Looking for a Reddit alternative that delivers high-quality discussions and a variety of content? You’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll break down the top platforms that give Reddit a run for its money, whether you’re after more user control, different content types, or just a new digital landscape to explore.
Let’s dive in.
- About Reddit
- What’s The Need To Look Reddit Alternatives?
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Best Reddit Alternatives
- 1. Lemmy – Popular Reddit Alternative
- 2. Quora – Q&A Based Alternative To Reddit
- 3. 4chan – Anonymous and Unmoderated Imageboard Site
- 4. Steemit – Blockchain-based Reddit Alternative
- 5. Hacker News – Technology Focussed Reddit Alternative
- 6. ProductHunt
- 7. Digg
- 8. Discord
- 9. Slashdot
- 10. Saidit.net
- 11. KBin
- 12. Bluesky
- 13. Mix
- 14. Imgur
- 15. 9Gag
- 16. BuzzFeed
- 17. Hive
- 18. Popurls
- 19. Aether
- Best Reddit Alternatives – Conclusion
About Reddit
Reddit is a social news aggregation site where registered members submit content such as text posts or direct links. Registered users can then vote submissions up or down to organize the posts and determine their position on each page of the site’s category listings, which are ordered by score.
It consists of subreddits that allow users to organize Reddit content by topic. These subreddits are community-based and contain links, text posts, and images posted by other members.
However, Reddit is not the only site of its kind.
What’s The Need To Look Reddit Alternatives?
While Reddit has grown to be one of the most popular social media sites on the internet, there are some major drawbacks that have led many people to search for Reddit alternatives.
The first drawback is its policy against posting certain types of content. Another big issue with the site is how it handles reddit communities.
Reddit does not ban subreddits outright; instead, they quarantine them if they do something wrong like breaking their policies or getting too heated. This means that you may still see these subreddits in your feed even though you can’t post anything new there yourself.
Having said that, it’s always a good idea to keep your options open. Who knows, you might want to try something new someday.
Best Reddit Alternatives
1. Lemmy – Popular Reddit Alternative
Lemmy is a great Reddit alternative with a twist: it’s both open-source and federated. Here’s why it’s good:
- Open Source: Lemmy’s source code is open for anyone to check out and tweak, making it a community-driven project.
- Federated Setup: Unlike centralized platforms, Lemmy operates on a federated model. You can run your own Lemmy instances on your server and still sync up with the broader network.
- Feature Parity: Lemmy isn’t skimping on features. You can post links, vote, and spark discussions just like on Reddit.
- Hosting Flexibility: Join an existing server or create your own. This means a rich variety of communities are just a click away.
- Unique Take: While it has the Reddit vibe, Lemmy’s architecture is unique. Instead of subreddits, Lemmy uses instances—individual servers that act like super-charged subreddits.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
First, some users report a less refined user experience. The platform’s unique structure may throw off Reddit veterans.
Second, there’s the issue of misinformation about Lemmy circulating, potentially muddying the waters for new users.
Third, despite a growing user base, Lemmy hasn’t hit Reddit-level engagement yet, possibly limiting the diversity and quality of discussions.
Bottom line: If you value decentralization and privacy over user-friendliness and high activity levels, Lemmy could be a solid Reddit substitute.
2. Quora – Q&A Based Alternative To Reddit
Quora is similar to Reddit in some ways, but it’s actually more like Yahoo Answers.
Quora is a question-and-answer site where questions are asked, answered, edited, and organized by its community of users.
Users can follow topics they’re interested in and see questions and answers related to those topics. They can also follow individual users to see the questions and answers they’ve contributed.
Quora has a strong emphasis on quality content. Posts are reviewed by editors before they’re published, and users can vote up or down posts to determine their relative importance.
Users can ask questions and wait for other users to provide answers.
Quora is a great site for those looking to get specific, well-researched answers from other users on their personal areas of expertise.
You can also answer the questions you asked yourself if you don’t want to wait for someone else to answer.
On Quora, you can upvote the best answers or downvote the sub-par ones so that other users will know which are most helpful.
Quora also has an excellent search function that makes it easy to find specific questions and topics of interest within its database.
The site is populated by a great community of people who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, which you can definitely take advantage of.
Key Differences Between Quora & Reddit
There are some key differences between Quora & Reddit. Here’s a rapid-fire comparison:
First up, the core function: Quora is your go-to for expert Q&A, whereas Reddit serves as a news hub and discussion platform.
Content sharing? Reddit wins hands down with its more liberal posting and upvote/downvote system, while Quora leans into personalized algorithms.
