Could the MeWe social network be your new Facebook alternative? First we examined the Parler app, today we are talking about this ad-free, no spyware social network that is catching buzz.
With the buzz, decided a MeWe review was in order. While I personally don’t think the mega Facebook empire is going anywhere anytime soon, I do understand that several of it’s members maybe leaving.
MeWe Review – Goodbye Facebook, Maybe?
And by leaving, it means they keep their Facebook account open and either post to a select group of people or use the account to spy and troll on friends who are still on the network. Facebook knows how to keep you in. The algorithm was created to make you a Facebook addict. Please tell me you watched the Netflix show, Social Network!
Ready to leave Facebook? Make sure you learn how to download your Facebook data!
5 Things You Need To Know About The MeWe Social Network
If you have seen mention of MeWe social network and want to know more about this new social media network (new to you, it’s been around for a while!) Let’s chat.
We will go into all the things about this social network, but here are 5 reasons you may want to try MeWe social network.
- No ads or spyware
- Facebook alternative
- No completely free
- Known as the anti-Facebook
- MeWe is not for everyone
MeWe Has No Ads or Spyware
Facebook is filled with ads and tracking. Their tracking extends far beyond just when you are on Facebook.
Think about your Facebook app, messenger, etc. MeWe prides itself in not using spyware or ads.
Similar Interface to Facebook
MeWe is to Facebook as Parler is to Twitter. The interface resembles Facebook and is easy to use.
MeWe is Not Free (general access is)
You know the old saying, there is no such thing as free? While you won’t find ads or spyware on MeWe, to do certain things and access certain features you will need to subscribe or buy virtual items. We will go into this more in talking about how does MeWe make money.
MeWe is Known as the Anti-Facebook
A major reason that the MeWe social network is getting so much press is due to Facebook shutting down certain pages and groups. People have decided to try moving the conversation to MeWe groups to prevent being censored.
There is a growing number of extremist groups joining anti-spyware social media networks. This by no means is an absolute to what the MeWe membership looks like but it is something that you should know.
MeWe is Growing But It’s Not For Everyone
Is MeWe growing? Yes, but don’t expect to see everyone move off of Facebook or other social networks.
Update: January 19, 2021 – We’ve had a huge surge in traffic looking for information on the MeWe social network. While Parler closed – MeWe network is live and growing. In fact, they’ve grown by 2.5 million new members in the last week.
Don’t expect the MeWe social network to overtake Facebook anytime soon. Facebook currently has 2.1 billion users. If someone you know isn’t on Facebook, it’s not because they haven’t heard of Facebook (okay, great grandma does not count.)
If you like to connect with family, friends, old classmates, past coworkers, etc – the first place to look is going to be Facebook – at least for the foreseeable future.
With the shut down of Parler app – due to right wing extremist, the capitol riots and extreme conservative – just know that there is a large movement off of mainstream social media to these smaller niche sites.
What is MeWe Social Network?
MeWe is a social network, with a similar interface to Facebook. (The Parler app is more like Twitter.) Created in 2016, founder Mark Weinstein launded the network at SXSW 2016.
His vision was to create a next generation social and chat app that would give people everywhere the most exciting and helpful sharing technology with privacy built into the design – where members would feel safe and respected. (source: mewe)
Built by Sgrouples Inc, MeWe offers many of the same features that you are use to on Facebook – with the exception of a few things.
MeWe has no ads or no spyware.
How to Signup for MeWe Social Network
To register for a standard account, it’s free. Bonus, you don’t have to put in a valid phone number like you do on Parler. Overall the MeWe signup process is simple.
The only authentication was email authentication. Just click on the link in the email sent to the email account you signed up for your account with and you are registered.
Make sure that you read the MeWe fine print (you should do this anytime you sign up for any account: terms and conditions / privacy policy.
Social Media Features
Like Facebook, MeWe has several of the social media features that you are use to logging on to access. There is chat, groups, pages, events, a timeline and profile.
You can upload photos and videos to your profile to share.
