By The landscape of Twitter apps has changed a ton since 2012, with Twitter’s latest API and developer policies limiting most third-party apps to just 100,000 users. This means apps often “die” before the getting gets good, and users are always forced to find new options if they can’t get their hands on a token for their favorite app.
To make the search easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top Twitter apps for Android in 2014. The list doesn’t include the official offering from Twitter themselves, though that’s because we figure for users to be seeking out a list like this, they have already found something they don’t like about it.
If you don’t fit that bill then, by all means, give the app a shot for free in the Google Play Store. It’s not that bad these days, and it’s worth not having to deal with the hassle of the Twitter token debacle if you’ve been frustrated with that whole controversy. Otherwise, read on and see what the third-party developers of Android have cooked up over recent times.
Talon for Twitter ($1.99)
Talon is one of the few Twitter apps on the market that have completely adopted the latest design guidelines from Google in a very sensible and functional way. This fully-featured app has all the makings of a premier Twitter experience, with slick user interface design (including a gorgeous tablet UI), an exhaustive number of customization options, and more.
There are a couple of minor shortcomings we hope will be addressed in the future, but there isn’t much room to complain. For starters we’d love the ability to have more than two accounts at the same time, though considering many other apps don’t offer multiple accounts support we can’t say Talon is in bad shape.
One thing that makes this app’s price tag definitely worth it is the developer. Luke Klinker and his brother have done a marvelous job with all the updates since the app’s launch a short while ago.
Version 2.0 brought a list of changes, new features and bug fixes that are far too numerous to name. Support like that is rare enough to applaud whenever we see it. See what $2 can get you in the Google Play Store.
Robird ($1.99)
This exciting new option brings a very refreshing return to simplicity in a space where everyone is always attempting to reinvent the wheel. Robird might not stand up as the most customizable and feature-filled option on this list, but it does what it does with beauty, speed and — most importantly — without inducing headaches.
It has standard features that most users care about, including proper Push Notifications support. The developers have been extremely responsive as well, with a personal feature request of mine being implemented within moments of me suggesting it. Now THAT’S what you call active development. You can find it in the Play Store for $2.
Plume (FREE, $4.99 Premium)
Plume is a long-time favorite of many, and — unlike other Twitter clients from its generation — it has aged well over the years. The developers have done a good job of keeping up with the Joneses and adapting to the latest design guidelines set forth by Google. But design alone isn’t enough to give Plume recognition.
Its feature-set is outstanding, with nearly every option a “professional” Twitter user could want being packed into the tiny download. Whether it’s muting users or wanting full list support, a full suite of picture hosting options, or even Facebook support (people still do that?), Plume provides it all. The free option is lightly dabbed in ads, though you can pay for a $5 premium option if you don’t fancy companies trying to sell you stuff you don’t need.
Tweedle (FREE)
This is another one of those apps that don’t offer a metric ton of features compared to more boastful counterparts, but its simplicity and slick design have given us reason to give it a shot. Tweedle does offer you a host of customization options, though, so there’s still a bit you can do to make this Twitter experience just right for you.
Thankfully, the developer is quite open to feature requests and updates the app on a fairly regular basis, so be sure to give them a holler if there’s something you’d like to see added in the future. The initial cost of entry is free, so this is hardly a leap of faith.
Carbon (FREE)
We waited a long time to see this app migrate from the now-defunct webOS, and joyous bells rang throughout the lands when it finally happened. Thankfully, the developers got a good grasp of Android design early on, and have crafted an app so beautiful that you’d probably want to make a Twitter account just to use it. Carbon’s fame comes from style, but it’s the rich underlying functionality users typically stay for.
Carbon isn’t the answer for those looking to take absolute control over their Twitter app’s look and feel, but many who use the app are so enthralled by the design that they don’t miss the option to tweak every corner and color. It’s a very competent experience in all, though whether you can get in on it at this point is a crapshoot. Carbon’s Twitter tokens have expired, and you’ll need to draw on a big pot of luck or find someone willing to give their spot up in order to use it.
