Technology
Threads: Elevating the Instagram Experience or Just a Glorified Feature?
Published
2 years agoon
By
Katrina P
The newest app on the block, Threads, takes the social media world by storm. Developed by Instagram, it is a companion app designed to facilitate text sharing, posting updates, and engaging in public conversations. While some got excited about the idea, some dismissed it. They say that the app is just a glorified feature aiming to get the attention of a fleeting market. Let’s find out.
What Exactly is Threads?

Launched on July 5, 2023, Threads is a text-based conversation application. It is often compared to Twitter as the two operate in the same way. It is a platform that offers a feed of text-based posts to let users get updated on what’s happening around them.
Opening an account on Threads will find you looking at feeds from accounts you follow. You’ll also find suggested content from creators and influencers that the platform’s algorithm thinks you will like. It is primarily a platform for communicating within your network and the whole world.
Threads allows you to write up to 500 characters and add photos, links, and videos. The name “Threads” came from the product Instagram launched in 2019. It was a “camera-first messaging app” to stay connected with friends.
What are Threads’ Features?

Instagram introduced Threads with the objective of providing a focused and dedicated platform for letting you connect with a select group of people. Its key features include:
Direct Messaging: it offers direct and seamless communication with your close friends. Threads puts your messages from select individuals in a dedicated inbox. This makes it easier to chat without distractions from other interactions on Instagram.
Integration with Instagram Stories: you can capture and share special moments as Threads incorporates Instagram’s Stories. You can easily and quickly share your photos and videos with close connections.
Automatic Status Updates: you can set automatic status updates to give glimpses of your activities, moods, and locations.
Camera Access: Threads has a quick camera access button that lets you instantly capture photos and videos. This is perfect for sharing spontaneous moments with your close friends.
Close Friends List: you can create a list of close friends with whom you can share your more personal content. It is separate from Instagram’s regular followers to let you select which groups of people will see your activities.
Status and Privacy Settings: the app lets you customize your status settings. It allows you to determine who can see your automatic updates, giving you the power to keep control of your privacy.
The Positive Perspective

Many users consider Threads an app that elevates their social media experience. The following factors make it an app worth having:
1. It fosters genuine communication and interactions among close friends. Threads provides a change in the way you engage with your close contacts on social media. It enables you to curate a list of only your close and trusted friends, making more meaningful interactions.
2. It offers a space that’s free from distractions. The app has a dedicated space to communicate with close friends, separate from the main Instagram feed. This translates to a more focused and calm environment. A platform devoid of the distraction from viral posts, advertisements, and trending topics.
Threads has also gained the support of many users because of the following real-world use cases. These show the successful engagement made via Threads:
- It provides a supportive network among friends. In instances where friends want to create a supportive network, they can do so in Threads. A great example is when a group of bikers want to share their rides, their struggles, the places they’ve been to, and many more.
- It enables friends from across the globe to have a unique platform to connect. Maintaining relationships with friends from all over the world is easy in this globalized world. It provides a space for auto-updating and direct messaging.
- It is an effective platform to share and cultivate various interests. Threads lets you communicate seamlessly with your niche communities. Book club members, video gamers, and cooking enthusiasts can converse with like-minded people.
- It provides a platform to celebrate private wins and milestones. You and your friends can now celebrate milestones and life events more privately. You can celebrate birthdays, graduations, and job promotions more intimately and meaningfully.
Threads is a perfect example of a social media platform that prioritizes quality over quantity. Its capability to provide a platform for nurturing genuine relationships is the main reason users give it positive feedback.
The Skeptical Perspective

