X (Twitter) review
Fast news, live talk and hot takes in short posts
- X Corp.
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
4.6 from 11.2M App Store ratings 1B+ Google Play downloads #1 in News on the US App Store
Does it deserve #17?
Is X (Twitter) worth it?
It depends on what you need. X (Twitter) scores 7.7/10 and ranks #17 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for news fans and people who post about live events. Skip it if you want a calm feed or do not want to pay for extras. Price: Free with ads; X Premium starts at $3 a month on the web, $4 in the iPhone app.
The verdict
X is still where news breaks first and where many reporters, athletes and tech people post. Free accounts get short posts and videos up to 140 seconds. The good stuff costs money: longer posts, long videos, fewer ads and creator pay all need a paid plan. The app has changed a lot under Elon Musk, and it tracks more data than most rivals. Great for live events, tiring for calm chat.
- Real-time news and trends
- Grok AI chatbot
- Long posts and videos on paid plans
- Spaces live audio
- Original Content Rewards
- Community Notes
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 2026A new X Subscription bundles Grok AI with X Premium perks, from $8 a month
- Sep 2026Original Content Rewards replaced the old Creator Revenue Sharing program
- May 2026Communities shut down, with group chats taking their place
Privacy 5.0/10
The App Store label says browsing history, contact info, location, purchases and more may be used to track you. Contacts, search history and your content are also linked to you. The free app shows ads.
What we like
- Fastest app for breaking news and live events
- Huge mix of experts, reporters and fans
- Paid creators can earn from popular posts
What could be better
- Many features need a paid plan
- Tracks a lot of data for ads
- Feed can feel noisy, with a lot of spam
News fans and people who post about live events
you want a calm feed or do not want to pay for extras
Questions about X (Twitter)
Is X (Twitter) worth it in 2026?
It depends on what you need. X (Twitter) scores 7.7/10 and ranks #17 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for news fans and people who post about live events. Skip it if you want a calm feed or do not want to pay for extras. Price: Free with ads; X Premium starts at $3 a month on the web, $4 in the iPhone app.
Is X free?
Yes, with ads. On the web, X Premium costs $3 a month for Basic, $8 for Premium and $40 for Premium+. Prices are higher in the phone apps.
Can you make money on X?
Yes, through Original Content Rewards. You need a paid plan, 500 verified followers and 500,000 timeline views from verified users in the last 90 days.
Is X the same as Twitter?
Yes. Twitter was renamed X in 2023, and the app and website now live at x.com.
What are the best alternatives to X (Twitter)?
The closest alternatives are Threads, Bluesky and Reddit. See all of them ranked on our X (Twitter) alternatives page.
Where does X (Twitter) rank?
X (Twitter) ranks #17 of 17 in our Social Media & Creator Tools ranking, with an overall score of 7.7 out of 10.