25 Best Social Media Apps and Sites You Should Use

Choosing where to spend your time is a powerful strategy to optimize the limited time we all have in a day. With the rising number of social media apps out there, it can get intimidating to pick a platform when you want to scroll and unwind after a long day. Keeping the emerging social media trends in mind, we have compiled a list of the best social media apps and sites you should check out in 2022 and beyond.

Top Social Media Apps and Sites (2022)

1. Reddit

Often considered the ‘front page of the internet’, Reddit is an interesting place to findcommunities grouped around your interests. These communities are called subreddits, and each subreddit has multiple moderators to ensure that the posts are abiding by community rules and guidelines. I’m not kidding when I saythere’s a subreddit for almost every niche interest you might have.

That said, your experience on Reddit will vastly differ based on the subreddits you visit. As long as you are on the lighter side of Reddit, you will likely have a great time. For starters, I recommend checking out subreddits such as r/cats, r/catswithjobs, r/aww, r/AnimalsBeingBros, and r/MadeMeSmile. We have also compiled a long list of thebest subreddits you should follow on Reddit.ProsConsInterest-based contentSome subreddits can get toxicPseudonymous and privacy-friendlyPoor moderation in some subredditsActive community for almost everythingSome subreddits can be an echo chamberFocuses on the content and not the user’s identity

Availability: Web, Android, and iOSVisitReddit

2. TikTok

At this point, you would be lying if you say you haven’t heard of TikTok. The viral short video platform took the internet by storm and has established itself as one of the key players in the social media space. AlthoughTikTok is banned in some countries like India, popularsocial media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have copied its core idea and created their own versions of short video services.

If you are someone who likes watching bite-size funny and engaging videos, you should give TikTok a shot. You could also take a look at ourlist of TikTok alternativesif the short video app is banned in your country.ProsConsShort viral videosCan get addictiveKeep up with trendsBanned in some countriesEngaging content

Availability: Android and iOSVisitTikTok

3. Facebook

With the platformposting a huge decline in daily users for the first time everlast year, Facebook is no longer as appealing as it once used to be. However, it is still a key player in social media. As you might probably be aware,you can use Facebook to create text, image, and video posts, engage in groups, buy/ sell products in the Facebook marketplace, and lots more. If you have never tried Facebook before, it’s worth checking out even in 2022.ProsConsVast userbaseMultiple privacy scandalsStay connected with friends and familyToo many adsShare thoughts and ideasBreeding ground for misinformation

Availability: Web, Android, and iOSVisitFacebook

4. Twitter

Twitter is one of the best social media platforms to help you stay updated with what’s happening around you. If you want instant updates on incidents from around the world, Twitter is the place to be. Other than creating and sharing tweets, the platform is now shifting focus toTwitter Spaces, its Clubhouse clone for audio rooms. However, the micro-blogging service is gradually losing relevance in the modern age. Read on to find out why!

At the time of writing this article, Twitter has found itself in themiddle of an acquisition from billionaire Elon Musk, which has further created negative sentiment both internally and externally about the platform.ProsConsShare your thoughts and opinionsCertain portions of Twitter can be an echo chamberUnderstand what’s happening around youMisinformationTimely news updatesShaky leadership and product vision

Availability: Web, Android, and iOSVisitTwitter

5. Instagram

After starting off as a platform for editing and sharing pictures, Instagram has now evolved to become a destination for photo posts, videos, short videos, and even Snapchat-style stories. You can use Instagram’s direct messaging feature to stay in touch with your friends too, and it keeps adding new features regularly to keep users engaged. The platform also enables you topost photos and videos using the Instagram websitefrom your Mac or Windows PC.

The Instagram app also has a modern interface, offering users a pleasant experience. However, since Instagram is free to use, there are ads everywhere, and you will even find ads across the platform. A word of caution, though. Scrolling through Instagram Reels is addictive and if you find yourself in the middle of this crisis, check our detailed post onhow to overcome smartphone addiction.ProsConsShare photos, videos, and stories with friendsAds everywhereModern interfaceToo much focus on video contentActive user baseAddictive

Availability: Web, Android, and iOSVisitInstagram

6. Discord

Just like Reddit, Discord is another appealing social media platform to find communities of your liking. Starting off as a platform focused towards gamers, Discord has now evolved to accommodate users across a wide range of interests.You get all the advanced chat and calling features on Discord, making it a well-rounded communication tool in 2022.

