LibreRef AlternativesResearch Managers and other similar apps like LibreRef

LibreRef is described as 'A free as in freedom digital referencing tool for artists' and is a research manager in the education & reference category. There are more than 10 alternatives to LibreRef for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone apps. The best LibreRef alternative is Eagle . It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try PureRef or BeeRef. Other great apps like LibreRef are Kuadro, opti, RefCanvas and Creativit.

More about LibreRef

LibreRef alternatives page was last updated Nov 17, 2025

Eagle
98 likes
Multi-format solution for managing, searching, and organizing images, videos, audio, and fonts with advanced tags, folders, smart folders, color filters, and over 90 design file previews. Features browser integration, annotations, and creative workflow support.
66 Eagle alternatives
Cost / License
Pay once
Proprietary
Application types
Bookmark Manager
Photo Manager
Origin
Taiwan
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Safari
Mozilla Firefox
+9
Is Eagle a good alternative to LibreRef?
Eagle is the most popular Windows & Mac alternative to LibreRef.
Eagle is the most popular commercial alternative to LibreRef.
Eagle is Paid and ProprietaryLibreRef is Free and Open Source
PureRef
53 likes
PureRef was created to be a simple and lightweight tool for artists to organize and view their reference images. Image can be scaled and collage can also be made.
15 PureRef alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application types
Image Viewer
Research Manager
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Is PureRef a good alternative to LibreRef?
PureRef is the most popular Linux alternative to LibreRef.
PureRef is the most popular free alternative to LibreRef.
PureRef is Free and ProprietaryLibreRef is Free and Open Source
PureRef is Lightweight and CustomizableLibreRef is not according to our users
BeeRef
23 likes
BeeRef lets you quickly arrange your reference images and view them while you create. Its minimal interface is designed not to get in the way of your creative process.
9 BeeRef alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application type
Image Viewer
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Is BeeRef a good alternative to LibreRef?
BeeRef is the most popular Open Source alternative to LibreRef.
BeeRef is Free and Open SourceLibreRef is also Free and Open Source
BeeRef is Lightweight and Privacy focusedLibreRef is not according to our users
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Eagle
Multi-format solution for managing, searching, and organizing images, videos, audio, and fonts with advanced tags, folders, smart folders, color filters, and over 90 design file previews. Features browser integration, annotations...

https://eagle.cool
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Kuadro
11 likes
Kuadro is an image viewer that allows you to open as many windows as you want, lay them out as you need them and store those layouts for later.

It was designed to stay out of your way, and work around you.
11 Kuadro alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application type
Image Viewer
Origin
Brazil
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Is Kuadro a good alternative to LibreRef?
opti
7 likes
simple, transparent media viewer.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application types
Image Viewer
Image Editor
Platforms
Windows
Linux
Is opti a good alternative to LibreRef?
RefCanvas
4 likes
RefCanvas is an intuitive tool for artists and designers who need a comprehensive reference app to bring their creative vision to life. With RefCanvas, you can import images and gifs as references onto an infinite canvas, allowing you to organize your ideas and concepts in one...
8 RefCanvas alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium (Pay once)
Proprietary
Application type
Image Viewer
Origin
Russia
Platforms
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
+1
Is RefCanvas a good alternative to LibreRef?
RefCanvas is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to LibreRef.
RefCanvas is Freemium and ProprietaryLibreRef is Free and Open Source
Creativit
2 likes
Meet Creativit, a powerful digital moodboard that is designed to help you plan out and launch your next big creative project much faster.
12 Creativit alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
Proprietary
Platforms
Mac
iPhone
iPad
+9
Is Creativit a good alternative to LibreRef?
DroidRef
5 likes
This is a free and open-source image reference board app for Android, like PureRef or VizRef. It lets you keep track of a large amount of reference images on an infinite canvas you can pan and zoom. You can crop out only the parts of each image you want to focus on and send...
8 DroidRef alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (MIT)
Application type
Image Viewer
Platforms
Android
Is DroidRef a good alternative to LibreRef?
RefShelf
1 like
Intuitive tool for viewing & managing reference images. Capture images from different sources, store them, provide access to any in one click. View images in always on top mode by default. Convenient for everyday use not only for CG artists.
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application type
Research Manager
Platforms
Windows
Is RefShelf a good alternative to LibreRef?
Refbox
Like
Refbox is a floating visual workspace that keeps your reference images, videos, and inspiration always visible so you can stay focused and create without interruptions.
10 Refbox alternatives
Cost / License
Pay once
Proprietary
Application type
Research Manager
Origin
United States
Platforms
Windows
Mac
+1
Is Refbox a good alternative to LibreRef?