10 Instagram Alternatives That Are Very Important To Know

If you’re looking for apps like Instagram, you probably already know that Instagram has loads of features that allow us to connect and share videos and photos with friends and fans. With over 2 billion users, Instagram has become a huge part of our culture today and a powerful visibility tool for businesses.

You can use Instagram to:

• Brand your business and establish visibility on social media
• Market your products and services using adverts or Instagram Influencers
• Edit photos and videos that you can use on other platforms

But, other platforms are always trying to get their share of users by gaining more popularity. Instagram alternatives capitalize on the platform's downsides. For instance: 

• Instagram can be addictive and lower productivity
• It discourages web traffic by not allowing links in the captions
• Photos on the platform are often highly filtered and have been accused of setting unrealistic beauty standards 

The rise of Instagram alternatives may lead to smaller communities that are more engaged. Building stronger relationships in smaller communities is easier because there is less competition.

I've compiled a list of social networking and photo-sharing apps like Instagram. Learn about their features and how you can leverage them for your business or to connect with like-minded people.

What Do I Consider When Choosing the Best Apps Like Instagram?

Just like any other social media platform, the mere existence of an Instagram alternative is not enough to make it worth our while to put our time and effort into it. 

Here are the primary factors that you should consider when choosing a new app like Instagram:

• Demographics – Where does your ideal social media audience hang out? What kind of content do they create and consume? Although it may be challenging to find a specific demographic, the features and overall focus of each app can be a guideline.
• Conversation opportunities – Instagram and its alternatives focus on sharing photos. But, the right alternative should also foster communities and give different communication options. Can you create groups or send private messages?
• Your marketing goals – The right alternative should fit seamlessly in with your social media goals and help you achieve them.

10 Best Alternatives to Instagram

I've compiled a list of social networking and photo-sharing apps like Instagram. Learn about their features and how you can leverage them for your business or to connect with like-minded people.

1. Snapchat

Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app that allows users to send and receive photos, videos, text messages, and make voice and video calls.

In addition to messaging and calling, Snapchat also has a variety of filters and lenses that you can use to enhance or alter the appearance of your photos and videos.

Snapchat is Instagram's closest competitor, with 363 million daily active users. Most of them are young people between the ages of 14 and 34.

Research suggests that most Snapchat users think it's more personal and use it to connect or hang out with friends.

Unique Features of Snapchat

The most used feature of this app like Instagram is augmented reality, with over 6 billion AR lens plays per day.

The platform has various other features that allow you to communicate and share content with your friends and followers. 

Some of these features include:

• Messaging: You can send and receive text messages, photos, and videos on Snapchat.
• Voice and video calling: You can make voice and video calls to other Snapchat users.
• Stories: You can collect photos and videos from your day into a slideshow format that your friends can view for 24 hours.
• Filters and lenses: Snapchat has a variety of filters and lenses that you can use to enhance or alter the appearance of your photos and videos.
• Discover: This feature lets you see content from various publishers and creators, including news organizations, celebrities, and brands.
• Bitmoji: Snapchat's Bitmoji enables you to create and use personalized emojis in your messages and stories.
• Group Chat: You can create and join group chats with your friends.
• Snap Map: This feature allows you to see where your friends are and what they are doing in real time.
• Memories: The Memories feature allows you to save your photos and videos to a personal collection you can access and share anytime.

Snapchat is a free app that can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. However, Snapchat offers in-app purchases, such as additional filters and lenses, that you can purchase. 

To access other features, such as Snapchat's premium subscription service, “Snapchat Premium,” you may be required to pay an access fee.

2. BeReal

BeReal is one of the newest social media apps like Instagram. It allows users to take photos using their front and rear cameras at the same time.

BeReal is similar to Instagram in terms of features. For example, it has features such as messaging and group chat. It also allows you to discover new users and content.

The main difference between BeReal and Instagram is that BeReal encourages users to be themselves, i.e, “be real.”

Instagram presents overly polished photos and lifestyles. BeReal seeks to do exactly the opposite by promoting authenticity and positivity.

BeReal promises users a genuine experience without filters or the need for likes and social pressures, as on similar platforms.

BeReal is still in its infancy stages, and developers continue to market the app and improve the user experience based on customer reviews. 

