Instagram has received a lot of scrutiny from photographers in 2021 and 2022. The app’s shift toward video content has alienated many creators, and some have sought alternative places to share their work.

While there are newer platforms like VERO, you might remember when Flickr was the go-to platform for photographers. And while many users have since diversified, the tool remains prominent with around 60 million monthly active users.

That’s nowhere near the number of Instagram users, but it’s still a pretty decent pool. With that in mind, should you move from Instagram to Flickr? Let’s look at both sides of the coin.

Is Flickr Better Than Instagram?

Before we discuss the things Instagram does better than Flickr, let’s look at why you might want to switch to Flickr in the first place.

1. Flickr Is Designed Specifically for Photography

While photos were originally the core of the Instagram experience, things have changed since then. Adam Mosseri mentioned in June 2021 that the app no longer focuses solely on image-sharing; the focus on videos has become more evident since then.

Although you can share videos on Flickr, the app is still primarily used for photography. So, you’ll find more of the content you’re looking for if you opt for this platform instead. On top of that, your images won’t suffer from lower reach—a problem that many Instagram users have encountered in recent years since video content took over.

2. Flickr Is Better for Discovering Photographers

While you can still discover many cool photographers on Instagram, doing so has become more of a challenge than it once was. If you’re looking for a place to connect with others, you might wish to take your efforts elsewhere—and Flickr is one such platform that can help you find what you’re looking for.

Like Instagram, Flickr has an Explore section. However, this has much more of a photography focus than the Meta-owned platform. You can sift through trending tags, along with those that were recently published.

Flickr also lets you discover new events, which allows you to learn skills in different areas of photography from various artists.

3. Photography Is More Varied on Flickr

Many of the highest-performing images on Instagram are very similar to one another. The Insta Repeat account highlights this perfectly:

While these images are nice to look at, it’s sometimes a little frustrating when you see people copying each other rather than trying to create something unique. And while copying can occur on Flickr, it’s not as common.

Photography on Flickr tends to be more authentic than on Instagram, making it a better place to look for photography inspiration. It’s also a better place to go if you want to find different techniques to incorporate into your work.

4. There Is Less Pressure and Comparison on Flickr

Many Instagram users complain about needing to keep up with everyone on the app. And while there does need to be a degree of personal responsibility, it’s quite easy to get sucked into the big comparison game. This is one of the ways that social media can negatively affect your relationships among many other aspects of your life.

If you’re looking for a place to share your work with less pressure, you might find that Flickr is a viable Instagram alternative. While you may well still compare yourself to better photographers on the platform, it’s also likely that you’ll feel less of a need to try and compete in an unhealthy way.

What Does Instagram Do Better Than Flickr?

Although Flickr is better than Instagram in some areas, Instagram also has a lot of benefits. Below, you’ll find a selection of reasons why you might want to consider keeping your Instagram account.

1. You Can Access All of Instagram’s Features for Free

We’d argue that time is a more important resource than money—but if we look at things from a monetary perspective, you can get all of Instagram’s features for free. All you need to do is sign up for an account; once you’ve done that, you’ve got complete access.

Flickr is free to sign up for, and you can use many features without paying. However, you’ll need to purchase a premium membership to make the most of the app. And without this subscription, you won’t get unlimited storage or be able to share your images in groups.

Also, if you don’t have Flickr Pro, you cannot upload videos longer than three minutes.

2. Instagram Has a Better User Experience

Let’s be honest, Instagram’s mobile app is one of the sleekest on the market. It’s easy to navigate, and—quite simply—it looks good. Moreover, everything loads quickly, and you don’t have to wait too long when uploading images to your feed.

Flickr, despite improvements in recent years, still feels a little clunky. Uploading photos takes more time, and finding your way around can still take longer if you’re new to using Flickr.

3. Instagram Lets You Create More Types of Media

We can complain about Instagram’s shift to video all we want, but it’s not all doom and gloom. If you look at things more positively, users now have more options than ever to get creative and share their work on the platform.

While you can share photos as stills or carousels, you can also consider adding a couple of them to your Reels. Moreover, you can use Reels to showcase more of your personality as a photographer. For example, you’ll be able to show users your workflow along with behind-the-scenes. There are many cool ideas you can try for your Reels.

Because Instagram allows you to create more types of media, you might also find it easier to share some of your other ongoing projects—such as podcasts and YouTube snippets.

4. Many Clients Value Instagram as a Portfolio

If you’re looking to make a career for yourself as a creative, Instagram provides plenty of opportunities. For example, you might be able to get brand sponsorships if you build your profile to a high level.

Even if you don’t make any money directly from Instagram, you can still use the app to showcase your personal brand. Many clients value Instagram as a portfolio, and it’s an easy way to share your work with others; all you need to do is hand over your username, and they can check you out.

Of course, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. Consider creating a photography website and building a presence on other platforms as well.

Flickr and Instagram Both Have Their Pros and Cons

Flickr is one of the most famous photography platforms, and you might be considering a switch if you’re tired of Instagram. However, you should consider the pros and cons before completely removing your Instagram account.

Despite the problems it can cause, Instagram still has several benefits for photographers. It’s up to you to try and explore these further. You can also decide to keep your account while using Flickr at the same time.