Want Viral Reels? Try These 10 Free Tools Every Marketer Swears By

Creating Instagram Reels that actually get noticed can feel like trying to win a game you don’t fully understand. One day you’re posting what you think is a solid piece of content, and the next, you’re wondering why it’s stuck at 27 views while your competitor’s Reel is blowing up. Sound familiar?

With Reels getting more and more popular in today’s age, it’s no wonder many businesses – including our SEO company in Philadelphia – are looking for ways to stand out. They’re your chance to boost your brand, reach new customers, and even drive sales without spending a fortune on ads.  

With so much competition out there, it’s easy to feel like only influencers or big brands with fancy budgets can crack the code. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to pour money into high-end video equipment or hire a full production team. Sometimes, the best tools to create scroll-stopping content are right at your fingertips… and free.

So, whether you're trying to turn heads, build trust, or convert views into loyal customers, the tools we’re about to share can help you make it happen. From generating fresh ideas to editing like a pro, we’ve rounded up the top 10 free tools every marketer swears by.  

Ready to take your Reels to the next level? Let’s dive in.

1. CapCut

CapCut is a one-stop video editing app packed with features that make professional-level editing easy – even for beginners. Owned by the same company as TikTok, you’ll find a lot of intuitive features designed for short-form video.  

From trimming clips and adding transitions to using trending filters and text animations, CapCut has everything you need to make your videos pop.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• The auto-caption feature saves time and ensures your Reels are more accessible (and let’s not forget, captions are a huge engagement booster!).
• Its massive music library lets you match your video to popular or trending sounds, which is key for going viral.
• You can experiment with advanced tools like green screen effects and speed adjustments without any prior editing experience.

Pro tip: Start with their pre-made templates for quick edits, or use the manual editing features for a more customized look. For businesses, consider using their text animation options to highlight a call-to-action like “Shop Now” or “Visit Our Website.”

2. Canva

If you think Canva is just another graphic design tool, think again. It’s actually a powerhouse for creating branded, animated Reels!

With templates designed specifically for short-form video, you can add your logo, product shots, or promotional text in a polished, cohesive way. It’s perfect for businesses that want professional-quality visuals without hiring a designer.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• Customizable templates save time and make sure your branding stays consistent across all your content.
• Canva’s library of design elements (shapes, icons, text effects) lets you create attention-grabbing Reels, even if you don’t have video footage.
• Animations are simple to apply, giving your Reels a dynamic, professional touch.

Pro tip: Use Canva to design teaser videos, product highlights, or explainer Reels. The experts at our SEO company in Philadelphia recommend trying their animated text features to create an engaging introduction or outro that ties your branding together.

3. InShot

InShot is one of the easiest video editing apps out there, but don’t let its simplicity fool you – it’s packed with tools to help you create engaging Reels. You can trim, split, and merge clips, add music, apply effects, and even adjust the aspect ratio so your content fits perfectly on Instagram.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• It’s user-friendly and doesn’t require hours of practice to master.
• Features like blur backgrounds and voiceovers make it versatile for different types of content, from talking-head videos to product tutorials.
• It supports 4K resolution, ensuring your videos look sharp and professional.

Pro tip: Use InShot to repurpose content from other platforms (like horizontal YouTube videos) into a vertical format for Reels. Add upbeat music and quick transitions to keep your audience’s attention.

4. TikTok Creative Center

Even if your focus is Instagram, TikTok’s Creative Center is a goldmine for staying ahead of trends. It provides real-time insights into trending sounds, hashtags, and content formats that are performing well across different categories.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• Trends often migrate from TikTok to Instagram, so using this tool helps you jump on them early.
• You can filter by region and industry to see what’s resonating with audiences similar to yours.
• It offers creative inspiration, from viral campaign ideas to content templates.

Pro tip: Check the trending audio section regularly and incorporate popular sounds into your Reels. Pair the sound with a creative twist that ties back to your brand or product.