Now, about the user base. Both platforms are U.S.-centric, but Quora has a stronger footprint in India. Reddit resonates more in the UK, Austria, and Germany. Gender ratio? Quora’s is almost balanced, but Reddit skews male.
For brands, both platforms can drive traffic, but be cautious—neither tolerates shameless self-promotion.
When it comes to moderation, Quora relies on its community, whereas Reddit lets votes do the talking.
Bottom line
Both platforms offer unique advantages depending on what you’re looking for—be it Q&A or wide-ranging discussion, targeted or diverse audience.
3. 4chan – Anonymous and Unmoderated Imageboard Site
4chan is one of the best sites like Reddit. It is a message board where users can post anonymously.
The site has been associated with various internet subcultures and has been cited as an inspiration for several web memes.
Like Reddit, it has a voting system where users can upvote or downvote posts. The site also has a “Random” board where users can post random images and text.
On 4chan, users can post images on any board of their choice and can also comment on posts made by others.
One of the best things about 4chan is that you do not need an account before you can start posting and commenting.
The community has different boards for any category you can think of, from Anime to cars.
Unlike Reddit, users are not limited to posting text-based content. They can also post videos and images. The site is also popular for its “meme” culture.
4. Steemit – Blockchain-based Reddit Alternative
Steemit is blockchain based alternative to Reddit. It a blogging and social networking website on top of the Steem blockchain.
Users can post as much content as they wish, and it will be upvoted based on how other users like the contributions that are posted by others.
The more popular posts become trending topics which then brings in front an audience to those who are posting their own blogs or stories.
The site has a very active user base, and it can be used to make a little bit of money on the side by posting interesting content that gains traction.
Alternatively, users can also vote up or down contributions made by others in order to help curate the best posts.
One downside is that Steemit doesn’t have a mobile app, so it is impossible to post on the go.
In comparison with Reddit, it is a great way to support those who are starting out from scratch with their blog.
Another downside is that there have been some complaints regarding the interface not being as intuitive as Reddit, so taking time to get used to its layout might be necessary.
5. Hacker News – Technology Focussed Reddit Alternative
Hacker News serves as a straightforward hub for tech enthusiasts, akin to Reddit.
You can post and engage in discussions on tech news, startups, and coding. Its clean interface makes it easy to dive into meaningful conversations about cybersecurity and other tech subjects.
The site is divided into the following sections:
- News: stories submitted by users that are voted up or down by the community.
- New: top stories across all sections, algorithmically determined by votes and time of posting.
- Ask HN: questions posted by others that are voted up or down by the community.
- Job Board: jobs submitted either through Hacker News itself or third-party sites like AngelList. Users can then post comments on posts to offer their services or ask for help.
- Groups: forums where users can discuss specific topics.
The main difference between Hacker News and Reddit is that Hacker News is focused on technology and entrepreneurship, while Reddit has a more general focus.
6. ProductHunt
ProductHunt is a website that allows users to share and discover new products.
You will get the latest and greatest products, apps, and websites.
You can also submit your own product by creating lists and sharing them with the world.
Users can comment on the lists that you have created and you can also comment on other people’s lists.
If you want to discover some new products, then ProductHunt is the website for you.
7. Digg
I have been a big fan of Digg since its early days.
It has a really clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to use, and the voting system is great for finding good content.
The community on Digg is also very active and engaged, which is always great to see.
Digg and Reddit share many similarities. In fact, Reddit was actually modeled after Digg.
A similar feature, for example, is the ability to submit stories and then vote on them.
However, there are also some key differences between the two platforms.
For example, Reddit has a much bigger user base, and submissions can be voted up or down depending on their quality.
Some other top features of Digg are that it is fast, has a great UI/UX, and also offers the ability to save articles for later.
Digg still falls behind Reddit in terms of upvotes though because there are not nearly as many people on Digg as there are on Reddit which makes voting less effective.
Digg is still alive and kicking, but it doesn’t have the same appeal as it used to. The site has been around for a long time, and its user base just isn’t what it once was.
However, if you can find good content on there then it’s worth checking out.
8. Discord
Discord and Reddit might both be community hubs, but they serve different purposes.
Discord is your go-to for real-time chat and voice comms, built mainly for gamers and group collaborations.
Reddit, on the other hand, is a sprawling network of forums where you can share links, discuss topics, and deep-dive into pretty much anything.
So, if you’re after instant chat and voice calls, Discord’s where it’s at. But if you’re more into exploring and debating various subjects, Reddit’s got you covered. No fluff, just facts.