Users have enjoyed connecting with friends and family using the app, and they love its authenticity. For example, Charlotte loves BeReal because it's not as addictive as other social media platforms.

“I love BeReal and the fact that it's almost impossible to get addicted to it like other social media platforms.”-Charlotte Sweeney, BeReal user

Unique Features of The BeReal Social Networking App

With BeReal having garnered over 10 million downloads in such a short time, other apps are mimicking some of its features.

For instance, apps on social media like Instagram and Snapchat have introduced the Dual camera feature, one of the major elements of BeReal. 

With the app growing at such an impressive rate, it's no wonder why competitors have been inspired.

Some other features of BeReal include:

• Privacy: The app strongly focuses on privacy and allows you to control who can see and interact with your content.
• Group chat: The app has a group chat feature that allows you to communicate with multiple people at once.
• Discover: BeReal has a “Discover” feature that allows you to find new users and content to follow.
• Messaging: The platform has a messaging feature that allows you to communicate privately with other users.
• Customizable profile: You can customize your profile with a profile photo, bio, and links to your other social media accounts.
• Trending hashtags: BeReal has a feature that displays trending hashtags, allowing you to discover popular content and join in on conversations.
• Multiple languages: Bereal is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German.

The “Be Real – Social Networking” app is available on iOS and Android. It offers in-app purchases or a premium subscription that unlocks additional features or removes ads. 

The availability and cost of these options will depend on the specific version of the app you are using.

3. Imgur

Imgur is an online image hosting service that allows users to upload, share, and browse images. 

The platform was created in 2009 as a simple image-sharing website with most images sourced from Reddit. Since then, Imgur has grown with an app available on iOS and Android.

Imgur focuses on user-generated content and has an active community of users who share and comment on images, memes, and GIFs. 

In addition to hosting and sharing images, Imgur also has features that allow users to edit and manipulate images, create image galleries, and discover new content through its algorithms.

Unique Features of Imgur

Imgur has over 300 million users, with 17% spending over 10 hours daily on the platform.

Several features make Imgur very popular for hosting and sharing images online. For example:

• Easy uploading and sharing: Imgur makes it easy to upload and share images. Using the Imgur URL, you can upload images from your computer or mobile device or import images from other websites.
• User-generated content: Imgur focuses on social gossip, and the large and active community has fun creating, sharing, and commenting on images.
• Image editing and manipulation: Imgur has several tools that allow you to edit and manipulate images, including basic image editing tools such as cropping and resizing, as well as more advanced features like filters and special effects.
• Image galleries: Imgur allows you to create image galleries, which are collections of images that can be organized and shared with others.
• Recommendation algorithms: Imgur uses recommendation algorithms to help you discover new content you might be interested in.

One of the main differences between Imgur and Instagram is the focus of their respective communities.

For example, Imgur is more focused on hosting and sharing images and allows you to upload and share a wide range of image types including memes, GIFs, and other types of viral content. 

In contrast, Instagram is more focused on personal photos and videos and generally has a more polished, visually appealing aesthetic.

Imgur offers a paid subscription service called Imgur Pro, which provides additional features and benefits to users, such as ad-free browsing, increased upload limits, and access to exclusive content.

4. Pinterest

Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to discover and save ideas for their interests and projects. 

As a user, you can browse and discover a wide range of content including recipes, home decor, fashion, and more.

Pinterest is easy to use and is an excellent resource for creative minds seeking to compile ideas for their projects. You can save and organize content into collections or “boards,” which you can then share with others. 

Like Instagram, Pinterest is a visual platform that focuses on images and videos rather than text-based content.

Unique Features of Pinterest

Pinterest can be accessed via the web or through a mobile app. Some of the best features that make Pinterest stand out include:

• Search: The app allows you to search for ideas and inspiration on various topics, including fashion, home decor, recipes, and more.
• Pinning: You can save and organize the content you discover on Pinterest by “pinning” it to one of your Boards.
• Personalized recommendations: Pinterest will suggest Pins and Boards based on your interests and the content you've previously saved.
• Collaboration: You can invite other users to contribute to your Boards, allowing you to collaborate on projects with friends and family.
• Visual search: The app includes a visual search feature that allows you to search for content using a photo or screenshot rather than typing in keywords.
• Pinterest Lens: The Pinterest Lens feature allows you to take photos of an object or place and get recommendations for similar items or ideas.
• Pinterest Shop: This feature allows you to browse and purchase products directly from the app.

