Replacement Guide

How to Build Your Own Preview App

Replace Preview App with a custom build. The World's Most Used Instagram Planner

Weekend Project
53 features3 integrationsOne weekend

Estimated Timeline

Based on 53 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.

1
Setup & scaffolding
2 hours
2
Core features
4-6 hours
3
Polish & deploy
2 hours

Recommended Tech Stack

Next.js 14

Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components

Supabase

PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first styling for rapid UI development

Key Features to Replicate

Top features across 8 categories. See all 53 features

Analytics(17 features)

Basic Analytics

Simple analytics to track your Instagram performance

Best Time to Post

See your personal best time and day to post on Instagram

Competitor AnalyticsPremium

Analyze your competitors' Instagram performance

Engagement Rate Analytics

See your engagement rates growth for photos, videos and albums

Follower Growth Tracking

Monitor your followers growth over time

+12 more in this category

Scheduling(14 features)

Calendar View

See your scheduled calendar by day, week and month

Carousel Posts

Create a post with multiple photos and videos in one

Drag & Drop Feed Planning

Rearrange posts to design your Instagram feed

IGTV Planning

Plan IGTVs and preview them in your main grid

Instagram Story PlannerPremium

Schedule your Instagram Stories with Swipe-up links and organize them for campaigns, launches, templates, and products

+9 more in this category

Editing(7 features)

Filter Packs

Themed filter packs to create specific Instagram themes

Fonts

Access to different fonts for captions

Full Editing Tools

Essential editing tools at your fingertips

Image SplitterPremium

Split a big image into smaller pieces (2, 3, 6, 9 or more) to create a seamless grid

Photo Editor

One Click = One Transformation with over 100 filters

+2 more in this category

Content(4 features)

Beautiful Stock Photos

Access to beautiful stock photos for your posts

Caption FinderPremium

Caption finder with caption templates, starters, quotes, puns, and question ideas

Caption IdeasPremium

Access to over 3,000 Instagram caption templates, prompts, ideas, quotes, call-to-action and seasonal captions

Free Photos & Videos

Millions of copyright free photos and videos for your feed, video covers and Stories

Accessibility(2 features)

Desktop PlannerPremium

Plan your Instagram feed on desktop

Unlimited DevicesPremium

Use Preview on unlimited devices

Collaboration(2 features)

Team CollaborationPremium

Plan your feed with as many team members as you want at the same time

Team PermissionsPremium

Choose what you want your team members to do or not do on your Preview feed

Account Management(1 features)

Multiple Accounts

Manage multiple Instagram accounts from one dashboard

Automation(1 features)

Auto-PostPremium

Set a day and time and Preview will automatically post for you with timezone support

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Preview App

Monthly$6.67/mo
Yearly$80/yr
5-Year Total$400

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~4 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 Year
SaaS
$80
DIY
$240
3 Years
SaaS
$240
DIY
$720
5 Years
SaaS
$400
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 53 features at very easy complexity.

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