Threads by Meta is a social media application built by the Instagram Team. It was launched in July 2023 as a direct competitor to Twitter. This app extends a fun way to post and interact with short-text updates. You can upload content like photos, videos, and text. Text can have a limit of up to 500 characters. The video limit is 5 minutes, which is greater than other alternatives. Fellow users can reply, repost and quote other posts on threads.
This is an integrated part of Instagram and has a mandatory policy to have an Instagram account. The Threads app carries over your followers, profiles, and account settings from Instagram. It is specifically designed for public conversations, enabling users to share and participate in discussions. Meta has positioned it as a more positive and user-friendly platform with safety tools. It features a web version, trending topics, and an enhanced search function with an expanding database. Let’s check some of the best alternatives of Thread app to compare.
1. X
Twitter is now known as “X”. Twitter users can tweet of up to 280 characters. They can be in form of text, photo, video and links. As a member, you can retweet, like and comment on other people’s posts. It was launched in 2006 and has a current user base of over 250 million. This is currently the primary source for reliable information on global affairs.
It is used to stay updated with current affairs as you can find valuable insights in“What’s Happening”. This microblogging platform is a standalone space with a video limit of up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. It boasts in-app messaging with trending topics and hashtags for better reach. Most people use this platform to stay informed about current news and events.
2. Bluesky
Bluesky is a decentralised social network that offers a profile and username for signing in. It allows users to create a post in text, image, meme, video, GIF, or link form. The post can have a maximum of 300 characters. Users can follow one another and reply to posts, or repost them with a comment. This platform features direct messaging just like other social media apps.
You can easily use hashtags and likes, as well as all the different social network features. It is a competitive alternative to Thread, but it doesn’t allow you to run ads. It permits the use of third-party apps and services. This platform offers extensive control over the content you see, but has a smaller user base. It was launched in February 2023 as an invite-only service and changed later.
3. Mastodon
Mastodon is a decentralised social network with an independent server to interact with people online. It was created in 2026 and gives a little local-to-social network feel. This individual hosting platform may feel overwhelming at first. However, the user experience catches up with apps like Twitter and Thread. A post is called “toot” in Mastodon, and a like is a “favourite” something.
It allows you to write up to 500 characters in a post and feels like a generic brand thread. This application will enable you to create an account and a link to your site, along with additional features. Its decentralised features allow for a space where people with shared interests can come together and interact.
4. Reedit
Reedit has gained importance for quite some time. This site was launched in 2005 as a classic message board and is subcategorised as “subreedits”. This feature allows you to join a subreddit on the internet based on your interests. They can be focused on anime, crochet, Star Wars, sci-fi literature, politics, or religion, among other interests. Reedit fosters in-depth discussions and builds communities around specific interests.
You can start a conversation on any topic and expand it further. The conversation can be text posts, images, videos, links, and other multimedia formats. Reedit is a massive platform, so you will need some time to explore it thoroughly.
5. Tumblr
Tumbler is a microblogging and social networking platform. It was founded in 2007 as a space where you can create a social media profile and follow other blogs. It permits you to share short-form content as a social media post. The content can be text, images, GIFS, videos, and audio. This platform fosters niche communities for fandoms, artists, and writers. It encourages thoughtful conversations, allowing users to comment on a post or repost it in its entirety.
The Tumblr app fosters a relaxed atmosphere for engaging in enjoyable discussions. Create customizable blogs and express your perspective in them. Additionally, the app displays posts in chronological order and provides you with more control over what you see.
Conclusion:
Thread by Meta has a streamlined, integrated space for text-based sharing. Its alternatives, like Twitter and Reddit provide unique experiences as per users’ needs. These competitive platforms foster creative expression and niche communities. Platforms like Mastodon focus on decentralisation and user control. You can choose the best alternative that goes with your values and interests.
