Since it was first released in July 2023, the social media app Threads has been a virtual juggernaut of success. But that doesn’t mean that everyone is on board with it yet. From a seemingly random algorithm to a lack of chronological timelines to zero monetization policies, there’s a lot to criticize about Threads. There are also some privacy concerns which have prevented the app from being released in the European Union.
Still, Threads is tempting to a lot of social media users who enjoy the interface and the format of the posts. But as far as everything else goes, they’d rather wait for Meta, Threads’ parent company (also the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) to sort out all the bugs before they go all in.
Whether you’re a confirmed Threads hater or are just playing the waiting game, the good news is there is no shortage of Threads alternatives to keep you occupied. Below is a curated list of the top four Threads alternatives that you may want to try in 2024.
What To Look For in a Threads Alternative
Before we get into the top four Threads alternatives, let’s talk about what to look for in a good substitute for that platform.
Posts
Threads’ biggest draw is the format of its posts. Each post – called a thread – is limited to 500 characters of text. This limitation encourages you to type out your thoughts in a concise manner, or to string several threads together in a practice called microblogging. Once you publish your thread, other users can reply, re-thread, or like it.
Does any of this sound familiar? If it does, then you may already be comparing Threads to Twitter in your mind. That’s not by accident. Meta is pushing Threads out to compete directly with Twitter. That’s why it makes sense that Threads’ threads look a lot like Twitter’s tweets.
However, there are plenty of other social media platforms that also offer microblogging-style posts formatted similarly to threads and tweets.
Images and Videos
Another popular Threads feature is the ability to add images, GIFs, or short-form videos to supplement or enhance your text. This is definitely a must-have, especially if you plan to promote products or show off your creative content.
Chronological Timeline
A chronological timeline, which ranks social media posts according to the time they were published, is something that Threads doesn’t have yet, but will soon, according to the top brass at Meta.
Still, most other Threads alternatives already offer this option to their users. Most users desire it, as it’s more practical for helping them keep up with the latest news and trends.
Alternatives To Threads
Here are our top four Threads alternatives that you can sign up for.
1. Twitter
Twitter is the most obvious choice as a Threads-like option. It is, after all, the platform that Meta intended Threads to compete with. The Twitter app was launched in 2006. By the end of 2022, it had accumulated more than 368 million monthly active users from across the globe. People utilized it as a way to quickly share news, opinions, and memes, and to discuss trending topics.
In 2022, Twitter was sold to billionaire Elon Musk, CEO of tech companies like SpaceX and Tesla, for $44 billion. Since then, the app has undergone several changes that many users have found inconvenient.
For example, in order to verify your account and receive a blue checkmark, you must purchase a subscription. There has also been a significant uptick in advertisements appearing throughout users’ timelines.
There have been other changes made, as well, but the convenience of the app, the microblogging post format, and the opportunity to make money through shared ad revenue keeps influencers and brands coming back for more. Though Threads may one day replace it, Twitter is still highly relevant in the social media landscape.
2. Bluesky
Bluesky is a Threads alternative that’s a bit more complex than Twitter. Basically, it’s a decentralized social media platform where people can build followers, form connections, and publish microblog posts. All posts are automatically ranked in chronological order.
Its interface and posting style are similar to Twitter because it was originally a subsidiary belonging to the Twitter company. Now, it’s an independent public benefit company, which means it’s designed to provide free public services to everyone.
One drawback of Bluesky is it’s currently in the beta testing stage. That means you can’t just join it whenever you want. You need an invitation from someone who is already a user on the platform. However, if you know someone from a different social media app who has a spare invitation, you can request them to send it to you.
3. Mastodon
If you’re interested in decentralized social media, then you may find Mastodon an attractive alternative to the centralized and commodified Threads. Mastodon is a platform that takes microblogging on social media to new heights.
Similar to Discord, where you create groups for people to join, Mastodon allows you to create servers. Users can join servers that interest them and publish posts there that appear in a chronological timeline. The character limit for each post – called a toot – is 5,000 words. Toots also support GIFs, images, and videos.
4. Spill
Called “a visual conversation at the speed of culture,” the Spill platform was created by two Black ex-Twitter employees. It’s an exciting social media app that pushes video and image-based posts with text overlays and is designed to be a safe space for all people, but especially diverse groups, to discuss culture.
Like Bluesky, Spill is in its beta stage (on iOS devices only). You must have an invitation to join it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Threads Have Any Competitors?
Threads’ top competitor is Twitter; but since Threads is still in its infant stages, Twitter is still a more viable and convenient alternative.
What are the Alternatives to Threads?
Some of the best alternatives to Threads in 2023 are Twitter, BlueSky, Mastodon, and Spill.
Conclusion
Threads is new, exciting, and popular, but it still has a long way to go before it becomes everyone’s preferred microblogging app. Currently, there are at least four alternatives to Threads that, even in beta, provide some of the exact same features as the Meta-owned app – and do it better!
