Social Media Alternatives

An independent directory

Social media alternatives
to stay in touch with your people.

Built for your wellbeing rather than your screen time: careful with your attention, made for the people you know, and slow on purpose.

  • Letters Our product

    DearAll

    A monthly email catch-up with your friends.

    1. Feed None
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace Monthly
    4. Likes Nothing counted
    5. Notifications None
    6. Pricing €3.50 a month for the circle (first month free)
    7. Works on Web, Email
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Everyone in your circle answers a few questions, and once a month all the answers and photos arrive together in one email. There is no app to install, no feed and no group chat, and each edition is deleted from DearAll's servers after delivery, so the email in your inbox is the copy you keep. One member pays for the whole circle. The trade-off is pace: one edition a month, by design.

    Feed
    None; one email a month
    Audience
    Up to 15 people you invite
    Pace
    Once a month
    Likes
    None
    Notifications
    None; there is no app

    Price: First month free, then EUR 3.50 a month per circle; one member pays for up to 15 people.

    What it states: No ads, No algorithmic feed, No tracking, No public profiles.

    Based in: Netherlands. Sources: Official site, Philosophy, Terms, Privacy policy

  • Photos

    Cliick

    Invite-only groups for photos, updates and chat, paid for by the host.

    1. Feed Private, in order
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace As it happens
    4. Likes Reactions, no counts
    5. Notifications Activity alerts by default
    6. Pricing Free up to 6 people; $8 a month for more
    7. Works on iOS, Android
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Cliick is a private network from Deranged Chicken LLC. You start a group, hand out a QR code, and only the people you let in see your photos, videos and messages, in the order they were shared. There are no public profiles and no search. Free for you and five others; a host pays USD 8 a month or USD 72 a year for groups of up to 250, and invited members never pay. The trade-off is that it is new and small and posts as it happens, and posts carry comments and reactions, though nothing is counted in public.

    Feed
    Your groups' posts, in the order shared
    Audience
    Groups you let in by QR code
    Pace
    As it happens
    Likes
    Reactions and comments; no counts shown
    Notifications
    Activity alerts: comments and reactions

    Price: Guest: free, you and five others. Premium: USD 8 a month or USD 72 a year (USD 6 a month billed annually), up to 250 members per group; invited members never pay.

    What it states: No ads, No tracking, No algorithmic feed, No public profiles.

    Based in: United States. Sources: Official site, About, Pricing, FAQ, Terms, Privacy policy, App Store, Play Store

  • Photos

    Cluster

    Private group photo albums for family and friends, seen only by the people you invite.

    1. Feed Private, in order
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace As it happens
    4. Likes Reactions and read receipts
    5. Notifications Activity alerts by default
    6. Pricing Free; paid plans from $4.99 (App Store)
    7. Works on Web, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 2026
    More

    Cluster is a private group photo album from Fotoloce, a small independent US company: you make a group, invite the people you choose, and only members see the photos, videos and comments, in the order they were added, with an email copy for anyone who would rather not install the app. It is free for up to 10 groups of 50 people, paid plans add larger groups and longer videos, and the company says it will never sell ads. The trade-off is that each post goes out by push and email as it is added, members see who has seen and liked each post, and the terms license Cluster for use in the United States only.

    Feed
    Each group's posts, in upload order; no algorithm
    Audience
    Only invited members; a private link lets people ask to join
    Pace
    Each post goes out to the group as it is added
    Likes
    Likes and comments; you see who has seen and liked
    Notifications
    Push and email for new posts; switchable by type

    Price: Free: 10 groups, 1,000 photos and 50 members per group. App Store: Friend $4.99 or $49.99, Family $9.99 or $99.99, Pro $19.99 or $199.99, monthly or annual (periods not shown).

    What it states: No ads, No algorithmic feed.

    Based in: United States. Sources: Official site, About, Compare, Family, Email notifications, Privacy policy, Terms, Why is Cluster charging a subscription, How does the app work, Is what I post public, Can I change the order of posts in the feed, How do I change what I m getting alerts and email notifications about, App Store, Play Store

  • Letters

    Famileo

    Family photos and messages printed as a gazette and posted to a grandparent.

