The changes to X (formerly Twitter) have been tumultuous and frequent. If you're thinking of quitting, you're not alone. There are plenty of X alternatives for you to try, it just depends on the type of social experience you want and what features you're looking for on a social platform. Here are the best X alternatives to try out.

1. Substack Notes

Substack Notes

Seemingly the result of a spat between X and Substack, Substack Notes launched on April 5th, 2023 and was warmly received. If you already subscribe to Substack, then the people you follow will be pre-determined. However, you can always add more.

Because Substack subscribers pay to read content on the platform, there are no adverts, and no desire for viral posts. Consequently, this is a more balanced experience, free from doom-scrolling and negativity.

Substack Notes can be accessed through your browser or via the Substack Reader mobile app.

Download: Substack Reader for iOS | Android

2. Threads

Meta's version of X popped up out of nowhere. To sign up to Threads, you'll have to have an Instagram account already. However, this means that you'll easily be able to find the accounts of people you already follow.

Threads has a very barebones approach, with a simple split-feed of For you and Following. You can post videos, images, or text as a post, and chain them up in threads. The Explore tab is very light, simply displaying a list of accounts that you can follow.

Meta has long proven itself to be one of the mainstay brands in social media, so there's high potential for Threads lasting for a long time as a platform. Out of all the X alternatives out there, Threads is probably the most viable. The other brands don't have Meta-level money to throw at their respective X challengers, nor a popular social media platform (Instagram) to help carry their name. The platform already has an impressive user base, making it the most viable X contender in the mainstream.

Download: Threads for iOS | Android (Free)

3. Mastodon

Mastodon is an open-source X alternative that offers greater control over what you see and the conversations you have.

The real strength of Mastodon is that it can be used with individual "instances". This means that you can access specialized versions of the site, usually themed by topic. Star Trek fan? There's a Mastodon instance for you. And because Mastodon is open source, you can get your own instance, set it up, and essentially run your own social network.

Learn more in our guide to the Mastodon open-source social network.

Download: Mastodon for iOS | Android

4. Bluesky Social

The Bluesky web app Home feed

If you prefer the Twitter of old, then Bluesky Social is a great alternative. With a 300-character limit, complete autonomy on your feeds, and a smaller user base, Bluesky represents the vision early Twitter had. It even has original Twitter co-founder, Jack Dorsey, as part of its board of directors.

You'll have a similar experience on the app as to what you expect from X. There's a sidebar to the left that's pretty much the same, except for there being Feeds and Moderation options.

Bluesky is a little more barebones, with you only being able to post text or image-based posts. However, the level of control it gives you over what content you see has to be applauded. The entire Moderation tab is full of ways you can customize your feed and exclude certain topics or profiles.

Bluesky is, unfortunately, invite-only at the moment; so you'll need to get a Bluesky invite code to join the platform.

The platform is built on the AT Protocol, which is a decentralized, federated network that allows you to connect to anyone on any service using the protocol, as well as migrating your account over between different platforms without losing any of your data. If you believe in the idea of federated, decentralized networks over the traditional, restricted social media platforms, then Bluesky represents not only an alternative to X, but part of a more autonomous era for your social media presence.

Download: Bluesky Social for iOS | Android (Free)

5. Post News

The feed on the web app for the Post social platform

Launched in late 2022, Post News was set up by former Waze CEO Noam Bardin. The platform's FAQ states that it's “a place for people to discover, read, watch, discuss and share premium news content without subscriptions or ads”.

The layout of Post is similar to X (particularly early iterations) and other microblogging services, so it shouldn’t take you long to get started.

Download: Post News for Android | iOS (Free)

6. Aether

A community on the Aether web app

At the risk of pigeonholing Aether, you can think of the platform as a blend of Discord and Mastodon. Your first visit to the website will display this: “Open source, self-governing communities with auditable moderation and mod elections.”

Championing less microblogging and more of a discussion area, Aether has several key features:

  • Peer-to-peer: there is no centralized server.
  • Only six months of posts are kept: you can save things, but not after that burn date.
  • Moderation is transparent: reasons for deletion are made public-facing.
  • Moderators can be elected and impeached: inappropriate mods can be disabled.