Download the MeWe App
While you can use the MeWe social network on both web and mobile, the MeWe app does offer additional features such as disappearing chat.
From reading thru comments on both app stores, it appears MeWe needs to work on their app network support. People have issues logging on and even registering.
MeWe Groups
A popular Facebook feature is Facebook Groups. This allows conversation around a specific topic. MeWe groups are similar to Facebook’s. Though, do know that with a limited user base and sudden popularity, groups may not be as active.
The typical moderation options are available when setting up a group on MeWE.
Secret MeWe Group
Yes, you can create secret MeWe groups by selecting the private option when setting up the group. This means that a member will only be able to join by invitation only.
How Does MeWe Make Money?
Wait, if MeWe had no ads or spyware, how does this social network make money? Good question – here is your answer – a subscription!
Yes, you know those rumors about Facebook charging you – come to find out Facebook doesn’t charge for its platform. While technically free – we all know that there is no such thing as free. The FREE is actually your data.
MeWe makes money a few ways, outside of the data and ad revenue model that Facebook uses. Here is how.
How Much Does MeWe Cost?
Wondering how much MeWe costs? Like mentioned, this social media platform isn’t necessarily free. Let’s look at MeWe subscriptions to give you a better idea of how much you will need to pay (if you need to pay, some features are free.)
There are several MeWe subscriptions that help support their business model.
MeWe Premium
For $4.99 a month, MeWe Premium is a monthly subscription allowing you access to more premium features on MeWe than there free plan.
Here is what MeWe Premium includes:
- Video Journals for Your Stories
- Unlimited Voice + Video Calling
- Unlimited Custom Emojis + Stickers
- Unlimited Custom Themes
- 100GB of MeWe Cloud Storage
- Premium Profile Badge
Yes, you can get those all (well minus a few features) for free on Facebook – but again, MeWe is ad-free, not supported by the ad model.
Voice and Video Subscription
For $1.99 a month you can get unlimited voice and video calling.
Page Subscription for Businesses on MeWe
Create a page to support your business for $1.99 a month. Have multiple businesses? You will need to pay that per page. I run or admin 36 pages, that would add up quickly.
Cloud Storage
The free WeMe membership comes with 8GB cloud storage, but you can purchase an addition 50-500GB for anywhere between $3.99 – $14.99 a month.
In App Purchases
If you are using the MeWe app, here are the in-app purchases that contribute to how MeWe makes money.
- Premium Promotion $4.99
- MeWe Premium $4.99
- Page $1.99
- Dark Theme $1.99
- Voice & Video Calling $1.99
- Secret Chat $0.99
- Secret Chat 5.99
- Tier 1 Single Donation $4.99
- Tier 1 Donation $4.99
- Journals $1.99
Give to MeWe
Another way MeWe makes money is thru donations. These are not tax deductible, but if you are feeling generous – give to MeWe (or me!)
Themes
Want your MeWe interface to look a certain way? Purchase a theme. These are $1.99 each.
Emoji
Yes, for a pack of emoji (25-50 emojis per pack) it will set you back $1.99.
Stickers
Want a happy poo, peach life, woman power, unicorn life, smiley guy or such pack of stickers to post? Sticker packs range from free to $2.99.
And that is how you monetize a social network without using an ad model.
More About MeWe Social Network
Here are some answer to frequently asked questions about the MeWe social network.
Who Founded MeWe?
MeWe was founded by Mark Weinstein in 2016.
Does MeWe Have Parental Controls?
No, there are no parental controls.
How Old Do You Have to Be for a MeWe Account?
The MeWe signup says that you need to be 16 years old for an account.
Why Are People Leaving Facebook for MeWe?
While I certainly don’t think Facebook is going anywhere, I do see opportunity for growth with these other social networks such as MeWe. Before the 2020 election, the biggest Facebook complaints include: data mining, advertisements and other privacy concerns.
Since the election, many Stop the Steal groups and such have been banned on Facebook due to misinformation. Many who feel that the information is valid have decided to find other social media sites to connect with other like minded people on.
Is MeWe Only for Conservatives?
