While sharing photos on Instagram is an excellent method for connecting with friends, followers, and photographers, it’s not the sole option available. If you’re considering giving up on Instagram but still want to share your work with a community, don’t worry. There are several other visually appealing Instagram alternatives that you can explore.
Why you might consider an Instagram alternative
There are various reasons why someone might consider using an Instagram alternative. Here are a few possible reasons:
- Privacy concerns: Some people might be uncomfortable with Instagram’s data collection practices or the platform’s potential impact on their privacy.
- Algorithmic feed: Instagram’s algorithmic feed can be frustrating for users who feel like they’re missing out on content from accounts they follow.
- Ads: While ads are a necessary part of Instagram’s business model, they can be intrusive and interrupt the user experience.
- Platform saturation: With so many users on Instagram, it can be challenging to stand out and build an audience.
- Creative limitations: Instagram’s emphasis on square images and video limits the creative options available to users.
- A desire for community: Some users might be looking for a more niche community focused on a particular topic or interest.
- Alternative aesthetics: Instagram’s aesthetic trends may not be appealing to everyone, and an alternative platform may provide more visual diversity.
Overall, there are many reasons why someone might consider using an Instagram alternative, and it ultimately comes down to individual preferences and priorities.
The 6 best alternatives to Instagram right now
Although Instagram may still fulfill all of your requirements for a photo-sharing platform, if it doesn’t, we would like to recommend a few alternatives. Below are some social media platforms that focus on visuals and can help you break away from Instagram.
1. VSCO: Say goodbye to social proof
While VSCO is primarily a photo editing app known for its unique collection of filters, it also includes a popular social media network. The layout is very similar to Instagram — you scroll through a feed and follow photographers who inspire you. VSCO also makes use of hashtags and has a Discover feed that is similar to Instagram’s Explore page. VSCO does not include all of the many social aspects of Instagram (like Stories, Reels, and IGTV) but instead focuses exclusively on editing and sharing photos.
Notable differences between the two platforms are (a) your likes and followers aren’t made public, so you can follow and like whatever you want without the pressure of social proof, and (b) there’s a cool Try Filter button under many photos so that you can emulate a certain style or experiment with it.
2. 500px: For serious photographers who want to share their craft
Unlike Instagram, which puts a huge focus on the social aspect of the content you’re sharing, 500px is geared more toward photographers who want to share their craft with like-minded artists. As you already know, without followers on Instagram, you will see very little engagement on your posts. The 500px algorithm, on the other hand, encourages users to like your work and follow you based on the quality of your photography, not your social status.
The free version of 500px limits how many uploads you can add in a month. The premium subscription is $.99 a month and allows for unlimited uploads.
3. VERO: A throwback to the chronological feed
VERO claims to be a social media platform without ads or even an algorithm, which means you will see the posts of your followers in chronological order. And because VERO is a subscription-based service, it is able to offer its platform for use without compromising your privacy.
The VERO feed is similar to that of Instagram in that you can post photos and videos, follow people who inspire you, like posts, and leave comments. VERO also allows you to share books and movies to your feed, choose different audiences for content sharing, and repost the content of others. While VERO is free for the time being, the platform has announced that it will be moving to a subscription model to maintain an ad-free environment.
4. Steller: Instagram stories on steroids
Steller is an all-in-one platform that allows you to share your stories with the world. The app includes beautiful graphic layouts so you can customize your photos, videos, and text so that it stands out. Like VERO, there is no Steller algorithm, so you will see posts in chronological order. You can also share outbound links in your Steller posts, making it a great tool for bloggers or online entrepreneurs.
Many Steller users think of the platform as a mini-blogging platform with a strong visual appeal. The Steller app is free, but some of the design elements include in-app purchases.
5. TikTok: For users who are all about video
TikTok is a wildly popular video publishing app with a huge following. The app doesn’t currently offer long-form video sharing. Instead, users share 15-second videos, which are usually set to music, or longer 60-second videos. While Instagram shows followers a slice-of-life peek into someone’s online world, TikTok primarily posts standalone videos for entertainment value.
TikTok is currently one of the most downloaded apps in the world, and its user base continues to grow. If you find yourself posting numerous videos online, you may want to give TikTok a try.
6. Flickr: A photo portfolio site with a social component
Believe it or not, Flickr has been around a lot longer than Instagram, making it one of the strongest contenders among Instagram alternatives. The platform began as a photo-sharing app back in 2004, and while Instagram is more popular, Flickr is still a great choice for sharing your photography. Unlike Instagram, Flickr is more like a photography portfolio — you can upload any photos of any dimension to albums, and you aren’t limited by an algorithm that rewards you for posting a single photo at a time.
Flickr lets you control the privacy setting on every photo and is more focused on the quality of the photography than the social aspects of the platform. On Flickr, you are more likely to share the technical specs used to capture your photo; on Instagram, you’re more likely to share what you had for lunch. Big difference. Flickr is free to download, but advanced users will want to pay extra for the premium subscription, which allows for unlimited photo uploads.
7. Behance: Social media for serious creatives
Behance isn’t just for photographers. It’s a social sharing platform for all types of creators, including graphic designers, illustrators, architects, and crafters. With Behance, you can browse the creative work of thousands of artists, build mood boards to inspire your own work, and share your own projects. Behance is used by many as a professional portfolio site and can even be leveraged for career advancement.
With Behance, you can follow your favorite creatives and upload your best work. The search function allows you to search for images, projects, mood boards, people, and galleries.
Regardless of whether you are a fan of Instagram or not, it’s always helpful to be aware of other options available, especially if you’re looking for a platform that goes beyond traditional social sharing. As a creative, if you’re searching for a fresh approach to social media, we highly recommend trying out these Instagram alternatives for a new perspective on what the world of social media has to offer.
Leave a Comment