Twitter Vs. Mastodon: Which is a Better Alternative? (Pros and Cons)

Are you navigating the world of social networking, wondering which platform best suits your needs?

Look no further, as we explore two intriguing options: Twitter and Mastodon. Both offer a way to connect with your online followers, but they do so with distinct flavors.

In this blog article, we’ll be settling the infamous debate ever since Elon Musk rose to power:

X / Twitter vs. Mastodon.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of their unique attributes and help you decide which one (if not both) could be your new social media project. We’ll be your compass, guiding you into the pros and cons of each platform, and making sure you’re left with an informed decision to make.

While many of us are familiar with Twitter and its functionality, Mastodon is still relatively unknown despite being established in 2016. Take a closer look at what Mastodon is and how it works here.

What is Mastodon?

Mastodon isn’t just another Twitter clone; it’s a unique digital space that sets itself apart with its open-source foundation. Unlike its social network counterparts, Mastodon thrives on the collaborative efforts of a global community. Anyone with the desire and skills can actively participate in its development, ensuring its constant evolution and improvement.

This innovative social network was created by the visionary Eugen Rochko in 2016. But it wasn’t until Elon decided to take over Twitter and make the radical changes he did, that Mastodon came into the light and became a popular solution to Twitter. So, what made Mastodon stick? Let’s take a closer look:

• Open Source: Mastodon’s open-source nature makes it a platform where anyone can help shape its future.
• Decentralized Network: Mastodon is a key player in the decentralized social network landscape, emphasizing user control and privacy.
• Active User Base: Mastodon boasts around 1.7 million active users.
• Demographics: Notably, about 32.96% of all Mastodon users fall into the 25 to 34-year-old age bracket. (Last information made public in 2022)

If you want to know more facts & statistics like this about Mastodon, here’s an article you need to read before you get started.

Read More: How to Easily Get Started with Mastodon +10 Important Statistics

Twitter Pros and Cons

Now let’s get into Twitter vs. Mastodon. Both social networks have their own pros and cons. Here are Twitter’s pros and cons:

Advantages of Twitter:

• User-friendly: Twitter is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate and understand.
• Massive user base: With millions of active users, Twitter stands as one of the most popular social networks, providing opportunities to connect with your followers, entrepreneurs, brands, etc.
• Cross-device compatibility: Whether you prefer browsing on a computer, phone, or tablet, Twitter ensures accessibility by being available on various devices.
• Diverse content selection: Twitter caters to a broad range of interests, offering a wealth of content that spans from breaking news and celebrity updates to amusing GIFs and entertaining memes.
• 7,500 employees are working daily on improving the platform and diversifying Twitter’s (Now X Corp) features and uses.

Quick Read: Twitter Threads in 2023: Grow Your Twitter Account with These 7 Great Tips

Twitter Limitations:

• Character limit: Despite its popularity, Twitter’s 280-character limit can be challenging when trying to express yourself fully. Users with a free account are still limited to 280 characters, however, paid plans have as much as 10k characters of freedom!
• Content overload: Due to its immense user base, Twitter can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the shared content and complex algorithm. Bots are also a big concern X is trying to address.
• Echo Chambers: Users often follow accounts that align with their beliefs, leading to echo chambers where diverse perspectives may be absent.
• Transience of Tweets: Tweets have a short lifespan, and older content can quickly become buried in the timeline, reducing the long-term visibility of posts.
• Lack of Context: Due to the brevity of tweets, it’s easy for messages to be taken out of context, leading to misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
• Privacy concerns: Twitter has been criticized for its inadequate user privacy and security measures, leaving users vulnerable to potential risks.

Mastodon Pros and Cons

Now let’s talk about the Mastodon in the room.

Let’s dive into the advantages and disadvantages of Mastodon. Below, you will find a list of both its positive aspects and potential drawbacks to consider:

Advantages of Mastodon:

• 500 character limit: Mastodon’s 500 character limit allows for more comprehensive self-expression compared to Twitter (free plan).
• Enhanced privacy controls: In contrast to Twitter, Mastodon empowers users with greater control over their post visibility and content accessibility.
• Facilitates in-depth discussions: With niche instances, Mastodon fosters longer and more engaging conversations that promote meaningful exchanges, surpassing the brevity often seen on the Twitter platform.
• No Central Authority: Mastodon is not controlled by a single corporation, reducing the risk of changes in policies or algorithms that may not align with user values.
• Interoperability: Mastodon supports ActivityPub, a protocol that enables communication between different social networks. This interoperability can extend your reach and connections beyond the Mastodon platform.
• Diverse Communities: With a wide range of instances catering to various interests, Mastodon provides a platform where niche communities can thrive. This diversity allows users to connect with like-minded individuals easily.
• No Ads: Since Mastodon instances are independently operated, the platform isn’t reliant on advertising revenue. This often leads to a less cluttered and ad-free user experience.
• No Algorithmic Feeds: Mastodon’s chronological feed shows posts in the order they were published, rather than relying on complex algorithms that may prioritize certain content. This can lead to a more straightforward and less manipulated experience.
• Customization: Users can choose from a variety of instances with different themes and rules. This allows you to join a community that aligns with your interests and values, or even run your own instance with specific rules and moderation policies.

Mastodon Limitations

• Limited User Base: Mastodon’s user base is significantly smaller compared to mainstream social media platforms like Twitter. This can result in fewer interactions and connections, especially if you have a niche interest.
• Lack of Mainstream Appeal: While Mastodon’s niche communities are a strength, they can also be a weakness. For those looking for a broader audience or more mainstream appeal, it may not be the ideal choice.
• Learning Curve: For users accustomed to mainstream social media platforms, there may be a learning curve to understand Mastodon’s unique features and interface.
• Development and Maintenance: Instances require regular maintenance and updates, and there can be a risk of an instance shutting down if it becomes unsustainable for its administrators. This can disrupt the user experience for those in that instance.

Quick Read: Mastodon for Business: Building Communities Around Your Brand

Schedule and Manage Mastodon Posts via Publer!

Quick Read: Beyond Mastodon Scheduling | Automate Your Fediverse Presence With Publer

Unlock the power of Mastodon integration with Publer in just a few effortless steps:

Step 1: Seamlessly Connect Your Mastodon Account To begin, navigate to the “Social Accounts” section conveniently located on the left side of your Publer dashboard. Look for the “Connect” button associated with Mastodon and give it a click. Smooth sailing from here on out.

Step 2: Handpick Your Mastodon Server Once you’ve decided to connect your Mastodon channel, the next move is selecting a server. If you don’t already have a Mastodon account, you can create one and pick your preferred server right here: Mastodon Server Selection.

Not sure how to get started? We’ve got you covered with our helpful guide on How to Easily Get Started with Mastodon.

Then, simply grant Publer the necessary authorization to access your Mastodon account.

Step 3: Dive into Mastodon Scheduling And now, the excitement begins!

With your Mastodon account seamlessly integrated, you can now effortlessly create and schedule your content directly from Publer. The management platform also provides analytics to track the performance of your posts and determine the best posting times for your specific audience.

Start your free trial to explore all the features Publer has to offer or begin with the free plan. It’s time to take your Mastodon game to the next level.