Top Trends

10 Best Instagram Filters & Effects for Posts, Stories in 2023

Q: What are popular Instagram filters?

Some of the most popular Instagram filters are Clarendon, Gingham, Juno, and Lark . The only downside of using these preset filters on your photos is that you can’t customize them. Once they’re on your photo, that’s it!

Author: Team YouCam

Mar 9, 2023 · 4 minutes read

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade the posts and stories you put on Instagram, you’re in the right place! We’ve compiled a list of the best Instagram filters & effects available in the YouCam Perfect app that will give your content an instant boost. You might be thinking, can’t I just use Instagram’s filters and effects? You could, but users of the popular social media app know that they are difficult to customize. Instead, read on to learn about similar features available on the YouCam Perfect app that offer users the ability to easily edit effects.

10 Best Instagram Filters & Effects

So if you aren’t wanting to use the popular filters and effects for the Instagram app, you might not know where else to look. We suggest the YouCam Perfect app, which, among other things, has a load of free effects you can take advantage of, and that you can customize to your liking. Let’s talk about the ten best filters and effects for you to use on your Instagram content!

Cartoon Filter
Paris Filter
Retro Filters
B&W Filter
KiraKira Effects
Camera Styles
Moods
Color & Light Overlays
Sci-fi & Fantasy
Weird & Scary Effects

1. Cartoon Filter

▲Cartoon Filter (Before vs. After)

The Cartoon filter on Instagram is perfect for making your photos look like illustrations. You can find the same effect on YouCam Perfect by tapping Photo Edit, then AI Style. Scroll to apply Cartoon 1 to Cartoon 5 and choose your preferred filter. This will help you make your photos look like cartoon drawings.

2. Paris Filter

▲ Filter: Paris (Before vs. After)

If you like the Paris filter on Instagram, you should try the Paris Filter Pack available on YouCam Perfect. It includes not one but six types of Paris color tone filters. The best part of all is that you can adjust the intensity of the filter with YouCam Perfect. In the Instagram app, you can only apply or remove it. To find this effect, tap Photo Edit then Effects. Then tap the Store icon, and within the Premium Effects section, you’ll see the Paris Filter Pack.

3. Retro Filters

▲ Filter: Vintage (Before vs. After)

The retro look is back! To put it on your photo, tap Photo Edit and then Effect. From that point, you can choose from a few vintage options, but we suggest Vintage Film Reel, Film Reel, or Vintage Feel.

4. B&W Filter

▲ Filter: Portrait – B&W (Before vs. After)

Color is great, but sometimes classic black and white can be the best filter of choice. To get this look on your photo, navigate to Photo Edit then Filter. In the Portrait pack you’ll see B&W option.

5. KiraKira Effects

▲ Kira Kira Filter & Sparkle Animated Effect

The KiraKira filter or Sparkle filter are both great ones to choose from if you want to add a bit of flash to your photo. To do so, tap Photo Edit then Effect. Select either Sparkle or the KiraKira filter. Alternatively, you could select Photo Edit, then Animation, then Sparkle, to get an animated sparkle effect.

6. Camera Styles

▲ Collage: Retro – Film

While filters and effects are fun, sometimes you need to feature a whole theme to get the look you want. To get this on your image, tap Collage then Poster. Tap the Store icon on the left side to see the choices available. Select Retro and then Film to see the options available.

7. Moods

▲ Collage: Scrapbook

Sometimes a frame or mood can really impact your photo’s look on Instagram! To try it out, tap Collage, then Poster, and tap the Store icon. The Scrapbook category will then show you a few options for a beautiful design for your photo.

8. Color & Light Overlays

▲ Effects: Light Leak Overlays (Before vs. After)

If you really want to make your photo stand out, adjusting the lighting can be a great choice. To try it yourself, tap on Photo Edit, then Overlays, and then Lightleak. You’ll see a multitude of options that will cast beautiful colored light onto your photo.

9. Sci-fi & Fantasy

▲ Metaworld Filter & Light Effect

Looking for an extraterrestrial look for your photo? Look no further than the Metaworld effect. Navigating to it isn’t difficult - just tap Photo Edit, then Effects, and Metaworld.

10. Weird & Scary Effects

▲ Filter: Spooky (Before vs. After)

This time of year, you might be looking for something a bit more spooky for your photo. Take a look at one of YouCam Perfect’s Halloween Effects & Filters.

Choose Filters Based on Photo Category

As you can tell, there are so many filters available for photos! If you don’t know how to choose the right filter for your photo, start by thinking about the photo type you have and which part of the photo you want to emphasize.

Filter for Selfies

For a filter that emphasizes your Instagram selfie, go to Beautify, then Effects, and choose Portrait.

Filter for Foods

For your foodie snaps, tap on Photo Edit, followed by Effects, and choose a filter from the Foodie category.

Filter for Fashion Outfits

Fashion photos need a filter that is as glamorous as they are. Try something like KiraKira, Light, or Camera Style.

Filter for Landscape

For your beautiful landscape photo, you’ll want to navigate to Photo Edit, then Effects, then choose one from the Landscape category.

1. Download YouCam Perfect, the Best Instagram Filter App

The first step in adding a filter to a photo you plan to share on Instagram couldn’t be easier! Just download the YouCam Perfect app, either for iOS or Android.

2. Select a Filter for Instagram

Once you have the app on your device, browse the multitude of effects and filters. Once you’ve found the one that you want to use, tap on it!

3. Adjust the Level of the Filter

Next, take advantage of YouCam Perfect’s customization tools. You can increase or decrease the impact of the effect on your photo using the slider at the bottom of your screen.

4. Save the Photo for Instagram

After adjusting the filter or effect to your liking, all you have to do next is save the photo and share it on the ‘gram!

Download YouCam Perfect: Best Free App for Instagram Filters & Effects

With so many photo filters and effects available, it can be tough to know just which one to use for your posts or stories on Instagram. YouCam Perfect is the perfect place to start when you’re editing your Instagram photos because it’s free and easy to use, with no advanced knowledge or software required. Just download YouCam Perfect for either iOS or Android today to get started leveling up your photos.

Best Instagram Filters FAQs

What are popular Instagram filters?

Some of the most popular Instagram filters are Clarendon, Gingham, Juno, and Lark. The only downside of using these preset filters on your photos is that you can’t customize them. Once they’re on your photo, that’s it!

Which Instagram filter is best for selfies?

Cartoon Filter
Paris Filter
Retro Filters
B&W Vibe
KiraKira Effects
Camera Styles
Moods
Color & Light Overlays
Sci-fi & Fantasy
Weird & Scary Effects

How do you find popular filters on Instagram?

In the Instagram app, it’s very simple to find a filter to use. Once you upload the photo you want to share, either swipe to see filters or select them from the menu.

What is the best filter for Instagram photos?

There isn’t one filter that’s best for your Instagram photo! The beauty of having options is that you can look through many before selecting the one you think is best. Plus, with the YouCam Perfect app, you can customize the intensity of the filter you’ve chosen.

Can you put an effect on an Instagram photo?

You certainly can! Before you upload the photo to share on Instagram, just use an app like YouCam Perfect to select your preferred filter and customize it to your liking.