Instagram has made it so difficult to access most of its functionality outside of the mobile app. When you are outdoors this is not a problem, but it can be uncomfortable when you are at home at your computer.
Fortunately, there are a number of third-party desktop applications out there that might be better for using Instagram on your PC than a standard desktop website.
In this list, we’ll take a look at three of the best desktop applications available and explain their pros and cons. All downloads have been scanned by VirusTotal to ensure they are free of malware / spyware.
Also, don’t forget to check out my post on how to browse and search Instagram using the PC website. This post also shows you how to download high resolution images from Instagram.
Gramblr
Gramblr is a free Instagram client that connects directly to the Instagram API. You can download Gramblr from Gramblr.com
This app can be a useful way to upload new photos and videos directly from your desktop, but it is also very effective in increasing your followers and engagement thanks to a number of different tools.
Below, we’ve covered some of the main reasons Gramblr is one of the best desktop clients for Instagram.
Download Tools
One of the most powerful features of Gramblr is its built-in loading tools. With their help, you can upload photos and videos directly to Instagram.
Before you hit the download button, you can follow a series of steps to tweak your photo. These steps are similar to what you find in the Instagram app. This includes adding tons of Instagram filters and a selection of exclusive Gramblr filters.
You also have finer control over how your image looks, thanks to controls for focus, saturation, light, and sharpness. Bringing a fresh look to an image or bringing to life a photo that would otherwise be boring can be incredibly easy.
After editing the photo, you can add a caption, specify a location, add hashtags and click Publish. Interestingly, you are given the opportunity to immediately add 60 likes from real users to your image. More on this below.
Posting Schedule
There are many Instagram post planners on the Internet, but almost all of them don’t automate the posting process. Instead, they send the photo and signature to your phone at some point and you have to download it manually.
This is due to some restrictions imposed by Instagram to prevent users from automating posts using third-party tools. Fortunately, this is not the case with Gramblr.
With Gramblr, the client essentially connects directly to the Instagram API to publish images on your behalf. This means that as long as the Gramblr client is running, any scheduled publications you installed will be automatically published at the specified time.
Auto like to increase the number of subscribers
Thanks to a workaround, Gramblr also has a number of other automation tools that can be helpful to extend your Instagram account. One such tool is the autorun function. Thanks to this, you can automatically like images on Instagram to grab the attention of new users.
You can select photos with specific hashtags to always target a specific audience. After that you can click “auto-like”, and while the Gramblr client is open, your profile will automatically like new posts.
Increase the number of posts with likes
You can also enhance every post you make with Gramblr. You get 60 free likes and regularly get free coins that can be spent on more likes. You can also pay for coins to get likes.
Gramblr claims these likes come from real users. All Gramblr users can receive coins by clicking “Like” in the “earn coins” queue. Like another user’s photo, you get 5 coins, and you can like your photo for 10 coins.
Possible problems
Gramblr is a great client for Instagram, but it’s not without its problems. First, the customer rarely gets support or updates, and the developer is very difficult to get hold of.
Secondly, the features that Gramblr uses are technically against Instagram’s terms of service, but since Gramblr runs directly through the Instagram API, auto likes, post scheduler, and similar acceleration features are in gray zone.
There is some concern that too much use of Gramblr’s marketing tools could restrict or ban your account, so this should be considered before using it.
Another downside to Gramblr is that you cannot use it to add stories or messages to users.
Windows Store Instagram app
Windows 10 now has an Instagram app that gives you many of the features that the mobile app provides. It is free to download and very lightweight. You can download it by visiting the Microsoft Store on your PC.
Since it’s tied to Windows 10, notifications will appear on your display and sent straight to the action center.
At first glance, the Windows Store Instagram app looks a lot like the mobile version.
Here’s an overview of the Windows Store Instagram app and how it compares to a PC website.
General view
The overall layout of the Instagram Windows Store app is similar to the mobile app. At the top, you have access to update options, access your private messages, and upload photos and videos to your story.
Below are the stories. You then have a taskbar at the bottom for accessing your home page, searching Instagram, viewing recent likes, and viewing your profile.
Add photos and videos
One of the main reasons a Windows Store app is better than a desktop website is the included option for adding photos and videos. When you visit the PC website, you cannot download new messages.
With the Instagram app on Windows, you can easily add a new message by right-clicking the application icon in the taskbar and choosing New Message.
If you have a camera, you can take photos or videos with it, or you can click the Camera Roll dropdown arrow at the top to view the photos saved on your PC.
Possible problems
For the most part, the Windows Instagram app is all you ever need. The only problem is that the application can sometimes be quite slow. Pages take longer to load than when accessed on a mobile phone.
Logging in can also be a problem. Sometimes you find it difficult to get past the login screen – it just pauses after you enter your password. When you get inside, you will enjoy most of the time.
ram
Ramme is a lightweight desktop application that allows you to access an interface that is almost identical to Instagram’s iOS app. You can download Ramme from github.com .
Ramme stands out from the desktop version for a number of reasons. First, all the features of the mobile app are present exactly where you expect them to be. This includes uploads of photos, stories, and direct correspondence.
Below are some of the key points worth mentioning when working with Ramme.
Well optimized and lightweight
For Ramme, you only need the .exe file from the GitHub page and you’re done. There is no need to use the installer or visit the Windows Store as you do with Gramblr or the Windows Store app. This makes it easy to save Ramme to a USB stick or load it for temporary use on a shared computer.
Ramme is very lightweight and runs smoothly and you will rarely run into performance issues.
It is also possible to resize the Ramme window on the desktop, and everything on the screen resizes to the size of the window without any glitches.
Uploading images made easy
The loading process in the Windows Store app is a bit odd, and it is not possible to upload images to the desktop website at all.
Ramme uses the same loading process as the mobile app. You simply click the “+” icon at the bottom and then browse Windows Explorer to find a photo or video to download.
Possible problems
We have nothing bad to say about Ramme if you happily sign in through an app that isn’t officially endorsed or created by Instagram.
That concludes our roundup of the three best apps for using Instagram on your PC. Which of the three desktop applications do you like best? If you are using another app, please leave a comment below to tell us which one. Enjoy!
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