LinkedIn Alternatives (2026): 10 Networking Sites and Apps

LinkedIn is where most people expect to find a professional profile, and for good reason. Recruiters use it, clients check it, and it's hard to avoid if you work in an office job. But it isn't the only place to meet people for work, and plenty of people feel it's noisy, crowded or simply not made for what they do.

Maybe you're a developer who'd rather share code. Maybe you run a small local business, or you're a freelancer who wants to show a portfolio, or you'd like to meet contacts in person. This page lists ten LinkedIn alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, with details taken from each site's own pages. If you stay on the big network too, my guide to beating the algorithm can help you get more from it.

LinkedIn alternatives side by side

In the free plan column, Yes means the site's own pages say it's free to join or has a free plan. No means the pages I read didn't state a free plan, so check the current details yourself. Sites change what they offer, so look at each one before you build a profile.

Tool	Type of network	Good for	Free plan
Alignable	Small business network	Local owners swapping referrals	Yes
Contra	Network for independents	Freelancers finding projects	Yes
DEV Community	Developer community	Developers sharing what they know	No
GitHub	Developer platform	Showing code and joining projects	Yes
Hashnode	Blogging for developers	Building a readership with articles	Yes
Meetup	Local groups and events	Meeting people face to face	No
Product Hunt	Product community	Makers launching new products	No
Wellfound	Startup jobs platform	Startup roles and hiring	Yes
Xing	Career network	Professionals in German-speaking markets	Yes
Y Combinator Co-Founder Matching	Co-founder matching	Founders looking for a partner	No

Ten LinkedIn alternatives, A to Z

Alignable

Best for: Small business owners who want to meet other owners nearby, trade referrals and join for free.

Contra

Best for: Freelancers and creatives who want a profile that shows their work, with free job posting for people hiring.

DEV Community

Best for: Software developers who want to write, learn and swap advice with other coders.

GitHub

Best for: Developers and technical founders who want a public home for their projects, on a free plan.

Hashnode

Best for: Developers and engineers who want to write articles and build an audience, starting a blog for free.

Meetup

Best for: Anyone who'd rather meet contacts in person at local groups, from networking evenings to skills workshops.

Product Hunt

Best for: Makers and founders who want to share new products with an interested community and swap feedback.

Wellfound

Best for: Job seekers and hirers in startups, where companies can post jobs free of charge on the site.

Xing

Best for: Professionals who want a career network with jobs and company pages, with registration described as free.

Y Combinator Co-Founder Matching

Best for: Would-be founders who want to create a profile and find a co-founder through a well-known startup programme.

How to choose between LinkedIn alternatives

Start with who you want to meet, not with the biggest audience. A site with fewer people can be much better for you if everyone there does your kind of work. Write down the three kinds of people who would help your career or business most, then see where they gather.

• Your field. Developers, creatives, founders and small shop owners all have places built for them. Look for the one that matches your trade.
• Where you work. Some networks are strongest in particular countries or languages. Check whether your contacts live there.
• What you can show. A portfolio, a project page or a blog lets people see your work, which a plain job title can't do.
• How people contact you. Find out who can message you and how, so you don't end up with spam.
• Jobs and hiring. If you want a job, or want to hire, look at how each site handles listings and applications.
• Your time. Every extra profile needs looking after. Pick a small number you can keep up to date.

Which kind of LinkedIn replacement suits which person

• Portfolio and project sites suit freelancers, developers and makers who want their work to speak for them.
• Local business networks suit shop owners, tradespeople and service providers who want nearby referrals.
• Event-based groups suit people who build relationships faster over a coffee than over a message.
• Startup communities suit founders looking for co-founders, early staff or feedback on a new product.
• Regional career networks suit professionals who work in a market where that network is the usual place to look for jobs.

If you do keep a profile on the big network, it helps to know how it behaves. My guides on when to update your profile and why a job update shows to your contacts explain two things people often wonder about.

Questions to ask before you move off LinkedIn

It's rarely sensible to delete a profile in a hurry. Ask yourself a few plain questions first.

• Do recruiters, clients or partners already look for me there?
• Which contacts would I lose touch with if I stopped logging in?
• Is the problem the site, or the way I'm using it?
• Can I spend a little time each week on a second place, without spreading myself too thin?
• Would a personal website do more for me than any social profile?

Privacy matters when you're building a presence anywhere. I've covered what the big network does and doesn't tell people in who can see your searches and viewing profiles anonymously, and the same questions are worth asking of any site you join.

Setting up a profile on a LinkedIn alternative

1. Choose a clear photo and a short headline that says what you do and who you help.
2. Write a short summary in plain words, the way you'd explain your work to a friend.
3. Add links to your best work, such as a portfolio, a project page or an article.
4. Check the privacy settings, including who can message you and who can see your details.
5. Connect with a handful of people you already know before reaching out to strangers.
6. Post or comment a little each week so your profile doesn't look abandoned.

Mistakes people make when trying LinkedIn alternatives

• Joining five sites at once and keeping none of them up to date.
• Copying the same profile everywhere without thinking about who reads it.
• Sending the same cold message to everyone you find.
• Forgetting to check the privacy settings before adding personal details.
• Expecting a smaller site to bring leads without taking part in the conversation.

Do you make professional networking sites or apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Making your final LinkedIn alternatives shortlist

Pick one or two sites that match your trade and your location. Set up a short profile on each, add one piece of work you're proud of, and spend a few minutes a week joining in. After a month or so you'll know which one is bringing useful conversations, and which one you can leave quietly.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free alternative to LinkedIn?

Yes. Several sites on this page say in their own pages that they're free to join or have a free plan. What you get for free varies, so read the current details before you build a profile.

Do I need to leave LinkedIn to use another network?

No. Many people keep a profile there and also join a second place that suits their trade. Choose one or two you can keep up to date.

Which alternative is good for freelancers?

Portfolio-style sites suit freelancers well, because people can see your work before they message you. Look for one where the people you want to work with already spend time.

Are these sites safe to join?

Check each site's privacy settings and use a strong, unique password. Be wary of anyone who asks for personal or banking details in a message.

Can I find a job without LinkedIn?

Yes. Several sites have their own job listings, and in-person events can lead to introductions too. Search the places your industry uses.