Winsta review: the better Instagram experience for Windows 10

Winsta on Huawei Matebook X Pro Source: Windows Central

Instagram released an official app on Windows 10 years agone, but it feels a fleck abandoned. It looks like someone zoomed in a telephone screen and placed information technology on Windows 10. It works, allowing you lot to view feeds and stories and even upload content, just it feels out of place on Windows 10. In contrast, unofficial Instagram client Winsta features Fluent Design elements, scales well, and looks at home on Windows 10 desktops, laptops, and 2-in-1s.

It's a chip odd that Winsta fits and so well into Windows x considering it actually tricks Instagram into thinking the app runs on an Android device. Every bit a event, new features that curlicue out to the Android version of Instagram are available in Winsta apace, equally opposed to people having to expect to see if Instagram updates its official Windows app. The app's developers, Mah Studios, took the benefits of Instagram on Android and combined them with a design and feature set that makes Winsta feel like a "true" UWP app.

For the Gram

Winsta

$iii

Bottom line: Winsta brings the feature set of Instagram for Android into a smooth and attractive app on Windows 10.

Pros:

Attractive layout with Fluent Design elements
Supports newer Instagram features
Scales well across different sizes of windows and devices

Cons:

Costs money compared to the free official Instagram app
Uploading content feels wonky

What y'all'll love nearly Winsta

Winsta on Windows 10 Source: Windows Central

The best compliment I can give Winsta is that I simply beloved using it. Information technology looks great. Information technology runs smoothly. It uses Fluent Design elements everywhere yous look, and it but provides an fantabulous Instagram feel on Windows 10. The more time I spent with Winsta, the more than I like it.

On the Instagram side of things, information technology tricks Instagram into thinking your device is an Android phone. That sounds similar a hacky solution that wouldn't look nice, but it does. The Android emulation ensures that more than Instagram features are supported. You can view feeds, stories, make comments, and observe new content in the explore tab. I manage the Instagram account of an American football squad I coach, merely I'chiliad non an Instagram model or influencer. Every bit a result, I tin can't say that every single Instagram characteristic is in Winsta, but I didn't find anything that I wanted to do that I couldn't.

On the Windows 10 side of things, Winsta features a modern design that fits right in with Windows 10. There's transparency behind some menus, calorie-free and dark mode that tin can be set independently or set to match organization settings, and a design that scales well. It has prissy picayune touches similar a hidden championship bar that seamlessly blends with the top of the app window.

What yous may dislike about Winsta

Winsta uploading image Source: Windows Central

The biggest complaint I have is that the uploading process looks a chip wonky. It ever worked in my testing, but when y'all upload an image, you lot see what looks similar an error message telling you that you can leave the page and that the app will tell you if the upload works. Quickly subsequently leaving that page, the app always told me the upload was successful. This feels like the app is broken, but information technology never failed for me.

The only other downside is that it costs just under $3. The official Instagram app is free, but I'm willing to pay for apps that are well designed, and that works well, and so Winsta'south cost doesn't bother me much.

Should y'all purchase Winsta?

Winsta vs Instagram on Windows 10 Source: Windows Cardinal

Winsta is an excellent Instagram client that combines the feature-rich nature of Android applications with the look and experience of the Universal Windows Platform. It looks nice, performs well, and lets you browse Instagram content and upload your own.

The complaints I have about Winsta are minimal, including the fact that it costs money when the official Instagram app doesn't, and that uploading images feels wonky. Neither of these deters me from using the app, and I plan to continue using information technology later on this review to manage my team'due south Instagram feed.

For the Gram

Winsta

Beautiful Instagram

Winsta brings the feature set of Instagram for Android into a smooth and attractive app on Windows 10. It looks dainty, performs well, and scales across different sizes of screens and windows.

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An internet connection will soon be required when setting up Windows 11 Pro

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An internet connexion will shortly be required when setting up Windows 11 Pro

Microsoft has announced that later this year, users will be required to connect to the net and sign-in with a Microsoft Account during the out of box setup experience on Windows xi Pro. Microsoft has already been enforcing this requirement on Windows 11 Dwelling house since launch last October, and Windows xi Pro is now expected to follow adapt soon.