Whether it’s forstreaming Netflix on Discordto watch together orhosting Spotify listening parties, Discord has got it all. Discord is also a good place to nurture and grow your community, making it one of the top social media platforms in 2022.ProsConsUser-friendly and modern interfacePoor moderation in some serversCommunity-focusedSome servers can be an echo chamberPseudonymousChances of cyberbullyingHas advanced chat and calling features

Availability:Web, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOSVisitDiscord

7. Goodreads: Best Social Media for Readers

Consider yourself an avid reader? Goodreads is the best social media platform for users like you. With Goodreads, you can rate and review books, discover new books to read, update your reading progress and share it with friends, and see what your friends are reading.

The platform alsodelivers suggestions based on your reading activity, making it convenient to find newer books that match your interests. Goodreads also has curated lists of the best books based on genres to help new readers pick up the habit. Whether you’re a new reader or someone who reads a lot, Goodreads is the place to be!

Availability:Web, Android, and iOSVisitGoodreads

8. Pinterest

Pinterest can be considered the social media equivalent of paradise. There’sno hate speech, no violence, just pretty pictures and inspirational content. You can curate your own sets of posts to create vision or mood boards on Pinterest. You also have the option to follow your favorite creators while you are at it. If you often find yourself looking for the best home decor ideas, tattoo ideas, or aesthetic images, you should not miss out on what Pinterest has to offer.ProsConsVisually pleasing contentContent is often reposted/ plagiarizedContent-focusedToo many adsGet ideas and inspiration

Availability:Web, Android, and iOSVisitPinterest

9. Letterboxd: Best Social Media for Cinephiles

Home to the true movie enthusiasts out there, Letterboxdisthego-to social media platform for movie lovers. You could say that Letterboxd is the Goodreads equivalent in the movies space. You can discover new movies, keep track of movies you’ve watched, rate and share reviews, and create curated lists of movies. If you consider yourself a cinephile, I’m sure you will love your time on Letterboxd.ProsConsIdeal for cinephilesPrank reviews on some moviesRate and review moviesNot too popularFind likeminded community

Availability:Web, Android, iOS, and Apple TVVisitLetterboxd

10. LinkedIn

Although LinkedIn isn’t necessarily an entertainment-focused social media site, it’s a key platform togrow your professional network. With LinkedIn, you can find and connect with peers and industry leaders in your field, opening up key opportunities for career growth that would be impossible otherwise. LinkedIn also offers a job search tool that you can use to land jobs that match your skillsets.ProsConsPerfect for networkingPosts can get too inspirationalFind new professional connections in your fieldCould trigger self-doubt and career anxietyHelpful in job search

Availability:Web, Android, and iOSVisitLinkedIn

11. Meetup: Top Social Media Website For Meeting People

Are you looking for a social media platform toconnect with and meet people in real life? Look no further than Meetup. As the name suggests, the platform facilitates and encourages real-world connections. You can sign up for an account and take a look at Meetup events near you.

If any meetup piques your interest, you can choose to attend it and network with new people in your area. That said, it’s recommended to exercise some caution while attending meetups due to privacy and safety concerns.ProsConsMeet people in real lifeSome meetups could be riskyFind people with similar interestsToo much pressure to attend eventsHost events of your interests

Availability:Web, Android, and iOSVisitMeetup

12. YouTube

Although most of us would argue that YouTube is primarily avideo-sharing site, the community aspect is what makes people come back to the platform and engage in videos of their favorite creators. YouTube has engagingcontent across multiple categories, including tech, music, movies, gaming, news, sports, fashion, and more.

