Pinterest has been my go-to for inspiration and planning, but I’d like to try other options that offer similar features. I’d appreciate ideas for apps that share Pinterest’s look and functionality while providing something new.
1. WeHeartIt
Homepage Link: https://weheartit.com
Pros:
- Visual-focused platform, much like Pinterest.
- Simple, minimalist user experience.
- Great for mood boards, aesthetics, and finding art or motivational content.
Cons:
- Fewer organization tools compared to Pinterest.
- Search functionality can feel a bit limited when you’re looking for specific ideas.
Features:
- Allows users to ‘heart’ (save) their favorite images, posts, and articles.
- Community-driven platform with frequently trending topics.
- Frequent focus on fashion, photography, and self-expression.
User Reviews:
- ‘Perfect for collecting inspirational images for my creative work.’
- ‘I like it, but some categories seem repetitive over time.’
Verdict:
A refreshing alternative if you’re into collecting beautiful imagery rather than structured planning. Lower functionality for project management, but great for visual inspiration.
2. Houzz
Homepage Link: https://www.houzz.com
Pros:
- Outstanding for interior design and home improvement inspiration.
- Direct integration with professional designers and product purchasing.
Cons:
- Content revolves heavily around home and architecture topics – not ideal for other types of inspiration.
- Can feel a bit commercial with heavy ad placement.
Features:
- Allows saving ideas into curated “boards.”
- Shop feature provides access to purchasing furniture/decor featured in posts.
- Connects users with contractors and designers.
User Reviews:
- ‘Love the combination of inspiring house ideas and access to professionals.’
- ‘Too niche-focused to replace Pinterest for general planning.’
Verdict:
Fantastic if you’re all about home DIYs, renovations, or decorating. Not suitable for broader categories like cooking, crafts, or general lifestyle planning.
3. Miro
Homepage Link: https://miro.com
Pros:
- Great for creative brainstorming and team collaboration.
- Interactive and functional platform for imagery-based storytelling, much like Pinterest but more robust.
Cons:
- Leans more professional than personal in its usage.
- Takes a learning curve to navigate all tools effectively.
Features:
- Allows users to build mood boards with full customization and commentary.
- Integrations with apps like Slack and Google Drive for collaborative projects.
User Reviews:
- ‘Unbelievably useful for team brainstorming or solo planning!’
- ‘More business-focused than I expected, but still fun for personal boards.’
Verdict:
An excellent choice if you’re tackling collaborative projects like group vision boards or professional work, though it’s not quite as visually driven as Pinterest.
4. Designspiration
Homepage Link: https://designspiration.com
Pros:
- A cleaner, more design-oriented take on Pinterest.
- Specialized in graphic design, branding, and photography.
Cons:
- Limited range of content compared to Pinterest (skews heavily toward creatives).
- Less active community engagement or sharing options.
Features:
- Create and save “collections” of curated content.
- Advanced search tools for design elements (color palettes, typography, layouts).
User Reviews:
- ‘A must-use for designers looking for inspiration.’
- ‘Would love a broader scope, but the focus is helpful for creatives.’
Verdict:
Best suited for art directors, photographers, or graphic designers seeking laser-focused inspiration on visual projects.
5. Evernote
Homepage Link: https://evernote.com
Pros:
- Fantastic for gathering multimedia notes, images, links, and lists.
- Extremely versatile beyond just mood boards.
Cons:
- Lacks the pure visual appeal of apps like Pinterest.
- Organization is not as ‘image-centric’ as Pinterest lovers might hope.
Features:
- Clipping tool allows you to save images, text, and screenshots directly from the browser.
- Notebooks for organized collections.
- Syncs seamlessly across devices.
User Reviews:
- ‘Amazing for project planning, though not as heavy on visuals as Pinterest.’
- ‘Perfect for combining text notes with images – very functional.’
Verdict:
A robust solution if you value flexibility and function over a Pinterest-style user interface. Excellent organizational potential but visually light.
6. Behance
Homepage Link: https://www.behance.net
Pros:
- Stunning visual boards filled with professional portfolios.
- Ideal for people who want high-quality content to inspire creative projects.
Cons:
- The platform feels more refined, less casual.
- Content is tailored specifically toward creatives in visual industries.
Features:
- Showcase board capabilities allow you to follow and collect content for inspiration.
- Portfolio browsing exposes people to cutting-edge creative trends.
User Reviews:
- ‘Way more polished than Pinterest for artistic growth.’
- ‘Too many professional projects. Missing that relatable feel.’
Verdict:
Best for professionals and creatives searching for polished, industry-related visuals. Not designed for casual crafting or lifestyle interests.
7. Raindrop.io
Homepage Link: https://raindrop.io
Pros:
- Excellent tool for bookmarking and categorizing all types of web content.
- Super organized and polished interface.
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer the vibrant social discovery that Pinterest thrives on.
- Can be overwhelming at first setup due to its broad feature set.
Features:
- Save not only images but also articles, videos, and links.
- Advanced categorization system with tags, folders, and filters.
User Reviews:
- ‘More customizable than Pinterest when organizing ideas.’
- ‘Bookmarking king! But I miss the social aspect.’
Verdict:
If you’re looking for a highly functional bookmarking tool, Raindrop.io can replace Pinterest for personal collections. Its lack of discoverability could be a downside for some.
8. Canva
Homepage Link: https://www.canva.com
Pros:
- Allows users to create their boards, designs, and visuals directly.
- Templates for visual planning, mood boards, and presentations.
Cons:
- Less of a visual discovery app and more of a design tool.
- Requires active effort compared to Pinterest’s browsing simplicity.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop functionality for creating attractive designs and boards.
- Extensive library of stock images, elements, and templates.
User Reviews:
- ‘Transformed my workflow! Custom designs are the best part.’
- ‘I miss the instant discovery element of Pinterest here.’
Verdict:
Perfect for creating custom designs or mood boards. It’s an active tool rather than a browsing platform but fantastic for planning what Pinterest inspires.
9. Instrucko
Homepage Link: https://instrucko.com
Pros:
- Creative learning meets inspiration curation.
- Interactive platform with a focus on amateur creators.
Cons:
- Still growing, so content can feel niche and limited.
- Not quite as polished as Pinterest.
Features:
- Community-led boards centered around art, education, and skills.
- Lots of free resources for DIY and businesses.
User Reviews:
- ‘A hidden gem for practicing art – feels welcoming.’
- ‘Not as many users, so it lacks the magic Pinterest has with scale.’
Verdict:
A promising alternative for creators and skill-seekers, though its small audience might hinder its variety in content compared to Pinterest.
10. Fancy
Homepage Link: https://fancy.com
Pros:
- A unique mix of curated inspiration and shopping in one platform.
- Sleek and visually appealing for those who like trendy ideas.
Cons:
- Heavily geared toward shopping, which isn’t ideal if you’re just brainstorming.
- Smaller user base limits variety.
Features:
- “Fancy” items into your collections for future recommendations.
- Shop directly from the app or websites of featured brands.
User Reviews:
- ‘I’ve discovered some cool, small-market items here.’
- ‘It’s like Pinterest meets shopping – fun, but not what I needed for planning out DIYs.’
Verdict:
A Pinterest-meets-shopping alternative that’s ideal for trend hunters. But for pure inspiration or planning, it doesn’t beat Pinterest’s versatility.
Above are the 10 apps ranked as worthy competitors or complements to Pinterest in terms of their features and usability. Some cater to niches (like Behance and Houzz), while others offer broader creative options (like Canva or Evernote). Your best bet depends on your exact needs—whether visual discovery, shopping, or project organization. Happy exploring!