# Instagram vs SNAPS

The clearest difference is rating: Instagram at 4.7 against SNAPS's 4.0. Instagram also leads on ratings volume (30M vs 82) and chart position (#3 vs unranked). SNAPS's advantage is review sentiment (71% vs 31%) and in-app purchases (none vs 12). On price, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Instagram sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. SNAPS asks for nothing beyond the download.

Instagram holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Instagram has 30M ratings behind it against 82, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 31% of Instagram's written reviews are positive against 71% of SNAPS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Instagram ships an update weekly, SNAPS fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Instagram | SNAPS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (30M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instagram/id389801252/reviews)** | [4.0 (82 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snaps/id692816867/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **30M** | 82 |
| Positive reviews | 31.4% of reviews | **70.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 583 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.3 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Instagram, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/389801255) | [SNAPS](https://appshunter.io/developer/537159491) |

## What reviewers say

### Instagram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instagram/id389801252)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Grossing · Photo & Video, #4 Top Free · Photo & Video, #8 Top Grossing, #28 Top Free (US App Store)

Connect with friends and discover new content through photos, videos, and short-form entertainment. Share your daily moments and life's highlights, or dive into personalized feeds based on your interests.

**Highlights:** Short-form video creation and discovery (Reels), Ephemeral content sharing (Stories & Notes), Private group chats (Close Friends), Personalized content feeds (Explore), Customizable posts with templates and filters, Discover brands and shop products

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Meta Verified Standard | $14.99 | per month |
| Instagram Badge | $0.99 | one-time |
| Instagram Badge | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💕 Excellent way to connect with friends and family
- 🌍 Ability to discover new content and accounts
- 🎨 Great platform for artists and creators to showcase their work
- 🤝 Helps small businesses promote their products

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent bugs and glitches
- 🤖 Overly aggressive AI moderation leading to unfair account suspensions
- 🔒 Poor customer support and lack of transparency around account issues
- 📊 Declining organic reach and push towards paid advertising
- 🔀 Confusing layout changes that make the app less user-friendly

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to post or view videos due to app crashing
- Saved posts and drafts randomly disappearing
- Notifications not working or showing outdated information
- Inability to log in or switch between multiple accounts

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit/delete individual photos from a multi-photo post
- Option to view posts in chronological order instead of algorithmic feed
- Better tools for small businesses to manage and grow their presence
- Improved accessibility features for users with disabilities


### SNAPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snaps/id692816867)

Create high-quality photo products like photobooks, prints, and cards using your smartphone photos. Easily design custom items with various binding options, paper types, and frame styles. Perfect for preserving memories and sending personalized gifts.

**Highlights:** High-quality photo printing, Customizable photobooks, Wallet photos and photocards, Wooden block and square print packages, Polaroid-style prints, SNS photobook creation, Personalized calendars and frames

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy and intuitive mobile editing interface
- 🚀 Fast shipping and delivery times
- 💰 Affordable pricing and good value for money
- ✨ High quality prints and finished products
- 🎨 Diverse product options and templates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and freezes frequently
- 🔌 App-only functionality forcing downloads
- ❌ Unable to ship to Korea despite being Korean company
- 🚫 Limited product options by region/country
- ⚠️ Unstable app performance and bugs

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after splash screen showing white blank screen
- TypeError when accessing shopping cart preventing purchases
- Quantity field not updating in cart
- Photo selection functionality not working
- App disconnecting during photo uploads

**Requested features**

- Ability to change product size after initial selection
- Selective photo deletion from bulk uploads
- Rounded corners option for photo cards
- Expanded product options for different regions
- DIY sticker blank version in app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Instagram free?

Instagram is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SNAPS free?

SNAPS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Instagram or SNAPS?

Instagram is rated higher. Instagram averages 4.7 out of 5 from 30M ratings, while SNAPS averages 4.0 from 82 ratings.

### Do Instagram or SNAPS have ads?

Instagram shows ads; SNAPS does not.

### Which is updated more often, Instagram or SNAPS?

Instagram ships an update weekly, and SNAPS fortnightly. Most recently, Instagram was updated on September 26, 2026 and SNAPS on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*