500 Stories review
A focused iOS toolkit for creating animated Reels, Stories, and TikTok posts.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
500 Stories is an iOS app for creating Instagram Stories, Reels, TikTok content, and other social-media designs. It is aimed at content creators, photographers, influencers, small businesses, local shops, and social-media marketing specialists who want animated templates and built-in editing tools in a mobile workflow. Users can start without creating an account, and the app combines a free plan with optional Pro access and a lifetime purchase.
The template and asset library is the main draw. The app provides 800+ animated templates, stock images, music tracks, stickers, GIFs, and background images, with support for text styling, layers, and one-click object animations. Built-in content creation guides add direction for creators who want a more structured starting point. Full HD and no-watermark exports are useful for publishing finished work directly to social channels, while support for Reels, Stories, and TikTok keeps the product focused on short-form content.
Pricing follows a freemium model. The free plan provides an entry point, while Pro options include weekly, monthly, three-month, six-month, and annual access. The published plans describe access to Pro features, all templates and features, or a defined subscription period. A lifetime purchase is also available. The main trade-off is platform scope: 500 Stories is designed for iOS and for social-media content rather than wider-purpose design production. Choose it if your priority is quick, template-led creation for mobile social publishing. Consider another tool if you need a broader platform footprint or a general-purpose design system.
500 Stories pros and cons
- Where it wins
- 800+ animated templates for Reels, Stories, and TikTok
- Full HD, no-watermark exports with stock media included
- Layers, text styling, and one-click object animations
- Where it doesn't
- Available on iOS only
- Focused on social-media designs rather than broad design work
- Pro access uses multiple subscription durations
500 Stories fact sheet, pricing and score →
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