Brief review of some nostr android clients
To #newbie guys that try #immigrate to #Nostr from #Facebook, #Twitter, #Reddit and other #centralized or #censored #network #platforms.
Recently, I spent a couple of weeks doing tests on different nostr applications to help new users start using nostr on android phones to enrich their social networks experience. I chose only a few applications to speak about.
It is not a thorough list of all nostr android clients.
The fancy first:
Amethyst:
This app is good for general social interactions with lots of options. Use #Amethyst if you want a comprehensive look at what options there are in nostr. By default, you will receive AI-translated posts in your selected language; you can change this behavior if you do not like it. It gives you the ability to connect through the tor network for your #privacy. If you use #tor, please do not use it for bad actions.
It seems like none of the basics of nostr functionality is missing—it has all NIPs features of nostr.
Install it from Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vitorpamplona.amethyst
Primal:
Good for long reading/publishing articles. I guess people who like #Medium and alike will love it. It feels like Amethyst but is made for more serious readers and writers.
It is open source. You can install #Primal from IzzyOnDroid: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/net.primal.android or direct link to current version: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/repo/net.primal.android_239.apk
YakiHonne:
Similar to Primal, I find it good for long reading/publishing articles. #YakiHonne has a few extra posting options like smart widgets.
It is on Google Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yakihonne.yakihonne
That was the best three (in my limited tests).
Advice:
If you write for #sats (the tiny fractions of #bitcoin), then #Amethyst and #YakiHonne will give you the ability to lock some of your published content until the reader pays an invoice. I do not recommend this method for gaining zaps (the operation of gaining sats). I advise you to allow people to decide if they want to zap you AFTER they read your content—this is healthier and more suitable for an open-minded network like nostr. Actually, #Primal and #YakiHonne look more prepared for publishing quality long articles and for zapping good writers.
Now let us look at a few other apps. These have fewer options but will be enough for #newbies:
FreeFrom:
Built to give some Twitter-like taste and feel. Add a lot of relays, and you will receive a lot of tweets (called "notes" in nostr) from everywhere. If you were addicted to Twitter, just start following nostr people with the same interests, and with time, you will feel at home.
You can install #FreeFrom from Google Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freefrom
Nostros:
I like it because it comes from my beloved apk source, the #open-source #f-droid.org. The special thing about #Nostros is that it can download your published notes to local disk—believe me, this is something you'll need if you are going to become a professional writer, especially if you plan to edit or republish your articles and posts. I had to stop most relays and then add my relay set to get rid of languages I do not understand.
Nostros page: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/com.nostros
Direct link to apk: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/repo/com.nostros_79003.apk
Wherostr:
Another easy application to start with. It is well organized—#Wherostr has enough functionality for a new nostr user. It adds a geographical map so you know where users are located. Other than the map, it is close to Nostros in functionality.
Install #Wherostr from Google Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=th.co.mapboss.wherostr.social.wherostr_social
Voyage:
Is my fourth suggestion for nostr beginners.
It has intermediate/enough functionality. When you start using #Voyage, it will offer you a group of popular topics in the form of #hashtags to choose from and follow.
As an open-source app, you can find it on this page: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/com.dluvian.voyage
Direct link: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/repo/com.dluvian.voyage_24.apk
These last applications are good for you if you have an old, slow android or if you just do not want to confuse yourself with a lot of options that you will not need as a #beginner.
More apps:
Openvibe:
If you are using #Mastodon, #Threads, or #Bluesky, then start with #Openvibe to use all your accounts together with a nostr account in one app.
It is on Google Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plebstr.client
0xChat:
Is made for chat and calls—it supports audio/video calls. #0xChat looks abandoned, but I mentioned it because it is more specialized in chat. Use it if you are a regular #xmpp user.
Its page on GitHub: https://github.com/0xchat-app/0xchat-app-main
Direct link to apk: https://github.com/0xchat-app/0xchat-app-main/releases/download/v1.4.9-release/v1.4.9-release.apk
For finding a few more apps, go to #zapstore website: https://zapstore.dev/
Important thing to know: None of these apps will give you full functionality unless you add more relays to reach more content. However, the default included relays will show you what nostr is, and you will not feel the loss if you later learn how to increase your #reachability.
Because of built-in #monetization for user-zapped articles, I think #nostr is already a respected competitor to all of: #Substack, #WordPress.org, #Blogger, #Wix, #Ghost, #Vocal.media, #Sigle, #Hashnode, #WriteFreely, #Squarespace, #Weebly, #Kajabi, #Dev_Community, #Quora, #LinkedIn, #Super, #Bullet.so.
Actually, I find it a good idea for new publishing platforms to build on nostr, as it has the needed functionality and the development potential of its protocol to offer all necessary options for the future of publishing.
You should know that your account is your property, and you own it regardless of the application you choose to create your account with. Just keep your private key secure and feel safe because your account is secure—in other words, your account is your secure key.
Anytime, you can uninstall your app and go to another with your very same account. Just start a new nostr application and give it your private (secure) key, then—if not included—add the relay (server) you publish on. That's it; now you are using your account with the new functions that the new app offers.
I hope that I helped someone with these notes...
Thank you for reading.
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