Alternatives · reviewed September 2026
PureRef alternatives that work online and on your phone
PureRef is a fast desktop canvas for keeping reference images on screen while you work. If you need your references on your phone too, want to save Reels and TikToks, or share a board as a link, an online reference board may suit you better.
No credit card · Free to start · Private by default
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What PureRef is
A lightweight desktop app for arranging reference images on an infinite canvas, saved as files on your computer.
It’s a good fit for:
- Artists who keep references open beside their software
- Freely arranging, scaling and overlapping images
- Working offline with local files
Why people look for an alternative
- You want your references on your phone, not only on one computer
- Many of your references are Reels and TikToks
- You need to share a board with a client or a team
How embeddd differs
In the browser, on every device
embeddd is a web app for desktop and mobile browsers, so the same boards open on a Mac, a Windows PC, an iPhone or an Android phone. On iPhone, the share-sheet Shortcut saves from any app.
Saves video, not just stills
Share a Reel or TikTok and the video itself is saved to the board, with sound.
A tidy grid instead of a freeform canvas
embeddd arranges cards in a masonry grid you reorder by dragging. You can’t overlap, scale or rotate images freely like in PureRef; if that matters, PureRef is the better tool.
Feature comparison
| Feature | embeddd | PureRef |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Collecting and organizing your own references | Keeping reference images on screen while you work |
| Layout | Masonry grid of cards; boards inside projects | Infinite canvas: move, scale and overlap images freely |
| Reels and TikToks | Instagram, TikTok and YouTube posts saved as their own photos and videos | Images; not built for Reels or TikToks |
| Where it runs | Web app for desktop and mobile browsers; iPhone share-sheet Shortcut | Desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux |
| Privacy | Private by default; no public feed, no ads | Files stay on your computer |
| Notes | Rich-text note cards on the board; titles and descriptions on every card | Text notes on the canvas |
| Search | Across all boards by text, tag and colour | Not a searchable library across files |
| Sharing | View-only links for boards and projects; editors and viewers by invite | Share the saved file |
| Price | Free plan with unlimited boards and 5 GB; Essential $5/month for 25 GB, Pro $12/month for 100 GB | Pay what you want (see pureref.com) |
Details about PureRef are based on its public website, reviewed September 2026. Plans and features change — check pureref.com for current details.
embeddd makes sense if…
- You collect references on your phone
- You share boards with clients
- You want search by text, tag and colour across all boards
Staying with PureRef makes sense if…
- You need a freeform canvas to overlap and scale images
- You work offline with local files
- You keep references open over your drawing or 3D software
Other PureRef alternatives
Different tools for different jobs — each worth a look.
- Eagle
A desktop library for large collections of local images and assets.
Compare with embeddd → - Milanote
A freeform online canvas with notes and images.
Compare with embeddd → - Are.na
Channels of connected blocks for research.
Compare with embeddd →
Questions
Is there an online PureRef alternative?
Yes. embeddd works in any browser and keeps references on boards you can open on your phone or share as a link. It uses a grid rather than a freeform canvas.
Is there a PureRef alternative for iPhone or Android?
embeddd runs in mobile browsers, and on iPhone you can save from any app with the share-sheet Shortcut.
Is it free?
Yes. The free plan has unlimited boards and 5 GB of storage, with no ads.
Keep reading
Related
- embeddd vs PureRefAn online library: boards and projects in the browser, on any device, shareable by link.
- Reference boardAn online reference board for images, Reels and links, on desktop and phone.
- Moodboard makerMake a moodboard from images, videos, links and notes — free.
- MobileSave from your phone’s share sheet and browse boards anywhere.
Start your first board.
Save a Reel, drop a picture, paste a link. It takes a minute.
No credit card · Free to start · Private by default