9. Slashdot
Slashdot is a social news website with user-submitted stories, which are then voted on by other users.
Think of Slashdot as Reddit, but for technology news and geek culture.
Slashdot was co-founded by Rob Malda, also known as “CmdrTaco,” in 1997 while he attended Hope College.
He later sold the site to Andover.net for publicly traded stocks.
The name Slashdot itself is a reference to “hacker culture” and the movie “Hackers.”
The story with the most votes is displayed prominently and/or moved to the top of the list of entries in reverse chronological order.
This site has different categories so you can find interesting articles quickly. You’ll have access to topics like Science & Technology, Business & Finance, Politics, etc.
Like Reddit, there are moderators and administrators, who can regulate what is on the website.
Slashdot was founded in 1997 so it has decades of experience in social media.
You’ll enjoy this site for its sheer user base and age. It makes it really simple for anyone to get and consume the latest tech news.
You can contribute to articles on the website or just read and upvote articles that you like.
In a nutshell, Slashdot is perfect for Redditors who are looking for a change of pace. It’s very similar to Reddit but it has its own unique features.
10. Saidit.net
Saidit is a Reddit alternative that is actually built on Reddit’s open-source code and gives you an experience similar to the old Reddit interface.
What sets it apart?
Users point out that Saidit is less of a straitjacket when it comes to free speech. But keep in mind: it’s smaller and still gaining traction.
So, if you’re searching for a platform that offers more freedom for open discussions, Saidit could be a strong contender.
Just don’t expect the user base or content diversity to match Reddit—yet.
11. KBin
If you’re tired of Reddit’s interface and are seeking a fresh alternative, check out Kbin.
Operating within the decentralized Fediverse, it’s a close cousin to Lemmy but with a twist.
Users report that Kbin’s UI is more engaging than Lemmy’s, and you’ll find it easier to hit the ground running as a contributor.
Unlike traditional subreddits, here they’re called “Magazines,” and the main thread zone?
That’s dubbed “Threads.”
But what really makes Kbin stand out is its microblogging feature, a nod to platforms like Twitter.
In short, if you’re after a blend of Reddit-esque conversation and quick-fire updates, Kbin should be on your radar.
12. Bluesky
If you’re eyeing Bluesky as a Reddit alternative, you might want to pump the brakes.
Co-founded by Twitter’s own Jack Dorsey, Bluesky dives deep into decentralization, offering a unified online identity across multiple platforms.
But don’t mistake it for a Reddit clone; it’s marching to the beat of a different drum.
Right now, it’s a playground for memes and casual content, lagging behind user-friendliness champs like Mastodon.
Don’t expect DMs or fully fleshed-out features just yet.
In a nutshell, if you’re into the whole decentralized social media scene, keep an eye on Bluesky as it evolves.
But if you’re looking for a Reddit stand-in today, this isn’t it.
13. Mix
If you’re looking for a site that will introduce you to new and interesting content then look no further than Mix.
This site is all about discovery – giving you the chance to find websites, articles, photos, and videos that you wouldn’t ordinarily come across.
Mix, formerly known as StumbleUpon, is also a place for Redditors to discover and share great content.
Part of the site’s purpose is sharing news, songs, albums, and videos with each other.
It has an endless database of new uploads from users all over the world that includes everything imaginable in terms of genre – it’s up to you.
A few of the features that make Mix unique are:
- You can like or dislike content you see which helps the community upvote the good ones.
- If the content has enough likes it will be featured on their homepage for everyone to enjoy. This makes finding new content easy and fun.
- You can easily create and share favorites with your friends.
- The site is ad-free so you can enjoy your content without interruption.
Like Reddit, Mix also has a community feel to it. The site is constantly buzzing with activity and there’s always something new to explore.
It also has a mobile app and a browser extension, so you can listen to your favorite tunes anywhere.
Mix is a content-sharing site like no other. It’s fun, easy-to-use, and has an atmosphere that will keep you coming back for more.
If you love finding new songs or sharing the ones you already know with others then Mix should be one of your top go-to sites.
14. Imgur
Imgur is a user-generated image-sharing website with a focus on humor and entertainment.
It has been compared to Reddit due to its similar design, community focus, and use of upvotes and downvotes to rank content.
It is a rich source of images and GIFs, making it a popular destination for sharing funny or interesting content.
If you’re looking for a more lighthearted alternative to Reddit, Imgur is a great choice.
The website is like a repository of images and GIFs. If you are looking for something interesting to watch, but that is not what it’s all about.
These images are often in different categories and tell their own stories.
There is no voting on these images, but you can still upvote and downvote to sort the content.
