After a while, mainstream social media apps like Instagram or Snapchat can get a little boring. So wouldn’t it be nice to try something new?
As always, we’re here to help. That’s why we’ve found the best obscure social media apps that you can use to meet new people in new ways.
1. Plato
Are you looking for somewhere to relax? Plato’s got your back. It’s an awesome place to loosen up and have some fun. No sign up, phone number, or email needed.
Just download the app, set a nickname, and you’re in! You can start playing a variety of games, like Table Soccer, Draw Together, and Dungeon Tables, all while chatting with people from around the world.
You can also join traditional chat rooms and start sending friend requests to people you like. And outside of chat rooms, nobody will be able to message you until you accept their friend request.
It’s a very unique, fun, and simple concept, and reminds us of the carefree chat rooms of old.
Download: Plato for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)
2. 7 Cups
When you’re feeling anxious or sad, talking to a caring soul can really help. 7 Cups is a platform where you can get 1-on-1 support from professional listeners.
It’s completely anonymous and free, so no need to schedule an appointment with costly therapists. With 7 Cups, you’re able to join chat rooms and support communities to discuss issues, build new relationships, and overall boost your well-being.
Later on, you can even become a volunteer listener and help those in need. Making 7 Cups one of the most wholesome obscure social media apps.
Download: 7 Cups for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
3. Happn
Happn is an awesome dating app that’s totally different from the others. It helps you find people who you’ve crossed paths with in public, and if you both like each other, you’ll be able start a chat. How exciting is that?
It’s all confidential, too. Your exact location won’t ever be given out to others. You’ll only see an approximate time and place that corresponds to when you and the other person were close.
And even if you’re single and not ready to mingle, this app could still be an awesome way to meet new friends in your local area.
Download: Happn for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)
4. IMVU
IMVU is more than a social media platform—it’s a virtual world where you can be a rockstar. It lets you create a 3D avatar and express yourself like never before.
There are tons of customization options for your avatar, like snazzy hairstyles, flashy kicks, and many more. And once you’ve finished your look, there are hundreds of different 3D chat rooms you can plunge into. Some are modeled after real world locations, while others are pure fantasy realms. They’re filled with global users, each represented by their own unique virtual-selves.
In summary, IMVU is an outstanding way to temporarily escape reality and it’s definitely worth installing.
Download: IMVU for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)
5. Hoop
If you’re not bored with Snapchat, but are still itching to make new connections, Hoop is for you. Hoop is like the Tinder for Snapchat users.
It’ll aid you in finding new Snap friends who share the same interests and passions as you. Just give Hoop some quick info, and it’ll bring you the profiles of others that you can approve and disapprove.
What’s also neat is that your Snap remains private, so only those who you match with will be able to receive it. This means no unwanted messages or harassment from random people.
Download: Hoop for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)
6. Quack
Have you ever heard the saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend?” Well, Quack’s version of this is, “The friend of my friend is my friend.”
To put it simply, Quack allows you to meet your friends’ friends. By doing so, you’ll establish new connections and safely expand your social circle with people you can trust. After making a profile, just import your contacts, and you’ll start seeing every Quack user associated with the numbers in your contacts list.
And what’s awesome is that Quack never shares anybody’s phone number, so your privacy always remains intact.
Download: Quack for iOS | Android (Free)
7. Wakie
Wakie is a place where you’re free to have thoughtful conversations without the fear of feeling judged. It boasts a large and diverse global community of people who just want to talk.
After making an account, you’ll see a live, neverending feed of topics from people all over the world. By pressing the call button on a topic, you can discuss its subject matter via voice call if your call request is accepted. And after finishing a call, you can rate a person based on how much you enjoyed the conversation.
Thanks to all of this, you can make new friends and have deep conversations, all while practicing new languages along the way.
Download: Wakie for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)
8. HOLLA
HOLLA is an app that randomly matches you with strangers through two ways; voice and video chat. What sets it apart from other roulette apps is that when voice chatting, you and the other caller will both need to accept each other’s calls to proceed.
Likewise, when video calling, the chat will be blurred until a face is detected to prevent unwanted content from appearing on-screen. This creates a barrier of safety.
Also, while video calling, you can set up lots of fun filters. And once you’ve finished, you can send friend requests to keep the conversation going later on.
In essence, HOLLA is a fun way of chatting to strangers, and the best option if you want to chat with new faces and voices.
Download: HOLLA for iOS (Free, in-app purchases)
Why Not Try a Social Media Detox?
While these obscure social media apps offer alternatives to the norm, sometimes, the best alternative to social media is, well… no social media at all.
Social media is often very stressful, and we frequently find ourselves pulling our hair out at some of the content we see, read, and publish. That’s why it can be really healthy and relieving to take a break from your phone once in a while. So why not go out, get some fresh air, and explore nature?
For more on this, be sure to read our tutorial explaining how to enjoy a social media detox.
Read the full article: 8 Obscure Social Media Apps for When You Get Bored