With Elon Musk taking over Twitter and rebranding it to X, there have been massive structural changes to the platform, leading to users moving out and looking for Twitter alternatives.
While there are many social platforms available as apps and/or websites, finding an exact Twitter replacement is a bit tricky, considering the platform has been out there for an extended period and the user gets used to the experience and interaction format laid out in a certain way (which is “to each its own” for any platform).
NoWorries!
In this blog, we will help you analyse some options, in case you are willing to explore apps and websites similar to Twitter.
Also Read: 5 Reasons to Hire a Social Media Manager
10 Best Twitter Alternatives
Here we go with the Apps & websites Similar To X (Twitter):
01: Bluesky
Bluesky is a promising Twitter Alternative, considering it has been conceptualised alongside Twitter by the former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.
It has an interface similar to Twitter but is technically structured around a decentralised community/server concept like that of Mastodon. The app is in the beta version with invite-based sign-up (or you can join the waitlist).
Features in Bluesky
It takes most of its features from Twitter (feeds, posts, likes, block lists, a mute etc.) which are available on “Public Square”, also the feeds work around algorithms which can be customised by the users.
Having said that, there is more to watch out for Bluesky on Android, and iOS when considering apps similar to Twitter.
02: Mastodon
A “close-to” option “Mastodon” has been in discussion as a Twitter Alternative, it is a platform focusing on community and freedom of choice for its users, with no ads and no algorithms for customising feeds.
The influencer approach is best suited for marketers on this platform. Also, it is a no-trolling kind of cool platform from a user’s standpoint.
Feature of Mastodon Similar to Twitter:
- Twitter-like user interface
- The structure is around micro-blogging and networking
- Users can share real-time thoughts on their account
- Can like and re-share posts by others
- Also, follow their favourite people
The platform has its structural differences:
- Unlike Twitter (which is a single platform), Mastodon operates in interconnected servers (called “Fediverse”) with each server having its own set of rules (which the user needs to abide by)
- The default character length is 500 unlike Twitter’s 140 characters.
Get Mastodon
03: Threads
Another interesting app similar to Twitter is “Threads”. Owned by Meta and coupled with Instagram, this app saw huge sign-ups (about 100 million) in the first week itself (with a lot of popular brands to be found).
How to get onto Threads?
All you need is an Instagram account to be able to sign into the app and get started. Users can navigate to threads from the Instagram app itself and can post text updates of up to 500 characters. Users can also include up to 5 minutes long media (photos & videos), with swipe access for viewers.
Features in Threads:
Account feeds are as per your follower choice plus recommendations (like Instagram) and you can customise your profile & post settings for personal or public view/access. The platform is meant more for entertainment, creativity, discussions and fun rather than news, politics and trolling (as they are equipped with strong content moderation tools). Keeping in mind the user convenience, Threads can also interact with other decentralised social platforms like Mastodon etc.
At the moment simple, this app is most likely to be feature-loaded with time (just like Meta’s other apps).
Get Threads on Android, on iOS
Also Read: Future of Marketing is on Instagram Threads
04: Post
Post is a fairly new platform and a website close to Twitter. With a simple user interface, it is majorly targeted towards journalists and people interested in news.
What’s unique in Post?
Post has a unique value proposition around news and information, but they are starting slow, opening to limited people and experimenting with monetization on their platform.
Having said that, the platform has planned extreme content moderation rules to filter noise from information for serious user consumption.
Features in Post:
Users can post content without any word limit, comment, react, retweet and read outside articles via integrated reader. Features like tipping other users and donations are also available to encourage value for clean facts and information.
05: Plurk
Plurk has picked up an image of a cool, out-of-the-box “social network for weirdos” where plurkers (users) share plurks (posts) about whatever it is on their mind like a personal diary, it comes with very little content moderation leading to some inappropriate posts and content. The platform does have a mix of all kinds of content from “typical” to “trendy”.
Features in Plurk:
Plurk has an innovative chronological feed with a timeline display for easy tracking of older posts. Users can personalize their profiles and timelines to their taste (go private or public), share text updates, images, and links on their timelines and interact with posts through comments, likes, and “replurks” (retweets).
06: Discord
Launched in May 2015, Discord is a text and voice chat community platform rather than a posting platform. Users can start and join different servers/communities of their interest to hang out with like-minded creators.
Features in Discord:
Users can also stream games to friends and queue up YouTube videos together. The app has an interface like Slack that refreshes in real-time, thus, one could lose track of conversations, for which the company is working out tools to enable asynchronous interactions.
The app’s initial audiences were gamers, but it has evolved into practically connecting people for any virtual interest. You can look at it as an app connecting you to a group of friends (old and new) with common interests and “own your cool space” out there!
Get Discord for Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Mac
07: Tumblr
Launched back in February 2007, Tumblr is all about interacting with communities for networking & entertainment purposes, with participants who are passionate, energetic, interactive and bold (notable for marketers who are looking at targeting younger audiences for a dynamic brand).
