Instagram review
Photos, Reels and Stories with a huge audience
- Meta
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
4.7 from 29.7M App Store ratings 5B+ Google Play downloads #2 in Photo & Video on the US App Store
Does it deserve #3?
Is Instagram worth it?
For most people, yes. Instagram scores 8.6/10 and ranks #3 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for creators and small shops who post photos and short videos. Skip it if you want a feed with no ads and very little tracking. Price: Free with ads; optional Instagram Plus is $3.99 a month for Story and profile extras.
The verdict
Instagram is the all-rounder. You can post photos, carousels, Reels and Stories, go live and message friends in one app, and most of your friends are likely there already. Reels can run up to 20 minutes, but only Reels of three minutes or less get shown to new people. It is free, yet the feed is packed with ads and suggested posts, and Meta collects a lot of data about you.
- Reels, Stories and carousels
- Direct messages and group chats
- Live video
- Broadcast channels
- Shopping and product tags
- Insights for creator accounts
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 2026Testing Features, sideways videos up to 90 minutes, with a small group of creators
- Sep 2026Meta One bundles Instagram Plus with Facebook and WhatsApp extras, from $7.99 a month
- Jun 2026Instagram Plus launched at $3.99 a month with extra Story and profile tools
Privacy 5.2/10
The App Store label says contact info and identifiers may be used to track you. Location, contacts, browsing and search history, purchases and sensitive info are linked to you. The app shows ads.
What we like
- Huge audience for almost any topic
- Photos, video, Stories and chat in one app
- Strong free editing tools and music
What could be better
- Feed is full of ads and suggested posts
- Collects a lot of data and tracks you
- Some Story and profile extras now cost $3.99 a month
Creators and small shops who post photos and short videos
you want a feed with no ads and very little tracking
Questions about Instagram
Is Instagram worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Instagram scores 8.6/10 and ranks #3 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for creators and small shops who post photos and short videos. Skip it if you want a feed with no ads and very little tracking. Price: Free with ads; optional Instagram Plus is $3.99 a month for Story and profile extras.
Is Instagram free?
Yes. Instagram is free with ads. Instagram Plus is an optional $3.99 a month plan that adds extras such as 48-hour Stories and more pinned posts.
How long can an Instagram Reel be?
You can record and edit Reels up to 20 minutes long. Instagram says Reels over three minutes are not recommended to people who do not follow you.
Can you make money on Instagram?
Yes, through tools like subscriptions, gifts, bonuses and brand deals, but each one has its own rules. The Professional dashboard in the app shows which ones your account can use.
What are the best alternatives to Instagram?
The closest alternatives are TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat. See all of them ranked on our Instagram alternatives page.
Where does Instagram rank?
Instagram ranks #3 of 17 in our Social Media & Creator Tools ranking, with an overall score of 8.6 out of 10.