Why a Top Designer Is Creating a Dribbble Competitor
A growing number of designers are asking what happened to one of Dribbble’s most prominent contributors—and why it could spark a major shift in the creative community. After being permanently banned from the platform for sharing contact details with a client, top designer Gleb Kuznetsov is now building his own Dribbble competitor. This move is shaking the design world, raising questions about platform policies, creative freedom, and the future of online design communities. Many are wondering: Could a new platform offer more transparency, fairness, and opportunity for creatives?
Image Credits:Dribbble
Dribbble’s Controversial Monetization Strategy Sparks Backlash
As Dribbble pivots toward a more monetized marketplace model, its recent enforcement of strict new rules has caused an uproar. Designers who once relied on the platform to showcase their portfolios and connect with clients are now facing account suspensions and bans for seemingly minor infractions. Kuznetsov’s case became the most high-profile example when his account—filled with over 12,000 design uploads and reportedly drawing more than 100,000 monthly users—was abruptly deleted. His offense? Sharing his email with a potential client, a violation under Dribbble's updated terms. For many creatives, this shift feels less like community support and more like corporate control.
Kuznetsov’s Vision for a Fairer Dribbble Competitor
Rather than stepping away from the community he helped grow, Kuznetsov is channeling his energy into a new mission: building a Dribbble competitor that champions transparency, creative freedom, and user ownership. According to early insights, this new platform will be designed with designers in mind—prioritizing portfolio visibility, ethical monetization, and minimal gatekeeping. He’s already in talks with investors and other leading designers, many of whom share his frustration with current industry platforms. While details remain limited, the move has generated buzz among UX, product, and digital creatives who are eager for an alternative space to grow their brands and connect with clients directly.
Designers Call for Change in the Creative Platform Landscape
The rise of this emerging Dribbble competitor is part of a broader conversation within the design community. Creatives are increasingly seeking platforms that reflect their values—openness, recognition, and autonomy. With centralized platforms tightening control and prioritizing monetization, many feel left behind or silenced. Kuznetsov’s journey is resonating deeply with designers who feel their work is being devalued by algorithmic visibility or hidden behind paywalls. As discussions continue across social platforms and private design circles, it’s clear that a shift is underway. Whether this new competitor becomes the go-to space remains to be seen—but it’s already inspiring a new wave of innovation and independence.
The Future of Online Design Communities
The sudden ban of a celebrated designer from Dribbble has sparked more than personal frustration—it’s ignited a movement. As the creative world watches how Kuznetsov’s Dribbble competitor develops, many are hopeful that it will restore the original spirit of design communities: collaboration, visibility, and freedom to grow. With growing support and rising discontent over current platform policies, this could be the moment that redefines how designers share their work and connect with the world.
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