As there is plenty of good feedback for Threads, it also has its share of the negatives. Here’s what the skeptics are saying about the app:
- It duplicates features Instagram already has. They question the need for another app with the same direct messaging and close friends options as those of Instagram. Although Threads has automatic status updates, it does not compensate for its redundancy.
- Skeptics believe that Threads does not address a distinct user demand. Existing platforms are already providing intimate updates with close friends. Hence, there is no longer a necessity for another one.
- Many users are questioning Threads’ long-term sustainability. When compared to Facebook Messenger or Snapchat’s Bitmoji, it seems to them that Threads will find it difficult to establish itself.
In summary, skeptics are hesitant about Threads’ uniqueness. Critics wonder if the app has enough distinctiveness to justify its separation from a huge platform or just be made as an extension of Instagram.
What the Users are Saying
In essence, user feedback on Threads is divided. While many see it as a valuable app for enhancing close connections, many see it as a redundant tool. The app’s focus on privacy and intimacy may be lost as some think it offers nothing different from its parent app.
Conclusion
Designed to enhance intimate sharing among close friends, Threads has ignited debates about its existence. Users offer varying opinions about it, making us wonder if it’s a worthy app or just another one to add to the clutter.
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Technology
Top 10 App Development Software That Help Create Stunning Apps
Published
3 weeks agoon
December 25, 2025
Wireless internet and digital platforms have become the norm for managing businesses, driven by the widespread use of smartphones, laptops, and tablets. So, it comes as no surprise to see the demand for apps growing even more. If you want to create your own, here are the top 10 app development software that can help you create a stunning mobile app for your business.
1. Quixy

Businesses use Quixy’s cloud-based no-code environment to empower their consumers. The goal is to automate workflows by developing applications based on their needs. And everything is done without writing any code!
Quixy helps eliminate manual processes and translate ideas into applications. It assists business to become more transparent, innovative, and productive. Through the platform, users can either develop an app from scratch or customize the pre-made apps from the Quixy app store in minutes. Quixy has several drag-and-drop forms, including a rich text editor, e-signature, QR-Code scanner, and Facial Recognition widget.
Pricing:
- Contact the sales team to request a quote.
2. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a low-code platform that fuels the fast development and delivery of web and mobile applications. Like Quixy, there’s no need to write endless lines of code to build an application. Some of the key features of Zoho Creator are AI, cloud functions, JavaScript, third-party integrations, multiple languages, offline mobile access, and payment gateway integration.
Zoho Creator promises to remove about 90% of the complexities in the application development lifecycle so that you can create the apps you need without too much trouble. From conceptualization to launch, Zoho helps you focus more on features, business value, and the customer—not code.
Pricing:
- Free 15-day trial
- Standard – $12/user/month
- Enterprise – $37/user/month
- Flex – contact them for pricing
3. AppyPie

AppyPie allows you to build apps for multiple objectives. It has several app builders, covering payment app builders to worship app creators. Plus, you do not worry about resubmitting the app after making some modifications.
ApplePie can create apps for small businesses, restaurants, real estate radio, and much more. AppyPie’s no-code technology is precisely what it sounds like: programming without coding to build enterprise-grade applications.
Pricing:
- Free trial
- Basic – $16 /app/month
- Gold – $36 /app/month
- Platinum – $60 /app/month
- Enterprise – Price varies, contact the sales team
4. Google AppSheet

AppSheet is a trustworthy no-code platform, which means anyone can build powerful mobile and desktop apps minus the codes. With AppSheet, you can deliver an app that is rich in functionalities. It also provides shared innovation, team collaboration, security and governance, and lifecycle management for enterprise clients.
Pricing:
- Starter – $5/user/month
- Core – $10/user/month
- Enterprise Plus – contact the sales team to request a quote
5. Appery.io

Our next app development software is called Appery.io. It is a low-code app development software for developing hybrid mobile apps, web apps, and progressive web apps (PWAs). Apps created through Appery.io work well with all devices and platforms. Aside from that, Appery.io helps you integrate your existing backend with your app. It also allows instant import and uses backend services in the app builder.
Pricing:
- Beginner – $25/month
- Pro – $70/user/month
- Team – $135/month
- Enterprise – contact them for pricing
6. Buildfire