Features in Tumblr:
Although not a direct alternative to Twitter, Tumblr comes with microblogging in a Twitter-like display, with text, videos, photos, music, GIFs and more in an endless scrolling format. The platform also has trending topics, chat (same as direct messages) and follower choice-based feed rendering, similar to that of Twitter.
Users can like, add notes (which is the same as comments), share and repost the content.
Here is Tumblr for you to try!
08: Reddit
Reddit has been there since 2005 and is a pretty straightforward community-based discussion forum rather than a social platform.
The several small communities are called “subreddits” and each community has a specific topic and set of rules for its members. Community members discuss TV shows, movies, sports teams, books, and anything else that interests them.
Twitter is changing to ‘X’ as early as tomorrow
byu/BCDragon3000 inTwitter
Features in Reddit:
Users can choose to join the communities of their interest and post pictures, links, questions, videos and other information and the audiences can vote, comment, like or dislike the posts (based on the votes and user interactions the post trends on the platform).
From a marketer standpoint, they can engage with the audiences through Q&A forums and Reddit Ads.
Download Reddit for Android, iOS and Windows
09: Micro.blog
Micro.blog is a solid micro-blogging subscription-based platform with a wider reach, where you can cross-post to X, Facebook, Tumblr, Mastodon and even import WordPress blogs and export content between the platforms.
Features in Micro.Blog:
The blog pages are customisable, you can view and comment on other bloggers, share text, photos, and videos on your timeline or choose to keep it private for your blog.
The platform is feature-depleted in comparison to Twitter, as it does not support likes and hashtags. Also one cannot see the total follower count but easily find people interesting to follow in the Discover section.
Try Micro.blog
10: Hive Social
Hive Social is a “My Way” kind of platform where you can add heart & soul to your profile by consciously choosing your profile colours, your zodiac sign, and your favourite music and even create impressive posts with no character limit also add hashtags for content discovery.
This makes it different from the other platforms with ample opportunity for brands to market themselves in a more personalised way.
Features in Hive Social:
In terms of comparison to Twitter, the platform functions in a similar way where you can follow other users and like, comment, and repost their content. The differences are, that the feed is rendered chronologically, the profile personalisation is handled creatively and there is no profile verification at the moment.
However Hive Social is only available on mobile at the moment, it’s run by bare minimum developers and is still a work-in-progress platform, thus leading to the possibility of some “turn-off” experiences.
Hive Social is available on Android and iOS
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are people looking for Twitter alternatives?
People are exploring Twitter alternatives due to the structural changes and rebranding of Twitter as “X” by Elon Musk, which may have shifted the user experience.
Are these Twitter alternatives suitable for marketers?
Yes, some of these alternatives, such as Mastodon, Threads, and Hive Social, can be suitable for marketers. They offer unique features and communities that can cater to different marketing strategies.
What are the key features of Bluesky?
Bluesky offers features similar to Twitter, including feeds, posts, likes, and block lists. It also emphasises the customisation of feeds through algorithms on its “Public Square.”
How does Mastodon differ from Twitter?
Mastodon focuses on community and user freedom, with no ads and no feed algorithms. It operates through interconnected servers (Fediverse) with individual rules for each server.
What sets Threads apart as a Twitter alternative?
Threads, owned by Meta and integrated with Instagram, emphasise entertainment, creativity, and discussions. It offers a unique experience, especially for those seeking a more casual and fun platform.
What are the unique features of Post?
Post differentiates itself with a focus on news and information. It allows users to post content without word limits, comment, react, retweet, and read external articles, with features like tipping and donations for content value.
How does Plurk stand out among Twitter alternatives?
Plurk is known for its innovative chronological feed, where users can share text updates, images, and links. It encourages interaction through comments, likes, and “replurks.”
What is the main purpose of Discord, and how has it evolved?
Discord started as a text and voice chat community for gamers but has evolved into connecting people with various virtual interests, offering real-time interaction and collaboration.
How does Tumblr compare to Twitter, especially for targeting younger audiences?
Tumblr offers microblogging in a Twitter-like format, featuring text, videos, images, music, GIFs, and more. It is notable for its passionate and interactive communities.
What makes Reddit a unique community-based platform?
Reddit consists of various communities called “subreddits,” where users discuss specific topics. It’s known for its diverse and user-driven content.
What are the features and reach of Micro.blog?
Micro.blog is a subscription-based micro-blogging platform with cross-posting options. It allows customization of blog pages and offers a wide reach.
How does Hive Social offer a personalised experience?
Hive Social allows users to customize their profiles with profile colours, zodiac signs, and favourite music. Users can create posts with no character limit and add hashtags for content discovery.
Is Hive Social available on desktop, and what should users be aware of?
Hive Social is currently available only on mobile devices. It’s a work-in-progress platform with creative profile personalisation but may have some limitations due to minimal development resources.
Feel free to adapt and expand on these FAQs based on the specific details and focus of your blog post.
