Alternatives to Twitter

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One of the very few (perhaps the only?) mainstream social networks that deserves a mention is Twitter. We will still look for alternatives to Twitter, regardless less invasive of many other social networks and, although certainly less popular than Facebook or Instagram, has a very large user base. There are no chats nor can you send attachments of any kind and there are some very specific regulations to be able to send private messages.

Alternatives to Twitter and hashtags

Its interface is simple and easy to use and it is thanks to Twitter that it hashtag they became what we know today. Second Wikipedia, in fact, is thanks to a Tweet from a San Francisco lawyer with the phrase «how do you feel about using # (pound) for groups. As in #barcamp [msg]?» way back in 2007 who was the first to use it.

Alternatives to Twitter without using Twitter

One of the good things about Twitter, recently introduced, is having given the possibility to use two-factor authentication without being forced to reveal your mobile number. Whereas the other social networks instead they can't wait to get your phone number It really seems like a respectful choice to us.
First of all we will propose some alternatives in using Twitter, or methods for using it without abandoning it at all costs.

Twitter and the RSS

Are you a passive viewer of Twitter? If you have a Twitter profile just to follow updates from your favorite politicians or artists perhaps you might be interested in RSS. They are not a real alternative to Twitter but, as we have already seen in our article on alternatives to Google News, with an aggregator RSS you can also receive Twitter profile updates without using Twitter e without actually following them on social media. This is often an option for premium users: Newsblur for example allows you to follow Twitter profiles via RSS if you have a premium subscription.

Alternatively you should try looking through Nitter, Everything is fine Instance in fact it also offers the RSS (for example like this). However, keep in mind that every now and then they may not work, especially the most used instances.

Another attempt you can do using aInstance Of RSS Bridge (for example this). Here too, bear in mind that they are generally run by volunteers. The last option that comes to mind is the site FreshRSS: in the free version it allows you to have some feeds although with many limits (for example only once a day for a maximum of 5 tweets).

So if you can use the RSS you can follow accounts without being traced or profiled. Think about it if you use Twitter exclusively passively. You can follow along like this too our account, we don't get offended! 🙂

Hermit per Android, una buona alternativa a Twitter

even for a fee

Our first choice, which will surely make some people turn up their noses, is that of do not install the Twitter application on your smartphone but to use the application Hermit (which, alas, it is not Open source but it has a good one privacy policy). This is definitely the best option if you have a Twitter account and want to interact with other profiles.

Sandboxes

Hermit is an application that allows you to create an isolated environment for the use of different sites that are usable via Browsers. It essentially creates a “Lite App Browsers” so from being able to use Twitter without it being able to somehow invade the privacy of your mobile phone. In fact, you will be able to give individual permissions for each individual Lite App created. We like the idea and in this way it is possible to use Twitter without limits and without being tracked. Found Hermit on the Play Store but you can also download and buy it directly from their site.

Native Alpha per Android

Open source
the sandbox is only in the paid version

This wonderful application does the exact same things as Hermit but it is Open source and totally free. Some time ago we also suggested WebApps, however it is no longer in our hearts since we discovered that the sites are not really separated from each other. With the paid version of Native Alpha, call Plus, however this is possible. Unfortunately, the purchase is only possible through the Play Store.

Twidere

Open source

Another excellent alternative, which you reminded us to include on our Telegram group (Thank you!). Twidere it is an app to use your account Twitter on Android without using the official app! You can also log in at the same time on Mastodon and have a single timeline. You can find it both on F-Droid that on Play Store.

Also for Android you can also try Fritters (does not allow login).

Nitter, una delle migliori alternative per leggere Twitter

Open source

If instead you only need browse Twitter without having to interact with anyone, the first option in our opinion is to use Nitter. With Nitter in fact you can browse any Twitter profile without being tracked or logged. It is aesthetically very well done and copies the original graphics of the social network in every way. Take a look for example at our Twitter profile on nitter.net/le_alternative. We leave you the link on GitHub because in addition to Nitter.net exist many other instances as nitter.snopyta.org or nitter.42l.fr. In short, if one doesn't go, it is very likely someone else will go! We also add that it is available UntrackMe on F-Droid which will allow you to do a automatic redirect of all the Twitter links on the Instance Favorite nitter from you!

Mastodon, la vera alternativa a Twitter

Open source
fediverse

Finally we arrive at real alternative to Twitter. We wanted to give priority to alternatives in using Twitter because it is still a mainstream social networks and Mastodon is a beautiful reality, but very small. Mastodon is a truly federal, decentralized and totally federal social network Open source. If you decide to sign up, know that you can also find us on Mastodon. You can also find one here our review on Mastodon:

Decentralized Twitter

It means that there is not just one main server that manages everything but it relies on various servers scattered around the world. Each server has its own code of conduct, terms of service and moderation policies.
It is in every way (even graphically) similar to Twitter, one of the differences is the amount of characters allowed: 500 vs 280. Currently there are overAnd 4 million registered members. As we were saying, therefore, a beautiful, but small, reality. If you want to be part of it, all you have to do is sign up on https://joinmastodon.org/. On Android And iOS you can use one of many app. We dream of a world where everyone uses Mastodon in the place of Twitter And Signal instead of Whatsapp!
The nostalgic of Twitter they can also use Halcyon, an interface that copies the style of Twitter.

Conclusions

What do you think of these alternatives? What is your choice? Use Twitter behind a proxy like Nitter or you went straight to Mastodon?

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