    1. Feed Private, in order
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace You set the schedule
    4. Likes Nothing counted
    5. Notifications Reminders by default
    6. Pricing From €5.99 a month
    7. Works on Web, iOS, Android
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Famileo turns the photos and messages your family posts in its private app into a printed gazette, posted to a grandparent or another relative. Gazettes are generated on Mondays and arrive by post about a week later. Plans start at EUR 5.99 a month for one gazette a month, with two a month or weekly editions at higher prices, and everyone in the family can chip in. Famileo states that the network is free of advertising and data reselling. The trade-off is that the paper goes one way: the recipient reads, and the rest of the family posts in the app.

    Feed
    Family wall in the app; gazette on paper
    Audience
    Your family; one relative receives
    Pace
    Weekly to monthly, by post
    Likes
    None described by Famileo
    Notifications
    Reminders before the publishing date

    Price: Monthly gazette EUR 5.99, 6.99 or 7.99 a month by message allowance; two a month EUR 10.99. The FAQ also lists GBP prices and a weekly plan at EUR 17.99. US Play Store: from USD 9.99 a month.

    What it states: No ads.

    Based in: France. Sources: Official site, Privacy policy, Who are we, Our story, Privacy policy, App Store, Play Store

  • Letters

    Letterloop

    Private group newsletters for friends, families & teams

    1. Feed None
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace You set the schedule
    4. Likes Reactions, no counts
    5. Notifications Activity alerts by default
    6. Pricing $5 a month for the group (two issues free)
    7. Works on Web, iOS, Android, Email
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Letterloop sends your group a set of questions, collects each member's replies and delivers them as one private newsletter to everyone's inbox, with web, iPhone and Android apps for the archive and comments. It suits families and friend groups that want a structured round-up instead of a chat thread. The first two issues are free; after that one owner pays USD 5 a month, USD 50 a year or USD 199 once for the whole group. The trade-off is that the apps add reactions, comments and push notifications around the email.

    Feed
    None; one newsletter per issue
    Audience
    The group you invite
    Pace
    On a schedule you set
    Likes
    Reactions and comments in the app
    Notifications
    Push notifications about your issues

    Price: First two issues free, then USD 5/month, USD 50/year or USD 199 once; one subscription covers the whole group.

    What it states: No ads, No public profiles.

    Based in: United States. Sources: Official site, Pricing, Plans pricing and free issues, Privacy policy, App Store, Play Store

  • Letters

    Letters to Grandma

    Family members text in updates; a printed newsletter is mailed each month.

    1. Feed None
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace Monthly
    4. Likes Nothing counted
    5. Notifications Reminders by default
    6. Pricing $29.99 a month with print; $9.99 a month digital only
    7. Works on Web, Email
    Checked Oct 2026
    More

    Letters to Grandma gives your family one phone number to text stories and photos to during the month, then turns them into a newspaper-style newsletter that is printed and mailed to two addresses and sent to everyone else by text or email. It suits families with grandparents who do not use a smartphone: only family members you approve can contribute or read, one account holder pays, and a password-protected family website keeps past issues, photos and a family map. The trade-off is a reminder text to every family member a few days before each issue, which the site does not say can be turned off, and Letters to Grandma does not state a no-ads policy.

    Feed
    None; one newsletter a month
    Audience
    Only family members you approve
    Pace
    Once a month, printed and mailed
    Likes
    None described; the website holds past issues, photos and a map
    Notifications
    A reminder text to everyone a few days before each issue

    Price: Print plan USD 29.99 a month: two printed copies mailed, digital for all. Digital plan USD 9.99 a month, first month free. Extra printed copies USD 6.99 each.

    Based in: United States. Sources: Official site, Landing page, Landing page, Checkout page, Privacy policy, Terms and conditions, Refund policy

  • Private talk

    Marco Polo

    Video messages for close friends and family, watched and answered when it suits you.

    1. Feed None
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace Whenever
    4. Likes Reactions and read receipts
    5. Notifications Only the ones you choose
    6. Pricing Free; Plus $9.99 a month
    7. Works on iOS, Android
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Marco Polo is a video messaging app: you record a short video for a person or a group, and they watch and reply when they have time. It is free with unlimited chats and groups; Plus costs USD 9.99 a month or USD 79.99 a year, and a six-account Family plan USD 19.99 a month or USD 159.99 a year. There are no ads and the company states it does not sell data. The trade-off is that it is an instant messenger with a watched list: the app shows who has watched each video and has emoji reactions, and free accounts keep videos for only 12 months.

