The internet trembled when Elon Musk decided to buy Twitter. Nothing could prepare us for what came next. Mass layoffs, attempts to rehire the laid off, paid version, changes to the timeline, the chaos of verification labels, the excessive advertising of products of dubious quality and a long etcetera. And with each controversy, users desperately seek alternatives to Twitter that allow them enjoy a stable social network without everything changing overnight.
The raison d’être of all these changes is the search for profitability. Twitter has never been profitable, despite being so popular and today being a benchmark for the media, even though it does not have as many users as Instagram or TikTok. And to find that profitability, Musk has taken decisions frowned upon by users Twitter.
The umpteenth controversial decision by Elon Musk has been to limit the number of posts you can see at the end of the day. Even if you are a paid user. Something that, in part, contradicts a maxim of social networks: the more time your users spend, the better. Musk seems to want to make us pay for it.
With so much change and so much controversial decision, it is inevitable that many users consider packing your bags and fleeing to another social network. But although there are many to choose from, it is not easy to decide on one. What are the best alternatives to Twitter? Let’s see some of them and why they may interest you.
Mastodon, the fediverso and free networks
When Elon Musk bought Twitter, the first defections began to be heard. Users who feared that this purchase would be accompanied by changes that no one would like. Since then, many have recommended making the jump to Mastodon as one of the most faithful alternatives to what Twitter was. And adding the component of the freedom to create own servers.
Although we have already talked about Mastodon in the past, briefly, it can be defined as a decentralized microblogging social network. Microblogging like Twitter. That is, a platform on which to post comments or short messages. Or not so short. But the novelty compared to other social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or Twitter is that it is decentralized.
Anyone can set up your own server of Mastodon, which may or may not be connected to each other. Forming what is known as fediverse. So each server has their norms and rules of behavior. As a user, you can register on any server. Some are free and others ask for something in exchange for their maintenance.
Their main drawbacks? Its concept of freedom and decentralization are, at the same time, its main advantages and disadvantages. Signing up for Mastodon is more complicated, despite recent changes, its operation is somewhat more complex than Twitter and, most importantly, Twitter continues to maintain an unrivaled user base. Or put another way. Not everyone is at Mastodon.
Telegram, the alternative for almost everything
With the umpteenth controversy starring Elon Musk, Telegram returned to being TT on Twitter. That is to say, trending topic, trend, topic of the moment. Although Telegram is technically an instant messaging application, it has become a refuge for those seeking stability and freedom of movement.
Telegram has welcomed with open arms those who fled WhatsApp after it was acquired by Facebook. Now Goal. And apparently also receive users who are dissatisfied with Twitter or other social networkss. The reasons are very different. In Telegram there is more width, so you can create channels and groups on any topic. Within the law. And on some occasions, skirting it.
In its defense, Telegram has security measures to protect your conversations, contacts and files. It is updated very frequently incorporating new features, it allows exchanging large files, it has bots to add new functions, etc. In the end, it serves as a messaging app but also as an online forum. And although it is not a microblogging app, it does facilitate the creation of like-minded communities.
Bluesky, the new Twitter from the creator of Twitter
Among the alternatives to Twitter you cannot miss Bluesky. Although at the time of writing these lines its page says “Bluesky will launch soon”. while you can join the list of privileged people who can test the beta before it is public. But with the latest controversies from Elon Musk, they have had to pause that list due to the avalanche of requests.
why do you have to keep bluesky in mind as an alternative to Twitter? His name gives us some clues. Bluesky means sky blue. The color of Twitter. And its creator is Jack Dorsey himself, co-founder of Twitter. Actually, the project born within Twitter itselfbut with the changes in the board and the departure of Dorsey, they went their separate ways.
The idea behind Bluesky is create a protocol for open social networks. By name AT Protocol, is in development phase. And his first social network is Bluesky, which basically will be a microblogging platform but without making the mistakes and changes that Twitter has suffered in recent years. Time will tell us if it really becomes an alternative to Twitter.
Threads, the alternative to Instagram’s Twitter
By the time you read this, Threads may already be up and running. This is Meta’s alternative to Twitter. It is actually a version of Instagram for those looking for something like Twitter. Further text posts and fewer posturing photos and videos. And both applications are linked through a common user account.
The launch of Threads It’s July 6. In the United States and for iPhone. Android will have to wait a bit. And Europe too, since the permissions required by the application for its operation are excessive. Be that as it may, it is a Alternative to Twitter for those who are used to Instagram.
Reddit, a reference also with problems
Says the Wikipedia that Reddit “it is a website of social bookmarking and news aggregator where users can add text, images, videos or links”. In practice, Reddit has become one of the largest social platforms in the world. And for a few months, has subreddits in Spanish. In addition to other languages that already had their own spaces.
On Reddit we can find everything. The users themselves share links, news, images, videos, stories, reflections, ask others things… His importance has reached the point of interviewing Bill Gates, Nicolas Cage, Jon Stewart, Woody Harrelson, Gordon Ramsay or Rick Astley among others. It’s more. There are online media that practically live off the topics they find on Reddit.
Although it’s not exactly a microblogging social network, anyone can post what they want, receive comments and form part of thematic communities through the subreddits. Its great asset is precisely that it has a huge user base. And from all over the planet.
the main inconvenient? Like Twitter, it is going through a turbulent period. Its owners have been a few years making controversial decisions. What has generated a fight between those who own Reddit and those who make it possible. Moderators and users complain that they are losing the freedom of yesteryear. And the latest trigger for this conflict was the forced closure of Apollo, the most popular Reddit app.
Alternatives to Twitter very alternatives
The above are the main alternatives to Twitter that have sounded in recent months. But there are many more. However, they move away from what this microblogging social network is. Or, directly, they are in a development phase that prevents you from using them normally, so they are promises for the future.
discordfor example, can be an alternative to Twitter if you are looking for like-minded communities. You will not be able to post messages for the sake of posting. Its operation is closer to a forum or chat. discord allows us to connect to servers and, within them, access chats with public and private channels. You can chat with several people at the same time or separately. in writing, by voice and, with its limitations, also by video.
post.news wants to be the Twitter of the media. A place where get informed by information sources from across the political spectrum and engaging in “civil conversations.” No memes or heated discussions. It was launched at the end of 2022 and its content is mainly in English. A niche App with good intentions but that lacks freshness and bad grapes Twitter.
We can also highlight CounterSocial as an alternative to Twitter. Like the previous social network, it has good purposes. His look and feel are virtually identical to Twitter. But it brings with it improvements for deal with fake newschild abuse or any attempt to undermine our privacy and security online.
And looking to the future, there are several projects that are talked about a lot but about which we cannot prove anything. Everybody is on waiting list. This spill, created by former Twitter employees. Its visual appearance reminds more of Instagram, Reddit or 9gag than to Twitter. It consists of posting messages, images, videos, GIF animations, commenting on posts, indicating that you like them, searching for topics of interest…