Shifting from a platform that once felt like home can be disheartening In a world where your digital voice reflects your thoughts, feelings, and connections.
You’ve likely felt it too—the unsettling changes on X, previously known as Twitter, have prompted many of us to reconsider where we invest our time online.
With a staggering 13% drop in daily active users since the reigns shifted under new ownership, countless individuals are searching for their next preferred social networking options.
The exodus from X can be traced to multiple reasons, including disturbing policy changes and inconsistency in content moderation.
This has created a demand for social media platforms that prioritize user engagement, community values, and positive interactions.
As you navigate your options, understanding the best X alternatives can empower you to find spaces that resonate more authentically with your needs and preferences.
Join us as we explore some of the best alternatives to X in this post.
Also read: 10 Best Zefoy Alternatives
Quick Summary
Ten of the best X (formerly Twitter) alternatives are:
- Mastodon
- Bluesky
- Threads
- Cohost
- CounterSocial
- Hive Social
- Spoutible
- Gettr
- Minds
- Tribel
We will take a closer look at each of these alternatives in the upcoming sections.
1. Mastodon
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source social network that allows users to create and join servers (called “instances”) to communicate with each other. Some of its key features include:
- Chronological timelines: Mastodon’s feeds are displayed in chronological order without algorithmic curation.
- Content warnings: Users can add content warnings to posts that may contain sensitive material.
- Filtering and muting: Mastodon allows filtering out specific keywords, hashtags, or entire domains to customize your experience.
- Bookmarks and lists: Users can bookmark posts for later reference and organize accounts they follow into lists.
- Editing posts: Mastodon enables editing published posts at no cost.
Mastodon is a decentralized alternative to centralized social media platforms like Twitter (now X), offering more control over your data and experience.
Unlike X, Mastodon is not owned by a single company and has no algorithmic timeline or ads, thereby offering a better user experience.
2. Bluesky
Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform founded by Jack Dorsey, aiming to provide users with greater control over their data and content.
It operates on an open-source protocol, allowing users to move their accounts between different platforms without losing followers or content, while fostering a community-driven environment.
Its main features are:
- User Control: Users can customize their timelines and content moderation settings, enhancing personal experience.
- Decentralization: Built on the AT Protocol, Bluesky allows for multiple independently operated communities, promoting transparency and user autonomy.
- Account Portability: Users can transfer their accounts to other platforms without losing their data or followers.
- Custom Domains: Users can personalize their handles with custom domain names.
- Multiple Feeds: The platform offers different feeds such as Following, Discover, and Popular With Friends, allowing users to tailor their content consumption.
- Content Moderation Flexibility: Users can report content, and server operators can set their own moderation policies.
- Enhanced User Experience: Features like in-app media players, emoji pickers, and notification support improve engagement.
While Bluesky currently lacks the extensive features and larger user base that X provides, it offers a more user-centric and decentralized approach, making it more suitable for those seeking a tailored experience.
Check out: InstBlast.com Review & Competitors
3. Threads
Threads is a new social media platform launched by Meta on July 5, 2023, designed for text-based public conversations.
Built by the Instagram team, it allows users to share text updates, images, and videos while fostering authentic interactions among users.
The app aims to integrate with the decentralized fediverse, enabling cross-platform communication and content sharing with other services like Mastodon.
This is what you get in Threads:
- Integration with Instagram: Users sign up using their Instagram accounts, allowing seamless transition of followers and account settings.
- Content Sharing: Users can post text updates (up to 500 characters), images, and videos (up to five minutes long) and share them across Threads and Instagram.
- Engagement Options: Features include liking, commenting, reposting, and sharing posts, with customizable interaction settings to limit replies and mentions.
- Decentralization Plans: Meta is working on making Threads compatible with the ActivityPub protocol, allowing interoperability with other platforms in the Fediverse.
- User Control: Users can manage their audience settings, block or restrict accounts, and filter replies based on keywords.
- Ongoing Development: Meta continues to enhance Threads with features like keyword search, trending topics, and direct messaging capabilities.
While X has been criticized for its handling of misinformation and user interactions from time to time, Threads focuses on fostering positive conversations and user control.
4. Cohost
Cohost is a new social media platform launched in 2022 that aims to provide an ethical alternative to existing social networks.
It is owned by a not-for-profit software company called Anti Software Software Club and features posts similar to Twitter but without character limits.
Here is a look into its features:
- Chronological timeline with no algorithm or ads
- Users can like, comment, and repost, but interactions are hidden
- Supports Markdown and editing of HTML and CSS within posts
- Monthly subscription service called Cohost Plus for increased file size limit and other perks
- Plans for tip jar feature and subscriptions similar to Patreon
Cohost has some unique features like the ability to edit posts and customize CSS.
Its focus on ethics, transparency and user control may appeal to those looking for an alternative to the corporate-driven model of mainstream social media.
5. CounterSocial
Counter Social is a next-generation social network launched in 2017 by the hacktivist known as The Jester.
It aims to create a safer online environment by addressing issues like trolling, fake news, and foreign influence, distinguishing itself from traditional platforms like X through its unique features and user-centric approach.
Some of its main features include:
- No Ads or Data Mining: Completely user-funded, ensuring privacy and a distraction-free experience.
- Zero Tolerance Policy: Actively combats trolls, bots, and disinformation, fostering a safe community.
- Geo-Blocking of Hostile Nations: Protects users from cyber threats by blocking access from certain countries.
- Diverse Content Sections: Offers various interest-based areas including technology, gaming, and news.
- Interactive Features: Includes live audio chats, polls, and virtual reality rooms to enhance user engagement.
- Pro Accounts: Available for a fee, offering additional benefits like custom themes and increased post visibility.
