Report updated Apr 3, 2026
Best Nine
v7.0Instagram users who want to curate and share their yearly highlights or top-performing content in a visually appealing, customizable format.
What Is Best Nine?
Launched Dec 15, 2017
Updated Nov 2023
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Ability to rearrange photos, set frame colors, spacing, and shapes for the Best Nine grid.
Create a video version of the Best Nine with music selection and style options.
Easily log out and generate grids for different Instagram accounts.
Generate top photos for specific years, custom time ranges, or all-time stats.
Includes Best ThirtySix generation and multiple scaling options for non-square photos.
Does not save, share, or cache user data on servers; uses official Instagram login.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a upset sentiment. Users appreciate initial speed, but report inaccurate results and security and privacy concerns.”
What Users Love
2 stars just for generating quickly.
The first few times, it seemed like it would work.
Pain Points
The photos it chooses are not my actual top posts from the year
It just picked 9 random photos from the last month or so
Instagram sent me a message that somebody was trying to hack my account
It feels like a phishing scam lying in wait
I paid for the app and it’s way off. Not worth it.
Whenever I click 'Create' it just takes me back to the main menu
High confidence · 49 reviews available
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Privacy-focused architecture (no server-side caching)
- Advanced customization (frames, spacing, video generation)
- Multi-account management capabilities
Cons
- Core algorithm failure (inaccurate photo selection)
- Outdated year support (missing 2024)
- Severe security perception issues and hacking warnings
- Broken payment and 'Create' functionality
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Exploit the 'security gap' by offering a verified, safe alternative
- Capture users by providing reliable 2024/2025 year-end support
- Pivot to AI-driven Reel templates to compete with CapCut
Market Threats
- CapCut and Reelsy automating the 'recap' trend with video
- Instagram's native 'Year in Review' features
- Potential App Store delisting due to high 'scam' report volume
Who competes with Best Nine?
The Nemesis
Why it's a threat
- +
Users are happier — sentiment 55/100 vs 10
- +
Higher rated at 4.9★ vs 4.5★
Peers
The gold standard for aesthetic social media templates, often used to create high-end yearly recap stories.
Bio Site Builder
A broad photo/video tool frequently used to manually compile 'Year in Review' video content.
AI-Powered Editing Tools
New Kids on the Block
Its viral 'Year in Review' video templates are rapidly replacing static 'Best Nine' grids as the preferred sharing format.
AI-Powered Creative Suite
InShot - Video Editor
★4.9 (2411K)SHANTANU PTE. LTD.
A rising threat focusing on synced music templates for Instagram Reels, capturing the 'recap' trend through video.
A rising threat focusing on synced music templates for Instagram Reels, capturing the 'recap' trend through video.
What are the key takeaways?
Best Nine is a upsetting photo & video app that is completely free. With a 4.5/5 rating from 17.2K reviews, it upsets most users from users. Users particularly appreciate initial speed, though inaccurate results remains a common concern.
Best for: Instagram users who want to curate and share their yearly highlights or top-performing content in a visually appealing, customizable format.
How much does it cost?
Model: free
The app positions itself as a free utility, though user reviews suggest the existence of non-functional premium features or payments. It likely relies on ad revenue or cross-promotion.