In the fast-paced world of performance-based marketing, designing eye-catching, high-converting Snapchat vertical ads can be a major challenge for small creative agencies. While big brands have entire teams and vast budgets for ad production, smaller firms are forced to think lean, prioritizing smart tool choices and sharper storytelling. The secret sauce? A growing ecosystem of legal ad creative tools purpose-built for vertical video and Snapchat-specific formats that deliver higher click-through rates (CTRs) and maintain native platform aesthetics.
TL;DR
Small agencies creating ads for Snapchat rely on specialized tools designed for vertical video, native specifications, and performance-driven results. Many of these tools offer templates, AI, or presets tailored to Snapchat’s ad architecture. This list highlights five of the most popular platforms used by creative professionals looking for legal, scalable, and affordable ways to build high-performing Snapchat ad creatives. Whether you’re a one-person show or a growing team, these tools can help you build ads faster and smarter.
1. Canva Pro – Versatile Design with a Snapchat Twist
Canva is already a staple among graphic designers, but Canva Pro truly levels up your Snapchat ad game. With hundreds of vertical templates available (many optimized for Snapchat stories or Spotlight ads), Canva Pro enables rapid iteration with drag-and-drop design features, motion graphics, and customizable branding elements. Most importantly, you can export Snap-ready ads in native 9:16 aspect ratio without having to resize or reformat externally.
- Templates already sized for Snapchat’s vertical frame
- Built-in animation and fast transitions that feel native
- Custom fonts, logos, and brand kits for easy reuse
Small agencies often pair Canva Pro with Firebase or Google Analytics to A/B test which creatives yield the best CTR results. For those working on multiple client accounts, Canva’s collaboration and approval features streamline the workflow, saving invaluable hours during production cycles.
2. InVideo – Video Templates Tailored for Platform Specs
For motion-intensive ads, InVideo has emerged as a favorite among agencies for its extensive library of ready-to-use, vertical video templates built for ad performance. You can sort by objective—such as conversions, engagement, or views—and apply an industry filter ranging from retail to finance to fitness. InVideo’s AI-powered video assistance can suggest edits or generate auto-scenes based on your script or input.
Why InVideo works for Snapchat:
- Templates made for stories, quick vertical format
- AI tools for faster scripting and scene generation
- Export videos in the right specs with minimal post-editing
While Canva dominates on static and animated creatives, InVideo brings in the power of motion storytelling with legal music licensing, transitions, and performance overlays. Agencies often use InVideo to produce mobile-first teaser clips, product tutorials, or hype reels intended to run as conversion ads on Snapchat’s Discover tab.
3. Promo.com – Legal Music, Licensed Media, and Ad Realism
If your Snapchat ads rely heavily on rhythm, lifestyle footage, or catchy taglines, Promo.com delivers value that goes beyond templates. This platform gives small agencies access to a vast library of legally licensed music, video clips, and photos pulled from Getty, Shutterstock, and other major content providers. For Snapchat creatives, that translates to authentic, fast-turnaround story-style ads with a more “native” social feel.
- Auto-formatting tools for Snapchat-sized creatives
- Legally cleared audio and b-roll media for commercial use
- Drag-and-drop storyboard interface perfect for iterative testing
What makes Promo ideal for agencies is its legal security. You don’t need to chase down licenses or worry about copyright flags on Snapchat’s platform, which enforces fairly strict ad approval guidelines. Add to that its social media export presets and white-labeling options, and it’s no surprise small firms frequently turn to Promo.com when launching client campaigns.
4. Kapwing – AI-Powered Editing and Meme-Like Speed
Kapwing has carved a niche with its quick editing tools, smart resizing features, and increasingly robust AI integration. Agencies who need to churn out 15+ ad variants per week love Kapwing’s ability to remove backgrounds, add subtitles, and auto-transcribe dialogue into compelling captions—critical for Snapchat users who often watch on mute.
Kapwing’s native smart-cropping ensures every frame looks pixel-perfect in Snapchat’s 1080×1920 resolution. Recently, features like Magic Subtitles and AI content repurposing have pushed Kapwing into must-have territory for teams that value speed and experimentation.
- Smart resizer for 9:16 visuals with zero quality loss
- Auto-captioning increases engagement for silent viewers
- One-click background removal for product cutouts
Agencies also appreciate their seamless export flows and cloud storage integrations, allowing them to edit, version, and share across teams effortlessly.
5. Adobe Express – Professional Templates Meet AI Suggestions
Built on the powerhouse ecosystem of Adobe, Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) offers templated content creation without the heavy lifting of After Effects or Premiere Pro. Designed for non-designers and small agency team members who need fast results, Adobe Express includes vertical ad templates optimized across social platforms—with specific support for Snapchat ad styles and storytelling pacing.
What makes Adobe Express stand out isn’t just aesthetic quality; it’s the smart suggestion engine that helps tailor ads toward campaign goals. Want a swipe-up-worthy CTA or a snappy introduction? Adobe’s automation tools will serve up suggestions that match top-performing trends on Snapchat’s ad library.
- Auto-recommendations for layouts, fonts, and transitions
- Professionally designed vertical story templates
- One-tap branding for agencies handling multiple client looks
Adobe Express works brilliantly with other Adobe products as well. Teams often design static ads in Photoshop, drop assets into Adobe Express, and animate them instantly for interactive Snapchat content—all while staying within Snapchat’s creative compliance guidelines.
Bonus Tips to Improve CTRs with These Tools
No matter which tools you use, applying Snapchat-specific creative strategies can elevate your results. Some campaign-proven tips include:
- Start with a Hook: Use the first 1–2 seconds to grab attention; text overlays with questions or offers work well.
- Native Look and Feel: Snapchat users respond best to content that mimics what their friends post—avoid overproduced visuals.
- Use Captions: Many viewers watch with sound off; tools like Kapwing or Promo help auto-generate captions.
- Clear CTAs: End with a clearly visible swipe-up or tap CTA. Adobe Express often integrates these with motion graphics.
Final Thoughts
The world of Snapchat creative production is evolving rapidly, and thanks to these purpose-built tools, small agencies are no longer at a disadvantage. Whether you prioritize speed, aesthetics, or conversion data, these five legal ad creative platforms offer the ideal balance of functionality and affordability.
In an era where vertical ad design dominance often translates to campaign success, the smartest agencies are those who leverage the right mix of native-spec tools and performance insights. So, boot up your favorite platform, experiment boldly, and watch your Snapchat ad CTRs climb.