So I have been ridiculously busy lately so I have not been able to write up any blog posts. Not an excuse, just stating the facts. So here is a new post regarding the best of the best with regards to Twitter applications for Android.
When I first received my new Droid, the first thing I looked for was a good Twitter application. To my surprise there were very few good contenders, but now the competition is really heating up with several new Twitter apps hitting the market. So here are some pros and cons of each of the apps.
Widget needs some definite work.
Link to a more comprehensive review: 2. Tweetcaster - This one jumped onto the scene with quite a bit of fanfare. Its from the makers "Handmark." Off the bat I didn't like that the app tweeted an advertisement for the product before I even began using it. But, the app's user interface and actual usability seemed pretty decent. The UI was definitely an upgrade from Twidroid, but at times it felt sluggish, and the free version of the app seemed to be pretty riddled with advertisements.
Pros:Pretty UI
Decently Stable
Remembers Last Read Position
Updates Quickly
Cons: While UI is better... Still not great.
Ad Tweet required
Requires Pro version for multiple accounts and themes
Link to a more comprehensive review 3. Twicca - Twicca was one that I debated putting in this review, but feel that it is a solid enough client to be listed. The biggest and best thing about Twicca is the UI. It is simply gorgeous, and shows a dark minimal look. Some other great things about the client? It is quick at reloading, and constantly being updated. While it is still in beta, it seems very stable as well. Its biggest limitation is the lack of multiple account support (which I'm definitely keeping an eye on). But, it seems that they are adding a solid plugin architecture which should make this Twitter client a full-on contender as well.
Pros:Best UI of all Twitter Clients tested
Stable despite beta tag
Remember Last read position
Uses a unique "Load More" type feature allowing you to selectively load all unread tweets, or just some.
Updates are most frequent (that I've seen)
Manual Updating (have to click Sync button)
Cons: No Multiple Account Support
UI may be too minimal for non-seasoned Twitter users
No Widget
Link to a more comprehensive review 4. Seesmic - First of all, this has been my default twitter app for a long time, due to the fact that it includes many (if not all) of the major feature (Multiple account support, photo, video, lists, etc...) for FREE! No paying $4 or $5 for basic functions! Very nice! I think that UI is good, not great, better then Tweetcaster and Twidroid though. Stable, though has occasional trouble with remembering last read tweet position (all the apps but Twidroid and Twicca seemed to have this issue). Great app, highly recommended.
Pros: Good UI not great
VERY stable
Because product is developed by the makers of Seesmic's other applications (web, desktop, etc...) it has a strong future support.
Multiple accounts FOR FREE.
Cons: UI can be a bit clunky.
Can struggle with remembering previous tweet read position.
Link to a more comprehensive review5. Touiteur - My new favorite twitter client, basically because the developer also made "Beautiful Widget" an amazing widget that displays a customized weather screen. It's fast, stable, and frequently updated. And it looks pretty amazing, as expected. I love the highlighting of my tweets in the timeline, as well as the nice little animations for accessing menus. It also has, very expected, the BEST twitter widget of any of the clients.
Pros: Awesome UI (not as minimalistic as Twicca)
Very Stable
Great Developer (which usually means great future updates)
Cons: Multiple accounts require paid Pro version.
Themes also require paid Pro version.
Link to a more comprehensive reviewFinal Verdict: If I had only one twitter account I would probably be using Twicca just for its great interface. But, because I run with two twitter accounts I'm currently sticking with Touiteur (Pro Version). I like the interface, and love the widget (the fact that I actually use it says a lot for me). If I didn't like the widget so much, I probably wouldn't mind sticking with Seesmic. So here's how I would put my recommendation:
If you want stability: Twidroid
Runner Up: Seesmic
If you want a minimalist interface: Twicca
Runner Up: Touiteur
If you want multiple accounts: Seesmic (free)
Runner Up: Touiteur (paid)
Best Paid Twitter App: Touiteur
Runner Up: Twidroid
As you can see, I stayed away from Tweetcaster due to the advertisements, but thats a personal opinion. But the good news is that all of these apps work well depending on what you need to get out of an Android Twitter client.