While YouTube is not essentially a platform to socialize, it has become part of the lives of most people. If you have been staying away from YouTube all along, do give it a try and see if you like it.ProsConsVast user baseUnskippable ads on certain videosActive communityToo much focus on short videosMany informative videos

Availability:Web, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TVVisitYouTube

13. Snapchat

Popular among teenagers and Gen Z users, Snapchat is another social media platform to stay connected with your friends. The key appeal of Snapchat is thefocus on ephemeral photos as the mode of communication. Besides, Snapchat Lenses andSnapchat filtersare used by millions of users to make their photos more enticing.

Snapchat has gamified the act of interacting with each other with what it callsSnapchat Streaks, a measure of your activity with a Snapchat user. Snapchat’s messaging feature is also ephemeral and is built with privacy in mind.

Availability:Android and iOSVisitSnapchat

14. Telegram

Telegram is primarily a messaging service, but with its groups and channels, it can be considered a social media platform of sorts. Over the past couple of years, Telegram has gained popularity as one of thebest secure messaging appsand evolved to be a space for different types of communities.

Thanks to its cloud-first approach, Telegram is available on all major platforms, and you can pick up right where you left off. You can also create audio and video rooms to broadcast on Telegram. Overall, Telegram has a ton of features, and you should consider trying it out.ProsConsFeature-rich messaging featuresNo end-to-end encryption by defaultCross-platform availabilityContent moderation is limitedActive user base

Availability:Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOSVisitTelegram

15. WhatsApp

Another messaging service that acts as a social media platform is WhatsApp. For those who don’t know, WhatsApp is an instant messaging service thatyou can also use for voice and video calls. Thanks to groups and channels, you can createcommunities on WhatsAppand interact with them. While the group and channel member limits are not as extensive as Telegram, it’s handy for close-knit communities.

While WhatsApp was primarily a mobile-based messaging app, the company recently rolled out multi-device support. This allows the user to message friends and family from the desktop or web app without having an active internet connection on their phones.ProsConsEnd-to-end encrypted messagingMisinformationHave all the basics coveredLimited featuresEasy to get started

Availability: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOSVisitWhatsApp

16. Quora

Quora is a place for you toask questions and find answers. Although the quality of the platform has arguably declined over the past few years, there’s an active community on Quora.

I also like the fact that you can request specific authors to answer your queries. A fair warning, though, most Quora users have a hard time keeping their answers concise. You might end up reading through an elaborate wall of text before finding the apt answer.ProsConsFind answers to your questionsPosts can get unnecessarily wordyAsk questionsSpam and troll postsRequest answers from people

Availability: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOSVisitQuora

17. BeReal

BeReal is a novel attempt at social media. The idea of the platform is to keep moments of your social life spontaneous. The app will notify users to capture and share an image showing what they’re up to. What’s important to note here is that you’regiven a total of 2 minutes to complete your daily photo, and the notification is sent at a different time every day.

The concept proved to be an instant hit, and BeReal is currently the top 6th social network in the US App Store.ProsConsUnique attemptFOMO-drivenSee spontaneous momentsToo much pressure to send imagesView timeline with memories

Availability: Android and iOSVisitBeReal

18. Messenger

Messenger is Facebook’s standalone messaging app. You can use Messenger to stay in touch with your Facebook friends and contacts. It’s worth mentioning that you can use Messenger without an active Facebook account. The process involves creating yourFacebook account and deactivating it, resulting in what the social media giant calls Deactivated Except Messenger Account (DEMA).

If you want to interact with your Facebook friends and acquaintances without scrolling the feed, Messenger is what you should be looking at. Also, with Facebook parent Meta looking to merge Messenger and Instagram DM to enable cross-app communication has seen a lot of new features being added to both platforms.

Availability: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOSVisitMessenger

19. Twitch

Fan of live streams, especially gaming ones? Well then, Twitch is the best social media platform for you. You will find an active community for popular games, including Valorant, League of Legends, Apex Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), and more.

