Threads vs Twitter Battle, 5 Major Differences
As promised, Meta responded to Twitter by releasing “Threads.” Launched last Thursday, the app has been an instant success, with over 10 million downloads worldwide. The app is the main competitor of the 16-year-old Twitter.
Many users ask whether Threads can take over Twitter and replace Elon Musk’s social media or if it will be forgotten shortly. This article analyzes the differences in five aspects.
If you want to understand why Musk and Zuckerberg are “fighting” while still interested in how the Threads app compares to Twitter, we’ve listed some of the key differences between the two apps.
While their proposals are similar, there are some differences. These differences may allow the two apps to coexist, but in the end, it’s still up to the user to decide who gets the last laugh.
1. Availability varies
Twitter has been a website for 16 years and gained popularity because of this simple design. However, it quickly adapted to smartphones, and as mobile apps became a standard, versions of the Twitter app for Android and iOS were developed.
Threads, on the other hand, is an application-only service. That means it’s only available through the iOS and Android app stores, which means it’s only an exclusive mobile experience.
We know that the Instagram experience is focused on the mobile app, but the platform also has a smaller desktop version that came later to complement the experience. Since Threads is “an Instagram app,” we expect it to follow in the Instagram app’s footsteps. But Threads users are limited to the mobile version.
2. Account synchronization difference
On Twitter, there are several login options available. Users can choose an email, phone number, or username. The account is standalone and not tied to any other application. Threads are synced directly with the Meta account and depend on the Instagram account.
There is only an Instagram account or vice versa to log into Threads. Threads can’t even be deleted without deleting your Instagram account. This has caused controversy among users who felt helpless after creating their Threads profile or had to log out of Instagram if they wanted to delete their accounts.
And many users didn’t want to lose Instagram while deleting their accounts. The only option is to turn off their profile via the “Deactivate Account” option.
3. Price and Verification Differences
Before Musk’s reign, the direct Twitter experience was completely free, and the verification process was part of that free use. However, since Elon Musk took the helm, he has been pushing Twitter Blue subscriptions, sacrificing the free experience for some users. Users of Twitter Blue can enjoy additional benefits such as no ads.
Meta is also following Instagram but only offers verification tokens as a service. Threads verification is carried over from Instagram. Both platforms charge almost the same $8.
4. Differences between multimedia posts on Threads and Twitter
Both platforms allow users to post website links, videos, and images. A user can also post GIFs on both services. One, however, requires you to save the GIF to your camera roll before posting it to Threads. On top of that, you can dispatch more pictures and videos simultaneously on Threads.
Twitter can only contain a maximum of 4 entries per tweet. Threads also allow users to share ten items in one post, similar to carousel (carousel) posts on Instagram.
5. Text Limits and Feed Management Are Different
Twitter is popular for its 140-character limit. Social media has created a new way for users to express themselves online. With this limitation, users need to be able to express their thoughts shortly. This limit was later amended to 280, and Twitter Blue removed the limit.
Threads fall somewhere in between, offering users up to 500 characters, a pretty good standard amount. Aside from the text limit, there’s no way to text someone on Threads privately. Twitter’s DM functionality is missing on Threads, at least for now.
Threads do not allow users to search for anything besides usernames and accounts. Tabs also don’t appear in the app. The app’s feed also shows everyone’s posts, whether or not the user follows the profile. Twitter, on the other hand, offers two feed options. One is based on the user’s preference, and the other is based on the following.
In addition, Threads does not place advertisements on the navigation bar. However, this may change, as Meta may need to monetize the app.
All in all, Threads still has a long way to go. There are still some key differences between Twitter and Threads. We can’t say that Threads is what some users call a “Twitter killer.” The app offers a similar experience, but it’s still early days. Threads lack key features that make them more attractive than their main competitors.
We believe that Threads and Twitter will coexist. It’s also up to their creators and maintainers to decide whether one will win. Which one do you prefer, Threads or Twitter?