An excellent platform for small and medium-sized businesses, Buildfire helps you build native iOS and Android apps. You don’t need to have programming knowledge, thanks to its drag-and-drop builder. It has premium features, including a plugin marketplace, push notifications, analytics, media streaming, loyalty programs, and e-commerce integrations.
Pricing:
- Standard – $165/month
- Growth – $315/month
- Scale – $440/month
- Professional Services – Book a demo
7. UI Bakery

A modern low-code platform, UI Bakery can help you build stunning web and internal apps easily and quickly. It has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, AI-assisted workflows, and seamless integration with popular databases and APIs. It also lets you design responsive applications without the heavy coding. If you want to create dashboards, admin panels, or full-fledged apps, this is the software for you.
Pricing:
- Free
- Builder – $25/per month/developer
- Team – $35/per month/developer
- Enterprise – contact them for pricing
8. Shoutem

Shoutem is a Mobile App creator for small to large businesses. The app provides a drag-and-drop designer with a re-publish feature that is free of charge. Likewise, it can give you a preview in the native preview app.
Pricing:
- Android – $59/month
- Standard – $99/month
- Professional – $179/month
9. AppInstitute

AppInstitute enables you to create apps for small businesses, including beauty salons, radio stations, sports and fitness, coffee shops, and more. It has a drag-and-drop app builder. It guides launching, promoting, and marketing your apps.
Pricing:
- Instant – $49/month
- App Stores – $99/month
- App Stores Premium – $149/month
10. Caspio

Caspio is a low-code app development platform designed for SMBs. It is an all-in-one platform for creating database applications with features of a visual application builder and a robust cloud database. Moreover, it is a powerful, secure, and compliant platform that provides interactive web-based reports. That said, it’s time to bid goodbye to obsolete systems and start building modern cloud-based applications for your business. With two decades of expertise, Caspio accelerates digital transformation for companies, industries, and organizations.
Pricing:
- Lite – $100/month
- Plus – $300/month
- Business – $600/month
- Enterprise – Contact the sales team
Conclusion
We hope you found the app development software that provides sufficient templates and features for building your app. However, creating a complicated app using a single builder is not always practical. You can develop several apps utilizing software that contains all the necessary features. And if you’re a startup company, consider getting the best startup software to build your online presence. This way, you’ll get the best value for your money.
Technology
The Top 8 Webinar Platforms For Your Next Virtual Event or Demo
Published
4 weeks agoon
December 19, 2025By
Skylar Lee
Webinars are a powerful marketing tool you need to incorporate into your business. So, next time you’re hosting an event or demo for your clients, here are the top webinar platforms you can consider for 2026.
Before we list down the ten best webinar platforms of all time, here are some examples of webinars you can host:
- Customer onboarding
- Employee training
- Thought leadership
- Product demonstration
- Live classes
- Corporate communications
- New features
- Lead nurturing
1. GoTo

GoTo is an all-in-one video conferencing and webinar solution for many businesses and hosts. With GoTo, you can subscribe to one product at a time. That said, their webinar solution ensures security, enables personalization, and increases audience engagement rates. One reason webinar hosts love GoTo is its Stripe integration. That said, you can accept payments easily without subscribing to another invoicing app.
Pricing (billed annually):
- Reach (500 participants) – $69/mo
- Elevate (1,000 participants) – $299/mo
- Unlimited (Unlimited participants) Contact their sales team
2. WebinarNinja

WebinarNinja is the leading webinar platform for coaches and creators. This platform allows you to host a live, series, hybrid, and automated or evergreen webinar. Plus, you or your attendees won’t miss the webinar since they send automated emails for your upcoming events. In addition, you can engage audiences before or during the webinar with handouts, landing pages, chats, and audience presenters.
Pricing:
- Monthly billing – $0.60 per attendee/per month
3. My Own Conference

