MeWe vs. Facebook

What are you looking for in a social networking platform? Do you want security, functionality, customization options, and a secure way to send messages? MeWe and Facebook are both social networking platforms where you can connect with friends and family. Each has its perks, and both offer something that everyone wants.

If you want to know which of these social networks is better for you, look no further. This article will compare the most notable features of MeWe vs. Facebook.

What Is MeWe?

MeWe is a secure online space launched in 2016 aimed at the young adult demographic. Statistics published by Similar Web show that most users are between 24 and 34, and the service only caters to users over 17 years old. It’s been referred to as the anti-Facebook because of its focus on data privacy. MeWe also had its own “Privacy Bill of Rights.” This networking platform has various features, which you can learn more about down below.

MeWe’s Privacy Bill of Rights

• You own your own information and content.
• You won’t receive third-party advertisements or content.
• You control your newsfeed.
• You are the only one who can filter or change the order of your newsfeeds.
• You control permissions and privacy.
• You control who gets access to your information.
• You don’t have to be added to the member directory.
• Your personal information won’t be sold to anyone.
• There is no use of facial recognition.
• You can delete your account at any time and take your content with you.

What Is Facebook?

As the largest social networking platform, Facebook had nearly 3 billion monthly active users in 2023. The biggest share are users aged 25-34, but the platform also has users below 17 years old. Facebook is one of the most popular advertising platforms currently on the market, making it indispensable for businesses to promote their products and services.

MeWe vs. Facebook Review

While the two social platforms have some similarities, MeWe and Facebook have almost entirely different approaches to how they operate. Here are some notable features that you should know about.

Privacy and Security

MeWe doesn’t collect personal data from its users. It also doesn’t sell any information to advertisers. All chats are private, and they don’t allow the government to access any of your data.

On the other hand, Facebook has faced much criticism over privacy concerns. It shares a substantial amount of personal data with advertisers. Many users feel apprehensive about sharing their personal information. Facebook has also faced criticism for spreading fake news and political propaganda.

Private and Group Chats

On MeWe, you can message users one-on-one or multiple people in group chats. MeWe encrypts messages, making conversations secure and the only person who will read the message is the person it was meant for.

Facebook uses the Messenger app for chatting. If you’re not a fervent Facebook user, you can go to Messenger and stay in touch with your friends while avoiding much of the platform’s features.

Interest Based Groups

The platform has groups where you can connect with other users that share your interest. You can search specific topics and hobbies and find people to interact with. MeWe accomplishes this through a smart search bar and categorizing groups based on interest.

Facebook arguably has more variety in groups. Since everyone can make a group for pretty much anything (as long as it doesn’t go against Facebook’s rules), it might be harder to find people with similar interests if they’re scattered in smaller groups.

Customizable Profiles

MeWe and Facebook share a bulk of the profile customization options. MeWe’s profile interface is more modern and minimalistic, similar to social platforms like Twitter or Instagram. However, Facebook allows for more information on the profile page, spreading it out in categories.

Status Updates

MeWe’s status updates allow you to share your personal thoughts with your friends and followers. It functions very similarly to Facebook’s Newsfeed, so neither network gets an advantage in this regard.

Emojis and GIFs

You’re able to express yourself in interesting ways by adding emojis and GIFs, which MeWe supports on their platform.

While Facebook has emojis, its selection is rather limited when using reactions to newsfeed posts. GIFs are supported as much as any other video format.

Marketplace

Both platforms have Marketplace sections where users can buy or sell items. However, due to the sheer number of users, Facebook gets an edge here in item selection and options.

Video Options

Both platforms allow users to share video content. MeWe’s stories are similar to Instagram, being short videos that disappear after a day.

Facebook Live allows you to broadcast live videos to your friends where you can interact with them in real time. MeWe doesn’t compete in this realm.

Premium Subscription vs. “Meta Verified” Subscription Service

MeWe offers a 30-day free trial and then you’ll be charged $4.99 a month after that. MeWe premium includes:

• Video journals for stories.
• Unlimited voice and video calling.
• Unlimited custom emojis and stickers.
• Unlimited custom themes.
• Premium profile badge.
• 100GB of MeWe Cloud storage.

With the free version you’ll get the basics, newsfeed, group chats, voice messaging, etc. You’ll get fewer options for custom themes, emojis, and stickers.

In light of the famous Twitter blue checkmark, Meta has announced that it plans to implement a similar feature for Facebook. The current expected prices are $11.99 a month on the web or $14.99 a month on iPhone or iPad. Features included are:

• A verified badge confirming it’s the real you.
• More protection against impersonation with proactive monitoring.
• Help from a real person for common account issues.
• Increased visibility and reach.

Censorship

MeWe doesn’t censor the website. Your activity and content aren’t monitored, and they also don’t remove or block any posts. However, if someone violates the Terms of Services and is reported, MeWe will step in and most likely remove the content that breaches them.

On the other hand, Facebook is known for deleting posts. Photos and posts will be removed by Facebook if they are considered to violate the site’s terms and conditions. Nudity, hate speech, and sexual content are some of the content that isn’t allowed on Facebook. Content that contains self-harm or violence is also not permitted.

MeWe Pros and Cons

Pros

• Increased privacy
• Free from advertisements
• Doesn’t sell user data
• More intuitive group categories
• More personalization

Cons

• Smaller platform
• Less content may be available
• Might lack moderation tools

Facebook Pros and Cons

Pros

• Large platform
• Better for businesses and advertisements
• Wide range of features

Cons

• Algorithm-driven newsfeed.
• Privacy concerns.

Is Facebook Losing Users?

In recent years there has neem a steady decline in users on Facebook. Only 51% of teenagers in the United States used Facebook in 2020, which was a big decline from 2014, when it was 71%. In 2021 Facebook users in the UK had a 2.8% decline for the first time.

How Do MeWe and Facebook Compare?

When it comes to features and functionality MeWe and Facebook are very similar and work the same way. The biggest difference between the two is privacy and free speech. While Facebook regularly monitors its users and removes any offensive posts, MeWe doesn’t have monitoring at all and will let troublesome posts remain until they are notified by another use. Facebook shares user data with businesses and MeWe keeps all user data confidential. Both are great social networks and it’s up to the users to decide what the best site is for them.

MeWe or Facebook

MeWe is secure and private with a smaller user base and is relatively new while Facebook is a huge well-established platform. MeWe and Facebook offer very similar features, but Facebook has a wider range of tools considering its Instagram and Messenger applications. Facebook targets a broader demographic while MeWe targets a younger audience. MeWe ekes out a win on privacy and security since it doesn’t allow government surveillance or sharing user data, while Facebook shares massive amounts of personal information with advertisers.

Have you used MeWe and/or Facebook? Which one do you prefer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.