with rich elements and an intuitive interface. Upload your own photos or choose from Fotor’s stock library, then add text, stickers, and icons. Adjust colors and filters for a unique look. Fotor is perfect for both personal and business accounts looking for a polished, professional finish.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: from $8.99/mo
Features
- Template & icon library
- Stock photos
- Text & stickers
- Online editor
Pros
- Browser-based
- Easy to use
- Rich design options
Cons
- Some features paid
- Requires internet
5
PicsArt
PicsArt is a creative powerhouse with templates, stickers, and icons for Instagram Highlight covers. Use AI tools, add text, backgrounds, and effects, and create covers that match your brand. PicsArt’s community features also let you remix and share designs for inspiration.
Pricing
- Free
- Premium: $11.99/mo
Features
- Templates & icons
- AI tools
- Stickers & backgrounds
- Remix community
Pros
- Creative freedom
- AI-powered
- Large user community
Cons
- Ads in free plan
- Busy interface
6
Mojo
Mojo specializes in animated Stories and Highlight covers. Choose from modern templates, add icons, text, and animated effects, and export for Instagram. Mojo is perfect for creators who want to add motion and style to their Highlight covers.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $9.99/mo
Features
- Animated templates
- Custom icons
- Text & effects
- Export for Instagram
Pros
- Trendy designs
- Easy animation
- Great for Stories
Cons
- Pro for full features
- No analytics
7
Over (GoDaddy Studio)
Over (now GoDaddy Studio) is a design app with templates, icons, and creative tools for Highlight covers. Add text, overlays, and brand elements, and customize every detail. Over is ideal for brands and creators who want to maintain a consistent, on-brand look.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $14.99/mo
Features
- Templates & icons
- Brand kits
- Text & overlays
- Custom backgrounds
Pros
- Branding tools
- Creative freedom
- Easy export
Cons
- Some features paid
- Busy interface
8
Unfold
Unfold is known for elegant, minimalist templates and icons for Instagram Stories and Highlights. Choose from curated collections, add text, and export for a clean, editorial look. Unfold is perfect for brands and creators who want a modern, understated aesthetic.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $2.99/mo
Features
- Minimalist templates
- Icon packs
- Text overlay
- Export for Instagram
Pros
- Elegant design
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited free templates
- Some features paid
9
PicMonkey
PicMonkey offers a suite of design tools for creating Highlight covers, including customizable templates, icons, and brand kits. Add overlays, textures, and text, and export in Instagram-ready formats. PicMonkey is great for creators who want more control over their designs.
Pricing
- Free trial
- Pro: $7.99/mo
Features
- Custom templates
- Icon library
- Brand kits
- Text & overlays
Pros
- Advanced editing
- Branding tools
- Easy export
Cons
- Pro required for most features
- No scheduling
10
StoryArt
StoryArt is packed with creative templates and icons for Instagram Highlight covers. Choose from hundreds of layouts, add animated elements, stickers, and custom fonts, and export in high resolution. StoryArt is perfect for influencers and brands who want to stand out.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $9.99/yr
Features
- Highlight cover templates
- Animated stickers
- Custom fonts
- High-res export
Pros
- Creative templates
- Affordable
- Easy export
Cons
- Some features paid
- Ads in free version
11
Adobe Express
Adobe Express (formerly Spark) offers customizable Highlight cover templates, icons, and brand kits. Add text, overlays, and export in Instagram-ready formats. Adobe Express is ideal for brands and creators who want professional, polished covers.
Pricing
- Free
- Premium: $9.99/mo
Features
- Templates & icons
- Brand kits
- Text & overlays
- Export for Instagram
Pros
- Professional quality
- Branding tools
- Easy to use
Cons
- Some features paid
- Learning curve
12
Crello (VistaCreate)
Crello (now VistaCreate) is a design platform with Highlight cover templates, animated graphics, and a huge stock library. Use the drag-and-drop editor to create covers, add video or animated elements, and export for Instagram. Crello is great for creators who want to add motion and variety to their covers.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $10/mo
Features
- Highlight cover 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
13
Instories
Instories offers modern templates and icons for Highlight covers, Stories, and Reels. Add animated elements, text, and stickers, and export in high resolution. Instories is perfect for creators who want trendy, eye-catching designs.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: in-app purchase
Features
- Modern templates
- Animated icons
- Text & stickers
- High-res export
Pros
- Trendy designs
- Easy to use
- Good for Reels/Stories
Cons
- Some features paid
- No desktop version
14
Highlight Cover Maker 2024
Highlight Cover Maker 2024 is a dedicated app for Instagram highlight covers, offering free and premium templates, colorful backgrounds, icons, and stickers. It features a clean interface, easy customization, and ready-to-use storylight highlight themes. Save your designs and use them across all your profiles.
Pricing
- Free
- In-app purchases
Features
- Free & premium templates
- Colorful backgrounds
- Icons & stickers
- Ready-to-use themes
Pros
- Clean interface
- Easy to use
- Lots of options
Cons
- Some features paid
- No desktop version
15
Highlight Cover Maker of Story
Highlight Cover Maker of Story helps you create high-quality Instagram highlight covers with over 200 templates, 500+ icons, and a variety of borders, backgrounds, and stickers. It includes a toolbox for resizing and zooming, and offers unique textures like marble and watercolor. Preview your designs before uploading and use your own images for a custom touch.
Pricing
- Free
- In-app purchases
Features
- 200+ templates
- 500+ icons
- Borders & backgrounds
- Toolbox for resizing
- Preview feature
Pros
- Lots of free options
- Unique textures
- Preview before upload
Cons
- Ads in free version
- Some premium content
How to Choose the Right Instagram Highlight Cover App
- For fast, professional results: Canva, Fotor, and Adobe Express offer the most templates and design flexibility.
- For unique icons and stickers: StoryLight, Highlight Cover Maker, and StoryArt stand out for their creative libraries.
- For animation and trendy effects: Mojo, Crello, and Instories are top picks.
- For branding and team use: Over, PicMonkey, and Unfold offer advanced tools and brand kits.
- For easy, free covers: Highlight Cover Maker of Story and Highlight Cover Maker 2024 are quick and effective.
Try a few apps to find the one that fits your brand, workflow, and style. Most offer free versions or trials, so you can experiment with different looks before committing.
Pro Tips for Designing Instagram Highlight Covers
- Keep your covers simple and easy to recognize—minimal icons work best.
- Use your brand colors and fonts for a cohesive, professional look.
- Preview your covers before uploading to see how they fit with your profile grid.
- Update your covers seasonally or for special campaigns to keep your profile fresh.
- Save your favorite templates for quick updates in the future.
Pro Tip: Consistency is key—use the same icon style and color palette across all covers for instant brand recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canva, StoryLight, and Highlight Cover Maker are top choices for templates, icons, and customization. For animation, try Mojo or Crello.
Yes! Canva, Fotor, StoryLight, Highlight Cover Maker, and Highlight Cover Maker of Story all offer free versions with plenty of templates and icons.
Absolutely. Most apps let you upload your own photos or icons for a truly custom look.
Save your cover design to your phone, go to your Instagram profile, tap and hold a highlight, select "Edit Highlight," then "Edit Cover," and upload your new image.
The recommended size is 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio), but Instagram will crop it to a circle—so keep important details centered.
Conclusion: Make Your Instagram Highlights Unforgettable
The right Highlight cover app can transform your Instagram profile from ordinary to outstanding. Experiment with different templates, icons, and colors to find your signature style—and keep your followers coming back for more.