If you are hosting a webinar with fewer than 20 attendees and want to host it for free, My Own Conference is your best option. It’s a no-fuss choice because you won’t download any software and can schedule webinars anytime! Like other webinar platforms on this list, you can send an automated email about upcoming lessons or seminars anytime.
Pricing:
- Basic plan – Free
- Business plan – $28/month for 30 attendees
- Enterprise – Contact sales
4. Livestorm

Livestorm is another webinar platform offering a free version. It’s limited, but it’s ideal for audiences of fewer than 30 people. Like other webinar platforms on this list, you can integrate Livestorm with apps, such as marketing automation and CRM software apps. Additionally, you can also customize your Livestorm webinars with branding and track your analytics.
Pricing:
- Pro – $105/mo
- Business – Contact sales
- Enterprise – Contact sales
5. Demio

If you’re a marketer and are hosting a webinar, Demio is one of the best webinar platforms to use! With Demio, you can host a live, automated, or series webinar. You can customize Demio by adding your business logo and colors to maintain brand consistency anywhere. Plus, you can increase engagement rates with polls and handouts. Finally, you can monitor your webinar’s results with their tracking and analytics systems.
Pricing:
- Starter – $63/mo
- Growth – $117/mo
- Premium – $196/mo paid annually
6. Adobe Connect

Adobe doesn’t just develop design and video editing software application. They also have a webinar platform, Adobe Connect, you can use to host events. In terms of features, they have the basics, such as polls, breakout rooms, chats, and integrations. However, Adobe Connect goes further with features such as drawing and annotations, templates, and asynchronous browsing. That said, Adobe Connect is steeper than most webinar platforms.
Pricing:
- Standard – $190 per year/per host
- Premium – $290 per year/per host
- Enterprise – $390 per year/per host
7. WebinarGeek

Here’s another webinar platform that doesn’t require a download when you use it. WebinarGeek lets you do everything on your browser, such as conducting live and hybrid webinars and co-presenting with other hosts. This platform is ideal for marketers since they have marketing integrations like Zapier, HubSpot, and MailChimp. However, creators, coaches, and teachers can benefit from the platform because of the engagement features.
Pricing:
- Basic – $81/month
- Premium – $116/month
- Enterprise – From $409/month
8. BigMarker

The final platform on our list is BigMarker. Once again, marketers and sales teams are the target audience for this webinar platform since it’s made to get more leads. Landing pages and registration forms make it possible. Plus, they can learn more about their potential customers through customer profiles and other marketing integrations. That said, creators can use BigMarker to host their events and invite attendees to their next event with their Call to Action feature.
Pricing:
- Basic (Up to 1000 attendees) – Request a quote
- Enterprise (Up to 10,000 attendees) – Request a quote
- Enterprise+ (Up to 500,000 attendees) – Request a quote
Final Thoughts
Webinars have increased in popularity because of accessibility and cost. For coaches and creators, they can engage with the audience even better through chats and downloads. Meanwhile, marketers can make the most out of webinars through tracking and analytics after talking to leads and customers. Luckily, for these creators, webinar platforms can help them achieve their goals and attract more audiences in different ways.
Business
How Marketing Optimization Tools Level Up Your Marketing Game
Published
1 month agoon
December 12, 2025By
Skylar Lee
While many companies and small businesses struggle to capture their target audience’s attention amidst competition from giant brands, it’s clear that marketing needs to be taken up a notch. To do this, it requires marketing optimization tools to not only achieve marketing objectives but also generate leads. But how do you go about optimizing your marketing efforts and what tools can help?
1. Make Use of Data

According to Hubspot, marketing in 2025 will heavily focus on data. That said, data will give you insights into your target audience. Plus, you can better understand how your business works better through data. Fortunately, many marketing optimization tools have data and analytics to help you reach targets.
If your strategy is understanding your audience better through data, Google Analytics is your best free option. With Google Analytics, you’ll know where your users are coming from and how many of them are visiting your website.
Another data-heavy strategy is social media marketing. After all, you don’t want your social media marketing efforts to go in vain. Although MeetEdgar is primarily a social media scheduler, it will help you understand which of your posts are doing great in engagement. Plus, you can make decisions regarding your other non-performing posts.
2. Focus on SEO

