There’s no denying how influential Instagram has been in social media, given how much you can do on it. Instagram is a great way to reach out to people worldwide, from posting videos and photos to starting up live streams.
However, it’s not the only way. If you’re looking for something different, here are 12 alternative apps you can use instead of Instagram.
1. TikTok
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of the massively popular platform known as TikTok.
It’s skyrocketed numerous people to stardom as well as served as a way for people to connect with celebrities and see another side of them.
Although you can’t simply post photos like on Instagram, you can share short videos on TikTok and even live stream, much like you can with Instagram.
However, TikTok takes videos a step further by providing users with numerous ways to edit these videos for personalization. You can add music and even video yourself reacting to other people’s videos.
2. Snapchat
Before Instagram became such a popular program, people flocked to Snapchat as a way to share short videos and photos.
There are several cool filters to play around with, allowing you to personalize the experience in unique ways. You can even add some text to your photos, making Snapchat a fun editor to truly express yourself.
Also, Snapchat allows for cool interaction with friends as you can chat with them. This also has a greater layer of privacy compared to Instagram as you can select to share Snaps with specific people.
3. Pinterest
Pinterest may not be the first platform that jumps to mind when looking for Instagram alternatives, but it is a good candidate when focusing purely on the picture-sharing aspect.
It’s true that Pinterest isn’t as socially connected as Instagram, but like the other app, you can gain a following on Pinterest and follow others as well.
You can create your own categories for pictures though, giving you room to better organize your boards so that you can find and pin specific things to certain places.
It’s a wonderful tool for people who just want to enjoy images and connect to others with shared interests.
4. Facebook
Facebook has seen quite the overhaul in the past few years, and it only continues to update itself, making it a strong contender when seeking Instagram alternatives.
Besides being a prime platform for communicating, the app also allows you to share photos, videos, and short stories. There are even some customization options.
However, the strongest point for Facebook still seems to be its way of connecting people from across the globe. Still, it does continue to evolve, so there’s no telling what future features might show up.
Plus, Facebook and Instagram are connected, so you can use both platforms if you wish to share your photos and videos.
5. Retrica
If you’re looking for an Instagram alternative that serves closer to a mimic than anything else, Retrica is a good way to go.
Retrica has a strong focus on photos, enhancing your smartphone camera so you can capture and edit incredible shots. In this way, it’s a step up from Instagram, especially considering it has dozens of filters you can use.
It’s not as seamless to use at first, so it pays to take some time when using the app. Even so, you’ll probably spend countless hours sifting through their many filters to find the best one. You can even arrange pictures as a group directly within the app.
6. Vero
Out of apps similar to Instagram, Vero has a more professional look to it. In fact, this app seems to focus more on the art behind sharing photos and videos.
Additionally, you can use the app as a way to recommend some of your favorite things including music.
What makes Vero stand out more is that it seems more focused on content creators rather than people who just want to share some cool things and socialize with others.
So, if you’re more prone to creating art than just following and liking others’, Vero is a good alternative.
7. 500px
500px is another app like Instagram that seems to lean more toward those with a desire to create and share professional-level photos. There are ways to do that on Instagram too, but 500px is more focused on that aspect.
The other glaring difference between the two is that 500px allows you the option to license and sell your photographs right within their own marketplace.
So, it’s no wonder it attracts professional photographers as well as hobbyists looking to get more serious about their picture taking.
8. We Heart It
Do you want a way to connect with others similar to Instagram, but you only want to see the positive things? We Heart It is the place to be for all that positivity.
You can find and share motivational and inspirational photos and videos with like-minded people. Although you can find these things on Instagram, We Heart It caters to these specific mindsets more.
Also, you can even find some favorite GIFs to share as well, giving you another way to express yourself beyond photos and videos.
9. VSCO
VSCO is a good Instagram alternative for those of you looking for something straightforward and standard. You can upload and share your photos, and you can like the photos that others share. Also, you can utilize hashtags just like you can on Instagram to personalize your content.
How VSCO stands apart from Instagram is within its photo editing. Yes, you can use filters similar to many other apps.
However, VSCO also allows for deeper editing of your photos such as improving skin tone in addition to addressing the usual photo editing aspects like contrast and brightness. VSCO also allows for sharing on other social media platforms too.
10. Pixelfed
Pixelfed certainly seems like a barebones version of Instagram. When you create your profile, you can upload and share photos similar to how you can with Instagram.
However, as Pixelfed is part of the “Fediverse”, it’s decentralized, allowing anyone to create a server. As such, you’re limited by what the specific Pixelfed server allows such as upload limits.
Like Instagram, you can follow others and even check out more popular posts via what’s trending. There’s even a “For You” area so you can easily and quickly find things you’re interested in.
11. Flickr
Flickr is a classic platform for image sharing. How it stands apart from Instagram though is that it’s designed with professional photographers in mind.
It focuses on quality images, attracting that specific crowd who are either looking for incredible photographs or eager to share some with the online world.
Additionally, Flickr serves as cloud storage of sorts since you can save your images and come back to them later on.
The other major difference you’ll notice is that Flickr isn’t as social savvy as Instagram. So, you shouldn’t expect to come away with a high following count or a lot of personal engagement since that’s not what Flickr is about. Instead, it’s all about the art.
12. Imgur
If you want an Instagram alternative to share your images, Imgur is another excellent choice. It is a highly popular image-sharing platform.
Not only is it helpful for posting professional-level photographs, but it’s also a fun social platform when it comes to creating and sharing various memes and even GIFs.
Beyond that, Imgur has a good connection to other social media platforms like Reddit. You can share Imgur photos on sites like those for additional engagement if you wish.
If you also want to use an app or site for Instagram story viewer, here is a list I have compiled.
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