Threads vs. X (Formerly Twitter)

After Meta released its new Instagram app, Threads, Elon Musk took everyone by surprise when he completely eradicated Twitter’s legacy and replaced it with a new logo, X. 

This has been an ongoing fight between Meta and X. Once Musk took control of Twitter, he implemented many significant changes, such as the addition of Twitter Blue, the app’s first subscription-based program. Many users didn’t feel like paying for this subscription was worth saving the blue check verification. 

So what does Meta do? Creates a Twitter lookalike. 

Today we are going to compare Threads vs. X, to look at their (slim) differences, and the feedback users and companies have thus far. 

Threads Features 

Since Threads is an Instagram account, you must have an Instagram account in order to sign up for Threads. This allows you to link your Instagram account to Threads, and vice versa. 

This makes it easy to transfer data, followers, and profile information, so you aren’t starting from scratch. 

Threads can be found on both iOS and Google Play but only on mobile versions. The web version only shows a QR code to download the app. 

In terms of features, Threads allows the following functions on the app: 

• Text posts, up to 500 characters.
• Videos, up to 5 minutes. 
• Images and GIFs. 
• Website links. 
• Limit of 10 items per thread. 
• Restrictions to mentions and replies. 

Users have the option to share Threads content on Instagram stories or share as a link across other platforms. 

To interact with content, you have the option to like, comment, repost, and share. Verifications will automatically carry over from Instagram to Threads. 

X Features 

Now let’s look at what features have stayed the same, and what new features are available on the app. 

When it comes to creating an account on X, if you had a Twitter account, your information and profile will remain the same. This is obviously not an Instagram app, so you can’t sign in via Instagram. 

X is available on iOS, Google Play, and is compatible with iPads. You can also access X on the website version, the last place where the ‘Twitter.com’ domain remains. 

Since X has a subscription service, now called X Blue, there are different features available for the free and paid versions. 

Here are the features available for free users: 

• Text posts, up to 280 characters. 
• Videos up to 140 seconds. 
• Images and GIFs. 
• Website links. 
• Polls. 
• Limit to four items per post. 
• Restrictions on mentions and replies. 

Those who pay for X Blue have access to exclusive features, as well as receive the blue or gold verification check. The pricing for X Blue starts at $8/month on the web version, and $11/month on the iOS and Android versions. 

Here are the features for X Blue users: 

• Text posts up to 25,000 characters. 
• Videos up to 3 hours and 8GB file size. 
• Edit posts, up to 1 hour after posting. 
• Prioritized ranking in feed and search. 
• Bold or italicize options in text posts. 
• 50% fewer ads in the For You and Following tabs. 

To learn more about X Blue, visit here. 

Threads vs. X: The Differences 

As you can see, Threads features mirror Twitter/X’s basic features, however some noticeable differences between Threads vs. X.

First, there is no direct messaging option available in the Threads app. This limits interactions between users, and doesn’t facilitate relationship-building between users, or users and brands. 

Another difference is that although Threads has a search option, this is limited to searching for accounts and usernames. On X, you can search for a variety of categories, browse content by hashtags, perform advanced searches, and filter feed by people or locations. 

In terms of searchability and connectivity, X seems to have significantly more options. X users can also view their content’s analytics, post to private circles, enable paid subscriptions for followers, and engage in Communities and live audio conversations. 

However, we can’t be too harsh on Threads considering it has only been out less than a month. 

Threads vs. X: User Feedback  

Whereas X’s capabilities make Threads look small, what X doesn’t supply is an ad-free, clean app, where user’s are excluded from paid features. 

For the regular user, the daily limits on X can be frustrating. Many users are also frustrated with the monopoly of X, and its money-hungry drive. And after X’s API changes, many brands weren’t willing to pay the astronomical price. 

X is also currently flighting back against claims of increased hate speech on the app, since Elon Musk stepped in. The Verge reported that slurs against transgender and Black people jumped after Musk bought the company. Musk has denied these allgeations and responded via X’s Safety account. 

When Threads was released, they emphasized their goal to create a “fediverse” meaning that different social networks could come together in a decentralized manner. This would eliminate autonomic power and allow for different servers to communicate with each other. 

Threads made a huge boom with its 10 million sign ups in less than a week. Since its launch, Threads daily active users has dropped by 70%, and the average user time on the apps is just four minutes. 

It’s clear that both networks are under severe heat. 

So, what’s the final verdict in the Threads vs. X debate? 

The truth is, it’s up to you. Both apps have pros and cons, and ultimately it’s up to what your goals are on the app. Want to stay up to date with Threads vs. X debate? Follow our social media blasts for the latest updates on social media news. 

Anniston Ward , 03 August 2023