The Pinterest app can be integrated with other apps, such as Etsy and eBay, allowing users to discover and purchase products easily. This makes it an ideal place to market your products or services.

There are several advantages to using Pinterest to market your products or services.

For instance:

• Large user base: Pinterest has a large and active user base, with over 400 million monthly active users. This means that there is a good chance that your target audience is using the platform, making it an effective place to reach potential customers.
• Visual content: Pinterest is a visual platform focusing mainly on images and videos. This makes it a great place to showcase products and services through visually appealing content.
• High conversion rate: Pinterest is a search-based platform, meaning users actively look for ideas and inspiration. This makes it easier to reach users who are already interested in your offer.
• High engagement: Pinterest users spend a lot of time on the platform and are often actively engaged with the content they discover. This makes it easier to build relationships with potential customers and drive conversions.
• Targeted advertising: Pinterest offers targeted advertising options, allowing you to reach users based on their interests and the content they save. This can help you reach the right audience and increase the chances of success for your campaigns.
• Measurable results: Pinterest provides detailed analytics and tracking tools, allowing you to measure the success of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions about your marketing strategy.

Pinterest works like Instagram when it comes to creating a follower base. By creating visually enticing pins on different topics, getting people to follow and like your posts is easy.

In addition, if you own a blog and want to increase daily traffic, you can use Pinterest to direct more people to it by creating visually enticing Pins and linking them to your blog.

This strategy works best for blogs about beauty, home improvement, gardening, fashion, food, drinks, and more.

5. Hipstamatic

Hipstamatic is a photo app like Instagram that allows users to take and edit photos on their mobile devices.

The app also has aspects of social media like Instagram, allowing users to share their photos with others and discover new photographers through a built-in community feature.

Hipstamatic is the original photo filter app, having won the iPhone app of the year in 2010. 

Originally, Hipstamatic gave photos a vintage aesthetic with various filters and effects.

Hipstamatic has since evolved and now comes in two versions:

• Hipstamatic Classic: You can buy individual filters.
• Hipstamatic X: Entirely subscription based.

In addition to filters, Hipstamatic also offers a range of lenses, flashes, and film types that you can use to change the appearance of photographs. 

Hipstamatic is similar to Instagram if you want to connect with other people who like worn-looking photos.

Unique Features of Hipstamatic

The features that stand out in the Hipstamatic app include the following:

• Vintage aesthetic: The app offers a variety of filters and effects that give photos a vintage look, making it a popular choice for users who want to add a retro touch to their images.
• Lenses, flashes, and film types: Hipstamatic allows users to customize their photos with a range of lenses, flashes, and film types, giving them the ability to change the appearance of their images in a variety of ways.
• Social features: The app has a built-in community feature that allows users to share their photos with others and discover new photographers.
• User-friendly interface: Hipstamatic has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and access its various features.
• Professional quality editing tools: The app offers a range of professional-quality editing tools, such as adjustable exposure, white balance, and cropping that allow users to fine-tune their photos to achieve the desired look.

As mentioned, some of the features and filters within the app are only available through in-app purchases in Hipstamatic Classic or by subscription, in the case of Hipstamatic X. 

As a user, you can purchase individual filters or effects or purchase a subscription that gives you access to all of the app's features. 

The subscription options vary in price and duration, so you can choose the best fit for your needs and budget.

6. Tumblr

Tumblr is a microblogging and social networking website founded in 2007. It allows users to create and share content such as text posts, images, and videos. 

Tumblr has a mobile app that allows you to access and engage with the platform on your phone or tablet. Like Instagram, Tumblr strongly emphasizes visual content with a large focus on sharing photos and videos. 

Tumblr also has a feature that allows you to like and comment on posts and a feature that allows you to follow other users and see their content in a feed. 

Tumblr is known for its diverse and supportive community. It's often used as a platform for creative expression and for sharing personal thoughts and experiences. 

You can follow other users' blogs and interact with them by liking, reblogging, and commenting on their posts.

Unique Features of Tumblr

Tumblr has features that allow users to customize the appearance of their blogs and connect with other users.