Falcon Pro (FREE)
Ah yes, the infamous Falcon Pro by Joaquim Verges. This app presents a beautiful canvas for consuming all your Tweets, with the developer packing in a comprehensive suite of features that’ll keep you satisfied when you’re writing out those 140-character memoirs.
So why the “infamous” bit? Falcon Pro created a bit of controversy when its developer openly relisted the app after its Twitter tokens were all used up. The move was made to allow new users the ability to activate their accounts on the client, effectively weeding out all of the people who don’t actively use their tokens with the app.
The app no longer exists on the Google Play Store, but you can now download it for free from Falcon Pro’s website. The app still receives periodic updates, though the developer has regretfully dialed their focus down as they feel they are fighting a losing battle with Twitter’s policies. All that hooplah aside, this app is well worth the trouble of having to grab the APK and sideload it yourself, so get over to their website and download it.
Twidere (FREE)
“Free. Open source. No ads. Forever.” Those few words stand out the most to me when I look at Twidere’s app description, but it’s the sum of that and all of its features that make this one to look out for. With a card-based user interface, interchangeable themes, and a host of customization options, Twidere is one app that can get the job done.
Twidere also prides itself on taking Twitter security seriously, and they also fight the good fight against censorship. Needless to say, we’d definitely recommend supporting a developer like this on the app’s merit alone, but all that other feel-good stuff has us giving them extra special brownie points. Give it a shot.
Tweetings ($2.99)
This app might be so simplistic in its approach to design that it may drive some away. Tweetings features a no-frills user interface that draws directly on Holo’s elements with little to no customization. Regardless, it’s important to remember that beauty is only skin deep, and there’s some beauty to behold within Tweetings.
Its dual-pane user interface in tablet mode might be its most redeeming feature considering not a ton of Twitter apps are wholly interested in that style anymore.
Tweetings has all the basics and then some, though the $3 price tag will certainly make it tough for some users to get behind it. Peruse the app’s description in the Google Play Store and see if it’s something you wouldn’t mind using day-to-day.
Tweet Lanes (FREE)
Tweet Lanes was one of the first Twitter clients to implement the style guidelines that were introduced with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich back when that was still the bee’s knees, and as such it caught our attention quite fast. How does it fare today? Well, it still looks great. It doesn’t adhere to the latest guidelines, but it still does a heck of a job better than a lot of other apps.
The app prides itself on unique features such as the ability to interact with multiple tweets at a time, an easier way to report spam, and tweet previews (such as showing image or video thumbnails) from trusted profiles only. All for the cost of your time and bandwidth.
Echofon (FREE, $4.99 Premium)
Ah, Echofon, the illustrious iOS Twitter client that seemed to take forever to make its way to Android. We expected a half-hearted port when it finally did make the jump, but Echofon actually took a bit of time to make the app look like it belonged. Its design is a bit uninspired, but it’s simple, fast and functional, and at the end of the day that’s enough to stick a ribbon on it.
Echofon’s feature set isn’t terribly strong, though if you also use the iOS version you’ll definitely enjoy the ability to sync between platforms so that all your settings and read tweets are synced up. Give it a go, if you dare.
Hootsuite (FREE, Premium Subscriptions)
This final recommendation is more for business users than anyone else. The app’s feature-set might be a bit too complicated for most average users’ needs, but if you have to handle multiple Twitter accounts and need features like scheduled, automatic posting and the ability for multiple users to access the same account in a seamless way, Hootsuite has it for you.
The base Hootsuite experience is free, though you’ll have to pay for premium accounts starting at $14.99 per month to take advantage of some of its most advanced features, which includes message archiving, vanity URLs, analytics, advanced security features and more. Consider what they’re offering by taking a gander at all the options they provide over at the Hootsuite website.
Honorable Mentions
These apps didn’t make the cut for one reason or another, though they’re here for a reason — you should still see if they have something substantial to offer you. This list is mostly comprised of specialty apps, abandoned options, buggy clients, or those with terribly outdated user interfaces, but perhaps they have some niche feature or redeeming quality that you will appreciate.
- Tweetcaster (FREE, $4.99 Premium): a great Twitter client that has fallen a tad bit behind the times, and could do with a significant face lift.
