Threads vs Twitter (X): Difference Between Them

Which is better, Twitter or Threads? How do they differ or compare? If you have these questions in mind, worry no more. Below, we look into the details of each platform, exploring their features, pros, and cons, and how they differ and compare.

Social media continues to evolve with the recent arrival of Threads, a new text-based app from Meta, which has quickly gained millions of users. Threads aims to compete with X (formerly known as Twitter), which remains the leading platform for short-form posts despite recent controversies and leadership changes. While X is striving to become an all-encompassing app, Threads, launched in July 2023, focuses on providing a more private and personalized space for sharing thoughts with close connections.

Understanding the differences between X and Threads is crucial for social media marketers crafting their strategies. This detailed guide explores the key features, similarities, differences, and benefits of both platforms, helping you decide which one aligns best with your needs.

What is Twitter?

Now known as X, this social media platform, originally Twitter, has over 500 million monthly users globally. Launched in 2006 by Jack Dorsey and his team, it became popular for its real-time, short messages called “tweets,” which can include text, photos, videos, and links, limited to 280 characters. X is ideal for live updates, news, and trending topics, offering a dynamic feed shaped by hashtags and algorithms. After Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022, Twitter was rebranded as X in July 2023, marking a significant shift in its features and user interface while maintaining its focus on short-form content and real-time interaction.

Key Features of Twitter

Let us take a look at some of the key features of X:

Character Limit. X’s core feature is the tweet, a brief message restricted to 280 characters. This limitation encourages users to be concise and to the point, making communication quick and effective.
Premium Subscription. X offers a subscription service called Twitter Blue, which provides additional features such as an undo button for tweets, a bookmark folder for saving tweets, and options to reduce ads. This service also includes tools for monetization and enhanced account management.
Multimedia Attachments. To enhance tweets, users can attach photos, videos, and GIFs. This feature allows for richer storytelling and more engaging content.
Following and Followers. Users can follow accounts of interest to see their updates and gain followers who subscribe to their posts.
Likes, Reposts, and Replies. Interaction is central to X. Users can like tweets to show appreciation, repost (or retweet) to share content with their followers and reply to engage in conversations with others.
Twitter Spaces. Spaces are live audio chat rooms where users can host or join real-time discussions. This feature offers a dynamic way to engage in conversations beyond traditional text tweets.
Communities: X allows users to create and join groups based on shared interests. Communities facilitate more focused discussions and connections among users with similar passions.
Direct Messages (DMs): DMs enable private conversations between users, allowing for more personal interactions.
Hashtags and Trending Topics: Hashtags are used to categorize tweets and make them easier to find. Trending topics display popular discussions and events, giving users a snapshot of what’s currently significant on the platform.

Pros of Twitter

Content on X can spread rapidly, reaching a large audience in a short time, which can amplify visibility and engagement.
The platform excels in delivering timely news and updates, allowing users to stay informed about current events and industry developments.
Users can share links to their blogs or websites, driving traffic and potentially boosting content visibility.
The 280-character limit encourages users to be brief and direct, making messages quick to read and understand.
Many celebrities and public figures use X, offering users the chance to follow and engage with their favorite personalities.

Cons of Twitter

The platform can be a venue for cyberbullying and trolling, affecting users' mental health and safety.
Despite content moderation, users may still encounter sensitive or explicit material, which can be distressing, particularly for younger audiences.
With numerous accounts competing for attention, it can be challenging for individuals and businesses to stand out and attract followers.

What is Threads?

Owned by Meta, Threads is a social media platform linked to Instagram, designed for sharing public content and personal opinions through text, images, and GIFs. Unlike its rival Twitter, Threads allows posts up to 500 characters long, along with photos and videos up to 5 minutes. Users can log in using their Instagram accounts and customize their Threads profiles separately. The platform emphasizes privacy controls, letting users manage interactions on their posts. While Threads offers a user-friendly interface, it launched with some limitations and a few design flaws. Despite this, Meta is working on updates to enhance its features and overall experience.

Key Features of Threads

This Instagram-linked app offers several unique features including:

Text-Based Updates. Unlike Instagram, Threads emphasizes text updates, allowing users to post messages up to 500 characters long.
Clean Interface. The app offers a streamlined design, reducing clutter and helping users focus on important conversations.
Instant Updates. The platform supports real-time updates and public conversations, keeping users engaged with ongoing discussions and news.
Group Messaging. Users can create group chats, facilitating easy communication with multiple people for projects or event planning.
Multimedia Integration. Users can post not only text but also links, images, and videos up to 5 minutes long, providing different content options.
Auto Status. Threads automatically update your status based on your location and activity, letting others know what you are doing without manual updates.
Privacy Settings. Threads include advanced privacy features, allowing users to control who can mention them, comment on their posts, and automatically block accounts they have blocked on Instagram.

Pros of Threads

Many users find Threads easier to navigate, thanks to its intuitive design.
As a new platform, Threads offers an opportunity to connect with a wider audience, especially in its early stages when gaining visibility is easier.
You can easily migrate your Instagram followers to Threads.
Threads is committed to content moderation, aiming to remove hate speech, threats, and other harmful content in line with Instagram’s community guidelines.
Threads is entirely free and allows longer posts of up to 500 characters, providing more space for content.

