What is Instagram used for?

Instagram is Meta's photo and short-video sharing network, used by individuals, creators and businesses to post, message and promote content. It is a good fit for sharing photos and video with followers, and promoting a brand or small business.

Is Instagram open source?

No. Instagram is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Instagram include Pixelfed.

What are some alternatives to Instagram?

Instagram competes with TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Instagram alternatives.

Instagram: features, pricing and alternatives

About Instagram

Instagram is a consumer social network owned by Meta, built around sharing photos and short videos. People follow accounts, browse a feed, post temporary stories and send direct messages, and creators and brands use it to build audiences.

Business and creator accounts add insight reports and promotion tools, and the platform includes shopping and advertising features for sellers. It is a hosted platform, free for individuals to use, and available through mobile apps and a website. This entry describes a social platform rather than a software product that can be installed or self-hosted.

Key features

Photo and short-video posts
Stories and direct messaging
Creator and business account tools
Shopping and advertising features
Mobile apps and web access

Good fit for

→Sharing photos and video with followers
→Promoting a brand or small business

Tags: social-network; meta; photo-sharing; video; creators; influencers; advertising

Instagram: questions and answers

What is Instagram used for?: Instagram is Meta's photo and short-video sharing network, used by individuals, creators and businesses to post, message and promote content. It is a good fit for sharing photos and video with followers, and promoting a brand or small business.
Is Instagram free?: Yes. Instagram is free to use.
Is Instagram open source?: No. Instagram is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Instagram include Pixelfed.
What are some alternatives to Instagram?: Instagram competes with TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Instagram alternatives.