Although the platform predominantly focuses on gaming, there are dedicated sections for music, art, sleeping, or just chatting too. You can explore the platform and watch the stream that interests you. Having said that, do keep in mind that some viewers often tend to be trolls on Twitch.ProsConsWatch live streams from favorite creatorsToo many trollsCross-platformGaming community can be toxicModern interface

Availability: Web, Android, iOS, Fire TV, PS4/ PS5, Xbox, Apple TV, and ChromecastVisitTwitch

20. Tumblr

Tumblr might not be as popular as it used to be, but it is still around. AfterTumblr’s ban on NSFW contentback in late 2018, the platform has struggled to stay relevant and mainstream in the league of other leading social media apps. For the uninitiated, Tumblr is essentially a blogging platform where you get your own space to post content.

One unique aspect of Tumblr is that you getextensive customization features to personalize your Tumblr page. If that excites you, check out Tumblr from the link below.ProsConsYour own creative spaceCommunity can get toxicTheme-based fandomsFriendly interface

Availability: Web, Android, and iOSVisitTumblr

21. Flickr

Whether you are a budding photographer looking for inspiration or an established expert who’s looking for a platform to showcase your work, Flickr is the perfect place for you. After creating a free account, you can upload your photos and even categorize them as albums on this website.

Flickr also offers groups that you can join to share photos and interact with other members in the comments. If you are a photography and camera nerd, Flickr is the best social media site for you.ProsConsIdeal for photography enthusiastsNot too activeNiche but loyal audienceSome content is repostedFind photo inspirations

Availability: Web, Android, and iOSVisitFlickr

22. WeChat

WeChat has evolved from a messaging app to afull-fledged super-app for multiple use casesin China. Thanks to WeChat’s focus on mini-apps, users can do everything, ranging from booking a taxi ride to ordering food online. Over the years, WeChat has slowly become an indispensable part of the lives of Chinese citizens. While users outside China can access WeChat, it is banned in some countries, including India.ProsConsThriving user base in ChinaToo many featuresSuper-app for multiple use-casesLack of global usersStay updated with Chinese market trendsBanned in some countries including India

Availability: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOSVisitWeChat

23. Weibo: Best Social Media App in China

Weibo is another popular social media platform in China. Widely regarded asthe Twitter of China, Weibo is a micro-blogging platform where you can share text posts, images, and videos with users. Although Weibo is widely used in China,global users will have a hard time navigating the platformdue to the Chinese interface.

If you know Chinese, however, Weibo is a social media platform worth checking out to find out what’s happening in the country.ProsConsActive user base in ChinaNavigation could be betterGet updates from Chinese mediaLack of global usersTwitter alternative for ChinaBanned in some countries, including India

Availability:Web, Android, and iOSVisitWeibo

24. ShareChat: Best Social Media App for Indian Content

ShareChat is a popular Indian social media platform created with India’s diverse and vernacular users in mind. At the time of writing this article,ShareChat supports a total of 14 languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Odia, Kannada, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, and Rajasthani. If you are looking for regional Indian content, you could consider checking out ShareChat using its website or mobile apps.ProsConsVernacular social media platformNot too activeRegional contentSpam and troll postsIndia-focused

Availability:Web, Android, and iOSVisitShareChat

25. Clubhouse – Best Audio Social Media App

If you have been active on social media in the past couple of years, you must have heard of the social audio platform Clubhouse. Although leading social media platforms have created their ownapps like Clubhouse, the app still has an audience thatkeeps healthy discussions going.

The popularity of Clubhouse was at its peak when it used to have invite-only access, but as we all know, the popularity and general interest have relatively faded since then. However, if you prefer voice chats to interact and engage with people, Clubhouse is still one of the popular players in the social audio segment.ProsConsAudio roomsNot too engaging anymoreNetwork and find unique roomsDeclining user interestHost and participate in discussionsSpam and trolls

Availability:Android and iOSVisitClubhouse

Try These Best Social Media Platforms in 2022

Unlike the last decade, we now have a variety of social media apps and websites to choose from. Since most of these social media sites are catered to a specific theme or purpose, picking one that suits your interests is no longer a hassle. Regardless of the social media platform you end up picking, we hope you have a pleasant time there. If you like spending time on a social media site or app that’s not listed above, feel free to let us know in the comments below. And if you have time to spare and are bored, do check out thislist of cool and interesting websitesto kill time.

Subin B

Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.

Add new comment

Name

Email ID

Δ

01

02

03

04

05