Users seeking a controlled and healthy social environment, may find Counter Social better than X as it prioritizes user safety and community engagement over advertising and data monetization.
Explore: SocialBlast – Generate Likes for Social Media
6. Hive Social
Hive Social is a mobile-only social media platform that serves as an alternative to X, focusing on a chronological feed without algorithmic interference.
Users can share messages, videos, and polls, and customize their profiles with themes and music, creating a more personalized experience reminiscent of early social media platforms like MySpace.
Its key features consist of:
- Chronological Feed: Posts appear in the order they are made, allowing users to see updates in real-time without algorithmic filtering.
- Profile Customization: Users can personalize their profiles with themes, music, pronoun badges, and zodiac signs.
- Content Sharing: Supports various content types including text, images, videos, GIFs, and polls.
- Community Engagement: Features like “Repost” and “Like” enable interaction, while the Discover page helps users find trending content and communities.
- No Monetization Pressure: Unlike Twitter, Hive does not have paid features like blue checkmarks or boosted posts, promoting an organic reach.
In comparison to X, Hive Social offers a more user-friendly experience with a focus on chronological content delivery and customization, appealing to users seeking a less chaotic social media environment.
While X provides advanced features and a larger user base, Hive’s simplicity and community-centric approach may be more appealing to those disillusioned with algorithm-driven feeds.
7. Spoutible
Spoutible is a social media platform launched in February 2023, designed to create a “safe, inclusive, and enjoyable online space” with a focus on user safety and community engagement.
Here are its key features:
- Character Limit: Posts (called “spouts”) can contain up to 300 characters.
- Post Editing: Users can edit their posts within a seven-minute window.
- Enhanced Blocking Options: Advanced tools for blocking unwanted users and content.
- Encrypted Direct Messaging: Secure messaging between users to enhance privacy.
- Bot Sentinel Integration: Tools to identify and manage problematic accounts.
- Customizable Timelines: Users can tailor their feeds to prioritize the content they want to see.
- Auto-Threading: Automatically link multiple posts together for better storytelling.
- Live Audio Chat Rooms (Pods): Spaces for real-time audio discussions among users.
Spoutible offers a more controlled environment than X, with stricter anti-harassment policies and features aimed at fostering positive interactions.
This makes it a preferable choice for users seeking a less toxic social media experience.
Read this too: Best Secret Messaging Apps That Look Like Games
8. Gettr
Gettr is a social media platform designed as an alternative for users seeking freedom of expression, particularly among conservatives.
It emphasizes unfiltered discourse and aims to provide a space free from censorship, often contrasting itself with mainstream platforms like X. Here are some of its key features:
- Character Limit: Users can post messages up to 777 characters long.
- Media Sharing: Ability to share high-quality photos (up to 6 per post) and videos (up to 3 minutes long), with in-app editing tools.
- Live Streaming: Users can live-stream for up to 60 minutes.
- Direct Messaging: End-to-end encrypted direct messaging feature.
- Content Discovery: Users can explore trending topics and receive personalized recommendations.
- AI Tools: Recent additions include AI-assisted content creation tools, such as GETTR AI Post Copilot and GETTR AI Avatar, enhancing user engagement and creativity.
Gettr prioritizes free speech and minimal content moderation, appealing to users who feel restricted on mainstream platforms including X.
9. Minds
Minds.com is an open-source, decentralized social network that emphasizes privacy and user control.
It allows users to earn cryptocurrency through engagement, post content, and interact with others while promoting free speech with minimal moderation.
Some of its features include:
- User Channels: Each user has a personal channel for posting content, similar to profiles on other social media platforms.
- Content Creation: Users can create various types of content, including statuses, images, videos, and blog posts.
- Minds Tokens: Users earn tokens for engagement, which can be used to boost content visibility or tip other users.
- Groups: Users can create or join groups based on shared interests, facilitating community building.
- Discovery: A feature that helps users find content and channels based on hashtags and trending topics.
- Privacy Focus: Offers end-to-end encryption for messages and allows anonymous registration.
Minds.com offers a more decentralized and privacy-focused experience than X, appealing to users who prioritize free speech and user ownership over content.
10. Tribel
Tribel is a new social networking platform designed to enhance user engagement by allowing posts to reach targeted audiences immediately.
Launched in November 2022, it emphasizes customization, enabling users to curate their news feeds based on specific topics of interest, thereby avoiding irrelevant content.
It comes with powerful features that include:
- Target Audience Selection: Users can choose specific audiences for their posts to maximize engagement.
- Customizable News Feeds: Users select topics of interest to filter content they see.
- Trending and Breaking Feeds: Access to the latest popular posts in chosen categories.
- Social Listening and Sentiment Analysis: Tools to monitor audience reactions and sentiments.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Analytics: Features for tracking engagement metrics and content performance.
- Automated Reports: Simplified reporting for user insights.
- Post Scheduling: Allows users to plan content release times.
- Hashtag and Keyword Tracking: Helps in monitoring relevant discussions and trends.
Wrapping Up
Unlike X, where interactions can often feel superficial, these platforms provide tools that allow individuals to participate actively in community discussions, share content, and build meaningful relationships.
Platforms like Mastodon offer personalized spaces where you can connect with others who share specific interests, creating alternative communities that foster genuine connections.
Additionally, newer platforms like Tribel emphasize strong community governance and an interactive atmosphere, catering to those who desire safe, curated environments for sharing ideas and experiences.
Features such as real-time interactions, multimedia sharing, and structured discussions can elevate your online social experience.
By exploring these options, you can find a tailored space that meets your needs, fostering peer-to-peer connections and allowing you to actively participate in a community that shares your passions.