    Feed
    None; a list of conversations
    Audience
    People in your contacts
    Pace
    Whenever; you answer when it suits you
    Likes
    A watched list; emoji reactions
    Notifications
    Push and email, each with a switch

    Price: Plus USD 9.99 a month or 79.99 a year; Plus Family (six accounts) USD 19.99 a month or 159.99 a year; Unlimited Storage only USD 7.99 a month or 47.99 a year. Free accounts keep Polos for 12 months.

    What it states: No ads, No algorithmic feed.

    Based in: United States. Sources: Official site, Pricing, Bill of rights, Privacy policy, Terms, Watched status, Unlimited storage, Emoji reactions, App Store, Play Store, Notification settings

  • Open feeds

    Mastodon

    Decentralised microblogging on ActivityPub with a chronological home feed and no ads.

    1. Feed Public, in order
    2. Audience Anyone
    3. Pace As it happens
    4. Likes Public counts
    5. Notifications Only the ones you choose
    6. Pricing Free (runs on donations)
    7. Works on Web, iOS, Android
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Mastodon is free, open-source microblogging software run on thousands of independent servers that talk to each other over ActivityPub. It is free to use and the non-profit behind it is funded by donations. You follow people by name and see their posts in chronological order, with no ads and no ranking. The trade-off is that it keeps the shape of the network it replaces: public profiles, follower counts, favourites and boosts.

    Feed
    Chronological, no ranking; no end
    Audience
    Public profiles; anyone can follow
    Pace
    As it happens
    Likes
    Favourites, boosts, follower counts
    Notifications
    You choose which, by type

    Price: Free to use on any server. The non-profit that develops it relies on donations and sponsors.

    What it states: No ads, No algorithmic feed, Self-hostable.

    Based in: Germany. Sources: Official site, About, Apps, Sponsors, Trademark, Network, App Store, Play Store, Licence, Preferences

  • Open feeds

    Pixelfed

    Open-source photo sharing on ActivityPub with chronological feeds and no ads.

    1. Feed With a discover page
    2. Audience Anyone
    3. Pace As it happens
    4. Likes Public counts
    5. Notifications Activity alerts by default
    6. Pricing Free (runs on donations)
    7. Works on Web, iOS, Android
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Pixelfed is free, open-source photo-sharing software run on independent servers that federate over ActivityPub, so you can follow Mastodon accounts too. It is free to join and development is funded by donations and sponsors. Feeds are chronological and the site states there are no ads. The trade-off is that it keeps the shape of Instagram: public profiles, followers, likes, stories and a discover page.

    Feed
    Chronological; a discover page
    Audience
    Public profiles; anyone can follow
    Pace
    As it happens
    Likes
    Likes and followers
    Notifications
    In-app notifications

    Price: Free to join on any server. Development is funded by donations and sponsors.

    What it states: No ads, No algorithmic feed, Self-hostable.

    Based in: Canada. Sources: Official site, Documentation, About, Terms, App Store, Play Store, Licence

  • Photos

    Polarsteps

    Travel tracker that maps your trip and shares it with the followers you accept.

    1. Feed With a discover page
    2. Audience Followers you accept
    3. Pace Per trip
    4. Likes Reactions, no counts
    5. Notifications Activity alerts by default
    6. Pricing Free; Plus €8.99 a month
    7. Works on iOS, Android, Web
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Polarsteps records your route on a map as you travel, lets you add photos, videos and notes to each step, and lets friends and family follow along. New trips are visible to accepted followers only by default and can be set to only you or to everyone. It is ad-free and earns money from printed travel books and a Plus subscription. The trade-off is that your name, photo and home city are public and searchable, and the app has an explore section for following other travellers.

    Feed
    Your trips, plus an explore section
    Audience
    Followers you accept; a public profile
    Pace
    Per trip, as you travel
    Likes
    Likes and comments on steps
    Notifications
    Per type, switchable; includes promotions

    Price: Free to plan, track, share and follow; Polarsteps Plus EUR 8.99/month or EUR 29.99/year (varies by region); printed travel books sold separately.

    What it states: No ads.

