Social apps
Social networks, messaging, photo and short-video sharing.
Guides
7.4/10Free messaging and calling with default end-to-end encryption, used worldwide
7.3/10Partiful
Free party invite pages with link-based RSVPs; guests need no app
7.3/10Telegram
Cross-platform cloud messaging with 200,000-member groups, channels and bots
7.1/10Messenger
Meta's chat and group video app, with end-to-end encryption by default for personal chats
7.0/10Strava
Social network for runners and cyclists, syncing with thousands of apps and devices
7.0/10Visual discovery: search ideas, save Pins to boards and shop from them
6.9/10Viber
Messaging and calling app with E2E encryption, Communities and Viber Out
6.8/10Retro
A friends-only weekly photo journal with no ads
6.8/10Bluesky
A short-post social network built on the open AT Protocol
6.7/10Douyin
ByteDance's short-video app for the mainland China market
6.7/10Threads
Meta's text-based social network, built on Instagram accounts
6.7/10Microsoft's professional network: profiles, connections and jobs
6.7/10TikTok
Short-video platform with a personalised feed, LIVE and TikTok Shop
6.7/10Meta's photo and video network: feed, Stories, Reels, messaging and shopping
6.6/10bitchat
Bluetooth mesh messaging with no internet, accounts or phone numbers
6.6/10diVine
A six-second Vine revival on Nostr that filters out AI content
6.6/10Lemon8
A lifestyle photo and review network with built-in editing tools
6.6/10Xiaohongshu (RedNote)
China's lifestyle and review-sharing network, with an international edition, rednote
6.6/10X (Twitter)
The public short-post network, now tied to Grok and xAI's combined subscription
6.6/10The world's biggest social network: feed, Groups, Marketplace, Reels and Stories
6.5/10Bumble For Friends
Bumble's friend-finding app, now with groups and events, free to use
6.5/10Lotus Chat
Vietnamese messenger with aliases, secret chats and anti-spam folders
6.5/10HelloTalk
Language exchange with native speakers via chat, calls and Voicerooms
6.5/10Snapchat
Camera-first messaging app known for AR Lenses, Stories and disappearing Snaps
6.5/10Tencent's super-app for messaging, Moments, Mini Programs and payments
6.5/10Locket Widget
Photos sent straight to a close circle's home screens, with no public feed
6.3/10Fizz
Anonymous, school-verified social app now adding location-based communities
6.3/10Yope
Friends-only photos on the lock screen, with no feed and no ads
6.3/10UpScrolled
Independent social network with chronological feeds, surged after TikTok US deal
6.3/10Kwai
Kuaishou's international short-video app, strong in Brazil, with Kwai Shop and rewards
6.3/10Tinder
Match Group's swipe-based dating app, with a free tier and three paid plans
6.3/10Zalo
Vietnam's dominant messaging and calling app, with a diary feed and OAs
6.1/10Timeleft
Weekly dinners, drinks, coffees and walks with matched strangers
6.1/10Skylight
A vertical short-video app on the AT Protocol that uses your Bluesky account
6.0/10Friendster (2026 relaunch)
A private, ad-free social network for real-life friends
6.0/10China's large microblogging network, where hot topics and celebrity news break
We review social apps on privacy, control over your feed and safety for younger users.