5. Pexels

Need high-quality video clips to take your Reels to the next level? Pexels offers a massive library of free, royalty-free videos you can use to supplement your content. From scenic backgrounds to action shots, it’s perfect for filling in gaps or elevating the look of your videos.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• It provides a variety of themes, from business and travel to seasonal content, so you can find clips that align with your brand’s message.
• The platform is easy to navigate, with a search function that helps you quickly find what you need.
• Using professional-grade stock footage can instantly upgrade the overall quality of your Reels.

Pro tip: Combine Pexels footage with your original clips to create a polished, storytelling-style Reel. For example, if you’re promoting a travel agency, you can use drone footage of exotic locations to set the mood.

6. Mojo

Mojo is an app specifically designed for creating eye-catching Stories and Reels. It comes with dozens of animated templates that you can easily customize with your own photos, videos, and text. Think of it as Canva, but with a bigger focus on motion graphics.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• Templates are designed to grab attention, making it easier to stand out in a crowded feed.
• It’s best for quick promotions, product launches, or announcements.
• You can export videos in multiple resolutions, ensuring they look good on any platform.

Pro tip: Use Mojo to create short, informative Reels that highlight key features of your product or service. Pair bold text animations with trending audio for maximum impact.

7. Unsplash

Unsplash is a treasure trove of free, high-resolution images that can be used to create visually stunning Reels. While it’s primarily a photo platform, you can use its imagery as a backdrop or overlay for your videos.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• It’s completely free and doesn’t require a subscription.
• The platform offers a wide variety of images, from abstract textures to lifestyle photography.
• Using high-quality visuals can help you stand out and look more professional.

Pro tip: Use Unsplash images as part of a slideshow Reel or to add depth to your storytelling. Say you’re running a motivational campaign; you can pair inspiring quotes with powerful visuals from the platform.

8. Instagram Insights

If you’re not using Instagram Insights, our SEO company in Philadelphia can tell you that you’re missing out on valuable data about what’s working (and what’s not) with your Reels. This built-in tool gives you a clear picture of how your audience is engaging with your content.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• It’s free and easily accessible within the app.
• You can track metrics like views, saves, shares, and comments to see which Reels are resonating.
• It helps you refine your strategy by identifying what type of content performs best with your audience.

Pro tip: Regularly review your Reel analytics to see trends in engagement. If one type of Reel is getting more shares, consider doubling down on that format or topic.

9. Videoleap

Videoleap brings advanced editing tools to your fingertips, letting you create professional-quality Reels directly from your phone. Its free version includes a variety of effects, filters, and transitions that can make your videos look like they were edited by a pro.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• Keyframe animations and masking features let you create dynamic visuals that stand out.
• It’s perfect for adding creative effects like glitch transitions, color grading, or text overlays.
• Its intuitive interface makes it accessible for everyone, including beginners.

Pro tip: Experiment with Videoleap’s green screen feature to create fun, immersive Reels that transport your audience to different settings.

10. Later (Free Plan)

Consistency is key on Instagram, and Later helps you stay on track by allowing you to schedule your Reels ahead of time. It even suggests the best times to post based on your audience’s activity.

Why it’s great for marketers:

• Scheduling tools free up your time and ensure you’re posting consistently.
• You can plan your entire content calendar in one place, making it easier to stay organized.
• The preview feature helps you see how your Reels fit within your overall feed aesthetic.

Pro tip: Plan and schedule a batch of Reels at once. This keeps your content flowing, even during busy weeks.

Let’s Turn Your Reels into Real Results!

There you have it – 10 free tools that can take your Reels from “meh” to viral-worthy. Whether you’re brainstorming fresh ideas, editing like a pro, or tracking your performance, you can count on these tools to make creating engaging content easier and more effective.

And if you’re ready to take things to the next level, our SEO company in Philadelphia specializes in helping businesses like yours increase visibility, drive traffic, and see real results.  

Let’s grow your business together. Get in touch with us today to get started!