Data isn’t enough when optimizing your marketing campaigns or strategies. Marketing strategies are best served with the help of SEO. You shouldn’t overlook or underestimate the impact of what SEO can do for your business. After all, you want to drive customers to your website, right? SEO is your best bet in getting more clicks and visits. Plus, you can earn your place on the coveted first page of search engines.
With SEO, you don’t have to overcomplicate it. Plus, you don’t want to skimp on SEO, especially if you want visitors to flock to your site. You can use one simple tool to help you research keywords, explore your competitors, and track your progress. Ahrefs is one of the tools you should have in your arsenal. They have an all-in-one tool ready to help you learn about your content, links, competitors, and more!
3. Stay Active on Social Media

Social media platforms are the best places to reach your target audience. You can post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to engage with your audience and promote your products or services. But posting on social media requires constant efforts and well-thought-out strategies. You need to post regularly with the right content, copy, and visuals to attract your target audience. Content creation tools like graphic design software and video editors will help you meet your social media marketing goals.
Canva is the go-to for many marketers because of its ease of use and UI. Plus, you can make graphics in minutes. Meanwhile, Clipchamp is a trusted name in video editing. Marketers can use templates to create videos in a snap. Plus, they can make compelling videos by adding filters and AI voiceovers.
4. Keep Content Consistent

During the planning stages, it’s important that your content should also be ready before it’s published. If you are launching a marketing campaign, you need your visual assets and marketing copy prepared. But you don’t create for creation’s sake. You need to keep your messaging and visuals consistent on every platform.
You want to ensure that people across various channels view and interact with your campaign assets while getting your main message out.
There are a couple of marketing optimization tools for this strategy:
- Hubspot is the popular choice for content marketing since you can publish and schedule your blogs on this platform.
- Like with social media marketing, you need content creation tools. However, an alternative to content creation tools is unlimited graphic design and video editing services. For graphic design, you can rely on Penji. You can request your graphics in one place while you work on your company. Meanwhile, Video Husky is a trusted video editing service helping you with short-form and long-form videos.
- Email marketing is another content strategy you should consider when reaching your audiences. Mailerlite is your best bet in achieving your email marketing goals.
5. Research Your Competitors

Aside from learning about your audience, you should also keep an eye out for your competitors. After all, you want to see how your target audience responds to their posts. Plus, you want to compare how different your websites could be. This will give you an idea of how to improve your posts and websites.
Although Ahrefs has a competitor research tool, an alternative to this is SpyFu. They specialize in analyzing competitor keywords, traffic, ads, and domains.
Other Marketing Optimization Tools to Use:
Marketing Automation

Marketing automation tools have been the go-to applications for most marketers. After all, marketing automation streamlines your work. Plus, you can leave it to the AI or other automated sequences to do your job for you. That said, there are tons of marketing automation tools.
One stands out from the rest, and that is MailChimp. Although known as an email marketing tool, they have a marketing automation feature by building relationships with your customers and ad retargeting.
Customer Relationship Management

Customer relationship management (CRM) software is one tool you need to reach more customers. This works best if you have an email marketing strategy. And if you need a CRM tool, Salesforce is the highly recommended one. You can run your marketing campaigns on their software. Plus, you can nurture leads and provide the best customer experience.
Project Management

One overlooked marketing optimization tool is project management. You should use a project management tool to help you get on track with your campaigns. Asana is a must-subscribe project management tool for marketing. You can collaborate with your teammates, assign them various projects, and organize them for each strategy.
Final Thoughts
In the competitive landscape of 2026, optimizing your marketing strategy is no longer optional, it’s essential. It can be challenging to entice your target audience digitally nowadays, especially if you’re hesitant to use optimization tools. That’s why it’s essential to use them to help you achieve your marketing goals. And with the tools above, you can be on your way to reaching your audience and increasing your sales.

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