Think it’s time to leave Twitter behind for good? One of these Twitter alternatives might be your new online home.
Whether you disagree with its current direction, or you’re sick of trolls, extremists, and over-exuberant censorship, you might be thinking of quitting Twitter.
But where should you go? Are there any realistic alternatives to Twitter, and if so, which one will suit you? While Twitter has many strengths, the best things about it are also available on other platforms. To help you choose, here are the best Twitter alternatives that you might switch to.
Mastodon
Mastodon is an open-source Twitter alternative that offers greater control over what you see and the conversations you have.
The real strength to Mastodon is that it can be used as individual “instances.” This means that you can access specialized versions of the site, usually themed by topic. Star Trek fan? There’s a Mastodon for you. And because Mastodon is open source, you can get your own instance, set it up, and essentially run your own social network.
Gab
With an aim of putting “people and free speech first” Gab has become known as the “alt-right” alternative to Twitter; indeed, it was formed as an antidote to what CEO Andrew Torba described “the entirely left-leaning Big Social monopoly.”
While a free speech-focused service might not seem unreasonable, Gab was banned in 2016 from the Apple App Store. In 2017, meanwhile, Google removed the app from the Play Store, noting that Gab failed to “demonstrate a sufficient level of moderation, including for content that encourages violence and advocates hate against groups of people.”
All this controversy is a shame, as the Gab platform is pretty useful, with 300 character status updates and a UI that seems like a combination of Facebook and Twitter.
Amino
Available as a mobile app, Amino can be installed on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Its focus is similar to Mastodon; you’re given communities to join based on your interests.
Communities on all sorts of topics can be joined, from favorite movies and TV franchises to pop groups and even sub-cultures based on gender and sexuality. Content that parents may deem unsuitable can be easily found on Amino, however, despite a minimum age of 13.
Anyone interested in Amino should browse the website first. Although you cannot post or sign up here, you’ll get a flavor of what this social network is all about.
GETTR
Claiming to be “A marketplace of ideas,” GETTR offers multiple sign-up options, from phone or email to Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, Twitch, and many others.
This makes it really easy to get started using a social network “founded on the principles of free speech, independent thought and rejecting political censorship.” You can think of GETTR as a less conservative Parler, with no Kanye West.
GETTR is available for mobile devices and through your browser.
Parler
Considered a “conservative social media platform” since its inception, Parler represents both a place (parlour) and conversation (parlay/parlez). Boasting an impressive mobile app, many notable outlets have spread to Parler, such as ESPN. Account creation is quick and easy, as is posting.
As with Twitter, posts can be replied to, shared (echoed), and liked (upvoted).
In October 2022, Parler was purchased by controversial rapper Kanye West. Along with browser access, Parler has mobile apps for iOS and Android. Learn more in our guide to Parler.
What’s Your Twitter Replacement?
Whether you plan to get off Twitter today, or think it’s better to leave it until the people you follow jump ship, these alternatives are currently the best options:
- Mastodon
- Gab
- Amino
- GETTR
- Parler
- Cohost
- CounterSocial
- Raftr
- Plurk
- WT.Social
- Discord
