For years, social networking has been dominated by platforms owned by Meta, Google, TikTok, Snap and X. But a growing group of startups is trying to carve out space with smaller, more specialized communities.
Many of the new apps target younger users looking for experiences centered on friends, interests and niche communities rather than mass audiences.
Here are some of the platforms attracting attention.
Retro: A more private photo-sharing app
Created by former Instagram employees Nathan Sharp and Ryan Olson, Retro focuses on sharing photos with close friends.
Features include:
- Weekly photo highlights.
- Albums for organizing pictures.
- Search tools for finding users.
- Privacy settings that control who can view older photos.
Available on: iOS and Android
Cosmos: Inspiration without Pinterest clutter
Cosmos is aimed at creative users seeking alternatives to Pinterest.
The app allows users to:
- Search by color, keyword or image.
- Build profiles around personal tastes.
- Follow other creators.
- Collaborate on collections.
- Discover products that match their style.
Available on: iOS and Android
Indigo: One app for Bluesky and Mastodon
For users exploring decentralized social networks, Indigo combines Bluesky and Mastodon in one interface.
The app offers:
- A shared timeline.
- Simultaneous posting to both networks.
- Access to custom feeds.
- Extensive personalization tools.
Indigo was co-created by developer Ben McCarthy and designer Aaron Vegh.
Available on: iOS
Corner describes itself as “Google Maps but social.”
The app, which says it has more than 125,000 users, allows people to create and share lists of favorite places.
Popular categories include:
- Restaurants.
- Independent bookstores.
- Live music venues.
- Queer nightlife.
- Specialty food spots.
Users can keep lists private or make them public.
Available on: iOS
Divine: Bringing Vine back
Divine aims to revive the six-second video format popularized by Vine.
The platform contains around:
- 500,000 videos
- Content from nearly 100,000 original Vine creators
Several former Vine personalities have returned, including:
- Lele Pons
- JimmyHere
- MightyDuck
- Jack and Jack
The project receives backing from Jack Dorsey’s nonprofit and Other Stuff.
Available on: iOS, Android and web
Mesh: Networking meets personal CRM
Owned by Automattic, Mesh helps users manage relationships and keep track of contacts.
The service monitors:
- LinkedIn profile changes.
- X posts.
- Publications.
- Other activity across professional networks.
Users can also schedule reminders to reconnect with people.
Mesh was previously known as Clay before being acquired in 2025.
Available on: iOS, desktop and web
Fable recently expanded through a bundle with digital reading platform Everand, giving subscribers access to 1.5 million e-books and audiobooks.
Users can:
- Rate books.
- Share reviews.
- Join online book clubs.
- Receive recommendations from others.
Available on: iOS and Android
Locket: Friends on your home screen
Locket popularized the idea of displaying updates from friends directly on the iPhone home screen.
The app supports:
- Live photo widgets.
- Messages.
- Weekly photo collections.
- Artist accounts.
Available on: iOS and Android
Airbuds focuses on music listening habits.
Features include:
- Sharing streaming activity.
- Emoji and sticker reactions.
- Music quizzes.
- Taste comparisons with friends.
- Profile customization.
Available on: iOS and Android
Recently launched The Mall turns online shopping into a community activity.
Users can:
- Follow brands.
- Track new releases.
- View friends’ collections.
- Discover recommendations based on personal style.
Available on: iOS (waitlist)
Shelf: Organizing personal tastes
Shelf is designed to help users catalog their interests.
Content categories include:
- Music.
- Movies.
- Television.
- Books.
The platform also allows users to browse friends’ collections for inspiration.
Unlike traditional social media, Shelf emphasizes privacy over audience growth.
Available on: Multiple platforms.
TL;DR:
A growing number of startups are challenging established social networks with apps focused on photos, books, music, shopping and niche communities. Platforms such as Retro, Airbuds, Fable and Divine are offering alternatives to traditional social media.
AI summary:
- Startups are launching social apps aimed at smaller communities.
- Retro focuses on private photo sharing.
- Indigo combines Bluesky and Mastodon in one app.
- Divine revives the six-second video format popularized by Vine.
- Airbuds and Fable build social experiences around music and books.
