12 Best Facebook Alternatives for Social Networking

Any talk about social media without mentioning the greatest of them all – Facebook has long been deemed a crime punishable with all manner of horrible tortures. From its August inception eons ago, in 2006 to be precise, Facebook has transformed every part of our lives and society and helps make history every day. However, like all good things, it can be occasionally hard to stomach. Things like how it totally controls what you post on your profile, be it pictures or videos, and the recent News Feed fiasco and the like can get you red-eyed at Mark and eager to thrash him when next you meet him.

Why should you look for a Facebook alternative?

If you, too, are fed up with constant fake news, absurd posts, non-stop ads, and a complete disregard for your data privacy, then it’s high time you do a Facebook detox and completely switch over to an alternative.

True, Facebook was one of the initial social media platforms and is still somewhat relevant. However, the issues with it can be simply too much at times, which makes it much easier to just drop it from our lives.

And if you are still on the fence and want some convincing, then worry not; we will point out some of the reasons why you are actually better off without a Facebook account.

• Facebook has time and again broken users’ trust.
• It has been a constant source of fake news and misinformation.
• The platform is not privacy-friendly. 
• It has also been known to track user activity.
• Over the years, Facebook has become fraught with ads.
• Prolonged use of Facebook has also been known to cause mental distress.
• If you are looking for a somewhat smaller community, then this is not the right platform for you.
• You might even avoid Facebook if you think it has stopped being relevant over the years, especially with the rise of other social media platforms.

Comparison of FB Alternatives

Site	Privacy Protection	User Base	Notable Features	Geographic Focus	Best For
Instagram	Limited	Large	Visual content sharing, direct messaging, integration with Facebook.	Global	Visual content sharing and social networking.
Twitter	Limited	Large	Quick and concise updates, real-time news, trending topics, direct messaging.	Global	Real-time updates, global discussions.
LinkedIn	Limited	Large	Professional networking, job search, industry insights, professional content sharing.	Global	Job seekers and professionals in various industries.
Reddit	Limited	Large	Diverse topics and communities, in-depth discussions, user-generated content.	Global	Varied interests and in-depth discussions.
DeviantArt	Limited	Large	Showcase artwork, global artist community, inspiration and collaboration.	Global	Artists and art enthusiasts.
IMDB	Limited	Large	Comprehensive movie and TV information, user reviews and ratings, discussion forums.	Global	Movie and TV enthusiasts.
Untappd	Limited	Large	Beer reviews and recommendations, connect with friends over drinks, discovery of new beer brands.	Global	Beer enthusiasts and social beer drinkers.
RallyPoint	Limited	Large	Community for military and veterans, professional discussions, reconnecting with military friends.	Global	Military personnel and veterans.
Nextdoor	Limited	Large	Connect with neighbors, discuss local issues, classifieds and local services.	Local (neighborhood)	Local community engagement.
MeWe	Strong	Moderate (Growing)	Privacy-focused, ad-free alternative, familiar social features.	Global	Privacy-conscious users and those looking for an alternative to mainstream social media.
Vero	Limited	Moderate (Growing)	Focused on music, videos, and art, chronological timeline, presence of verified celebrities.	Global	Music, art, and video enthusiasts.
App.net	Limited	Small (Shut down)	Real-time news and updates, unbiased information, no ads or algorithmic curation.	Global	Users seeking unfiltered news and information.

List of the Best Alternative Sites Like Facebook

Additionally, sometimes Facebook accounts can be too overwhelming, and we can long for something new, fresh, and intriguing. When that happens, it simply means you are experiencing a Facebook overdose. This can be cured only by taking a peek at other Facebook-wannabe social media sites eager to gain a piece of your mind and soul. These are the best Facebook alternatives:

1. Instagram

Instagram is probably the best Facebook alternative there is. Made famous by celebrities posting heart-pounding pictures of themselves on the site, Instagram is a worthy FB alternative and can be even used to post Facebook updates.

On the site, you get to post videos, and pictures and send and receive texts from all manner of admirers. If you have a really fine body and know how to pose and shoot professional quality content, be assured followers will soon flock around you on the site and make you the next big thing since apple pie. You can also go live on Instagram.

Visit Instagram

2. Twitter

Who hasn’t tweeted once in his/her lifetime? Fabulously popular, Twitter gives Facebook a good run for its money and is invariably near the top of the list of the best social media sites like Facebook. Easy to use, uber-powerful, and long rumored to be addictive, Twitter has led to a less verbose, more encompassing, and wonderfully enchanting society.

Visit Twitter

3. LinkedIn

This has long been a popular job search engine site for professionals out to reap every sliver of benefits from their profession. On LinkedIn, you can be current on the news in business and industry, find employment, hobnob with other professionals, tell them all manner of tall tales, and even interview and employ suitably qualified individuals.

Not to mention being able to share and receive ideas, opinions and informed views on the industry and business-related matters. When you are on LinkedIn, you are on the way up, so says the common wisdom.

Visit LinkedIn

4. Reddit

Reddit is all about education and entertainment. It’s a public forum where you can post and comment on anything under the sun. We have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of Reddit in detail quite recently.