The platform also comes with several special features that make it unique from other social networking and blogging platforms. Some of the notable features of Tumblr include:

• Reblogging: You can easily share content from other users' blogs by reblogging their posts. This allows you to build connections with other members of the Tumblr community and discover new content.
• Customization: Tumblr allows you to customize your blog's appearance by choosing from various themes and customizing various design elements such as fonts, colors, and backgrounds.
• Tagging: Tumblr has a robust tagging system that allows you to tag your posts with relevant keywords. This makes it easy for you and other users to discover content that interests you.
• Rich media support: Tumblr supports many media types, including text, images, videos, audio, and more. This makes it easy for you to share and discover a wide variety of content.
• Community: Tumblr has a strong and supportive community of users who often interact with each other through likes, reblogs, and comments on posts. This can create a sense of belonging and support for users, particularly those who may feel isolated or marginalized in other online spaces.

Tumblr expresses old internet energy in a fun way. It's an excellent alternative for Instagram users who enjoy memes, art, and GIFs that may feel too old for Instagram.

You can get a free version of Tumblr for Android and iOS. However, it has a paid version that's ad-free.

7. Retrica

Retrica is a photo-editing and camera app that allows users to take and edit photos and videos with various filters, effects, and other features. It was developed by Venticake and was initially released in 2013. 

You can use the app on Instagram and Facebook, allowing you to share your edited photos and videos on other social media platforms. It is one of the best apps to create Instagram posts since you can just edit your photos and post them on Instagram.
The app is popular, with over 100 million downloads from the Google Play Store alone. Users say they enjoy it for its wide range of filters, which can be used to give photos and videos a unique, artistic look.

Unique Features of Retrica

Some of the notable features of Retrica include the following:

• Live camera function: Retrica includes a live camera function that allows you to see the effects of filters in real-time as you take photos and videos.
• Wide range of filters: Retrica has a large selection of filters you can apply to photos and videos to get a classic, vintage, or artistic look.
• Sticker and text tools: Retrica includes a variety of stickers and text tools that you can use to add additional elements to photos and videos.
• Adjustment tools: Retrica includes tools for adjusting brightness, contrast, and other aspects of photos and videos, allowing you to fine-tune the appearance of your images.

Retrica is easy to use and one of many apps to create Instagram posts. Try the app to add a classic and artistic look to all your images.

Retrica is available for download for free from the App Store and Google Play. However, the free version has ads that users seem to dislike a lot.

For an ad-free experience, you can get “Retrica Premium,” the paid version.

The app also offers in-app purchases, which allow you to unlock additional filters and effects. 

These purchases are optional, and users can continue to use the app for free without making any additional purchases.

8. EyeEm

EyeEm is a photo-sharing and licensing platform that allows photographers to upload, share, and sell their photographs. 

The platform was founded in 2011 and is based in Berlin, Germany. 

EyeEm is available in the United States and many other countries. 

In addition to offering a community for photographers to share their work, EyeEm also offers a marketplace for buyers to license photographs for use in various media, such as marketing campaigns, websites, and publications.

EyeEm can serve as one of the best alternatives to Instagram since the two apps have many similarities, such as:

• A strong emphasis on visual content
• Features and tools to enhance and edit photographs
• A large user base
• A focus on community and social interaction
• Connecting users by following, commenting, and liking
• Ability to create a business profile
• Business-friendly features such as analytics
• Various ways to monetize your content through sponsored posts, partnerships, and selling products and services

Unique Features of EyeEm

EyeEm offers a range of features for photographers, including:

• Market: EyeEm offers a marketplace where photographers can license their photographs for use in various media, such as marketing campaigns, websites, and publications.
• Editing and curation tools: EyeEm offers a range of tools and features for editing and enhancing photographs, including filters, cropping, and adjusting brightness and contrast.
• Partnerships and collaborations: EyeEm frequently partners with brands and organizations to create opportunities for photographers to showcase their work and potentially earn additional income.
• Educational resources and events: EyeEm offers various educational resources and events for photographers including online courses, workshops, and conferences.
• Community: EyeEm has a large and active community of photographers who can connect with each other, share their work, and offer support and feedback.
• Personalized recommendations: EyeEm uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide personalized user recommendations based on their interests and preferences.

These features make EyeEm a valuable platform for photographers to showcase their work, connect with other photographers, and access valuable resources and opportunities.

EyeEm is a free platform, and users can create an account and upload, share, and discover photographs without cost. 

