Top 8 Instagram Alternatives iPhone

Instagram has obviously become a hugely popular platform, especially as a social media alternative to the likes of Facebook and Twitter, but there are alternatives out there.  Of course, the app is perhaps most popular for its relation to photos, and the fact that you can snap stuff and apply a huge range of filters and then share it with friends and family, gaining more followers in the process. This is what seems to set the platform apart from Facebook: the idea that it is just photo based without status updates and all that kind of stuff, and because it is a little more exclusive. There’s a reason why Instagram has become the chosen social media platform of rich kids everywhere: simply because you can point at what you are doing, and show of if need be. So, if Instagram is so unique, what are the alternatives? I guess you could look at some of the better photo editing apps out there and see those as viable options, since they give that photo editing functionality with many of the same filters to choose from, but what about the social stuff?

8. Vine (Free)

I guess that one platform that is becoming increasingly popular these days and works along similar lines to Instragram is Vine. If you are aware of your social media these days then you will already know about Vine and what it offers: the basic premise is that you make and post 3 second looping videos, perhaps playing on the success of animated GIFs in recent years. But there is a strong social aspect to Vine, and it is a nice option for those who like to create and share, then find inspiration elsewhere. Instagram does videos, but not quite as well as Vine does videos. There’s definitely an art form in coming up with the right 3 seconds to share in order to get your point across, and it’s easy to see why this has become such a popular app. So while not a direct alternative to Instagram, it’s definitely worth checking out! – Download from iTunes

7. Camera+ ($2.99)

On to the photo editing apps (which is what Instagram professes to be at a base level) and Camera+, which is certainly one of the more superficial options when it comes to modifying photos for use on social media. I guess that most people who will be altering their snaps with this app are going to then post them on social media such as Instagram, but at least this stands out as a viable alternative to those who would rather use Instagram for the social stuff and not the photos. This can be seen in those who don’t particularly like the distinctive square style photos that Instagram crops to. I’m not a fan of it either, but I guess it’s one of the reasons why the app has become so iconic in recent years. Anyhow, Camera+ is one of the most well loved third party camera apps for the iPhone, and is well designed with a simple editing suite and (importantly for those used to Instagram) tons of filters and customization options! – Download from iTunes

6. PicsArt Photo Studio (Free)

If you’re looking to follow the flock, PicsArt Photo Studio is certainly one of the most popular third party photo editing apps out there for the iPhone at present, with over 250 million installs to date. As the title suggests, while there is a central emphasis on photos the app actually acts as a general visual studio, encouraging not only photography but also drawing among other things, and will be sure to bring out your inner artist! – Download from iTunes

5. Autodesk Pixlr (Free)

Formerly known as Pixlr Express, Autodesk Pixlr is a fun photo editor that allows you to quickly alter and edit your snaps before you upload them to your social media platform of choice. It does lack the depth of some other photo editing apps, but is notable in that the app is not only free but also entirely devoid of ads! – Download from iTunes

4. Photo Editor by Aviary (Free)

Another popular photo editing app is this one by Aviary, and is particularly great for those who would rather have a good looking photo in seconds, rather than putting the time and effort into learning different tools and how they can be applied. Photo Editor by Aviary is described as “like magic”, and it really is uncanny how the app can turn even the most mundane shots into masterpieces with a few auto fixes. – Download from iTunes

3. Snapseed (Free)

Anyone who follows the site and our lists will know that I’m a real sucker for a nice, clean interface and photo editing app Snapseed certainly has that. It also has a huge range of different and powerful tools for editing your photos and honing your offhand snaps into something more profound. You can use the auto fix option to get rid of any blemishes in an instant, if you don’t really have the time to edit before uploading, and the app has a huge range of cool filters that will certainly compete with those that Instagram users keep coming back for. – Download from iTunes

2. Flickr (Free)

Flickr has come a long way since it started as this small site for amateur and pro photographers alike. This new app is the perfect companion for anyone who uses the site regularly, and is first and foremost a great way to manage your Flickr account no matter where you are in the world. You can easily back up all the photos you have on your iPhone to Flickr with the tap of a button. Users have 1000GB of free storage, so the chances are you will have more than enough space for your current collection of photos. There are also a stunning array of live filters to choose from, as well as in app tools such as the ability to crop photos, edit their brightness and contrast and a whole lot more. While the community on Flickr is a certain kind of folk, interested mostly in photos rather than anything else, the app here also allows you to share your photos on Facebook and Twitter and a bunch of other social media platforms. – Download from iTunes

1. VSCO Cam (Free)

As far as photo editing goes, I think the best app you can potentially pick these days for the iPhone is VSCO Cam, which has very much set the benchmark when it comes to mobile photography and editing photos on the go. The developers describe their app as the “premier way to shoot, edit and share your photographs” and I’d hasten to agree, at least with the first two points. Of course, VSCO Cam doesn’t offer the kind of social side that Instagram boasts so successfully, but who’s to say you can’t edit your photos with this app and then upload them to Instagram? Or better yet, if you are done with Instagram and seeking some other form of social media, shoot and edit with VSCO Cam and then upload to Twitter or Facebook or Tumblr or even Flickr. – Download from iTunes