Best UNUM Alternative for Instagram Grid Planning in 2026
PlanMyGrid vs UNUM — a side-by-side comparison of the two Instagram grid planners. See features, pricing, and what you actually get for free.
The Verdict
PlanMyGrid is the best UNUM alternative for anyone who plans Instagram content on a bigger screen: UNUM is a mobile-first iOS and Android app, while PlanMyGrid is a web app that runs in any desktop or laptop browser. PlanMyGrid also adds what UNUM lacks for client work — share links that clients can open, comment on, and approve without creating an account. The free plan includes 1 active grid and 20 media uploads; Pro is $9/month with unlimited AI captions and direct Instagram publishing.
Try PlanMyGrid free — no credit card required — or read the full breakdown below.
Why Creators Are Switching from UNUM in 2026
UNUM has been a go-to Instagram grid planner for years, and it remains a capable mobile app. The two most common reasons creators look for an alternative are workflow-driven: UNUM is built mobile-first, which is limiting if you plan content from a desktop with files, briefs, and client feedback open in other tabs; and sharing a plan for review means bringing collaborators into a UNUM workspace with their own accounts, rather than sending a link a client can simply open.
UNUM's Pro plan is $7/month, but unlimited AI captions and hashtags require its Teams plan at $10/month. PlanMyGrid takes a different approach: a free tier that covers casual creators, and a single $9/month Pro plan that unlocks unlimited grids, unlimited AI, direct Instagram publishing, and no-login client approval links.
Whether you are a solo creator, a freelance social media manager, or an agency handling multiple client accounts, this comparison will help you decide if PlanMyGrid is the right UNUM alternative for your workflow. You can also check our top 10 Instagram grid planner tools for 2026 for a broader comparison.
Feature-by-Feature: PlanMyGrid vs UNUM
| Feature | PlanMyGrid | UNUM |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | ✅ Web app — plan on a desktop, laptop, or phone browser | ❌ Mobile-first iOS and Android apps — no desktop planner |
| No-Login Client Sharing | ✅ Share links clients open in a browser — no account needed | ❌ Collaboration happens inside UNUM workspaces — collaborators need UNUM accounts |
| Client Approval Workflow | ✅ Per-post approve/reject with comments, no client login | ✅ Team approvals inside shared workspaces |
| Drag-and-Drop Grid Preview | ✅ Drag-and-drop reordering with live grid preview | ✅ Drag-and-drop grid reordering with feed preview |
| AI Captions & Hashtags | ✅ AI captions, hashtags, and bio generator — 2 free tries each, unlimited on Pro ($9/mo) | ✅ Magic Caption and Magic Hashtags — 5 AI credits/month on Free, unlimited only on Teams ($10/mo) |
| Feed Color Tools | ✅ AI color analysis of your feed palette | ✅ Color Map view of your grid's palette |
| Publishing & Scheduling | ✅ Direct Instagram publishing for grid posts, Reels, Stories, and Carousels (Pro) | ✅ Auto-post and multi-platform scheduling |
| Free Plan | ✅ 1 active grid, 20 media uploads, 1 share link, 2 free AI tries per feature | ✅ 1 workspace, 20 uploads/month, 5 AI credits/month |
| Grid History & Snapshots | ✅ Full history tracking with snapshots — undo any layout change | ❌ Not an advertised feature |
| White-Label Sharing | ✅ Custom share domain and branded emails on Agency tier | ❌ Not an advertised feature |
Grid Planning & Preview
Both PlanMyGrid and UNUM let you upload photos and rearrange them in a 3-column Instagram grid layout. You can preview how your feed will look before posting. The core difference is the platform: UNUM is a mobile-first app, while PlanMyGrid runs in any browser — which matters if you plan from a desktop.
PlanMyGrid
- Drag-and-drop with live grid preview
- Grid history and snapshots — undo any change
- Offline-first — works without internet
- Export grids as PNG, JSON, or ZIP
- Shareable grid links (no login needed for viewers)
UNUM
- Drag-and-drop grid reordering
- Visual feed preview with the ability to hide existing posts
- Color Map view of your grid's palette
- Mobile-first — iOS and Android apps
- Sharing happens inside UNUM workspaces (accounts required)
AI Features
Both tools now ship AI writing features. UNUM offers Magic Caption and Magic Hashtags, but meters them with AI credits — 5 per month on the free plan — and only removes the cap on its Teams plan ($10/mo). PlanMyGrid gives every AI feature 2 free tries, then makes all of it unlimited on the single $9/mo Pro plan.
