Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

X vs Threads

X 4.6★ · Free to download 65
Winner X
Threads 4.6★ · Free + IAP 55

X offers a more dynamic and uncensored environment for news and public discourse, despite its technical issues and content moderation controversies, while Threads aims for a more curated, community-focused experience but struggles with bugs and feature inconsistencies.

Full reviews: X · Threads

X (formerly Twitter) is praised for being a fast source of news and a platform for free expression, though it's criticized for technical bugs, bot proliferation, and content moderation issues. Threads, while appreciated for its community and attempt at a 'new Twitter,' is plagued by sound glitches, confusing navigation, and inconsistent feature rollout.

Head to head

Features & Content edge: XR3R4R7R8
X X is valued as a primary source for real-time news and diverse opinions, with users appreciating features like translation and the AI Grok R8. However, users also report issues with displaying retweets and threads, difficulty finding specific subject matter, and problems with podcast playback R3R12. Some users also complain about an abundance of bots, propaganda, and explicit content R4R7R41.
Threads Threads users appreciate the potential for a great community and a platform reminiscent of 'old Twitter' R66. However, many express frustration over missing features like adding music to posts or profiles, and a desire for more customization . There are also complaints about irrelevant notifications and a lack of interesting content .
Ease of Use & Reliability tieR10R12R19R22
X X users report numerous bugs, including issues with clicking on posts on iPad, videos not playing after connection loss, messages not working, and videos playing in the background R10R19R22. Some find the app confusing or difficult to navigate R12.
Threads Threads users frequently report sound glitches where video audio doesn't work, stacks, or continues playing after scrolling R66. Many find the app confusing or difficult to navigate, especially regarding notifications and finding specific content R76R79R100. There are also reports of the app being blank or not loading content .
Content Moderation & Community tieR1R4R5R7
X X is highly controversial regarding content moderation. Many users praise it as a 'free speech platform,' allowing diverse views R5. However, an equal number criticize it for being an 'approved speech app,' censoring, shadowbanning, and allowing too much hate speech, anti-Semitism, and explicit content R1R4R7R15.
Threads Threads users have mixed opinions on moderation. Some describe it as a 'cesspool of idiocy and degeneracy' with 'zero moderation or accountability,' allowing lies, misinformation, and even porn . Others, however, advocate for 'freedom of speech' and complain about censorship .
Price & Value edge: XR27R30R49R96
X X is free to download, but some users complain about a 'pay-to-play' model where verification costs are too high and non-subscribers' profiles aren't acknowledged R27R30. There are also reports of being charged unexpectedly R49.
Threads Threads is free with in-app purchases. Reviews do not directly address the IAP, but there are complaints about ads appearing more frequently, which could be related to the free tier experience R96.
Account Management & Support tieR47R51R94R99
X X users report being banned for 'inauthentic behaviors' with appeals reviewed by AI, leading to frustration and inability to get accounts back R47R51.
Threads Threads users report accounts being randomly disabled or 'nuked' for no reason, even after attempting ID verification, with some users flagged as bots for interacting with posts R94R99.
Pick X if

You prioritize real-time news and a platform for diverse, often unfiltered, public conversation, and are willing to tolerate technical glitches and controversial content R5R8.

Pick Threads if

You are looking for a social media experience focused on community and connection, reminiscent of earlier social platforms, and are hopeful for future feature improvements, despite current bugs and navigation challenges R66.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of 1-star reviews, often expressing strong negative opinions without much detail. The free-to-download nature of both apps means many negative reviews likely come from users encountering friction or dissatisfaction without a financial commitment, making a direct comparison of 'value' challenging beyond the stated costs.