    Based in: Netherlands. Sources: Official site, Travel tracker, Account and trip privacy, Pricing, About, Terms, App Store, Play Store, How can I turn my notifications on and off, Are comments likes and spots also shown in the Travel Book, How do I get updates or notifications about someone's trip

  • Photos

    Retro

    A weekly photo journal shared only with the friends you add.

    1. Feed Private, in order
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace Weekly
    4. Likes Reactions, no counts
    5. Notifications Reminders by default
    6. Pricing Free; Premium $4.99 a month
    7. Works on iOS, Android
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    Retro is a weekly photo journal from Lone Palm Labs. You pick a few photos from your camera roll each week and only the friends you add see them; your friend list is private, and the app nudges everyone to post at least once a week. Free on iOS and Android, with Retro Premium at USD 4.99 a month or USD 35.99 a year. The trade-off is that likes and comments exist, though likes are private and nothing is counted in public, and Retro does not itself state a no-ads policy.

    Feed
    Friends' weeks; no public feed
    Audience
    Friends you add; the list is private
    Pace
    Weekly
    Likes
    Likes and comments; likes are private
    Notifications
    A weekly nudge to post

    Price: App Store in-app purchases: Monthly Retro Premium USD 4.99, Annual Retro Premium USD 35.99, Weekly Retro Premium USD 1.99. What Premium includes is not described on the site.

    Based in: United States. Sources: Official site, Ethos, Privacy policy, Terms, lonepalm.io, App Store, Play Store

  • Letters

    The Monthly Soup

    A private monthly letter. Your group answers questions; everyone gets one issue.

    1. Feed None
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace Monthly
    4. Likes Nothing counted
    5. Notifications Reminders by default
    6. Pricing €5 a month for the group (first month free)
    7. Works on Web, iOS, Email
    Checked Oct 2026
    More

    The Monthly Soup is a private group letter: up to ten friends ask and answer questions through the month in an iPhone app or the browser, and on publish day the answers and photos are compiled into one issue that arrives in the app and by email. It suits friend groups and families spread across cities who want a monthly round-up instead of a group chat; it costs €5 a month per group, or €48 a year, and the iPhone app first came out in April 2026. The trade-off is the app around the letter: it sends weekly prompts and a nudge before the deadline by default, and its download page says you see replies as they land.

    Feed
    None; one letter a month, no endless scrolling
    Audience
    Up to 10 friends you invite by link or code
    Pace
    One issue a month, compiled on publish day
    Likes
    No likes or reactions described; answers go into the letter
    Notifications
    Weekly prompts, a nudge before the deadline, app badges

    Price: Per group: €5 a month, or €48 a year (€4 a month); first month free, cancel anytime. In the iPhone app: €4.99 a month or €49.99 a year.

    What it states: No ads, No algorithmic feed.

    Sources: Official site, FAQ, About, Get, Newsletter preview, Privacy policy, Cookies, App Store

  • Letters

    TogetherLetters

    Everyone in the group writes a short update; everyone gets one newsletter by email.

    1. Feed None
    2. Audience People you invite
    3. Pace You set the schedule
    4. Likes Nothing counted
    5. Notifications Email only
    6. Pricing Free up to 10; $5 a month per 50
    7. Works on Web, Email
    Checked Sept 2026
    More

    TogetherLetters emails each member of your group a prompt on a schedule you choose, then compiles the replies into one newsletter and sends it to everyone. There is no app. Groups of up to ten are free; larger groups pay USD 5 a month per 50 members, and weekly editions need the paid plan. The trade-off is that on the free plan you must write to receive: members who skip an edition do not get it. TogetherLetters does not state a no-ads policy.

    Feed
    None; one newsletter by email
    Audience
    The group you invite by email
    Pace
    Biweekly, monthly or quarterly
    Likes
    None; it is an email
    Notifications
    The prompt and the newsletter, by email

    Price: Free for groups of up to 10 members at biweekly, monthly or quarterly frequency. Paid: USD 5 a month per 50 members, adds weekly frequency and lets non-contributors receive the newsletter.

    Based in: United States. Sources: Official site, Pricing, Privacy policy

None of these is a feed with a different logo: every product here changes the shape of staying in touch, and nothing here is paid for by advertising. How we pick · Know one we missed?

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