Estimates show that by 2027, nearly six billion people will be connected to a social platform. Some of these platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin.
But these are not the only social networks available today. There are alternative social media platforms such as Twitch, Mastodon, Minds and many others.
Among these, MeWe comes across as the best alternative social media platform because of its beautiful layout, privacy policy, and feature-packed design.
Why Consider Alternative Social Media Platforms?
While mainstream networks have their strengths, they also come with certain drawbacks. For instance, most of them sell user data to third-party entities for the purposes of targeted marketing.
These platforms end up displaying ads that can be quite annoying. Some of the networks have extremely strict policies that end up stifling freedom of expression.
Alternative social media platforms offer a break from the sometimes unreasonable demands or requirements of mainstream networks which is why you should come along as we explore the options available today.
Alternative Social Media Platforms to Consider
1. MeWe
By the end of last year, MeWe had already received over 20 million users which is a testament to its growing popularity. A casual look at the site shows some similarities with Facebook since it has a timeline and interface similar to the popular social media platform.
One of the things that make it stand out as a unique platform is that it does not feature any annoying adverts that may end up causing distractions. You also get to control the newsfeed.
This is quite impressive because a lot of social media platforms tend to bombard users with suggestions aimed at selling certain products or services.
This platform also comes with an app allowing users to send text messages conveniently.
The platform distinguishes itself from popular sites because it does not sell data to third-party entities. MeWe is still growing and is likely to attract more users thanks to its privacy policy, friendly interface, and support for different media including videos, photos, and audio files.
2. Minds
A lot of people spend time on social media networks learning about new things or sharing their own ideas. In most cases, such people do not have anything to show for it at the end of the day.
Minds is a blockchain-based social media platform that aims to change the way people use social media. On this platform, users get to earn cryptocurrency every time they post and interact with other users.
The crypto they earn can be used to upgrade their accounts and give them an even wider reach. Individuals can even use the crypto they earn to boost individual posts if they so desire.
Another impressive thing about Minds is that it does not include any annoying adverts. Instead, you get to choose whether to place adverts on your post or not.
You can also rest assured that your data will remain safe thanks to its privacy policy which guarantees protection against the sale of personal data. There is also the issue of censorship or posts getting banned on mainstream social media platforms.
This may curtail people’s freedom of speech and that is another place that Minds seeks to remedy. As long as you are respectful and abide by the general rules, you are free to express your opinion on anything without fear of getting banned.
Minds has a simple sign-up process that will take less than two minutes to complete. It also features a simple interface so you can get acquainted with how everything works within minutes of signing up.
It is available as a web-based social platform but also has a mobile version that is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Also Read: Best Times To Post On Social Media
3. Nextdoor
Many social media platforms seek to join people across the globe and in a quest to do that, they tend to ignore the fact that there are people living in the same neighborhood who have never even had the chance to connect.
Nextdoor is a social media platform that seeks to change the narrative and instead of connecting people from distant places, it seeks to bring people from the same neighborhood together.
The platform allows users to sign-up using their existing email addresses. This process takes less than a minute.
On the platform, users can read the latest news about their neighborhood. They also get to access information regarding the different businesses available locally.
That means you can simply check out various local stores, restaurants, or groceries and find out what other people in the neighborhood have to say about them. All users on the platform are verified before being provided with access to all the site’s features.
Verification is not only done to ensure the user belongs to the neighborhood but also to promote safety and security for everyone. If you are looking for a social media platform that can easily connect you to real people and businesses in your area, this is definitely one of the best options to pick.
Find out more apps like Nextdoor here.
4. Mastodon
Mastodon is the next alternative social media platform you should think about. It was launched in 2017 and had an almost similar feel to what you get when using Twitter.
One of the best things about Mastodon is that it is a free open-source alternative. That means anyone can access its source code and modify it to fit their needs.
It is also a decentralized solution meaning you do not have to worry about other people or entities controlling what you post or how you use your account. Because of this design, users get to decide what shows up in their home feed.
It also takes away the need to constantly look over your shoulder when discussing sensitive issues. That is because you do not have to worry about getting banned just because you may have said something that goes against the grain.
On the app, you can follow any other user and view their posts in chronological order. You don’t have to worry about adverts showing up on any of the pages you visit.
