Twitter Alternative: What is Mastodon?

Mastodon.social is a decentralized microblogging platform and social network, using the ActivityPub protocol to federate (share content with other decentralized instances) and offers users an alternative to traditional, centralized social media platforms. While specific numbers for accounts and monthly users can fluctuate due to the decentralized nature of Mastodon, the platform has seen consistent growth and popularity.

Its appeal lies in protecting user privacy and sharing content through a network of interconnected, individually owned servers. Pros include a decentralized model that enhances privacy and diverse community experiences. However, potential drawbacks may include a learning curve associated with decentralized platforms and variations in server policies impacting user experiences. Overall, Mastodon.social remains a compelling choice for those seeking a decentralized and community-oriented social media experience.

Other Twitter Alternatives

Squabblr

Squabblr is a hybrid of Twitter and Reddit. It let's you have more in depth conversations than Twitter, but also allows you to post short blurbs on whatever you're thinking.

Mastodon

Mastodon.social is a decentralized microblogging platform prioritizing user privacy and community-driven interactions.

Bluesky

Bluesky, a decentralized Twitter alternative, encourages community creation through photo sharing and customizable rules, in invite-only beta with future plans for public access.

Counter Social

Counter Social is a blockchain-based social media platform that prioritizes user privacy and content ownership.

Substack

Substack.com, a premier Twitter alternative, introduced a notes feature and boasts over 35 million active subscriptions, including 2 million paid subscriptions.

Gab

Gab.com is a social media platform that champions itself as the most free-speech platform. Providing users with a platform that emphasizes unrestricted expression of ideas and opinions.

Hive Social

Hive Social is a mobile app available on Apple and in beta on Android, offering a chronological feed without "shadow banning" or prioritizing certain accounts.

Post

Post.news aims to revive the enjoyable aspects of early social media, prioritizing content moderation and civil discussions, drawing significant interest with a waitlist of 180,000.

Cohost

Cohost is an ad-free social media platform with a vertical timeline, aiming to offer a straightforward alternative to traditional platforms.

Tribel

Tribel Social Network is a left-leaning Twitter alternative, provides users with a customizable experience, allowing targeted audience selection and personalized news feeds.