However, the platform also offers various paid features and services for photographers and businesses, such as:

• The ability to license photographs
• Access to more advanced editing tools
• Advertising products or services

While the basic features of EyeEm are free to use, additional paid options are available for users who want to access additional features and services.

9. Flickr

Flickr is a photo-sharing website that was launched in 2004. It allows you to upload, share, and view photos and videos. It also allows you to organize them into albums and collections. 

Flickr's features allow you to share your photos with others. For example, tagging, commenting, creating groups, and sharing photos with specific groups of people. 

In addition to being a platform for sharing photos, Flickr has also become a popular destination for photographers to showcase their work and for others to discover and learn about photography.

Flickr is similar to Instagram because both platforms:

• Allow you to upload, share, and view photos and videos
• Have features that allow you to organize photos into albums or collections
• Allow you to edit and enhance photos with filters and other editing tools
• Have features that allow you to share your photos with others, such as tagging and commenting
• Have a strong visual focus, with an emphasis on high-quality images

Unique Features of Flickr

Flickr has several unique features that set it apart from other photo-sharing platforms. Some of the key features of Flickr include:

• Large storage capacity: Flickr offers you a large amount of storage space for your photos and videos, allowing you to upload and share many images and videos without worrying about running out of space.
• Pro account option: In addition to a free account, Flickr also offers a paid Pro account option that includes additional features and benefits, such as advanced stats and the ability to sell prints and other products through the platform.
• A strong community of photographers: Flickr has a large and active community of photographers who use the platform to share their work and interact with other photographers. This can make it a great place to discover new photographers and learn about photography.
• Advanced photo organization and tagging feature: Flickr allows you to organize and tag your photos in a way that makes it easy to find and browse through your collections.
• API and integrations: Flickr has an API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to build applications and integrations that interact with the platform. This has led to the development of several third-party tools and services that work with Flickr.

If you love taking photographs and want to connect with like-minded people, you can create a free account on Flickr to share and organize your photos, just like Liza Sins.

As said, there are also paid subscription options available that offer additional features. You can subscribe to enjoy more of the features.

10. VSCO

VSCO (pronounced “visco”) is a photo and video editing and sharing platform popular among photographers and creatives.

It is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices and a website.

VSCO is known for its clean and minimalistic design and has a large and active community of users, and many people use it as a platform for sharing their creative work and connecting with other creatives

You can use the app on Instagram by linking the two to add traffic and more views between both apps making it one of the best instagrid apps.

Unique Features of VSCO

Some of the unique features of VSCO include the following:

• Photo and video editing tools: VSCO includes a range of advanced photo and video editing tools, including exposure adjustments, color adjustments, cropping, and more. It also includes a variety of filters that users can apply to their photos and videos to give them a specific look or style.
• Customizable filters: In addition to the pre-set filters available in VSCO, users can create and save their custom filters by adjusting the settings of the various editing tools. This allows users to create and save their unique looks and styles.
• Sharing and discovery: VSCO has a discover feed that showcases the work of talented photographers and creatives worldwide. Users can follow other users, view their collections, and interact with their content by liking, commenting, and sharing.

VSCO offers both free and paid membership options. 

The free version includes access to limited filters and editing tools, while the paid version (VSCO X) includes all filters and tools.

VSCO X also has additional features such as advanced video editing, exclusive content, and more.

The platform strongly focuses on creativity and self-expression. It encourages users to share their unique perspectives and artistic visions with the community. 

This has helped to create a vibrant and supportive community of photographers and creatives on the platform.

Beyond Instagram

While there are certainly downsides to it, there's no doubt that Instagram has revolutionized the way we communicate and share our lives with others. 

It enables us to connect with friends and family, discover new content, and express ourselves creatively. 

You can use any of these alternatives to Instagram or even leverage them to get more likes on Instagram or to build your following. You can even use some of these apps to create Instagram posts.

Remember, it's important to use these apps like Instagram in a healthy and balanced way. Don't spend all your time scrolling through your feed; be mindful of how you present yourself online. 

Take breaks from social media when needed, and use it as a tool for connection and self-expression or as a way to market your products/services rather than a source of stress or anxiety.
Have questions about Instagram marketing? Contact me today, leave your questions in the comments below, or check out my complete guides to Instagram marketing.