Instagram is the better app overall, scoring 8.6 to 8.0. Instagram wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Snapchat on 1.
Creators and small shops who post photos and short videos
Teens and friends who like to chat with photos
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Snapchat | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Media & Creator Tools | Social Media & Creator Tools |
| Category rank | #3 of 17 | #16 of 17 |
| Developer | Meta | Snap Inc. |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Instagram better than Snapchat?
Instagram is the better app overall, scoring 8.6 to 8.0. Instagram wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Snapchat on 1.
Which is cheaper, Instagram or Snapchat?
Instagram: Free with ads; optional Instagram Plus is $3.99 a month for Story and profile extras. Snapchat: Free with ads; Snapchat+ is listed at $4.99 a month on the US App Store. On value for money, Instagram scores higher.
Do Instagram and Snapchat work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Instagram or Snapchat?
Snapchat scores higher on privacy (5.8/10). The App Store label says contact info and identifiers may be used to track you. Location, contacts, purchases, search history and your content are linked to you. The app shows ads.
Strengths and weaknesses
Instagram
- Huge audience for almost any topic
- Photos, video, Stories and chat in one app
- Strong free editing tools and music
- 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
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.
Full Instagram review
Snapchat
- Great for quick, private chats with friends
- Fun face and camera effects
- Free, with all the main features
- Creator pay is invite-only and needs 50,000 followers
- Free Memories storage is capped at 5GB
- Layout can confuse new users
Snapchat is built for close friends, not crowds. You send photos and videos that vanish, keep streaks going, and play with Lenses that change your face or the world around you. Spotlight and Stories let you post to everyone, but the bar to get paid is high at 50,000 followers. It is free with ads. Free Memories storage is now capped at 5GB, and the layout can confuse new users.
Full Snapchat review
