Social media apps for iPhone and iPad
The great thing about the internet is that you come into contact with people you have never met before. People with the same interests or preferences, for example. There is a social network for everyone. All official iPhone apps of the well-known social networks are listed here, but in this overview you will find more than Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Snapchat
- TikTok
- Clubhouse
- YouTube
- Tumblr
- Discord
Instagram: a complete social network
If you had to choose one social network, Instagram might be the best choice. You can post photos, stories and text messages here. Instagram started as a photo sharing app (often with funny effects) but nowadays there are people who have built a whole business around it. When you think of influencers, you first think of Instagram. And to be very honest: also a ‘fake’ lifestyle, because people on Instagram always seem to have a much more exciting life than you. You can also share your thoughts with Reels or contact others via DMs. With more than a billion active users, there is always a topic you can read a lot about.
Pros:
- Attractive user interface
- Suitable for photos, videos, short videos and text
- Send messages via DMs
Twitter: the latest news
If you want to stay up to date with the latest news (or the latest fuss), Twitter is your social network. The big plus is that the messages are very concise, making it perfect for sharing something quickly that others can then respond to. A disadvantage is that the atmosphere can sometimes become grim, because Twitter attracts quite a few grumblers and people who know better. However, Twitter is very suitable for following news. If there is a fire somewhere (literally or figuratively), there is always someone who puts live images online. You can create your own bubble using hashtags.
Pros:
- Fast with the latest news
- There is something to be found on every subject
- You don’t have to be friends to read messages
Snapchat: social network for young people
Snapchat traditionally appeals mainly to young people. Snapchat is all about visual content, or ‘snaps’. You can go all out with fun filters, lenses, Bitmoji and other effects. You can also video chat with multiple friends, all equipped with filters. You can stay informed about each other’s lives with live messages and stories. You can also use Charms to see what similarities you have with certain friends.
Pros:
- Lots of filters and effects
- Often leads the way with new social features (which are then copied by others)
- A fun and personal way to stay in touch with others
TikTok: for short videos
TikTok is the only app you think of these days when it comes to short videos. The dances are especially well-known, but you can also find pets and hacks to live smarter in TikTok. You can participate by posting a video yourself and becoming friends with followers from all over the world. The interface is simple and you can easily swipe through multiple videos. If you see something you don’t like, just swipe through. The algorithms ensure that you are presented with an endless stream of videos, tailored to your preferences and interests. There is also a danger there: it is not really privacy-friendly. And it is also more focused on consuming than making friends.
Pros:
- Anyone can make videos and have a hit
- Huge variety of videos
- Simple interface
Facebook: to find old friends
There’s a good chance you haven’t logged into Facebook in a while. This was once the social network where everyone could be found, but more and more people are now turning their backs on Facebook. They prefer to chat in a group on WhatsApp or look at photos on Instagram. Still, it may make sense to start Facebook again. It is the place to find classmates and friends from the past. Almost everyone has created a Facebook account and you’d be surprised how many people still report their activities every day. Facebook can also be useful for connecting with companies. In addition to friends and family, you can also follow company pages on Facebook and, for example, see what the new menu of your favorite restaurant looks like. Facebook Groups allow you to connect with like-minded people. Facebook Messenger is an extension of this, if you want to chat 1-on-1 with someone or make a video call. And with Facebook Live you can participate in events and workshops. Enough functions to check again regularly, although it is true that many of those functions have been copied from other providers.
Pros:
- Almost everyone has (had) an account there
- Easy to make contact
- Various functions and many settings
LinkedIn: your business social network
When you think of social media, you often think of making contacts in your spare time, but LinkedIn has a completely different emphasis. Here you can work on your business network. You can go there if you are looking for a new job, but also if you want to contact other professionals in your field or business contacts. The filters for finding a new job are very useful if you are looking for something different. You can also receive notifications when a new job becomes available that suits you. Your LinkedIn profile page is in fact your CV, so you no longer have to spend extra time on it. You can also follow companies, people and topics to stay informed.
Pros:
- Business network, therefore more serious discussions
- Very suitable for networking
- Makes the search for a new job easier
Pinterest: for inspiration
Pinterest is not really a website where you can make nice contacts, but you can see what friends and influential people like. On Pinterest you can ‘pin’ all kinds of fun photos, for example for meals, wedding preparations, a more beautiful interior, craft ideas and more. The app places great emphasis on its visual appearance. It can give you ideas for almost any project, from renovating a kitchen to knitting a sweater. If you need inspiration, Pinterest always has something. As a company you can also use Pinterest for marketing.
Pros:
- Endless amount of ideas for pretty much everything
- Finding inspiration around a specific theme
- Easily organize into different folders
Clubhouse: audio only
Clubhouse is a relative newcomer. It was the app of 2021 and is distinguished by a focus on audio. You can listen live to chat rooms in which people talk about a certain topic. Famous people also participate, such as Oprah, Chris Rock, Drake, Elon Musk and more. Nowadays, Clubhouse is a bit past its peak, mainly because it has been overrun by self-appointed life coaches. But is still a good place to find inspiration. You can just listen and learn from the speakers, or join in and express your opinion.
Pros:
- It doesn’t matter what you look like, whether your hair is good or who you are
- Varied mix of topics to listen to
- Unique approach: audio only
YouTube: for video
You could also call YouTube a social network, although most people come there to passively watch videos. Yet there is a social aspect to it, because you can follow people, give them thumbs up and watch videos online yourself. Anyone can participate, because you don’t need a contract with a company to participate. You will also find useful videos and life hacks so that you can learn, for example, how to use Photoshop or install a new radiator knob. And everything is free, although your viewing pleasure is regularly interrupted by advertising.
- Anyone can make video
- Excellent search function
- Huge amount of content
Reddit: a community for everyone
If you want to know what is being talked about, Reddit is the best alternative to Twitter. You get news and updates on the topics that interest you through subreddits. These are communities around a specific topic. You can use Reddit to keep up with the latest news, but also to read funny stories, viral images and memes, sports news and more. By sharing your passion for movies, music, games or something else you can distribute Karma points. You can remain anonymous if you wish. Most people use a nickname, so it is also beneficial for your privacy.
Pros:
- You can participate anonymously
- There is a community on almost every topic
- Lively discussions every day
Tumblr
The fastest platform to create a blog. That was already Tumblr as a website and it is also on the iPhone. Choose a layout and you can start. With the app you can immediately upload a text message, photo, quote, link, chat conversation or video. Tumblr is also a social network: you can see who likes your posts, comments on them, reblogs them and more. “Culture, art, chaos” is now Tumblr’s slogan, to once again make it clear that the infamous phase with mainly porn is behind it. With Tumblr you can now let us know what you are doing, share what you like and enjoy memes, texts, music and tweets that pass by endlessly on the dashboard.
Pros:
- Create a blog quickly and easily
- You choose whether you actively participate or just watch
- Nudity is allowed, porn is not
Discord
Discord originated from the gaming world. A group around a specific theme is called a ‘server’. Here you will find a community of people interested in the same topics. This does not have to have anything to do with games. There are also Discord servers about Apple Watch bands and K-pop. The disadvantage is that as a user you can only participate in 100 servers and each server is limited to 250,000 users. A server can be expanded upon request, but it does not have the open character you are used to from Twitter. Ultimately, you mainly live in your own bubble.
Pros:
- Discord groups (usually) have a pleasant atmosphere
- Groups on almost every conceivable topic
- Strong in games, but you can find much more nowadays
If you are looking for Twitter alternatives, we have a nice list for that too.
