Instagram reels vs. stories for better engagement is a nerve-wracking battle.
We decided to end this fight by announcing the ultimate winner and showing you the key differences between Instagram reels and stories. In the article, we analyzed which one to pick to get more engagement and followers.
Instagram Reels vs Stories: In a Nutshell (2025)
In a hurry? Don’t worry! Below is a quick view of the key differences between Instagram reels and stories.
Difference Between Instagram Reels and Instagram Stories
Both Instagram reels and stories have great significance, depending on the reason you are using them. To understand what suits you best, look at the difference between Instagram reels and stories.
1. Length
For special accounts, the length of an Instagram reel is up to 90 seconds. Normal Instagram users are allowed to make up to 15, 30, and 60-second reels, depending on their mood. However, with Instagram stories, the maximum length of a video is up to 60 seconds.
If you upload a picture to your story, you can also upload up to a minute-long video. Previously, Instagram allowed you to upload only a 15-second video to your story, so Instagram decided to allow additional time. However, this feature may not be available to everyone.
Verdict: Instagram reels and stories both allow you to post long-form videos.
2. Format
A reel on your Instagram account would be visible as a short video compared to Instagram stories. An Instagram story would appear as a picture, video, or feed from your Instagram account.
However, you can also post a reel on your Instagram story. After you upload your reel, share it on your story so that your followers will know you shared a new reel and check it out.
Verdict: Both allow you to add different formats to your videos.
3. Caption & Hashtag
Instagram reels are more convenient in terms of hashtags and captions. You can put full captions on your Instagram reels with up to 30 hashtags. This is more than enough for Instagram users. However, this is not the case with Instagram stories, where you can only put ten hashtags with no captions.
The stories do not allow you to add a separate caption. Instead, you can add a caption through the text feature. So, for someone who is big on captions and hashtags, reels would be the ideal choice.
Verdict: Instagram Reels
4. Engagement
Uploading content on Instagram is motivated by getting engagement from active users. Both reels and stories can get you the engagement you want for an Instagram business, and a story can give you engagement through DMs.
For instance, if you upload a story related to your clothing business, people interested in purchasing your clothes can DM you and ask you for the price and other information directly. This will increase each customer’s personal attention and give you a feel of a traditional business.
Talking about the Instagram reels, you get engagement through comments like your feed posts. This way of engaging with users is good for influencers who personally have no time to engage with their fans in DMs.
One crucial thing to note here is that your stories do not get featured or are not visible to anyone scrolling through their reels. Instead, you can view your story by going to your profile.
On the other hand, your reel has a chance to go viral, appearing in various people’s feeds. So, when it comes to engagement, reels lead the battle!
Verdict: Instagram Reels offer better engagement and followers.
5. Time
Once you post a story on your Instagram account, it automatically disappears after 24 hours. If your message wasn’t delivered to all of your audience in those 24 hours, you have to upload a story again.
Here, Instagram reels to win the race again by staying on your account forever until you delete them yourself!
Verdict: Instagram Reels
6. Audio Focus
Regarding Instagram stories’ audio focus, your story would have the option to play music tracks in the background, which are available in the music library.
In contrast, in Instagram reels, you have the option to include music tracks from the music library or record your voice as the audio focus. Reels allow you to create a more personalized audio experience. Meanwhile, stories have a certain limit on the audio focus.
Verdict: Instagram Reels
7. Editing
Lastly, we will discuss editing. You have several options for editing and filming your Instagram reels, including trimming and aligning them with other clips. You can also slow down your reels, giving them a slow-mo effect, or speed up your reel, making it fun.
Furthermore, you can put a timer on your reels, too. However, with Instagram stories, the editing options are limited to filters, layouts, and camera effects.
You can only add filters, merge pictures through the layout option, or add stickers. You do not have the option to trim your videos, align them, use multiple effects, or do anything else like Reels.
Verdict: Instagram Reels
Bonus: Learn about the best time to post on Instagram with our guide!
Instagram Reels vs Stories: Which One Trending & Has Better Engagement
A straightforward answer to this is Instagram reels. Instagram reels are considered a better way of getting engagement and getting on the trending list on Instagram.
No, we do not say this just based on our experience. Instead, below, we have collected data from other reliable sources to determine which has the best engagement opportunity! Take a look below.
A recent study by Hootsuite suggested that Instagram reels increase followers better than videos and posts on your Instagram feed. In the study, we noticed a drastic increase in the number of Instagram account followers within 1-3 days of posting reels.
The green line in the graph (picture below) indicates the increase in follower count after uploading reels.
The follower count and engagement increased after posting videos and other forms of content, too, but not as much as they did after posting reels. Regarding Instagram stories, Hootsuite claims that re-sharing Instagram reels on the story can significantly increase the views count of Instagram reels.
Now, let’s get to Later’s study on Instagram reel engagement patterns.
Later’s study explains the impact of Instagram reels on engagement, as the engagement on feed posts suddenly dropped by 44% after the reels feature was launched on Instagram.
We searched the latest Google trends to see people’s interest in Instagram reels and stories. Over time, Instagram reels have become the new search interest of people, whereas Instagram stories see a significant drop in terms of the search interest of people.
The blue line in the graph below represents Instagram reels, and the red line indicates Instagram stories. The bumps and rise of the blue line are enough to explain people’s love for Instagram reels.
Lastly, we can see the win of Instagram reels over Instagram stories with all the above data.
Interesting read: Check out how Instagram reels are taking over social media platforms with our Instagram Reel statistics.
When To Use Instagram Stories And Instagram Reels?
The common question everyone asks themselves when posting on Instagram is when they should use Instagram stories and when to use Instagram Reels. Both have their own purposes, so it is important to know when to use both of them.
Use Instagram Stories When:
- Want to build relationships with your audience
- Want to interact with your followers
- Want to let your followers about an important update about yourself or your brand
- Want to create highlights for your profile
- Want to share your day-to-day life with your followers
Use Instagram Reels When:
- Want to promote your brand or anyone else’s
- Want to gain popularity by creating quality content
- Want to engage with your audience
- Want to get featured in the explore section
Verdict: Instagram Reels Are Better For Engagement & Followers
Here we come to an end of the battle between Instagram reels vs stories! Hopefully, you now understand what is best between Instagram reels and Instagram stories. To sum it up, we must say that Instagram reels are the best if you want better engagement and followers.
Nevertheless, we can’t say Instagram stories are useless. They are helpful for businesses willing to give personal attention to their customers. But, of course, if you want to choose between any two of them, then go for reels.
We hope the above article helped you understand the difference between Instagram reels and stories. In the comments below, let us know what you believe is the best option.
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FAQs On Instagram Reels vs Stories
Yes, a recent study suggests that reel posts on Instagram attract 22% more followers than video posts.
More engagement than usual on reels indicates a viral reel and more than 5 million views within 3-7 days of upload also indicate a viral reel.
Posting 4-7 reels weekly is good as it increases the account reach.
To make a reel go viral, follow these tips.
Use trendy music
Use trendy hashtags
Remove watermarks
Ensure high video quality
Optimize the text placements on-screen