PlanMyGrid AI Suite
- AI caption writer — generates on-brand captions for each post
- AI hashtag suggestions — targeted hashtags based on your content
- AI color analysis — identifies your feed's color palette for cohesion
- AI bio generator — craft the perfect Instagram bio
- 2 free AI tries on the free plan, unlimited on Pro
UNUM
- Magic Caption — AI caption generation
- Magic Hashtags — AI hashtag suggestions
- 5 AI credits/month on the free plan
- Unlimited AI credits only on Teams ($10/mo)
- Color Map for palette overview (not AI analysis)
Publishing & Scheduling
Both tools offer ways to get your content published to Instagram, but they take different approaches. UNUM has had scheduling features for longer, while PlanMyGrid focuses on combining planning with direct publishing and a built-in content calendar.
PlanMyGrid
- Direct Instagram publishing (Pro)
- Content calendar with email reminders
- Plan, write AI captions, and publish from one tool
- Visual grid preview before publishing
UNUM
- Auto-post and scheduling — unlimited on paid plans
- Calendar view for planned posts
- Multi-platform: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest
- Built-in analytics on paid plans
Client Collaboration
If you manage Instagram accounts for clients, the collaboration workflow matters as much as the planning tools. UNUM supports team approvals, but they happen inside shared workspaces — every reviewer needs a UNUM account. PlanMyGrid's approval flow is built for external clients: send a link, the client opens it in a browser, approves or comments per post, done.
PlanMyGrid
- Shareable grid links — clients view without logging in
- Built-in client approval workflow
- Feedback and comments on grid items
- Share analytics for each grid link
UNUM
- Team approvals inside shared workspaces
- Every collaborator needs a UNUM account
- No public no-login share links for external clients
- Workspace limits by plan (1 on Free, 2 on Pro, 10 on Teams)
Pricing & Value: PlanMyGrid vs UNUM
UNUM's Pro plan is $7/month ($5.25/month billed annually), but unlimited AI requires Teams at $10/month. PlanMyGrid keeps it simple with a free tier and one Pro plan that includes everything.
| PlanMyGrid Free | PlanMyGrid Pro | UNUM Paid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $0 | $9/mo | $7/mo (Pro), $10/mo (Teams) |
| Annual Price | $0 | $79/yr ($6.58/mo) | $5.25/mo billed annually (Pro) |
| Platform | Web (any browser) | Web (any browser) | Mobile-first (iOS, Android) |
| Active Grids / Workspaces | 1 grid | Unlimited grids | 1 workspace (Free), 2 (Pro) |
| Media Uploads | 20 | Unlimited | 20/month (Free), unlimited storage (Pro) |
| AI Captions & Hashtags | 2 free tries | Unlimited | 5 credits/mo (Free), unlimited on Teams |
| No-Login Client Sharing | 1 share link | Unlimited | Not offered — accounts required |
| Client Approval | Pro only | Included (no client login) | Team approvals, account required |
| Direct Publishing | Pro only | Included | Unlimited scheduling on paid plans |
While UNUM's annual plan is cheaper on paper, PlanMyGrid Pro at $9/month includes unlimited AI plus no-login client sharing and approval — features UNUM either meters with credits or does not offer at any price point. For the full breakdown, see our pricing page.
Why Creators Switch from UNUM to PlanMyGrid
- Plan on a desktop or laptop browser — UNUM is mobile-first
- Unlimited AI captions, hashtags, and color analysis on Pro — no credit metering
- Offline-first workflow — plan your grid without internet
- Free forever tier — no time limits, no forced upgrades
- Direct Instagram publishing and content calendar
- Client approval workflows — share grids without requiring logins
- Grid history and snapshots — never lose a layout
- Multiple export formats: PNG, JSON, ZIP
- Full profile planning — Reels with custom covers, Stories, Highlights, and Carousels
About UNUM
UNUM is a mobile-first visual planner and grid layout tool with scheduling, analytics, AI captions and hashtags, and a link-in-bio builder. It has been around since 2015 and supports Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
UNUM's strengths are its established mobile apps and multi-platform scheduling. Its main limitations are workflow-shaped: it is built for phones first, and collaboration happens inside UNUM workspaces, so external clients need accounts to review a plan.
