A PureRef Alternative for Teams and the Cloud
PureRef is a fast, offline reference window. Clusters is a collaborative reference workspace you can share and grow.
Soleil Clusters is a PureRef alternative for teams and the cloud: reference boards live in your browser, sync across devices, and can be shared with one link or edited together in real time. Boards hold notes, docs, video, and color palettes alongside images. PureRef still wins for a tiny offline desktop overlay; Clusters wins when reference needs to be shared and organized.
From a local window to a shared workspace
PureRef is a brilliant lightweight desktop app for pinning reference images while you work. Clusters takes reference boards to the cloud: they live in your browser, sync across devices, and can be shared with a link or edited by your whole team in real time. Your references are backed up and reachable from anywhere, not trapped in a file on one machine.
More than images
A reference board is rarely just pictures. Clusters cards can be images, notes, links, video, PDFs, color palettes, and docs — with non-destructive image adjustments built in — so your reference, your annotations, and your color story sit together instead of in three tools.
When PureRef is still the right call
If you want a tiny, free, fully-offline window that floats over your art app and does one thing perfectly, PureRef is excellent and we will not pretend otherwise. Clusters is for when reference needs to be shared, collaborative, multi-media, and organized into a larger project.
Clusters vs PureRef
Two different philosophies for reference boards:
| Feature | Clusters | PureRef |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in the browser (no install) | Yes | Desktop app |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes | No |
| Share with a link | Yes | No |
| Notes, docs, palettes, video | Yes | Images only |
| Cloud sync & backup | Yes | Local files |
| Fully offline | No | Yes |
| Free to start | Yes | Pay what you want |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good PureRef alternative with collaboration?
Soleil Clusters. It keeps the fast, freeform reference-board feel but adds real-time collaboration, link sharing, cloud sync, and support for notes, docs, palettes, and video — not just images.
Does Clusters work offline like PureRef?
Clusters is a cloud, browser-based workspace, so it is not a fully-offline desktop window the way PureRef is. In exchange you get sharing, collaboration, and cross-device sync.
Can I put more than images on a Clusters board?
Yes — images, notes, links, video, PDFs, docs, and color palettes all live on the same canvas, with non-destructive image adjustments built in.
Is Clusters free?
Yes, the Demo tier is free with no credit card. Creator ($25/mo) adds unlimited boards, 100GB storage, and Edit Mode.