A Color Story review

A Color Story suits people whose aesthetic is bright and colorful rather than moody. Its App Store listing describes over 500 stackable filters and over 120 customizable effects designed by photographers and influencers, plus one-tap Styles that recreate trending looks. You can save a filter and effect combination as your own preset, batch edit multiple photos, and preview your Instagram grid in the app before posting. Editing tools include Object Removal, HSL sliders, curves and selective editing across 20+ advanced tools. ACS+ unlocks unlimited filters and effects, the Color+ tool and unlimited grid accounts at $4.99 USD a month or $29.99 a year, and the yearly plan starts with a 7-day free trial. The developer says the app has been downloaded over 20 million times. Some filter packs are also sold one by one, which can be confusing. We compared documented features and published prices only.

Who it is for

bright, colorful feeds planned grid by grid

Price

Free app; ACS+ $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year.

The ACS+ Monthly membership is $4.99 USD per month.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Over 500 filters designed by photographers and influencers
• Over 120 movable effects
• One-tap Styles for trending looks
• Instagram grid preview and planning in the app
• Object Removal, HSL, curves and selective editing

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Largest filter count on this list at 500+
• Strength: Grid planner previews a feed before you post
• Strength: Yearly plan of $29.99 is among the cheapest here
• Weakness: Unlimited filters, effects and Color+ need ACS+
• Weakness: Extra filter packs are also sold separately
• Weakness: Smaller ratings base than VSCO: 31K ratings

Key facts

• Filters: 500+
• Effects: 120+
• Yearly price: $29.99 with 7-day trial
• App Store rating: 4.8 from 31K ratings
• Age rating: 4+

Where it ranks

A Color Story is No. 5 in our Best Photo Filter Apps verdict.