Meta's photo and short-video network built around Reels, Stories and direct messages.
- Verified facts
- 3 of 3
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
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About Instagram
Instagram started as a photo-sharing app and is now Meta's main platform for short video. You post photos and carousels to your profile, share disappearing Stories with followers or Close Friends, make Reels with music, effects and editing tools, and chat through DMs. The Explore and Reels feeds recommend content from accounts you don't follow, which is how creators and brands grow audiences there, and shopping and creator monetisation tools are built in. It is free and funded by ads, with optional Meta Verified subscriptions. Instagram runs on Android and iPhone, with a web version for browsing, posting and messaging. Teen Accounts add default restrictions for younger users. It is the place to be for visual creators, influencers and many brands, but its feed is algorithm-heavy, engagement pressure is high, and it shares Meta's approach to data and advertising.
Best for: Visual creators, brands and anyone sharing photos and short videos with friends.
Pros and cons
What works
- Strong photo, Stories and Reels creation tools
- Huge audience for creators and brands
- Close Friends lists for more private sharing
Why people leave
- Feeds heavy with recommended content and ads
- Engagement pressure and comparison culture
- Meta's data collection for advertising
Top Instagram alternatives
See all 6- 1
Pixelfed66.5Decentralised, ad-free photo sharing with chronological feeds on the fediverse.
- 2
TikTok62.6The bigger short-video platform if Reels is what you mostly use.
- 3
BeReal59.6Daily unfiltered photos with close friends instead of curated posts.
- 4
Pinterest55.3For collecting visual inspiration rather than posting your own life.
- 5ThThreads53.6
Meta's text-based companion app, using the same Instagram account.
Why people left Instagram
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Instagram: common questions
Is Instagram free?
Yes, Instagram is free to use.
Is Instagram open source?
No, Instagram is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Pixelfed.
What platforms does Instagram run on?
Instagram is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Instagram?
The highest-ranked Instagram alternatives right now are Pixelfed, TikTok and BeReal. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.