Cons of Threads

You must have an Instagram account to use Threads, as the platforms are linked.
Threads lacks advanced features like content search, hashtag usage, and detailed analytics, restricting how users can discover and measure engagement.

Similarities between Twitter and Threads

Threads and X are both social media platforms designed for public interaction and content sharing. Despite their differences, they share several similarities such as:

Public Content Sharing. Both platforms enable users to post updates that are visible to a wide audience, fostering public engagement.
Engagement Tools. Each platform includes tools for users to like, comment on, and share posts, promoting interaction.
Text and Multimedia Posts. Users on both Threads and X can share a mix of text, images, and videos, allowing for different content expression.
Public Conversations. Both platforms support public conversations, letting users engage with a variety of topics and discussions.
Follow System. Users can follow others to see their updates in their feeds, keeping track of their posts and activities.

Differences between Twitter and Threads

Since X and Threads are owned by two different tech giants, they exhibit notable differences in features and functionality. X, with its long-standing presence, offers a broader range of functionalities compared to Threads, which is relatively new. Here are some key differences between the two platforms:

Character Limit. X imposes a 280-character limit on standard tweets, while Threads allows up to 500 characters per post. This extended limit on Threads facilitates more detailed posts compared to X's more concise format.
Multiple Media Posts. Threads permits users to include up to 10 images or videos in a single post. In comparison, X limits users to a maximum of 4 images, videos, or GIFs per tweet.
Direct Messaging. X features a unique in-app messaging system that supports private one-on-one chats, group conversations, and media sharing. Threads, however, does not currently offer a direct messaging feature, focusing instead on public interactions through comments.
Video Uploads. Threads supports video uploads of up to 5 minutes, which is significantly longer than X's 2-minute and 20-second limit. This makes Threads more suitable for users looking to share extended video content.
Feed Structure. Threads provides a feed based exclusively on accounts you follow, without additional customization options. X offers various feeds, including “For You” and “Following,” allowing users to tailor their content view based on interests and trending topics.
Search and Discovery. X has a well-developed search functionality, including hashtags and advanced search options to discover specific content. Threads currently lacks comprehensive search features and hashtags, limiting content discoverability.
User Interface. X features a more complex layout with multiple tabs and options for discovery and interaction. Threads has a simpler interface with fewer customization options, focusing primarily on content sharing and interaction.
Account Dependency. X is a standalone platform where users can create accounts independently. Threads requires an Instagram account for access, linking profiles, and using Instagram's verification system.
Privacy Controls. Both platforms offer privacy settings, but Threads provides specific controls over who can see and respond to your posts. X allows users to set their accounts to private, but its privacy features are generally less granular compared to Threads.
Ads and Monetization. X supports a variety of ad formats and monetization options for content creators. Threads currently do not have monetization features or ad support, although this may change in the future as the platform evolves.
Platform Availability. X is accessible across various devices, including web browsers, mobile phones, and tablets. Threads is primarily available as a mobile app and was initially restricted in some regions, though it has recently expanded its accessibility.
Trending Topics. X includes a “Trending Topics” section showcasing popular posts and news, which helps users stay updated on current trends. Threads does not have a dedicated trending section, making it less focused on real-time trending topics.
Verification System. Threads uses Instagram’s verification system, meaning if you’re verified on Instagram, you’re also verified on Threads. X has a more complicated verification process, including a paid model called Twitter Blue, which costs $8 per month or $84 per year for the blue checkmark. X also offers additional verification options, such as a gray checkmark for government accounts and a gold checkmark for some organizations and news outlets.
Moderation and Atmosphere. Twitter has faced criticism for its lack of effective content moderation, resulting in a more toxic environment with frequent harassment and abuse. Threads benefits from stricter moderation and a more controlled environment, fostering a generally more positive user experience

Twitter or Threads?

When choosing between Twitter and Threads, it depends on your goals. Twitter offers a range of features and has a large, established user base, making it ideal for those who want extensive metrics, immediate interaction, and advertising opportunities. It is a good choice for reaching a broad audience and engaging with established brands and influencers. However, its content can sometimes be overwhelming or toxic due to less moderation.

On the other hand, Threads allows for longer posts and focuses on more detailed conversations, making it suitable for thoughtful discussions and building a more controlled community. Although Threads saw rapid growth initially, it experienced a significant drop in daily users. For those looking to innovate and engage in a more personal way, especially if they have a strong Instagram presence, Threads could be a promising option.

Conclusion

Both Twitter and Threads are ideal for different purposes. Twitter is great for real-time updates, broad audience engagement, and advanced features like metrics views and advertising options. It is especially useful for marketers due to its large user base and detailed analytics. Threads, however, is better for in-depth, topic-specific discussions with a focus on longer posts and private interactions. While Threads offers unique opportunities and integrates with Instagram, it does not yet match Twitter’s broad reach and feature set.