Infinite canvas
Reference gives Mac users an open canvas for collecting inspiration and arranging multiple boards without fixed boundaries.
Overview
Reference is a private moodboard app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It is built for collecting visual inspiration, organizing references into boards, and keeping that material in sync across Apple devices through iCloud.
The app combines a native board layout with tools for searching, grouping, and annotating references. On Mac, you can spread out on an infinite canvas and create multiple moodboards. On iPad, you can mark up boards with Apple Pencil, and across the Apple ecosystem the same references stay available in one private workspace.
Features
Powerful search
Search saved references by color, style, scene, and your own words, then turn results into a new board quickly.
Similar images
Open an item and find visually related images from the same board to continue exploring a direction without restarting the search.
OCR search
Reference automatically reads visible text inside images, which makes labels, titles, packaging, and other small details searchable.
Automatic organization
Descriptions, custom tags, colors, and visual cues are generated automatically as items are saved to keep boards organized in the background.
Mixed media boards
Add images, video, YouTube content, quotes, sticky notes, website links, Tweets, and Maps links to the same board.
Use Cases
Building moodboards on Mac
Create separate boards for directions, clients, or projects and spread references out on the Mac canvas without running into fixed board limits.
Finding details inside images
Search by visible text in an image, then revisit labels, packaging, titles, or fragments of copy that would be hard to find by filename alone.
Exploring visual directions
Use color search and similar-image discovery to move from one saved reference to related visual material while keeping the board context intact.
Collecting mixed media references
Add notes, website links, Tweets, Maps links, and video references to one board so the context around a project stays together.
Annotating ideas on iPad
Sketch, underline, circle, and erase directly on an iPad board with Apple Pencil when you need to mark up an idea in place.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Supports iPhone, iPad, and Mac with sync through iCloud.
- Search works across colors, styles, scenes, and custom words.
- OCR makes text inside images searchable.
- Automatic tags, descriptions, and colors help keep boards organized.
- Apple Pencil support lets iPad users annotate boards directly.
Cons
- The product is built around the Apple ecosystem, so iCloud sync and platform support are centered on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- A Chrome extension is not available yet; the site says it is coming soon.
- Pricing details are limited on the site, beyond the App Store showing the current regional price.
FAQ
Is Reference a subscription or a one-time purchase?
Reference is a one-time purchase. The App Store shows the current price in your region, and that purchase covers iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Is Reference private?
Yes. Reference says your references stay private, it does not track how you use the app, and sync happens through iCloud across your own Apple devices.
Does Reference have a browser extension?
Yes. Reference includes a Safari extension today, and a Chrome extension is coming soon.
What can I add to a board?
You can add images, videos, YouTube videos, GIFs, sticky notes, website links, Tweets, and Maps links to boards.
Can Reference download YouTube videos?
No. Reference can play YouTube videos inside the workflow, but it does not download them.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Moodboard app
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac
- Sync
- iCloud across Apple devices
- Extensions
- Safari now, Chrome coming soon
- Primary workflow
- Collect, organize, search, and annotate references
- Source domain
- referenceboard.app
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