UNUM's paid plans start at $7/month for Pro ($5.25/month billed annually), with Teams at $10/month for unlimited AI credits and 10 workspaces. The free plan includes 1 workspace, 20 uploads/month, and 5 AI credits/month.
If you want a UNUM alternative for desktop with no-login client sharing and unmetered AI on one plan, PlanMyGrid is the best choice in 2026.
Who Should Switch from UNUM to PlanMyGrid?
Solo Creators
If you are a content creator or influencer who plans content at a desk — batching photos, writing captions, lining up a cohesive aesthetic — PlanMyGrid's browser-based planner fits that workflow better than UNUM's phone-first apps. The free tier covers 1 grid and 20 uploads.
Freelancers
Freelance social media managers need to share grid plans with clients for approval. PlanMyGrid's shareable links and approval workflow eliminate the back-and-forth of screenshots and emails — and unlike UNUM's workspace approvals, your client never has to create an account.
Agencies
Agencies managing multiple client accounts benefit from PlanMyGrid's unlimited grids on Pro, client approval workflows, and AI-powered content creation. The time saved on captions and hashtags alone makes the switch worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best UNUM alternative in 2026?
PlanMyGrid is the best UNUM alternative in 2026, especially if you plan Instagram content on a desktop. UNUM is a mobile-first app; PlanMyGrid is a web app with drag-and-drop grid planning, AI captions and hashtags, direct Instagram publishing, a content calendar, and client approval via no-login share links — free to start, $9/month for Pro.
Is PlanMyGrid free to use as a UNUM replacement?
Yes. PlanMyGrid offers a free forever plan that includes 1 active grid, 20 media uploads, shareable links, and 2 free AI tries. No credit card required. You can upgrade to Pro ($9/month) for client approval workflows, unlimited grids, full AI suite, and watermark-free exports.
Can I publish directly to Instagram from PlanMyGrid?
Yes. PlanMyGrid Pro lets you publish posts directly to Instagram from your grid planner. Plan your feed visually, write AI captions, then publish — all from one tool.
How does PlanMyGrid compare to UNUM for grid planning?
Both tools offer drag-and-drop grid planning with a visual feed preview. The biggest difference is where you plan: UNUM is a mobile-first iOS and Android app, while PlanMyGrid is a web app you can use on a desktop, laptop, or phone browser. PlanMyGrid also adds offline-first editing, grid history with snapshots, and shareable grid links that clients can open without logging in.
Does PlanMyGrid work offline?
Yes. PlanMyGrid uses an offline-first architecture. You can upload photos, rearrange your grid, and plan your entire feed without an internet connection. Your changes sync automatically when you go online.
Is PlanMyGrid a good UNUM alternative?
PlanMyGrid is an excellent UNUM alternative for creators, freelancers, and agencies who want to plan on a bigger screen. It matches UNUM on core grid planning features like drag-and-drop reordering and visual feed preview, then adds desktop + web planning, no-login client share links, per-post approval workflows, grid history with snapshots, and unlimited AI captions and hashtags on Pro at $9/month — UNUM caps AI credits unless you pay for Teams at $10/month.
Can I import my UNUM content to PlanMyGrid?
PlanMyGrid makes it easy to get started. While there is no direct one-click import from UNUM, you can export your images from UNUM and upload them to PlanMyGrid in bulk using drag-and-drop. Once uploaded, you can immediately start arranging your grid, adding AI captions, and scheduling posts.
What can PlanMyGrid do that UNUM can't?
PlanMyGrid's differentiators over UNUM: full desktop + web planning in a browser (UNUM is mobile-first), shareable grid links that clients open without creating an account, per-post client approval with comments and no client login, offline-first editing, grid history with snapshots, and white-label sharing on a custom domain for agencies. PlanMyGrid Pro at $9/month also includes unlimited AI captions and hashtags, while UNUM limits AI credits below its Teams plan.
Is PlanMyGrid really free?
Yes, PlanMyGrid is truly free with no hidden costs. The free plan includes 1 active grid, 20 media uploads, shareable links, a content calendar, and 2 free AI tries. There is no trial period — the free plan lasts forever. You only need to upgrade to Pro ($9/month or $79/year) if you want unlimited grids, unlimited uploads, full AI features, client approval workflows, direct publishing, and watermark-free exports.
Compare with Other Instagram Grid Planners
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