Free Web-based Instagram Alternatives

There are many alternatives to Instagram as a web app if you are looking for a replacement. The best free Online alternative is Pixelfed, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Instagram and loads of them are free and available as a web app so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Online alternatives to Instagram are Flickr, Loops by Pixelfed, diVine and 500px.

filter to find the best alternatives

Instagram alternatives are mainly Social Networks, but if you're looking for Photo Sharing Apps or Image Hosting Services you can filter on that. Other popular filters include iPhone, Android + Free, EU, Open Source, Android, iPhone + Social Networks and Online + Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Instagram.
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Alternatives list

  1. Pixelfed icon

    Pixelfed

     272 likes

    Pixelfed is an image sharing platform with focus on Privacy, Safety and Security, an ethical alternative to centralized platforms like Instagram.

    131 Pixelfed alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Pixelfed screenshot 1
     
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    28
    Pixelfed vs Instagram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    ddnn
    3

    An Instagram-like service, with a portfolio section for professionals, while also not being tied to a data monger? Awesomesauce.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    No ads, federated moderation, cool design !!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Sooraj Sathyanarayanan
    Positive
    4

    Pixelfed is an alternative to Instagram that offers advantages such as opensource, user privacy, and decentralization. It also provides more customization options for users.

    3 of 28 comments
    • Pixelfed is Free and Open SourceInstagram is Free and Proprietary
    • Pixelfed is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightInstagram is not according to our users
  2. Flickr icon

    Flickr

     426 likes

    Online social photo and short video sharing community. Flickr helps you organize that huge mass of photos you have and offers a way for you, your friends and family to tell stories about them.

    133 Flickr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Google Chrome
    Flickr screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Flickr vs Instagram Comments
    Kelson V
    Positive
    0

    While Instagram is very much about influencer culture and promotion (and maximizing ad revenue), Flickr is still all about the photos. The ability to organize them into multiple galleries is a huge plus too.

    Guest
    Positive
    -4

    It's better in every way. It has everything Instagram has and a lot more!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Flickr is Freemium and ProprietaryInstagram is Free and Proprietary
  4. Loops by Pixelfed icon

    Loops by Pixelfed

     31 likes

    Dive into a new social media experience by exploring and sharing 60-second video clips on the Fediverse. Enjoy support for video captions, up to 200 characters, and add sounds and creative remixes. While mentions and hashtags are unavailable, you can utilize category tags for better reach.

    50 Loops by Pixelfed alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    Loops by Pixelfed screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Loops by Pixelfed vs Instagram Comments
    FitikWasTaken
    1

    It's nice, but it's a platform for Short-form videos, so it's more of an alternative to Instagram Reels than Instagram itself

    • Loops by Pixelfed is Free and Open SourceInstagram is Free and Proprietary
    • Loops by Pixelfed is Privacy focused and LightweightInstagram is not according to our users
  5. diVine icon

    diVine

     12 likes

    Short-form video app reviving six-second looping format, blending restored archive of 100,000+ historic clips with new user posts, all running on decentralized Nostr protocol. Authenticity is upheld by cryptographic checks, enabling only verified device uploads.

    21 diVine alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    diVine screenshot 1
     
  6. 500px icon

    500px

     100 likes

    500px lets you create stunning professional photo portfolios, find friends, express yourself and connect with likeminded people.

    77 500px alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    500px screenshot 1
     
  7. Snapchat icon

    Snapchat

     96 likes

    A playful and interactive multimedia messaging app offering ephemeral photo and video sharing. Control view time, get alerts for screenshots, and engage with friends through gamified interactions and video calls.

    124 Snapchat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Windows
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    Snapchat screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Snapchat vs Instagram Comments
    nsde
    Negative
    2

    Snapchat is not very privacy-friendly.

    Marc
    Positive
    0

    If you just want the private chats and the stories, then Snapchat is basically a more private Instagram. On Snapchat you normally only have your real friends, not your followers, who you don't know. And because of that you can share more private things without them being basically public. Also the AR lenses of Snapchat are way better than the ones Instagram provides.

    Nico Parker
    Positive
    2

    You can share photos with your friends.

    3 of 4 comments
    • Snapchat is Freemium and ProprietaryInstagram is Free and Proprietary
  9. Gridsky icon

    Gridsky

     8 likes

    Gridsky brings the visual charm of Instagram to Bluesky, offering a delightful client with a grid-based interface and easy scrolling. Focused on photo content, Gridsky creates a minimal, immersive experience with innovative ways to interact with feeds and profiles. Accessible online for seamless photo sharing.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Gridsky screenshot 1
     
  11. RedNote icon

    RedNote

     3 likes

    Xiaohongshu is a lifestyle platform with over 300 million monthly users sharing their life experiences. Users discover lifestyle trends, diverse interests, and hobbies, from outdoor activities to fashion, cooking, reading, painting, sports, and fitness.

    36 RedNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    RedNote screenshot 1
     
  12. VSCO icon

    VSCO

     49 likes

    For creators, by creators, the VSCO app helps you reach your creative potential within a community that values honest and imaginative expression above all else.

    101 VSCO alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple TV
    • Online
    • Windows
    VSCO screenshot 1
     
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    2
    VSCO vs Instagram Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    You can follow other users, create your own gallery etc just like Instagram.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Simpler interface, less feature bloat, fewer advertisements.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • VSCO is Freemium and ProprietaryInstagram is Free and Proprietary
  13. Nerimity icon

    Nerimity

     11 likes

    Open-source chat platform providing community-focused group messaging, video calls, profile customization with animated avatars, custom emojis, tags, post creation, discovery of communities, and full source code access on GitHub. Entirely donation-funded.

    29 Nerimity alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    Profile Interface [PC - 2025]
     
  14. Soapbox.pub icon

    Soapbox.pub

     10 likes

    Soapbox is customizable open-source software that puts the power of social media in the hands of the people. Feature-rich and hyper-focused on providing a user experience to rival Big Tech, Soapbox is already home to some of the biggest alternative social platforms on the...

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Screenshot of Soapbox home feed.
     
12 of 52 Instagram alternatives