After several scandals, many a Facebook user is done with the social network. These are good alternatives to completely replace Facebook.
Replacing Facebook: A Complete Guide
Facebook’s reputation is no longer what it once was. The first cracks became visible when the social network started experimenting with the way messages from friends were displayed. Also, not all new features were in good taste.
For many Facebook users, however, the last straw was when it turned out that the company does not handle the data of its users carefully. Earlier this year, it turned out that data company Cambridge Analytica has collected and misused data from Facebook users on a large scale.
Facebook’s VPN app Onavo Protect also collected sensitive information. In October, it was also revealed that a leak in the social network allowed hackers to dive into the accounts of thirty million users.
1. Delete Facebook
So it is important to be extra careful with Facebook. For many users it is even enough of a reason to delete Facebook completely. We explain how to delete your Facebook account via your iPhone.
Facebook’s problem, however, is that some of its features are just too useful. For example, do you remember who’s birthday is if Facebook doesn’t send you a message about it? Can you still communicate with your work, or with groups around a specific interest without Facebook? Do you remember what events are nearby? And where should you put those photos of your children and cat?
2. A completely different social network?
Replacing Facebook one on one is impossible. There is no other similar social network with the same functions. There are other social places that are good at their own specific thing. For example, Twitter is strong in short messages and in discussions with each other.
Reddit is a good social website for reading news and finding funny memes. Like on Facebook, the top rated responses float through the ability to upvote or downvote each comment. There are also specific subreddits on Reddit on all kinds of topics. These subreddits are a great substitute for Facebook groups.
Also read: Apollo is the very best Reddit app for iOS
3. Birthdays and events
Are you afraid that you will miss events? If people really want to invite you to an event, they’ll find a way to do it outside of Facebook. You can use the Date Prikker app to plan yourself.
There are also apps for events around you, so that you always know what is going on nearby. The best option is Eventbrite. In the app you can not only find a lot of events, but also order tickets directly.
And those birthdays? Take a moment to post them in your calendar app and you’ll know exactly who to send a congratulation to and when.
4. Log in to other services
It is very easy to log in elsewhere via Facebook when creating an account. Still, that’s a pretty bad idea. People who gain access to your account via a leak will also have access to all services with which you log in via Facebook. That is why it is better not to log in with Facebook anymore.
But how do you do that without Facebook? There are two options for this. If you want to go for convenience, many services also offer the possibility to log in via Google. Google is known for being safe and has a better history of leaks.
However, the best way is to create a separate account for each service. Then generate your password via a password manager, so that you do not have to remember all kinds of passwords and still have good security. We have listed the best password managers for you.
Some dating apps do require a Facebook account. You cannot use it without an account.
5. Also From Facebook: The Best Instagram Alternatives
Instagram is seen as one of the finest social networks, with a focus on images. However, if you want completely without Facebook, then you should also stop with Instagram.
For quick sharing: Snapchat
One of the most popular parts of Instagram are the Instagram Stories. It is the easiest and most fun way to briefly share something with your followers. Of course, that feature became known through Snapchat, and that app still exists. For lovers of social interaction via images, Snapchat is the app to get started with.
For beautiful photos sharing: VSCO
If you are more on Instagram for the beautiful photos, then you have to go to VSCO. First of all, the app offers more editing options than Instagram to make your photos even more beautiful. In addition, there is a community of talented photographers, with an emphasis on beautiful snapshots instead of presenting your life.
For nice pictures see: 500px
If you especially want to see beautiful photos, 500px is an excellent app where you can constantly find the most beautiful new pictures from photo makers. This also challenges you to get started.
Share your life: Dayflash
For many, however, Instagram is not about the best pictures, but about sharing your life. Dayflash is a nice option. The app is still quite small, but also relatively new. So there is a good chance that the app can still grow considerably.
The Best WhatsApp and Messenger Alternatives
WhatsApp is also from Facebook. While it can be difficult to switch to another app because your friends or family will continue to use WhatsApp, there are great alternatives available in the App Store.
These apps are also a way to replace Facebook Messenger. Although this app may not be as popular in the Netherlands as in the United States, for example, it is still widely used to communicate with each other.
Finer app: Telegram
Telegram is just a nicer app to use than WhatsApp in everything. The design is more beautiful and the use of, for example, gifs and stickers is very easy. The app is also easy to use on your Mac or PC. There are even more reasons to switch to Telegram.
Safe option: Signal
If security and the encryption of your messages are important to you, Signal is a good option to switch to. Just like WhatsApp, the chats are sent encrypted. But Signal takes it one step further. For example, the app is completely open source, so that everyone can check what is being done with the code.
Already on your iPhone: iMessage
For chatting with people who also own an iPhone, iMessage is an excellent option. Not only because the app is already on your phone anyway. Since iOS 10, the app has received a major upgrade so that you can spice up conversations in all kinds of ways.
Especially nice is that you can also send Animoji and Memoji via iMessage.