- Twicca (FREE): this app still has legacy design and coding, but its deep list of features still makes it a favorite for many.
- UberSocial (FREE, $4.99 Premium): buggy evolution of classic client Twidroid that could benefit from an entire rewrite.
- Falcon Widget (FREE, $1.99 Donate): not meant to replace a full-fledged Twitter experience, but this is one of the best widgets you’ll ever find.
Give each of them a closer look over in the Google Play Store.
What’s your favorite?
Of course, it seems the Twitterverse is endless when it comes to the sheer amount of options available. None of the apps in the list above doing it for you? Have an app in mind that you want to suggest? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! We’re more than eager to hear your thoughts, and so are many other users who need a bit of guidance to find the perfect Twitter app for them.
One has no tokens, another isn’t on the market, why include them?
Because these are great apps and you can easily fix “no token” problem and install them outside Google Play Store?
*eyeroll* of course. Still a retarded move.
Outside of the hacky way of getting tokens with Falcon Pro, tokens have nothing to do with sideloading an app. Once your tokens are gone its gone.
Which is why you gotta get in NOW, before their tokens run out.
Do any of these support proper Push Notifications? It’s the only reason I stick with the official app.
Robird support push notifications.
Will check it out, thanks!
Tweetings has push notifications. I believe Twidere also has them.
Keep your eye out for Fenix. It is still in Beta and hasn’t yet reached the v1.0 yet but it is quickly becoming my favorite Twitter app close to beating out Falcon Pro. When he adds the widget (which he says is coming) then it will top my list rather easily.
Fenix is already the best for me even though it’s still on beta stage enough for me to ditch Falcon Pro which is already showing its age. Fenix is fast and stable and the design UI screams Google. Try comparing the look of your profile in Fenix and Google+ and you’ll get my point. :) Talon is great as well especially having the immersive mode, a lot more features and has a very active developer. I just find the Fenix app a bit more appealing because of the speed and fluidity overall and the simple, clean but very direct UI with a smooth user experience.
Yea… I’ll just stick to the official, I dont care or am active enough on Twitter to really benefit from a 3rd party app
Honestly, you could. I think if you tried a 3rd party app, you’d use Twitter a lot more. Things like auto-expanding images and article headlines makes Twitter infinitely more useful.
Well when you put it like that, it may make Twitter more fun so I can dig it.
Plume has been my favorite since the G1 days, with Tweedle being my favorite of the newer apps.
I think I have like 5 Twitter apps installed on my device.
I have scope installed but I hardly use it since I am at home ost of the time and can just hop on my desktop when I want to check.
Phandroid sure does love them some Twitter. I personally don’t get the hype. Only reason I have a Facebook is because all friends and family do.
+1 for Fenix. The only app that could get me to leave Plume.
serious question. I’ve never understood Twitter. I have acct. follow news people, spiritual sites, etc. most people I know don’t tweet. I use FB a lot, including as a news feed. but in an hour on Twitter there can be dozens of tweets. how can one have time for this, and why use it? this is serious. I really want to know.
Different mindset. The idea isn’t that you’ll read every tweet. The idea is you can check in and always have new stuff to look at.
Think of it like a daily newspaper: some days you read it and some days you don’t. On days you do, sometimes you just glance at certain sections, read certain articles, etc…
Just because you don’t read every article of the newspaper every single day, does that mean they write too many articles or that it’s too fast paced to follow? Nope… you just read and enjoy it at your leisure.
thanks. it’s how I do Facebook. just seems like a LOT. wonder how folks keep up – and I’m retired! (in my 50s, tho, not too creaky!)
Do any of these twitter apps have a feature when you get notifications of new tweets in your timeline In X amount of time if the app is closed? Tweetdeck used to have a feature like that, I set to have notifications every 30 minutes. I didn’t see an option for that in the official twitter app. :(
What do you think of Slices? it’s by the company that makes tweetcaster.
You can also give a try to “Jumy for Twitter”, very clean and smooth new Twitter Client.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jumyapps.twitter
Tweetcaster
latelly i’ve been using Tweetr+ https://play.google.com/store/… liking it so far