Links are also allowed here which makes this a good option for news or informational purposes as well.
15. 9Gag
9Gag is a website with the same concept as Reddit, but what makes it different is that its content mostly consists of memes and funny pictures.
It’s also much easier to browse through since you don’t have to click on links or anything else.
Users do post useful and helpful content that starts up discussions in the comments sections, but it’s mostly for laughs.
If you’re looking for a website that’ll make you laugh and forget about your troubles, then definitely check out this website.
You can find almost any type of meme here which includes rage comics too.
The platform is arguably the funniest place on the internet and it’s definitely worth checking out.
9Gag now has a lot of new sessions that cater to different audiences.
The website is growing rapidly and the team behind it is constantly updating the content to make sure that users have a great experience.
There’s something for everyone on this website, from hilarious memes to interesting articles.
This is a great website for people who are interested in reading about different problems that other people have faced and how they’ve overcome them.
A lot of interesting topics can be found here, though it’s not as big as Reddit yet.
The community on this platform has some very strict rules so you’ll be able to avoid the toxicity that plagues Reddit.
This is a great website for people who are interested in reading about different problems that other people have faced and how they’ve overcome them.
16. BuzzFeed
If you’re looking for a more news-focused Reddit alternative, BuzzFeed is worth checking out.
It has a very sleek and modern design, and it’s one of the best places to find breaking news stories.
BuzzFeed also has some great community features, like the ability to highlight important news stories happening on other websites.
If you sign up for an account, make sure your BuzzFeed profile is public so people can find and follow you.
Compared to Reddit, BuzzFeed is just as active and it’s still a great resource for news junkies.
BuzzFeed users can also share stories on other social media platforms, which is a nice touch.
Editors can write and publish their own stories for people to read and comment on about fascinating kinds of stuff going on in the world.
17. Hive
Hive is a social news aggregation website like Reddit.
The site was originally known as Whoosh, however, it quickly changed to Hive when it received funding for its business.
The website was initially created as an experiment and started with only 100 users before growing rapidly thanks to positive reviews on social networks Twitter and Facebook.
It also gained recognition from well-known websites such as the BBC and Mashable.
Hive received $100,000 in funding from investors such as Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Y Combinator’s Paul Graham in May 2012.
Previous to this investment Hive had only raised around £20,000 through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.
As of March 2013, there were more than 600,000 users registered on the website with over 100 active communities being created each day.
Hive has been referred to as the ‘Slashdot of RSS’ in reference to its ability for users to submit links.
Like Reddit, users can publish their own content on Hive thanks to the integrated publishing tool.
The UI of Hive is similar to Reddit and allows users to upvote or downvote posts, comment on them, and also share through social media.
Hive is a lot like Reddit in many ways, but it’s an independent platform which means the people who use it aren’t used as leverage by large companies.
18. Popurls
Popurls is more of an all-inclusive news site that not only uses Reddit as its source but also pulls from Twitter and other platforms.
While you can still find some great original content here on Popurls there are times when certain posts seem to fall through the cracks compared to Reddit.
Some major differences between Popurls and Reddit are that you can’t upvote or downvote content and there is no commenting system on the former.
You can however find a Topic section that is similar to Reddit, but instead of voting up or down the titles are sorted by popularity.
Also, you can’t save posts for later on Popurls, which is a feature that many Reddit users take advantage of.
This isn’t to say that Popurls is not as good, it just has a different purpose.
It even has advantages over Reddit like a larger content base, which results in more posts for your entertainment.
Overall, if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all your news needs then Popurls is the site for you.
19. Aether
Another great Reddit alternative is Aether.
It is open-source, which means that everyone can contribute to the improvement of the platform.
You get notifications when someone reacts to your post or comment and it even has a dark mode for night owls.
Furthermore, you have an advanced filter system at hand in order to hide all NSFW content from your feed until you want otherwise.
Like the other Reddit, it offers links to content that users can vote up or down depending on whether they think it’s good or not.
Users are also able to comment and upload images for others to see.
The design of Aether is very modern with a blue UI and large pictures so you can quickly get an idea of what the article is about.
Aside from the modern design, some users would prefer Aether over Reddit because it doesn’t have all the ads.
Best Reddit Alternatives – Conclusion
These are some of the best Reddit alternatives available online.
Now it is important to note that Reddit alternatives are nowhere near the real deal.
While there is already a lot of competition out there, it seems like Reddit has all the market share in this area and won’t be going away any time soon.
However just because it seems like they have taken over every corner of the internet doesn’t mean you can’t find great options on other platforms.