Frequently asked

Is X (formerly Twitter) truly a free speech platform?
User reviews are sharply divided on whether X is a true free speech platform; some praise it for allowing diverse views R5, while others strongly criticize it for censorship, shadowbanning, and allowing hate speech R1R15R16.
What are the main technical issues with Threads?
The main technical issues with Threads include persistent sound glitches where video audio doesn't play or stacks R66, difficulties with navigation and finding content R76R79R100, and reports of the app being blank or not loading .
Do either of these apps have issues with bots or fake content?
Yes, both X and Threads users report issues with bots and fake content. X users frequently complain about 'BOTS EVERYWHERE' and 'propaganda' R4R7R41, while Threads users describe the platform as 'fake,' full of 'lies,' and 'brain rot content' R82.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] X 3/5 · US new update: bring displaying of retweets and threads on the account back
  2. [R4] X 1/5 · US Garbage: What a garbage propaganda app this has become . Elon sure did destroy twitter . BOTS EVERYWHERE if he got rid of them he’d have no platform !
  3. [R7] X 2/5 · US 50/50: X has become a group of people who each want to share their opinion, while wading through a swamp of rage bait and propaganda.
  4. [R8] X 5/5 · US News: Good
  5. [R10] X 1/5 · US BUG ridden: Please fix the bug where on an IPad 13 using the Magic Keyboard you can’t click on a tweet in For You tab.
  6. [R12] X 3/5 · US Frustrated: I can’t figure out how to find subject matter I like
  7. [R19] X 1/5 · US Problem with videos: If you play any videos and suddenly lose your connection , the video NEVER AGAIN PLAYED for you
  8. [R22] X 2/5 · US Hi: I can’t even respond to comment on the timeline I deleted the app and reinstalled it…now it is telling to use the official X apps or try again later Please assist me
  9. [R1] X 1/5 · US FrEeeeeSpEEch*: This is NOT a free speech app. It is an approved speech app. Same as it ever was.
  10. [R5] X 4/5 · US Best Social Media App: This is my favorite social media app. Enjoy the real people able to share their view without getting kicked off. Good for hearing what’s really going on from reliable accounts, since the actual cable news is narrated. The bots are annoying, but those are on all the apps. I also wish more people would see posts and respond. It’s so big in the world the app is more autonomous
  11. [R27] X 3/5 · GB Verifying Cost too high!: I understand that when you are a trillionaire then £10 a month or even £5 a month is nothing but for us ordinary folk it us a lot! Make verification costs for non commercial accounts, 50p a month and you will make a lot more money…..
  12. [R30] X 3/5 · GB Pay to play: Unfortunately, it’s now mostly pay-to-play unless you subscribe; your profile won’t get acknowledged otherwise. I wouldn’t call it “social media” anymore it’s more of a news app now. There’s no real way to engage or meet new people. A large proportion of users now use AI to post, and many others are either engagement farming or bots. That said, it’s a fantastic place for free speech,
  13. [R49] X 2/5 · US Paying?: Since when did u have to pay for X? Trying to charge me 3.22?
  14. [R96] Threads 3/5 · GB Knew it was too good to last: Threads was somewhere kind, quiet, fun, without adverts screaming at us. Now every few posts is an advert. Admittedly they haven’t made video adverts yet but it’s still disappointing when you think you’ve found another artist to support and follow only to discover it’s got a little gray “Ad” at the side of their name
  15. [R47] X 1/5 · US Banned for inauthentic behaviors: Banned for inauthentic behaviors when I woke up one day. Every appeal is reviewed by AI and doesn’t give a reason when I submit an appeal. This needs to be fixed bc people are being suspended for using the app as they normally would
  16. [R51] X 1/5 · US Have been banned: I loved this site but they banned me and won’t fix it. Say I’m in authentic
  17. [R94] Threads 1/5 · US randomly disabled my account: i’ve had my instagram for awhile now and decided to try threads. i guess it flagged me as a bot because i was interacting with posts. i even did the picture ID, but the automated system instantly disabled my account??? don’t try it unless you wanna be disabled for using the app.
  18. [R99] Threads 3/5 · GB Disabling accounts is not ok: One thing i dont get in this app how even the safest accounts get nuked for no particular reason.
  19. [R15] X 3/5 · US Good, but...: Elon touts that it's the free speech platform, but it's really not, due to lots of censorship and shadowbanning of anyone who dares criticizes the oven dodgers.
  20. [R16] X 1/5 · US X has too many haters: X has too many haters and allows anti-Semites and lunatics to have too much of a voice. This has put Jewish People and the State of Israel in danger
  21. [R66] Threads 3/5 · US Sound on videos: When I first downloaded this app my sound worked fine but now it doesn’t work and I deleted it and reinstalled and still isn’t complying. Would’ve been five stars because it reminds me of the old Twitter!!! Love it guys, DO NOT change or “update” anything!
  22. [R76] Threads 1/5 · US My opinion: This app is very confusing. Do not like it!
  23. [R79] Threads 1/5 · US Confusing: What is the purpose of threads?
  24. [R100] Threads 2/5 · US The latest update has messed up the app: Now when I click on a thread in instagram I am no longer directed to that same thread in the threads app. Moreover, my threads homepage no longer acts like a for you page with posts that my interest me but rather other shows posts from the 3 ppl I follow. I hate it. Before updating my app threads worked perfectly fine.
  25. [R41] X 5/5 · US Fed posting galore: They need to remove the fed and AI posting altogether and have only real people who aren’t affiliated with such things posts allowed on here.
  26. [R82] Threads 1/5 · US Fake, waste of time!: Everything is fake. The profiles. The news. It’s all fake horse.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store