You’ll be pleased to know that Mastodon supports different types of content including photos, videos, and audio files. You can also create polls, animated avatars, emojis, and thumbnails as you deem fit.
5. Clubhouse
Clubhouse is another social networking platform that was launched in 2020. It is available as a web-based site and a mobile app compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
One of the things that make it unique is that it has a design that falls between a modern podcast and an old-school chat room. On this platform, you do not have to worry about typing out your posts or topics.
Instead, you can search for groups that discuss topics of interest, join and listen to video or audio content. You can also respond by dropping your audio responses.
In case you are unable to find a chat room or house with a topic that interests you, it is up to you to create such a chat room and allow other users to join.
Initially, users had to wait for an invitation to join the platform, today it is open to anyone that wishes to sign up and start participating. Like most alternative social platforms, Clubhouse has a strict privacy policy which is why you can rest assured that your data will not be sold to a third-party entity.
Check out more platforms like Clubhouse in this post.
6. WT.Social
WT.Social is the next alternative social media platform you need to consider checking out. Its initials WT stand for WikiTribune which was once a standalone news platform fashioned like Wikipedia.
Over the years, the site has undergone a variety of changes but still retains its core goals. For instance, you can sign up for the platform if you are looking for a social media network that emphasizes news posts rather than personal issues.
On the platform, users are free to create posts that are similar to what you would find on Wikipedia. The good news is that every member is free to read and verify each post.
If you realize that a piece of information is wrong, you can edit it to ensure that every other member gets the most accurate information. Those who misuse the platform or try to spread fake news are often kicked out of the platform.
The platform is funded by well-wishers or donors which is why it is able to stay up-to-date without the need to incorporate advertisements. In most cases, posts are available in the form of sub-wikis.
Users are free to upvote any of the sub-wikis they find interesting. That action ensures that the sub-wikis get more coverage and reach an even wider audience.
Like most social media platforms, you can visit people’s profiles to find out what they are up to. You can also add friends to ensure you get a wider reach and collaborate with others on the platform.
Also Read: Best Twitter Alternatives
7. Twitch
Twitch is a live-streaming social media platform for ardent gamers. It offers a simple way for individuals who have the same interests to converge and share ideas or play games together.
There are also categories for e-sports and music so that people who are enthusiastic about those things can interact. Finally, there is an In Real Life category where other topics outside of the three noted earlier can fit.
Users on Twitch are free to create their own live streams and open up a chat so that those who want to contribute to the topic can simply drop their comments. Individuals are also free to interact through live video chats.
Unlike most alternative social media platforms on this list, Twitch does work with certain third-party entities and may, therefore, use the data they collect to craft targeted adverts.
The best part is that the site is quite open about the policy and so you are free to read it and decide if it’s right for you.
What makes Twitch unique is that it allows you to watch creators doing their thing in real time. You also get to interact with the creators or other users on the platform through video and text chats.
Explore: Best Alternatives To Twitch
8. Yubo
The next alternative social media platform you need to have a look at is Yubo. It is one of the sites that are rapidly growing in popularity with young people between the ages of 13 and 25.
On the platform, individuals have the freedom to start a live stream and allow others to join. Individuals can interact through video or text chats.
One of the best things about this platform is that it does not provide the like buttons that often characterize mainstream sites such as Facebook. The lack of a like button ensures that users do not have to deal with the pressure of creating content just to garner hundreds of likes.
Because the platform caters to a large audience of young people, it has a 24/7 team of safety experts that keep an eye on things. In case they come across any cases of racism, bullying, or nudity, they immediately initiate an investigation and take the most appropriate measures.
Yubo is available as a mobile application for both Android and iOS devices.
Explore the best apps like Yubo here.
9. Diaspora
Diaspora is a non-profit social media alternative you can join today. It is designed to be a decentralized solution so that every user has a right to ownership and can, therefore, determine how they use it.
The design features independent versions called pods which are hosted individually and are run by the people who host them. It is similar to Mastodon because all the pods are connected to each other so that everyone on the network can have access to other users.
Unlike mainstream social media platforms, Diaspora cannot be monetized and that ensures all users are able to interact without having to worry about annoying adverts. The fact that the platform is decentralized also eliminates the possibility of collecting user data for the purpose of reselling to third-party entities.
