The best Nostr alternatives to centralized services

Damus caused a stir a few months ago when it arrived as a decentralized alternative to Twitter. Backed by Twitter's own co-founder and former CEO, Jack Dorsey, Damus is built on the Nostr protocol, which allows developers to create decentralized and censorship-resistant social media platforms.

We were the first exchange to get on Damus but since then the protocol has grown well beyond being solely a Twitter replacement. All sorts of alternatives to centralized services are being built on top of Nostr at the moment, to the point tracking them all can get overwhelming.

Here's a few options to help you stay ahead of the curve and connect with like-minded users. 👇

1. Nvote: The Reddit alternative

Meet Nvote, the rebellious cousin of Reddit. It packs innovative features to combat censorship and keep things user-friendly. How? By ditching the control of a single company and embracing a decentralized database. Nvote rocks a reputation points system that acts like a VIP pass for quality content.

This system effectively promotes the visibility of top-tier content while discouraging the proliferation of spam and misinformation.There are no ads, javascript, or images except in posts; inline images can be disabled in the platform settings.

While still in the development stage, Nvote has the potential to become a prominent contender in the realm of decentralized social media.

2. Nostrgram: The Twitter alternative

For Android users patiently awaiting their BlueSky code, there's another noteworthy Twitter alternative called Nostrgram.

Nostrgram is a decentralized microblogging platform that allows users to post concise messages called "toots." These toots are limited to 500 characters and can include text, images, and links. Like Twitter, users can follow others and view their toots in their timelines. Nostrgram also incorporates familiar Twitter features such as hashtags, mentions, and direct messages. This creates a sense of continuity for users transitioning from Twitter to Nostrgram.

If you are on Android and are looking for a Damus or BlueSky alternative, you can also give Amethyst a try on the PlayStore.

3. Pinstr: The Pinterest alternative

Pinstr is an open-source and decentralized social network allowing you to showcase your favorite things in a list format. Think of it as a public bookmark page but for more than webpages. If you're new to the Nostr protocol, some lists can help you discover new clients built on Nostr. And others simply list personal interests like movies or video games.

Other Nostr clients and platforms to explore

The Nostr protocol can appear overwhelming for some new users. However, the tools and platforms below should help simplify your onboarding experience.

1. Nostr Sorvn: Sorvn makes it easier to set up your privately controlled NIP-05 identifier/Nostr address. You'll have one address for your profile, lightning wallet, and email. Sorvn can complete the process for you, whether you want to use your own server (30000 SATS) or the Bitcoin Nostr server (15000 SATS). Alternatively, Sorvn offers a free guide to setting it up yourself.

2. OstrichGram: OstrichGram empowers you to take control of your online identity. With OstrichGram, you can generate your unique keys and identities, securely store your friends' public keys, and explore various relays to join chatrooms. You can also engage in group conversations and effortlessly send encrypted messages directly to your trusted contacts. As of now, it's only available for Linux and Windows.

3. Nostr Development Kit: The Nostr Development Kit (NDK) is a user-friendly library designed to support the development of cross-platform Nostr applications. By using NDK, devs can focus on building their applications without being burdened by the intricacies of the underlying processes. Additionally, beginners can benefit from the project's comprehensive tutorials, offering step-by-step guidance on building applications within the Nostr protocol.

4. Jester: Jester is a multiplayer chess experience allowing you to engage in exciting matches against another user or an AI opponent. Although currently focused on chess, Jester plans to introduce additional games soon.

The final word

As you can see, Nostr is undoubtedly more than just a Twitter alternative. In fact, the protocol sees new clients budding every week. So whether you're a participant looking for a new decentralized social platform or a developer, Nostr might have something in store for you.

Remember, though: some of these clients are still in the experimental phases. While you're exploring, never share your private keys with anyone.