I love Pinterest. I use it for recipes, crafts, and mood boards. But sometimes I need a different tool. So I tried a bunch of apps that feel like Pinterest. Some are better for deep work. Some are better for quick ideas. And a few are just plain fun.
If you’re hunting for even more options, I rounded up apps like Pinterest I actually use in a separate guide.
You know what? I kept the winners on my phone. Here’s what stuck, what didn’t, and why.
What I look for (and why it matters)
- Fast search that finds the exact thing I had in mind
- Easy saving and boards that don’t feel messy
- Less spam. Fewer “fake” pins and shady shops
- Real links that still work later
- Decent free plan. Fair paid plans
- Bonus: Collab tools for family and work
While testing, I also tried out Loup, a sleek bookmarking app that nails quick saves and smart search, and it quietly climbed into my regular rotation.
Alright, here’s how each app did for me.
Are.na — calm research, no fluff
Are.na feels slow on purpose. That’s good. I use “channels” like boards. I save links, images, and notes as “blocks.”
If you’d like a second opinion, check out this concise Common Sense Media review that grades Are.na on design, privacy, and age-appropriateness.
Real use: I made a science fair board with my daughter. We collected color charts, clay glaze tests, and two YouTube clips. It stayed neat, like a scrapbook.
What I love:
- No loud ads
- Great for deep projects and school stuff
- Clean tags and simple search
The catch:
- Smaller community, so less “wow” content
- Free plan has limits; paid is a few bucks a month
Best for: research, art, essays, mood boards you don’t want to lose.
Milanote — visual boards that feel like a wall
Milanote is like pinning to a cork board. I drag photos, sticky notes, arrows, and color swatches. It’s great for planning.
There’s also a great rundown over at MakeUseOf explaining why Milanote might be the most underrated productivity app out there.
Real use: I planned my tiny kitchen redo. Tile samples, IKEA carts, paint chips, and a to-do list. I even printed it for the contractor. He laughed, then thanked me.
What I love:
- Feels tactile and clear
- Easy to move pieces around
- Good for work and home
The catch:
- Free plan fills up fast
- Paid plan isn’t cheap if you go heavy
Best for: remodel plans, brand kits, wedding mood boards.
Designspiration — clean, sharp visuals
This one is like Pinterest for designers. The color search works well.
Real use: I needed a bake sale flyer for school. I searched “cream, cherry red.” Found a layout I loved. Made it in Canva in 20 minutes.
What I love:
- High-quality images
- Color filters that actually help
The catch:
- Not good for recipes or DIY
- New content can feel slow
Best for: logos, posters, branding ideas.
We Heart It — cute styles and quotes
My niece begged me to try it. It’s light and girly. Lots of fashion, quotes, and pastel vibes.
Real use: We built a back-to-school outfit board. Chunky sneakers, plaid skirt, and a hoodie. I felt old, but it was fun.
What I love:
- Easy scrolling
- Teens love it
The catch:
- Many repeats and reposts
- Ads pop up a lot
Best for: outfits, quotes, phone wallpapers.
Tumblr — deep tags and odd gems
Tumblr is messy, but in a good way. Tags matter here. You follow people, not boards.
Real use: I built a cottagecore soup mood. Mushrooms, linen aprons, tiny jars. I saved a stew recipe that tasted like fall.
What I love:
- Niche art and long threads
- GIFs and fan stuff if you like that
The catch:
- Search can be weird
- Not a real “board” system
Best for: niche vibes, cozy moods, art finds.
Instagram Collections — saves from people I trust
I already live on IG. Saving posts to Collections is easy.
Real use: I made a Halloween costume board. Thrift finds, face paint, and a last-minute cape hack. Total win for under $25.
Speaking of turning inspiration into real-life connections, there are times when I’m plotting a date-night look rather than just another craft. If you want to skip straight from mood board to meeting someone, a purpose-built hookup platform like PlanCul can streamline the leap from inspiration to an in-person rendezvous by showing nearby matches and letting you chat instantly.
And when my plan leans more toward a laid-back spa vibe than cocktails, I’ll scan a straightforward review hub like Rubmaps Brockton for candid, locals-only insight on nearby massage parlors, service quality, and pricing so I can book with confidence and avoid any surprises.
What I love:
- Friends and creators I know
- Guides and Reels keep ideas fresh
The catch:
- Your saves aren’t easy to search
- Links break and ads get pushy
Best for: outfits, makeup, quick crafts.
TikTok Collections — how-to ideas in motion
Short videos make learning fast. I save to Collections by theme.
Real use: I learned how to fold a fitted sheet. I also saved dessert hacks and, yes, I got hungry at 11 p.m.
What I love:
- Real steps you can copy
- Algorithm finds cool tricks
The catch:
- Hard to find that one video later
- Lots of noise and distractions
Best for: hacks, recipes, hair, small DIY.
If you’re more about quick snaps and filters than tutorial videos, you might like my rundown of apps like Snapchat as well.
Houzz — home projects with real pros
When I’m remodeling, I open Houzz. It’s focused. You can even message contractors.
Real use: I found a tile guy who didn’t ghost. I also tried the 3D room thing. Not perfect, but good enough to choose a rug. Playing with that feature reminded me a lot of Samsung’s AR Zone app, which I broke down in a hands-on review.
What I love:
- Product tags with prices
- Reviews and local pros
The catch:
- Feels heavy with ads
- Better in the U.S. than abroad
Best for: kitchens, baths, furniture picks.
Behance and Dribbble — pro-level design inspo
These are for designers. Case studies, mockups, and real portfolios.
Real use: I hired a logo designer for my friend’s bakery. Found her on Behance. We used a cherry motif and a soft serif. It looks sweet.
What I love:
- High-end work and full project notes
- Great for hiring
The catch:
- Not for general crafts
- Saving and tagging feels basic
Best for: brand work, web design, UI ideas.
Notion (Web Clipper + Gallery) — a personal library
This one isn’t social. It’s my brain in a box. I clip links, add tags, and view as a gallery.
Real use: I built a family recipe board. Tags like “weeknight,” “cheap,” “kid-approved.” I added cook times and a shopping list link.
What I love:
- Powerful tags and views
- Great for teams and families
The catch:
- Needs setup time
- No discovery feed
Best for: organized lists, recipes, research.
Muze — mood boards with friends
This one feels fresh. It’s social, but boards come first. We cut, paste, and chat inside the board.
Real use: My sister and I planned a fall porch look. Mums, plaid blanket, lanterns. We argued about gourd colors. It was a good time.
What I love:
- Fast collages with friends
- Fun for style boards
The catch:
- iOS support is better than Android
- Smaller community
Best for: outfit planning, gift ideas, party boards.
Shuffles by Pinterest — collage magic
Yes, it’s from Pinterest, but it feels new. You cut objects from photos and stack them like stickers.
Real use: I made a 2025 vision board with trail pics, a tiny desk lamp, and a checkmark sticker for “finish the book.” It lives on my phone screen.
What I love:
- Quick cutouts and layers
- Looks cool with hardly any effort
The catch:
- Battery drain if you go wild
- Not great for research or links
Best for: vision boards, party themes, mood vibes.
What I reach for first
- Big project with links and notes: Are.na or Notion
- Visual planning with a team: Milanote
- Fast style or craft inspo: Instagram or TikTok Collections
- Home remodel choices and