Diaspora integrates seamlessly with mainstream social media platforms making it possible for your friends and followers to know exactly what you are up to even if they are not on the platform themselves.
10. Ello
Initially, Ello came to the limelight as one of the best alternatives to Facebook. That is because it did not incorporate any advertisements.
As time went by, it slowly evolved from being a straight-up alternative to Facebook and incorporated some elements of Pinterest and Instagram.
Of course, it has also retained some similarities to Facebook. Today, Ello styles itself as one of the best places for artists to go and showcase their work for the purposes of creating a name for themselves or making a profit.
Keep in mind that the platform still doesn’t support commercial advertisements. Additionally, it does not sell any data to third-party entities.
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11. Telegram
Telegram has been growing in popularity. It was released in 2013 and has grown in leaps and bounds to a point that it has over 55 million active daily users.
The platform has a simple and intuitive interface allowing users to easily navigate from one section to another. It is also extremely customizable making it possible for people to adjust settings and appearance to achieve their desired look.
Telegram includes an auto-night mode which improves visibility in dimly lit conditions. It allows users to share their live locations with contacts they trust.
Another impressive thing about Telegram is that it has a secret chat option where you can engage with other users privately without the fear of anyone else accessing your information.
While most social media platforms may allow you to delete a sent message, Telegram takes a step further by allowing you to edit such messages instead of having to delete them completely.
Telegram also includes interactive stickers, bots, and messages that self-destruct after a specified period of time.
Also Read: Best Telegram Alternatives
12. Counter Social
Counter Social is another unique social network you can turn to if you want to break from mainstream sites. It was established in 2017 and is available as a web-based platform and a mobile app.
This social network has a simple interface with well-laid-out sections for quick navigation. Its multi-column dashboard mode makes it possible for you to get a glance at different things without having to exit the page.
It incorporates an AI-powered bot that can help you come up with posts and even find answers to different questions. You’ll be pleased to know that it also offers a file-sharing feature allowing users to send and receive files over an encrypted network.
On this platform, you get to interact with other users through live voice and video chats. You can also interact with others through text messages.
It is another networking platform that does not feature advertisements making it one of the best picks for anyone that does not want to have their data collected. Finally, it is quite strict on abuse and fake news which is why you can rest assured that you won’t come across too many unpleasant experiences.
13. Reddit
Reddit is not a new social media network since it was established way back in 2005. However, it still isn’t as popular as some mainstream networks.
One of the best things about this platform is that it has subreddits about virtually any topic you can think of. Once you join the platform, you can navigate to the category of topics you are interested in and then start contributing to the topics.
You can also create your own thread and start engaging other users. Registered users can upvote or downvote comments which either makes the comment go up or down the thread.
What’s more, registered users also get to vote on different discussions and that helps the algorithm push the most popular content to the top of the pages. It may not be the best place to go if you want to share videos and photos but it certainly opens up possibilities when it comes to freedom of expression in discussing issues.
Explore the best alternatives to Reddit here.
14. Discord
Discord was launched in 2015 as a place to connect gamers. The platform made it possible for gamers to interact while playing their favorite games.
Over time, the social network has expanded and included more topics to ensure that even a greater number of people can join and find something of interest. On this platform, users can interact through voice calls, video chats, and text messages.
The platform allows users to join open discussions or create an invite-only section so that only those with permission can access it. Users have the freedom to set up their own communities complete with moderators and member privileges.
You can access Discord via your favorite web browser or download its desktop application for your Windows system.
Check out more tools like Discord in this post.
15. The Dots
The Dots is another excellent social networking platform you can turn to. It is similar to Linkedin because it offers a platform for professionals to showcase their skills.
It also makes it possible for employers to find talent within a short period of time. It has a news feed that is similar to that on Linkedin.
On this platform, you can meet new people who can be helpful when you need advice regarding important professional issues. You can also find talented collaborators to help you accomplish different types of projects.
The Dots is free to join and can be a good place for any professional to go and find connections.
Wrapping Up
Social media platforms can be a good way to connect with people and discuss new topics. However, mainstream platforms can become quite annoying because they tend to commercialize everything including user data.
Turning to alternative social media platforms can be a good way to regain control over this particular digital space. Alternative options such as MeWe and Clubhouse offer a similar vibe to Facebook or even Twitter but without the ads and strict policies that tend to curtail freedom of expression.
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