The Photo Sharing App Looking to Win Over Social Media Skeptics

The Short Version: We share photos with loved ones to invite them into our life experience, but the digital age has presented individuals with a problem of oversharing and maintaining privacy in an increasingly interconnected world. Cluster is the photo sharing app that aims to put privacy first and give users peace of mind whether they’re sharing photos of their food, their wedding, or their intimate moments.

For better or for worse, social media has made the posting of pictures on the internet feel like broadcasting a PSA. This is enticing for some, and not so enticing for others — namely, those who hold privacy near and dear to their hearts, or those who are fed up with scrolling through a feed of ads they never asked for. These skeptics and naysayers are itching for alternatives to Big Social (Instagram, TikTok, Meta, we’re looking at you), and, thanks to a photo sharing app called Cluster, they’ve got one. 

Cara Shaw, Director of Customer Experience at Cluster, tells us in a personal interview that the app provides a safe, streamlined space for family and friends to connect and share memories with like-minded, social-media-averse individuals. She explains:

“The idea for Cluster was born out of the founder’s experience at a wedding. Everyone was taking pictures on their phones and sharing them over multiple group text threads.”

The question of the hour switched from “Do you take so-and-so as your lawfully wedded so-and so?” to “How can there not be a better way to share these pictures with 100 people?”

This special occasion sparked the need for a simpler, private, and more streamlined way for family and friends to share memories. Cluster has since blossomed into a growing platform where loved ones can connect, stay up-to-date on life events, and, more importantly, share that iconic video of Uncle Stanley diving for the bride’s bouquet.

As hilarious or cute as a photo may be, that doesn’t mean you want to share it with that one guy you took geometry with in high school, or any number of other strangers you haven’t interacted with since the start of “Game of Thrones.” Luckily, enabling users to keep precious memories private is where Cluster really shines. 

“Unlike mainstream social media, Cluster lets you create private groups where you can invite specific participants to view and comment on your photos. This ensures your memories are shared only with the people you choose, making it perfect for staying connected with loved ones while keeping your moments off public platforms,” Cara explains. 

At the platform’s core is the concept of members-only groups. Essentially, any Cluster member can create a group, invite and/or approve of participants, and share content that only the group members can access. The goal, Cara tells us, is to establish a sense of trust and security:

“You’re only sharing the moments with people you know and care about, rather than with strangers or acquaintances on public platforms. This fosters a more intimate and genuine connection, making it easier to share special moments freely.”

But the commitment to privacy doesn’t stop there. To give users peace of mind about their personal information, Cara makes sure to point out that Cluster prioritizes ethical data management practices. This means receiving and carefully storing only the information users knowingly provide to the app, as well as the information provided through third-party accounts. 

For example, Cluster, like many other platforms, gives you the option to sign in using a preexisting Facebook or Gmail account. 

“When this happens, the third party account information is then transmitted into your Cluster account, and is covered by our Privacy Policy,” Cara tells us. 

At that point, they may use your information to send you notifications regarding service updates or upcoming promotions, but only if you’ve given them permission to do so. 

That said, Cluster should be at the top of your must-try list if you’re looking to have your sacred moments (and data) shielded from prying eyes and excessive data harvesting. 

If privacy is the crust of the Cluster apple pie, simplicity is the filling. The platform was designed to be accessible by all people no matter where they fall on the tech-savvy spectrum. To Cara, this approach was a no-brainer:

“Simplicity is crucial for sharing memories online because it makes the experience more enjoyable and accessible. When something is easy to use, people are more likely to engage with it regularly and feel confident navigating the platform.”

For example, let’s say you wake up the morning after your birthday and realize you’ve got about 75 gorgeous and giggle-worthy pics to share with your party-goers. Instead of individually sending these pics to about six different group messages, you could simply pop over to the Cluster app and handle it from there. 

All you need to do is tap the “Create A New Group” button, name your group (i.e. “Lindsey’s 30th”), and invite members using a shareable link. Then, you add the pictures and videos that you want to share and, badda bing badda boom, you’re done. No “Valencia” or “Lo-Fi” tone required. 

Sharing photos is about more than just capturing memories — it’s about connecting with the people we built those memories with. And users who have embraced the Cluster app have managed to do just that. 

“We’ve received great feedback from families and friends using Cluster, including after our recent app roll-outs on the Android,” Cara beams.

She also tells us that users of the growing app are particularly appreciative of the incredible customer service it offers:

“One of our biggest success stories is our commitment to excellent customer service. Many users have shared how much they appreciate our personalized approach – when they email us with an issue, we respond promptly and work to resolve it quickly. This dedication to helping our members ensures they feel supported and valued while using our platform.” 

In addition to its unparalleled customer satisfaction, Cluster stands out to users for its genuine and customizable engagement features. After a group is created and photos are shared, any member of the group can comment under a photo or album. That can start a conversation based on meaningful connections, kind words, and inside jokes — all without the performative pressure of public social media.

In case you read that and immediately cringe at the thought of all of those incoming notifications, fear not: Cluster’s got that covered. 

The app, Cara explains, allows you to tailor your engagement alerts based on your preferences:

“Users can decide how often they want to receive updates, whether it’s frequent notifications or not-so-frequent. This flexibility lets members stay in the loop at their own pace.”

For those who want to stay in-the-know but don’t want it to cost them their sanity, this may just be the ideal photo-sharing route. 

For any social media platforms shaking in their boots right now, there’s no need. Cluster isn’t trying to replace you. Instead, it aims to offer a supplement or alternative to the current methods of photo sharing. The meticulously designed features of Cluster serve as a breath of fresh air from the often overexposed and under-protected nature of typical social media engagement, and carve out room in the digital space for meaningful (and, perhaps, rationed) connection over the memories you won’t soon forget. 

That said, if your 2025 intentions call for less stress and more authenticity, Cara will be the first to tell you that this very special app can make that happen:

“Cluster is all about sharing your special moments with those who matter most — without all the hassle.”