Users can also share images, videos, stories, and virtually anything else they wish. Featuring an immense, active, and dynamic community, Reddit is a very creative, endlessly enchanting, and really animated social media platform for all age groups. So, you can delete your Facebook account today and join Reddit if you want to.

Visit Reddit

5. DeviantArt

For artists and art lovers, nirvana is right here on earth courtesy of DeviantArt. By far the largest online art site for near two decades, it has over 34 million members from over 190 countries. And with an eye-popping 300 million plus original works of art that run the gamut from 3D to anime, you are spoilt silly for choice and can conceivably browse the goodies on offer all year without going through more than a third of it.

Sporting art performed with different techniques, artists aplenty, and engrossing content, Deviant Art sure sounds nice- if you love art like I love my ice cream that is. Instead of creating a Facebook page to showcase your creations, DeviantArt would be the way to go.

Visit DeviantArt

6. IMDB

For movie lovers, IMDB tops us all. Before you break out the popcorn and sack out on the couch to watch your favorite movies and series, you would do well to visit it. IMDB generally provides excellent reviews on lots of today’s featured content. The reviews are performed by site members.

More, you can also become a critic by logging in and rating any movie of your choice. For discussions of your favorite series and movies, just go to the message board and yak away with other equally fascinating watchers. And with the IMDBPro, you can connect with artistic performers whose work you love. J.Lo here I come!

Visit IMDB

7. Untappd

This is a social media site for people who really enjoy their beer. If you are a sud-fanatic you can use Untappd to write reviews on all the different brands of beers you drowned in during that your epic bachelor party. Or to see what your friends and family are drinking.

You can also use the site to do bar check-ins and reviews. So unfriend people on Facebook and join Untapped (just kidding). Who knew beer drinking could taste so sweet?

Visit Untappd

8. RallyPoint

Nope, it’s not a rally-racing social media site. RallyPoint is the premium online gathering club for both past and present military service members and their families. On the site discussions on topics like military policy, strategy and tactics, weaponry, life after the military, how to deal with PTSD, and much more besides rage on day and night.

If you want to avoid the distraction of Facebook, because social media can be bad at times, RallyPoint is an excellent alternative for veterans. It also has an Android and iOS app and connects to other social media sites you can use to dig out military friends you might have lost contact with. Attenhut!

Visit RallyPoint

9. Nextdoor

How can you know all there is to know about your friends on the other side of the world, and yet you have barely met your neighbors? Lucky for you, Nextdoor sets out to correct this widespread anomaly of our age.

The site connects people living in specific geographical locations and enables them to discuss issues that affect them. It sports a classified section, enables comments and feedback on posts, and is never lacking in controversy. Which makes it one fab neighborly fun.

Visit Nextdoor

10. MeWe

MeWe is one of those “next-gen social networks” – an app with state-of-the-art sharing capabilities that also value user privacy. Coming with all your favorite Facebook features, like groups, private chats, and a newsfeed, without annoying aspects, such as ads or targeted content, it could be the best place to be online.

So, if you are looking for an alternative to FB that values your privacy, MeWe would be a good choice. You can also join or create interest-based groups to connect with people who share your passions.

Plus, there’s no need to worry about your data being sold to advertisers because MeWe doesn’t collect your personal data like Facebook! If you’re tired of feeling like a product on other social media sites, MeWe is worth checking out.

Visit MeWe

11. Vero

Vero is a social media platform dedicated to music, videos, and other similar art pieces. Like many other platforms in this list, posts are displayed chronologically on the timeline, making it easy to follow your favorite accounts.

But, unlike other social media platforms, Vero doesn’t bombard users with ads or sponsored content. Celebrities (like Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez, and many more) with verified accounts give the platform a more premium feeling with their presence. The platform is still relatively new, but it’s growing quickly – so if you’re looking for something different, Vero might be worth checking out.

Visit Vero

12. App.net

If you are one of those who delight in keeping a delicate finger on the pulse of the world, then App.net is just the thing for you. Here, you get them fresh from the horse’s mouth, uncluttered and un-tweaked by Mark and co.

So, be a dear and unfollow those untrustworthy news media accounts cluttering your Facebook page and instead add them to your App.net account. Mark Zuckerberg might get mad, but that’s not our business.

App.net shut down after 5 years of hardly trying to beat other social media giants on this list. It was such a good service which made us list it here.

What do we recommend as an alternative to Facebook?

Although Facebook started as something phenomenal and was once considered the pinnacle of social media, it has gotten somewhat lackluster over the years.

If trending is your thing, then surely you’d want to try a Facebook alternative such as Instagram, which is currently one of the most popular social media platforms out there. But if microblogging is more your alley, then you might also want to consider X (formerly Twitter). 

Reddit is also a good option, especially for those who want to explore a niche. And we also recommend LinkedIn, if you are looking for a Facebook alternative but with a more professional vibe.

Wrapping Up

While Facebook is undoubtedly the greatest social media site in existence, it can occasionally be hard to take. Which is just why other social media sites were created. These are numerous, varied, and nearly as excellent. And promise and deliver generally excellent riches. Why not try discovering these for yourself and better rock your world to the hilt?