Present-day Twitter is almost unrecognizable from the social media platform Elon Musk acquired last October.
From its new recommendation algorithm to its laissez-faire approach to content moderation, searching for the latest news and gossip can feel a lot like navigating the Wild West. Combine this with the complete commodification of its verification system and the new “temporary post limit” placed on unverified users, and even many of Twitter’s most loyal users have had enough.
But as Twitter users jump ship at record rates, a number of viable alternatives are emerging from the woodwork, including Threads, a text-sharing platform cooked up by Meta that’s shaping up to be its biggest rival yet.
If you’re ready to move on from Twitter, see how the blue birds competitors compare at a glance below, or read on for deeper dives into their features and comparison points.
| Post length | Photos | Videos | Links | Edit | Messaging | Trending | Hashtags | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Threads | X (Twitter) | Mastodon | Discord | Post | Cohost | Bluesky | |||
| 500 characters | 280 characters | 500 characters | 2000 characters |
| No character limit | 300 characters | |||
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| 5 minutes | 2 min 20 secs | No limit | No limit | | | | |||
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Threads
- Potentially the most convenient Twitter alternative
- Reached 70 million users in just two days (and climbing rapidly)
As if accepting an invitation to cage-fight Elon Musk wasn’t enough, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerburg recently launched Twitter competitor, Threads — a new social media platform that describes itself as “Instagram’s text-based conversational app.”
Threads offers a lot of similar functionality to Twitter, letting users share text-based posts, images, and videos, and message other accounts privately. Screenshots of the app reveal a striking resemblance to Twitter’s interface too, suggesting that it’ll be a smooth transition for those comfortable with Twitter’s design.
Since the social media app is run by Instagram, it lets you connect with existing followers. This means the app is easier to get started on than other alternatives like Bluesky or Mastodon.
Who Is Threads best suited for?
+ Great for sharing more with friends and family
– Fewer privacy controls
Threads’ integration with Instagram makes it ideal for those that use Twitter to keep up to date with family and friends. Its verification system, that works similarly to Facebook and Instagram, makes it easier to detect trusted users too.
However, Meta currently collects a lot more user data than Twitter, so if privacy is one of your top concerns we’d recommend sticking with the blue bird, or switching to another platform with better data safeguarding, like Mastodon.
Read more: What is Instagram Threads?
Mastodon
- Best fully decentralized Twitter alternative
- 10 million users
Mastodon is a non-profit German-born social media site that’s profited massively from Twitter’s sinking ship – amassing 70,000 new users in the month following Musk’s takeover.
Mastodon relies on open-source technology, allowing anyone to edit or install its software onto their server. Built with the ambitious aim of “democratizing social media” the platform is being dubbed as one of Twitter’s biggest threats, despite its starkly different structure.
The Mastodon app is made up of a collection of federated servers called ‘Instances’ which act as individual communities with their own distinct rules and purposes. Each of these platforms can connect to each other through nodes, creating an interconnected network called “Fediverse.”
Confused? Read our guide to Mastodon to learn about how the micro-blogging platform works in greater detail.
Who is Mastodon best suited for?
+ More power to the users
– Potentially more confusing to set up
Both social media apps share surprisingly similar features, with Mastodon users being able to fire off short messages with ‘Toots’ instead of Tweets. Both platforms use hashtags and allow users to reply, bookmark, and re-share content.
However, this is pretty much where the similarities end. Mastodon’s community servers are more reminiscent of Reddit than Twitter. But if you’re looking for a completely decentralized way to share content and connect with new communities, it could be a great substitute.
Discord
- Best for connecting with smaller communities
- 140 million users
Discord started out as an instant-messaging app for gamers but has since evolved into a multi-purpose platform where users can connect over a wide variety of shared interests.
Unlike Twitter, which offers a single public network, Discord lets its users communicate in public and private spaces — called “servers.” On these servers, users can call or text other members about a variety of topics including anime, cryptocurrency, and of course, gaming.
