BeReal vs. Threads: Which App Replaces Traditional Social Sharing?
In the ever-evolving world of social media, traditional platforms like Instagram and Facebook have long dominated the scene. However, recent trends show that users are gravitating toward apps that offer more authentic, spontaneous, and less curated experiences. Two apps that have been getting significant attention in this regard are BeReal and Threads. Both promise to reshape the way we share moments online, but which one stands a better chance of replacing traditional social sharing? Let’s dive into the features, philosophies, and potential futures of BeReal and Threads to see which app might lead to the next wave of social media.
BeReal: The Raw, Unfiltered Snapshot
Launched in 2020, BeReal has quickly gained popularity, particularly among Gen Z. The app's premise is refreshingly simple: every day at a random time, it prompts users to take and share an unfiltered photo using both the front and back cameras of their phones. The idea is to capture a real, unscripted moment without the usual gloss of edits, filters, or carefully curated poses that we’ve come to expect from traditional social media platforms.
Key Features:
Daily Notification: BeReal sends a notification at a random time, urging users to share what they’re doing at that moment. No scheduled posting, no prep time—just a raw, in-the-moment snapshot of your life.
Authenticity: The lack of editing tools or filters encourages users to post photos that feel more authentic. This eliminates the pressures of perfection, which is a core critique of platforms like Instagram.
Reciprocal Interaction: You can only see your friends’ photos after you post your own, reinforcing the idea of mutual authenticity and spontaneity.
No Likes or Follower Metrics: BeReal does not emphasize likes, followers, or comments. This creates an environment where users can share without worrying about validation or competition.
Pros:
Authenticity over Perfection: BeReal’s core value is authenticity, attracting users tired of the constant pressure to present a polished, idealized life on social media.
Simplicity: The random prompts make the app feel spontaneous, offering a refreshing break from the highly strategic content creation on more traditional platforms.
Low Stakes: Because the photos are raw and ephemeral, the risk of feeling “left out” or “judged” is reduced. It’s about real moments, not likes or engagement.
Cons:
Limited Content: Because posts are only allowed once per day and focus on unpolished moments, some users may find BeReal limiting if they want to engage in more creative or diverse types of content.
Monotony: Over time, users may find the randomness of the app repetitive or stale, especially if the novelty of unfiltered posts fades.
Privacy Concerns: Users may feel uncomfortable sharing unplanned, everyday moments, especially if they’re in public or with others who didn’t consent to being featured in a photo.
Threads: The Intimate, Text-Based Connection
Launched in 2023, Threads is Instagram’s attempt at building a text-based platform, designed to capitalize on the trend toward more personal, intimate conversations. It is often compared to Twitter but with a focus on fostering close-knit, private communities, particularly within existing social circles. While it’s not strictly about photo-sharing, Threads introduces a new way of interacting with your inner circle, in a more “personal” and less curated format.
Key Features:
Instagram Integration: Threads is directly tied to Instagram, allowing users to seamlessly share content from Instagram to Threads without the hassle of logging into a separate app.
Close Friends Focus: Threads are designed around your “Close Friends” list from Instagram. This allows for more intimate, direct sharing among your tight-knit group, rather than posting for a wide audience.
Private and Personal Sharing: The app lets you share text, photos, and videos in a more low-key, less public way, encouraging interactions that feel more like casual conversations than a public broadcast.
Status Updates: Threads allow users to set a status (e.g., “At the gym” or “Working on a project”) to give followers a glimpse into their daily lives without needing to post every little detail.
Pros:
Closer Connection with Friends: With its close friends’ integration, Threads fosters a more personal environment where you can share updates with a smaller, more intimate audience.
Less Pressure to Perform: Because the focus is on close-knit groups, there’s less of the performative aspect of social media, which has become a significant criticism of larger platforms like Instagram.
Real-Time Sharing: Like BeReal, Threads supports real-time updates, but with more flexibility in terms of content and post timing.
Cons:
Potential Overlap with Instagram: Some users may find Threads redundant since Instagram already supports private messaging and Stories, which serve a similar function.
Limited Discoverability: Because the app is more about small groups, users may miss the broad social exposure that platforms like Twitter or Instagram offer.
Growing Pains: As a newer app, Threads is still figuring out its identity and user base, which may limit its long-term appeal.
The Future of Social Media: Which One Has Staying Power?
When comparing BeReal and Threads, each app offers distinct advantages, but both also face challenges in their quest to replace traditional social sharing. So, which one has the potential to lead the way?
BeReal: The New Era of Authenticity
BeReal has tapped into a growing desire for more authentic, unfiltered social sharing. People are tired of presenting idealized versions of their lives and are craving real, raw experiences. This makes BeReal incredibly appealing to those who want to escape the pressures of polished Instagram content. However, its reliance on a daily, random prompt may not offer the same flexibility or variety that more established platforms do. Over time, BeReal’s novelty could wear off unless it evolves to offer more ways to engage with content.
Threads: Redefining Private Sharing
Threads offer something very different—intimate, real-time conversations with those you care about most. It prioritizes personal connections, which could make it a great fit for users who want to share and engage in a more meaningful, less public way. However, Threads may struggle to differentiate itself from Instagram’s existing features, like DMs and Stories. It’s also unclear whether users will embrace a new platform for private text and photo sharing when their “Close Friends” feature already exists on Instagram.
Conclusion: A New Kind of Social Sharing?
Both BeReal and Threads are a break from the heavily curated world of traditional social media. BeReal’s commitment to authenticity offers a refreshing alternative to highly polished platforms like Instagram, while Threads emphasizes personal, private connections overbroad, public engagement.
If your goal is to share real, in-the-moment moments without the filter, BeReal is likely your best bet. It taps into a desire for spontaneity and authenticity, which could lead to deeper connections with a select group of friends. On the other hand, if you value intimacy and meaningful exchanges within a smaller circle, Threads could replace the need for traditional sharing on a platform like Instagram.
Ultimately, the future of social media will likely involve a blend of both. Apps like BeReal and Threads are challenging the notion that social sharing needs to be polished, viral, or heavily edited. They are helping to define a new era of social media—one that prioritizes authenticity and genuine connection over the constant pursuit of perfection.