I will say, most of my friends that are threatening to leave Facebook are those that are upset because of the election.
When researching Parler, without connecting with anyone – I found it OVERLY conservative with a strong lean to the far right. (I am pretty center when it comes to most things politics.)
Exploring the MeWe social network, you won’t logon and see anything radical right or liberal left until you start digging. There are many secret MeWe groups for conspiracy theorists. Rolling Stone did a piece on MeWe – Inside MeWe, Where Anti-Vaxxers and Conspiracy Theorists Thrive. Asking what social media would look like without any oversight. Interesting read that does bring about several questions of integrity and transparency.
MeWe’s lawyers did request a retraction of the article, calling the Rolling Stone piece, a hit job.
Why is MeWe Not Working?
Like Parler, MeWe is experiencing a massive user growth that is slamming their servers. If you are unable to use the MeWe app, try using the web interface.
Can I Buy MeWe Stock?
Currently, MeWe is a privately held company, so no you can’t buy stock at the moment and there is no MeWe stock symbol.
How Many Users Does MeWe Have?
From the latest data released a year ago in October 2019, MeWe then had 6 million users. Their press release from 2019 suggested over 100 million MeWe users by the end of 2020 – but no confirmation for how many current 2020 MeWE users. In a recent interview featured on Medium dated October 9, Mark Weinstein’s comments suggest they currently have approximately 10 millions users.
Does the Android MeWe App Work?
Yes, the Android MeWe app works, but from reading reviews on the Google Play store – it appears that more time and effort is spent updating and maintaining the iOS version of the MeWe app.
Is MeWe Full of Perverts?
Reading thru review of MeWe social network – you would think this network is loaded with perverts! Yes, I am sure that there are plenty of perv on this app and network. Truth be told they are everywhere and on every network. With the no BS, no censorship attitude of the network – I am not sure how this type of behavior is handled.
A large compliant appears to be that people are being found thru MeWe groups and tried to be friended or messaged by these perverts.
Does MeWe Have Customer Support?
Again, from the reviews – it appears that an area that is lacking is customer service and customer support. People tend to have issues from signing up, to reporting bugs to downtime.
Can Businesses Join MeWe?
Yes, but if you want a business page be ready to pay $1.99 a month per business page.
Is MeWe for Kids?
No, MeWe is not for kids! This isn’t a kids app.
Is Facebook Owned by MeWe?
No, Facebook does not own the social media platform MeWe.
Final Thoughts
While I have heard a lot of negative press about MeWe, I do see that as far as a viable option – MeWe is a Facebook alternative – depending on how you use Facebook.
I do see that this could grow into something, but it has a ways to go and lots of work to do to achieve recognition as a big social media player.
Make sure to read what you need to know before you leave Facebook! Learn how to Download Your Facebook Data.
Personally, I am not sold on 100% uncensorship – there are a LOT of gullible people in this world. The spread of misinformation is a pandemic in it’s own right.
The Parler App is GONE – Read what happened to Parler App – riots, bans, suspension, lawsuits, data breech, oh my!
Phillip D Rudd
Friday 22nd of July 2022
Where has MeWe gone? For the last week, beginning 7/10/22 when I click on the app to log in, it doesn't open, I just get the little circle like there was a buffering problem. What gives?
Noah
Monday 31st of May 2021
I don't understand how a site can claim no tracing, no data mining etc & use a google app. Google is the spy. Mewe is only usable with google app. How does that work? We won't do it google does it for us I don't trust it
L
Saturday 18th of November 2023
@Noah, MeWe is accessible by typing mewe.com into a web browser. It's also available as an app, you can download it on the apple app store as well. This doesn't mean it's tracking you the way Facebook tracks you. It has a nice, peaceful feel to it. They don't manipulate the feed or track what groups you visit to advertise to you. That is one of the main differences that's noticeable. They also don't sell your data to all kinds of groups. My experience of using the facebook app was that I would have a verbal conversation and then be advertised something from my conversation, even if I hadn't done a search for it or gone near it geographically. Now that's just creepy.