7 Best Social Networking Apps That Aren't Facebook or Twitter
We all know how difficult it can be to keep in touch with friends from all walks of life. There’s school, work, distance, and most importantly, laziness acting as obstacles to maintaining relationships.
However, we’ve finally reached an age where it has never been easier to remain close with those you care about - all thanks to a plethora of apps that connect people across the globe.
There are your usual suspects: Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, but how about exploring some of the lesser-known ones that offer unique services and connect you to new audiences? Here are seven ways to connect with friends, new and old, using unexpected apps:
1. WhatsApp
In countries like South Africa, Hong Kong, Spain, and India, over 70% of total mobile Internet users also hold a WhatsApp account. Basically, this means over 70% of the total population in these countries is on WhatsApp. Some of the major advantages of this app include: the ability to function across various platforms and devices and the capability to send multiple forms of multimedia. The user interface is also a plus, with a funky design and bright color scheme to make every moment using it just a tad more enjoyable.
2. WeChat
This app has everything: an online shop, an e-wallet add-on, addicting GIFs, the ability to find users nearby (aka a built-in dating app) - you name it. Founded in China, the app is now used by over 650 million people in that country alone, though it is designed to appeal to every kind of person from any nation. But seriously: check out the “Sticker” collection, where you can both import your own Stickers and GIFs while saving those sent by your friends.
3. Skype
In all likelihood, you’ve heard of Skype. However, it often gets shunted to the side in favor of the big dogs, like Facebook Messenger. Don’t keep discounting this app, which runs seamlessly for both desktop and mobile devices. With over 300 million users worldwide, the app is a proven contender in the realm of social networking. It excels in its capabilities to conduct video conference calls among multiple users, screen share, and conduct calls to land lines or personal phone numbers (as long as you have money in your Skype credit account). Let’s not forgot the unique Skype emojis, too. Because when have you not wanted to send your friend in Spain an image of a dancing turkey?
4. Telegram
The special feature of Telegram is its security-focused capabilities. The app offers the ability to send messages with a “self-destruct” timer (think along the lines of SnapChat) and boasts that all messages are heavily encrypted. It also allows for coordination among a group of up to one thousand people, with the ability to send various kinds of media and files. So whether you need to send - then destroy - company secrets, or you’re just trying to get together a huge flash mob, Telegram is the app for you.
5. Periscope
Developed by Twitter, Inc., Periscope follows in its founder’s footsteps on providing the most up-to-date experience for its users. The premise of the app is to stream live video to followers, letting other users experience a live broadcast anywhere in the world. The ability to replay videos, comment, and share through Twitter all make the app even more user-friendly. Periscope is a fully immersive experience, allowing users to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
6. LINE
LINE is a messaging, call service, photo/video sharing platform, and more. Beyond these basic utilities, LINE users can also subscribe to Official Accounts that provide coupons and special offers. Additionally, there’s a LINE Store for people to purchase app add-ons, like Stickers, themes, and games. One of the major attractions of this app is its extensive avatar and emoji collection so that you can express yourself in not just one, but over 10,000 ways.
7. Viber
Similar to Skype, Viber is an ideal platform for messages and calls. Its high-quality calling service is in many ways more reliable than Skype because Viber was specifically designed for phones - unlike Skype which was developed for desktop. Viber also uses your phone number as the identifier instead of registering a username, which lets you sync all contacts. With an expanding user base that has recently reached over 600 million people, Viber is becoming the mobile networking app of choice around the world.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of ways to stay in touch or meet new people. Laziness is no longer a (totally) valid excuse because these apps make it too easy to stay connected. Try any or all of the above-mentioned apps to discover how social networks can be formed around the world.
About The Author:
This article is written by Rae Steinbach. He is working with Fueled