Refbox is a floating reference app that keeps your inspiration in sight. Stop digging through folders and playing Tetris with windows. All of your references are automatically organized and float above all other apps, so you can see them while you work. Add images, videos, GIFs, and notes via drag & drop from the web or your desktop. It’s the perfect creative companion for illustrators, designers, 3D artists, animators, and visual creators.
Refbox
Refbox
Hey everyone, I’m Brett, solo dev behind Refbox.
I built this app along with my brother @bransshep to help designers and creatives stay in their flow; however, I ended up using it myself as a dev way more than I expected. The always-on-top notes, easy image pasting/zooming, and the color picker are all things I rely on daily now. Refbox runs on Electron + Vue, and instead of relying on native draggable windows, I built a custom region system so floating frames feel smoother and more flexible across operating systems. The goal was to make interactions snappy and the UI unobtrusive.
If you try it, I’d love feedback on performance, UX, or anything that feels rough around the edges. Thanks for checking it out!
@bransshep @brett_shepherd Performance is ON POINT during my quick testing on Apple M2! Hope I’m not jinxing it. 🤞🏻 It works almost suspiciously well
Congrats on your launch 🎉🎉
I like the concept and design. The website is cute and pop, but I think the initial hurdle for adoption would be lowered if it were possible to try it out for free for just a few days.
Refbox
@d41 Thanks, and I agree. This is an app that really benefits from using it hands on which is why we introduced a 7 day free trial. It's available in our pricing section 🙂.
@bransshep Lovely! i"ll try it!! Thanks!
Scade.pro
Interesting. I'm not a designer, but I constantly work with references. Very convenient and simple interface. I wish you luck with today's launch!
Refbox
@maria_anosova Hope you give the free trial a try, Maria! I think you'll love it.
Swytchcode
Nice app. Do you have offer a trial?
Refbox
@chilarai We do! There's a 7 day free trial available in the pricing section of our site.
As a product designer, this is so up my alley. I’m constantly drowning in loose reference images, screenshots, and random inspiration tabs—Refbox makes it all feel effortless. Having my refs float above everything without messing with my layout is such a game-changer. Already added it to my daily setup.
Refbox
@sasha_sashova Many thanks, hope you enjoy it! Happy to hear about any ideas you have for new features that would help your workflow :)
StreamPro
This is one of the slickest designs I've seen for collecting, cataloging and recalling design references.
Absolutely love what you've built here Brandon and love seeing the bar being raised thanks to designers building tools for designers.
Refbox
@designertom Many thanks man! Always great to have your support