Each of these features makes Aether a very interesting development in the online discussion space. Aether has versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux, but no mobile app.

7. Micro.blog

Micro.blog social network

One of the key purposes of X as conceived was “microblogging.” This is a term given to the format of short blog posts published without a title. So, basically a tweet. Micro.blog is less demanding and slower than Twitter.

It’s ideal for short and long posts, photos, and engaging with readers. All of that sounds great, although there is one shortcoming: Micro.blog is available only with a monthly subscription, which starts at $5 a month. This basic subscription gives cross-posting to social networks, mobile apps, and other basic features, while upgrading gives you podcast and video hosting, as well as email newsletters.

A free 30-day trial is available if you want to try Micro.blog.

8. Gab

With an aim of putting "people and free speech first" Gab has become known as the "alt-right" alternative to X; indeed, it was formed as an antidote to what founder 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 comfortable user interface.

9. GETTR

Claiming to be “a marketplace of ideas”, GETTR offers multiple sign-up options, from phone or email to Google, LinkedIn, X, 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 Gab or Parler.

GETTR is available for mobile devices and through your browser. It even has a TikTok-like feature, called Gtoks.

Download: GETTR for iOS | Android

10. Cohost

Cohost social network

Ad-free Cohost is built for sharing whatever you want. A monthly or annual subscription affords enhanced access to the site, including larger uploads and customization options.

Cohost has a slow sign-up process, with posting restricted until your account is fully verified (normally two days). On the plus side, this means you have the time to explore conversations and topics, bookmark hashtags, and set up a profile.

Cohost has pledged that it “will never sell your data, sell ads, or sell the company to anyone who might change these policies to make a quick buck”.

Currently, no mobile app is available for Cohost, but you can see this user's post on Cohost on how to mimic the experience of having the platform as an app.

11. CounterSocial

With a desktop user interface that resembles X Pro (formerly TweetDeck), CounterSocial aims to offer its community four “unique protections.”

These protections include:

  • Deepfake detection: uploaded content is analyzed to determine the use of deepfakes.
  • Botsentinel integration: intended to detect bots.
  • Identity breach alerts: a useful way for account holders to find out if their account has been hacked and misused.
  • Factlayer integration: color-coded links to demonstrate how reliable a news link is.

Accounts have a 500-character limit per post, media can be uploaded, polls conducted, and warnings employed to hide text. Paid accounts have enhanced features, such as changing status, and posts that expire and “explode". There is also a VR metaverse (although this is not available in the mobile app).

CounterSocial offers a good experience, although some topics are underserved. If you’re fond of discussing news and topical events, however, it should be high on your list of X alternatives.

Download: CounterSocial for iOS | Android (Free)

12. Trust Cafe

The web app of social platform Trust Cafe

Trust Cafe is a long-form X alternative that aims to "fight misinformation in the social media sphere". A community-moderated platform, you can expect more insightful discussion from more authoritative users on a range of topics. You can even browse as a guest if you don't want to create an account.

You can create text, image, or video posts as well as collaborate with others on a post. Liking and commenting exists so that you can interact with other users' content. If you were ever on WT.Social, then you'll know that this is a successor to the platform, created by the Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. Currently, you'll only be able to access Trust Cafe via the web app.

13. Hive Social

Hive Social aims to offer an early-day Twitter experience, with more emphasis on the individuals. You can change the view on your or others' feeds via a top menu, segmenting it to all posts, Image and Video, or just text-based.

Throughout Twitter's transition into X, Hive Social had a few heydays; with major user influxes. While it has struggled to maintain its peak user base since, it has built up a loyal community.

If you miss the early days of Twitter and prefer to have a smaller like-minded community rather than a feed full of noise, you could find it in Hive.

Download: Hive Social for iOS | Android (Free)

What's Your X Replacement?

Whether you plan to get off X today, or think it's better to leave it until the people you follow jump ship, the alternatives covered are currently the best options.

Which one you prefer depends on what you hope to get out of a microblogging/social networking experience. It also depends on whether you care about who owns a certain platform. And whichever platform is already integrated into your life. For instance, Substack Notes and Threads may be on your radar since you already have Substack or Instagram.