Kosmik alternative
Kosmik has shut down. Bring your boards to Grein.
Grein is a visual canvas for moodboards, research, and creative projects. Drop in images, links, files, and notes, arrange them freely, and share the board when you’re ready.
In shortKosmik announced it would wind down on May 31, 2026, after eight years. If you used it for moodboards or research boards, Grein covers the same canvas workflow in your browser, with a free plan that has no cap on canvas blocks. Grein doesn’t have Kosmik’s built-in web browser.
What happened to Kosmik
Kosmik’s team announced the app would sunset on May 31, 2026, and asked users to export their data. For eight years it was one of the most thoughtful canvases for designers and researchers, and it’s a real loss for the people who built their process around it.
If you’re looking for a new home for that work, Grein is built on the same idea: one open canvas where references, notes, and files sit next to each other, so you can see how a project fits together.
Grein vs Kosmik
| Feature | Grein | Kosmik |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Actively developed | Shut down May 31, 2026 |
| Canvas | Infinite boards with nested boards | Infinite canvas |
| What goes on a board | Images, links, video, audio, PDFs, documents, notes, sketches | Images, links, files, notes |
| Built-in web browser | No. Paste links instead and they become link cards | Yes |
| Collaboration | Invite editors and viewers, comments, project chat | Real-time collaboration |
| Sharing | Public view links, no sign-in needed | Shared canvases |
| AI | AI creative partner on Pro; connect Claude or ChatGPT on desktop | AI auto-tagging and search |
| Apps | Web, desktop (beta), and mobile | Mac and Windows |
Kosmik details are taken from kosmik.app as it read after the shutdown announcement. Last checked October 2, 2026. See current Grein plans on the pricing section.
Is Grein right for you?
Grein is a good fit if
- You used Kosmik for moodboards, research boards, or brainstorming.
- You want a canvas you can open from any browser, without installing anything.
- You share boards with clients or collaborators who don’t want to make an account.
Kosmik may suit you better if
- Kosmik’s built-in browser was central to how you work. Grein doesn’t have one.
- You need everything stored only on your own machine.
Moving your Kosmik work over
Start with the export Kosmik’s team provided before the shutdown, then rebuild your most active boards in Grein one at a time.
- Find your export
- Locate the files you exported from Kosmik before it shut down.
- Create a project
- Make a Grein project for each body of work, like a client or a research topic.
- Drag in the files
- Drop a folder of images and documents onto a board. Paste saved links and they become link cards.
- Arrange and share
- Group things the way your canvas used to look, then share a public link or invite collaborators.
Questions, answered.
Yes. Kosmik announced it would sunset on May 31, 2026, after eight years of operation, and asked users to export their data.
If you used Kosmik for moodboards, research boards, or brainstorming, Grein offers the same open-canvas workflow in the browser, with nested boards, comments, and public sharing. It doesn’t have Kosmik’s built-in web browser.
There’s no one-click importer. Drag the exported images and files onto a Grein board and paste in your links. Most people rebuild their active boards first.
Yes. The free plan includes unlimited canvas blocks, up to 2 projects, file uploads up to 25 MB, 5-day version history, and public sharing. No credit card is needed to start.
Create your first
board.
Start with a few references. Bring people in when it’s ready.