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Top 7 New Social Media Apps

25 November 2025

Social Media

If you’re tired of fighting algorithms and posting into the void, now is a great time to explore new social media apps. These are the quieter corners of the internet where you can still stand out and gain a following before the masses arrive. The best social media apps aren’t always the ones everyone already knows. Sometimes they’re small and niche platforms where creators can grow rapidly and test new formats without much pressure.

If you have ever wished you could rewind time and be one of the first creators on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, this is your second chance! Let’s explore some new social media platforms worth trying and why now is the perfect time to establish your presence.

Choosing the Best New Platform for Your Brand

Being an early adopter gives you the kind of first-mover advantage that you can’t get on oversaturated networks: think niche audiences and less competition. However, before you start jumping onto every new social media app, it’s worth taking a breath and looking at it through a strategic lens.

Testing out social platforms is a smart move, but doing it without intention can cost you more time than it’s worth. You don’t need a full-blown strategy, just enough clarity to decide if it’s worth the experiment. Start small, track what matters, and invest where you see real traction. Use this simple checklist to figure out which new social media apps are worth trying:

Audience fit: Is your target audience actually on the platform, or are they likely to join soon? If not, it might not be worth the time and effort to create a social presence on the platform.
Content fit: Will your existing content style land, or does it need a format shift?
Time cost: Can you show up consistently on the social media app and create content without burning out? Is the time you put into learning and understanding this new platform worth the ROI?
Monetization potential: Is there a clear path to income or brand growth now or in the future?
Creator support: Does the platform offer tools and analytics for creators?
Longevity signs: Is the social app backed by funding, press coverage, or active developments? Will this platform still exist in a 3-year window?
Community fit: Are the community conversations within the app healthy and aligned with your brand voice and values?

Not every “new” platform launched just yesterday. Some of the best social media apps are simply new to most people because they’re still gaining traction. These new social media apps are lesser-known, undercrowded, and full of opportunity for early adopters who want to grow before the masses arrive. Below, you’ll find the platforms to keep on your radar, who they’re for, what content works, and why now is the moment to jump in.

1. Lemon8

Lemon8 is a visually-driven discovery platform that blends lifestyle inspiration with product review, think Instagram meets Pinterest, but with a strong creator-first feel. It’s perfect for creators in fashion, beauty, travel, fitness, and lifestyle niches. Content here is highly visual with photos, vertical videos, and “how-to” or list-style posts. The platform is still under the radar for many, which means your content has a good chance of standing out before the competition floods in.

2. Substack

Founded in 2017, Substack has quickly become a go-to platform for writers, journalists, and creators seeking to build an audience through newsletters. Its core strength is long-form content, allowing creators to publish in-depth content while maintaining direct control over their audience.

One of the platform’s biggest perks is how easy it is to connect with other creators and discover blogs, podcasts, and newsletters across niches like politics, pop culture, food, philosophy, tech, and so much more. Substack is ideal for anyone seeking to establish a loyal community, share in-depth content, and escape the constraints of traditional, fast-scrolling feeds.

3. Fanbase

Fanbase is a creator-focused social network where monetization is built right in. Think of it like a hybrid of Patreon and Twitter where creators can post content, build communities, and earn money through subscriptions or tips. It’s ideal for musicians, writers, influencers, and anyone looking to turn followers into revenue. The platform is still new enough that early adopters can grow a loyal, paying audience before it gets too crowded.

4. BeReal

Launched in 2020, BeReal flips the script on traditional social media by prompting users to post authentic, unfiltered photos once a day at random times. These posts are shared with the people you care about the most. The audience for this platform is younger and typically ranges from Gen Z to Millennials. Content on BeReal is simple, candid, and focuses on slice-of-life posts. It’s a great way for creators to show personality, build trust, and engage audiences in a way that feels genuine.

5. NoPlace

NoPlace is an emerging community-driven app. Unlike most social platforms, there are no photos or videos. Everything on Noplace is simple and text-focused, with customizable pages and real-time status updates. It’s perfect for creators or brands looking to host niche communities. Content on this new social media app is kept conversational, with short updates thriving in a tight-knit space. As it continues to gain traction, early users can build highly engaged micro-communities that feel personal, authentic, and truly interactive.

6. HiveSocial

Hive Social blends Instagram, Twitter (X), and classic Myspace vibes, giving users a chronological feed and customizable profiles. The audience skews towards younger people, often creators who like more control and less algorithm interference. Hive supports images, short videos, and text posts, making it a playground to experiment with and grow a loyal following.

7. Mastodon

Mastodon is a unique decentralized social network made up of independent servers, or “instances,” each with its own rules and culture. The audience is highly engaged and topic-driven, from tech to hobbies. Content on Mastodon is primarily text-based, but images, links, and long discussions are common. For creators, Mastodon offers the chance to join small, interest-focused communities where authentic conversations and real connections thrive.

Getting started on new social media apps doesn’t have to be complicated. A little planning up front can save you time when creating a new account on an unfamiliar platform. The checklist below will guide you through the key steps to set up your profile, prepare your content, and get your social media posts on track.

Create a simple profile template: Include a clear bio, link, and two pinned posts to introduce yourself or your brand.
Plan at least 12 pieces of content: Mix native content creations with repurposed posts to maintain consistency. Having a backlog of content at your disposal also helps you avoid burnout by having content readily available.
Schedule a 90-day posting calendar: Build a content calendar and aim for 2-4 posts per week to keep your feed active and your followers engaged.
Decide clear KPI thresholds: Set benchmarks for continuing, pivoting, or abandoning decisions based on results.
Promote your new social accounts across existing profiles: Share at least three cross-posts to help drive initial traffic.

Common Steps to Avoid

Trying out new social media apps can be exciting, but it’s easy to fall into a few common traps that slow growth or waste valuable time. Being aware of these mistakes upfront can help you stay consistent, measure results, and get the most out of every platform. Common mishaps to avoid include:

Ghosting a platform after a few posts: Give each platform a fair chance. Early social media adopters often take time to build a following on a new social media platform.
Not tracking UTM links or conversions: Without tracking, it’s impossible to know what’s actually driving traffic or results.
Using the same captions everywhere: Each platform has its own audience, so tailor captions to fit the network and keep content feeling fresh.

FAQs

You should test new social media apps for about 90 days with consistent posting. Track key metrics, and if they stay flat after 90 days, it may be time to rethink your approach.

On smaller or emerging apps, formats like short videos, voice notes, behind-the-scenes content, and community prompts tend to perform best. Leveraging early-adopter features helps your content stand out from the crowd.

Even without built-in ad tools, you can measure ROI by using tools like Metricool. Add UTM links, track clicks, monitor direct messages, and analyze conversions all in one dashboard for easy insights.

Yes, if the small audience matches your niche. Smaller, more intimate communities often deliver higher-quality leads than larger, more general audiences.

No, not every brand should be on every app. Focus on the best social media apps where your target audience is already active. Being strategic beats trying to chase every new trend.

No, monetization varies from app to app. Some apps have tipping or subscription features, while others focus more on discovery. Don’t rely solely on platform monetization. Finding other ways to monetize your content through partnerships or product sales is still crucial.

Exploring new social media apps can be fun, but real results occur when you can plan, post, and measure your social posts with intention. Metricool makes it easy to manage multiple platforms, from scheduling your content calendar to writing captions, finding trending hashtags, and tracking performance with clear analytics. Are you ready to simplify your social strategy and get real data on what’s working? Create your Metricool account today and start managing your social media accounts with confidence!

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Emerson Tyler , 25 November 2025