---
description: Review of refern Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs on Software Advice Ireland.
image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/software_advice/og_logo-55146305bbe7b450bea05c18e9be9c9a.png
title: refern | Reviews, Pricing & Demos - SoftwareAdvice IE
---

Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Content Management Systems](/directory/4543/cms/software) > [refern](/software/552167/refern)

# refern

Canonical: https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/552167/refern

> Refern is a desktop application designed for saving, organizing, and studying reference images in a private, offline environment. It is intended for professionals such as illustrators, concept artists, photographers, and art directors who require a centralized system for managing visual references. Files are stored locally on the user's device, and the application is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

The software includes an infinite canvas for arranging references and visualizing connections through an integrated graph system. Organization tools include hierarchical tags, smart folders, and custom views. Search functionality is enhanced with multiple operators to locate images based on criteria such as similarity or color. A browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari allows saving images directly from websites through right-click options, bulk downloads, drag-and-drop, and screenshots. The application supports embedded metadata formats such as EXIF, IPTC, and XMP and allows importing libraries from Eagle while preserving folders, tags, and ratings.

Additional features include a timed study mode for full-screen drawing sessions and a reference overlay tool that pins images on top of other windows with adjustable opacity. Non-destructive editing tools enable cropping and adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color without altering the original files. A linked references system maintains connections between crops, groups, and canvases and their source images. The software operates without requiring an account, subscription, or internet connection for its core functionality.
> 
> Verdict: Rated \*\*\*\* by 0 users. Top-rated for **Overall Quality**.

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## About the vendor

- **Company**: refern

## Commercial Context

- **Starting Price**: US$30.00
- **Pricing model**: Flat Rate (Free Trial)
- **Pricing Details**: refern is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. A single license is $30 and includes the complete application with lifetime updates. There are no recurring fees, no feature tiers, and no paywalled add-ons. That one price unlocks every feature on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

One license covers one user on up to three devices, for example a desktop, a laptop, and a studio machine, and you can deactivate and move a device at any time. Commercial use is included at no extra cost, so freelancers and studios do not need a separate or upgraded license.

refern is free to download and evaluate before you buy. Because the app is local-first, anything you set up while trying it stays on your own disk, with nothing locked away if you decide to purchase later.

Checkout is handled by Polar as the merchant of record, which means secure card, PayPal, and wallet payments, proper invoices, and automatic tax handling in your country. Regional pricing is available in many markets, so buyers in some countries are offered an automatically adjusted price at checkout.

refern is currently $30 as a launch price and will move to its regular price of $35. The desktop app is a one-time purchase and will stay that way. An optional cloud sync service is planned for the future as a separate, opt-in subscription, but it is not required to use refern, and the core app remains fully functional offline forever.
- **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50
- **Deployment & Platforms**: Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Linux (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Linux (On-Premise)
- **Supported Languages**: English
- **Available Countries**: Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia and 68 more

## Features

- API
- Collaboration Tools
- Content Publishing Options
- Document Management
- Drag & Drop
- Full Text Search
- Image Editing
- Metadata Management
- Search/Filter
- Tagging

## Support Options

- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Chat

## Category

- [Content Management Systems](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/directory/4543/cms/software)

## Links

- [View on SoftwareAdvice](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/552167/refern)

## This page is available in the following languages

| Locale | URL |
| en | <https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/552167-refern/> |
| en-AU | <https://www.softwareadvice.com.au/software/552167/refern> |
| en-GB | <https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/552167/refern> |
| en-IE | <https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/552167/refern> |
| en-NZ | <https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/552167/refern> |

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