Looking for an Are.na alternative to share references with context?
Are.na and Quickrefs both help you gather references from the internet. Are.na is a space for saving varied content and connecting ideas in Channels; Quickrefs is more direct when the goal is to publish a selection of links recommended by one person.
Not only what you recommend — but why
Every link carries a note written by the curator. It works for a course's reading list, a story's sources, a newsletter's recommendations or an annotated bibliography.
Whoever receives it sees the links — but doesn't know where to start.
Start here: the base for any new design system.
Use it once the components are stable.
Reference reading, no need to read it all.
Side by side
What each one offers, according to their official pages.
Information from each product's official pages, checked in October 2026. Prices can vary by tax and region — check the total at checkout.
Save from where you already work. Publish when you're ready.
- A curator's note on every link: why it's worth your time.
- A public page with your name, your contacts and your selection.
- Save from the Chrome or Edge extension, the bookmarklet, or your phone.
- Import your browser bookmarks or a Raindrop.io export.
- Embed the collection in your blog or in Notion, with the curator's note on every link.
Whoever gets your link sees exactly what you chose
On social media, your post competes with whatever the platform decides to show. On Quickrefs, the collection is your own page: the order, the selection and the notes are the ones you set.
- No feed, no automatic recommendations, no paid ranking.
- Your content doesn't vanish after a few days, or depend on engagement to be seen.
- The link works anywhere: WhatsApp, email, class, a newsletter or a bio.
Pricing: compare the yearly cost and what comes with it
On yearly billing, Quickrefs Pro costs US$51 less at list price. The paid plans prioritise different things.
- Per-link and per-collection analytics
- Custom address
- Page customisation
- Unlimited blocks
- Advanced search filters
- Full text of links and articles
Are.na also has a US$7 monthly option and a 50% student discount for two years. Choose by what you need to use: Quickrefs to publish and measure collections of recommendations; Are.na for multimedia Channels, collaboration and advanced search.
Start with the links you already have
Import the file exported from your browser bookmarks or from Raindrop.io. Titles, links and folders come along — folders become collections.
- CChrome
- EEdge
- FFirefox
- SSafari
- RRaindrop.io
- BBookmarks HTML file
- 1Export
Export your browser bookmarks (or Raindrop.io's) as HTML.
- 2Import
In Quickrefs, upload the file. Each folder becomes a collection.
- 3Publish
Write why each link matters and share a page with your name on it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Quickrefs an alternative to Are.na?
Yes — if you specifically want to publish link curations with a note per recommendation, the curator's identity and a page ready to share. To gather varied media, collaborate in Channels and explore the network, Are.na may remain the best choice.
Does Quickrefs have a feed or automatic recommendations?
No. No feed, no automatic recommendations and no paid ranking — the selection and the context come from people who know the subject.
Does a visitor to a public collection pay anything?
No. Reading a public collection on Quickrefs is always free, and doesn't need an account.
Is there a limit on Quickrefs' free plan?
Links, spaces, collections and public collections are unlimited on Free. Pro adds analytics, a custom address and page customisation.
Can I embed the collection on my site or in Notion?
Yes. In the collection editor, the Embed button generates a link (to paste in Notion with /embed) and a code (for blogs that accept HTML). The widget comes as a list, compact or cards, in a light or dark theme, and updates by itself when you edit the collection. It's free on every plan, with a small “Made with Quickrefs” badge that Pro removes.
Share references that explain themselves
Create the collection for free, write why each link matters and publish when you're ready.