Are.na
CMS tools
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$7 per month
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Free version
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- Arts, entertainment, and recreation
- Media and communications
- Education and training
What is Are.na
Are.na is a web-based platform for collecting, organizing, and sharing content as “blocks” (links, images, text, files) within collaborative channels. It is commonly used by designers, researchers, writers, and teams to build knowledge libraries, mood boards, and project references. The product emphasizes flexible, non-linear organization and public or private sharing rather than page-based website publishing. It also provides an API for programmatic access and integrations.
Flexible content organization model
Are.na organizes information as blocks inside channels, which supports mixed media and non-linear research workflows. Users can connect and reuse blocks across multiple channels without duplicating content. This structure works well for ongoing curation and knowledge capture compared with page- or issue-based publishing tools. It also supports both private workspaces and public collections for sharing.
Collaboration and sharing controls
Channels can be shared with collaborators to collect and refine references in one place. Public channels provide a simple way to publish curated collections without building a full website. Permissions and visibility settings support different sharing needs (personal, team, public). This makes it suitable for distributed teams that need lightweight editorial coordination around resources.
API for integrations and export
Are.na provides an API that enables developers to pull channel content into other systems or custom sites. This can help teams avoid lock-in by reusing curated content in downstream workflows. Programmatic access also supports automation for importing, syncing, or transforming collections. For organizations with technical resources, this can extend the platform beyond the native UI.
Not a full CMS for sites
Are.na is not designed for managing structured website pages, templates, navigation, and publishing workflows typical of CMS tools. It lacks native features such as theme management, page layouts, and multi-environment content staging. Teams looking to run a marketing site or complex web property usually need additional web infrastructure. As a result, it fits better as a content curation layer than a primary web CMS.
Limited governance and workflow
The platform focuses on curation and collaboration rather than enterprise governance. Capabilities such as granular role-based access control, approval workflows, audit trails, and formal content lifecycle management are limited compared with governance-oriented CMS offerings. This can be a constraint for regulated teams or large organizations with strict publishing controls. Administrative reporting and policy enforcement may require external processes.
Structure may not suit all teams
The block-and-channel model can feel unstructured for teams that require rigid taxonomies, mandatory metadata, or standardized content types. Search and organization depend heavily on consistent naming and curation practices. Without agreed conventions, channels can become difficult to maintain at scale. Organizations may need internal guidelines to keep collections usable over time.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guest | Free / forever | Up to 200 total blocks/connections; suited for trying the platform; basic access to channels and exports. |
| Premium | $7 per month (monthly) or $70 per year (annual) | Unlimited public & private blocks; advanced search filters; pin blocks; full-text for links/articles; presentation mode; table view; hide from search engines; priority support; early access to new features; complimentary Are.na Annual; bi-annual company reports. Student/educator discount: 50% off for two years (e.g., $3.50/mo or $35/yr). |
| Supporter | $120 per year (annual) | All Premium features plus supporter benefits (complimentary Are.na Annual, access to bi-annual investor reports, early access to new features). |
