Layout from Instagram for Android

First look: pretty interface, limited capability

Instagram's standalone collage app Layout aims for simplicity and a polished appearance, but it sacrifices depth of tools. Built as a separate download (following Instagram's earlier spin-off Hyperlapse), Layout is designed to make quick collages simple — yet it lacks the kinds of editing features you might expect from a full collage creator.

How the app functions

• Use the in-app camera to capture a burst of selfies directly from Layout.
• Pick photos from a horizontal strip of your camera roll that appears at the bottom of the screen.
• Choose one of the preset grid arrangements to place your selected images.
• Replace individual images, flip or mirror a photo, and nudge pictures within their frames.
• Adjust the grid lines themselves to fine-tune composition, then save to your camera roll or share through Instagram and other apps.

What it does well

Layout makes basic collage creation fast and intuitive. If your goal is a no-frills method to combine a few photos and post them quickly, the app delivers — its streamlined workflow and clean design remove friction from the process.

Where it falls short

Despite the attractive UI, Layout is notably sparse when it comes to creative controls:

• No built-in photo editing tools to tweak images before placing them.
• Lacks filters, customizable borders, and background options.
• Doesn’t support video, audio, or animated collages.
• Fewer advanced layout and decorative features compared with many third-party collage makers.

Bottom line

Layout is a useful choice for users who want an easy, fast way to assemble simple photo collages. However, for anyone hoping to craft more elaborate or polished compositions, it’s underpowered. Given how limited the feature set is, integrating collage creation into the main Instagram app might have been a more sensible approach.

Alternative to try

Top recommended pick: Boomerang (from Instagram) — free. It focuses on short looping clips and is beginner-friendly; if you want more collage-specific capabilities, consider dedicated collage or design apps that offer filters, backgrounds, and richer editing tools.