“We’re not really a platform where you’re scrolling mindlessly through a feed liking posts,” – Rick Ling, Discord’s Head of Product and Communities
On the surface, Discord and Twitter serve pretty different purposes. But with the app’s user base tripling since 2019, it’s clear that Discord is sweeping up some of Twitter’s former users. So how do the apps compare side by side?
Who is Discord best suited for?
+ Great for niche interest groups
– Harder to build a public following
Just like Twitter, Discord can be used to share information and discuss topical content. Both apps also allow you to send messages directly too, alongside broadcasting to broader audiences.
However, unlike Twitter’s micro-blogging platform, Discord operates more like a chat room, making it more suited for people trying to connect with new communities and bond over niche interests.
Discord’s server-based model offers a welcomed respite from Twitter’s doom-scrolling too. But due to Discord’s poor discoverability features, it won’t be a great substitute for those looking to build a following.
Post
- Most user-friendly alternative for news-seekers
- 950,000 users
Post is a content-sharing platform that works in a pretty similar way to Twitter. Launched in beta last year as a publishing-focused Twitter alternative, Post is a user-friendly platform where users can share and repost content and browse emerging news articles.
Post isn’t decentralized like Discord or Mastodon, and lets users browse content from a range of publishing partners with its unique ‘micropayment’ feature. Unlike Twitter, the app’s content isn’t primarily driven by its users, making its ultimate purpose quite different from Musk’s social media site.
Who is Post best suited for?
+ Great for keeping up with the latest news
– More expensive to use
Post was primarily designed to help media outlets monetize their content, so it’s more suitable for users looking to expand their information bubble than microblogging sites like Twitter and Tumblr.
However, since Post’s micropayments feature charges users per piece of content, rather than charging a flat fee, the price of the service can escalate quickly if you’re looking to unlock information from a large variety of sources.
Cohost
- Best for users wanting a chronological timeline
- 38,000 users
Cohost may be in its early days, but it’s shaping up to be a viable Twitter alternative due to its similar structure, mindful approach to content moderation, and generous free tier.
Cohost has a stripped-backed interface, doesn’t have any ads, and offers a great selection of features — from CSS code integrations and posts with no-character limits. However, since Cohost is still in its Beta phase, some parts of the app are still in development and users require need an invitation code to get started.
Who is Cohost best suited for?
+ Simple feed of ordered updates
– Still under development
On the surface, Cohost and Twitter operate similarly, with both platforms giving users a way to share their thoughts, repost content, and gain followers.
However, unlike Twitter, which uses a recommendation algorithm to promote personalized, trending, and often more emotive content, Cohost’s posts are displayed chronologically. This makes Cohost ideal for users looking to view content more objectively.
Bluesky
- Closest user experience to Twitter
- 180,000 users
Bluesky is another promising alternative that shares a lot in common with rival, Twitter, including its founder, Jack Dorsey. With an interface that bears a striking resemblance to Twitter, and a raft of similar features — from posts and feeds to mute buttons — Bluesky is probably the best bet for those after a Twitter dupe.
However, while all posts on the platform are public, Bluesky has a decentralized structure, allowing users to create their own distinct communities, placing it somewhere in between Musk’s platform and alternatives like Mastodon and Discord.
Despite the buzz around Bluesky, the insurgent app is still in its beta phase. And with 1.9 million users currently on the waitlist, it may be a while until you get your hands on Dorsey’s new creation.
Who is Bluesky best suited for?
+ Great for those who liked ‘old Twitter’
– Very long waitlist
Bluesky’s Twitter-like interface makes it a great alternative for those that aren’t looking to veer too far from the blue bird. Its federated design makes it appealing to users looking to bond over niche topics in smaller communities too.
The World After Twitter
Given the bold moves taken by Twitter CEO Elon Musk, it’s safe to say the exodus from the popular social media channel has just begun. We’ll continue to update this page with more Twitter alternatives as they become available, so check back often to stay up to date on your doom-scrolling options!
Twitter Alternatives FAQs
Mastodon is the best decentralized Twitter alternative which, like Threads will soon be, is connected to the fediverse for distributed sharing, and has open-source ownership.
There are a number of other strong alternative platforms you might consider to reach more niche communities, or prioritise different kinds of content, as we’ve outlined in this article.
