Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Lobsters VS 4chan

Compare Lobsters VS 4chan and see what are their differences

Lobsters logo Lobsters

Lobsters is a technology-focused link-aggregation site.

4chan logo 4chan

4chan is a simple image-based bulletin board where anyone can post comments and share images.
  • Lobsters Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-30
  • 4chan Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-24

Lobsters features and specs

  • High-Quality Content
    Lobste.rs has a reputation for hosting high-quality content, primarily focused on technology, programming, and related topics, which attracts knowledgeable users.
  • Community Moderation
    The site employs a community moderation system where users can vote on submissions and comments, helping to maintain a high standard of discussion.
  • Invitation-Only Membership
    New users can only join through an invitation from an existing member, which helps to preserve the quality of the community and reduce spam.
  • Open-Source Platform
    The Lobste.rs codebase is open-source, allowing for community contributions and transparency in how the site operates.
  • Minimalist Design
    The website features a clean and minimalist design that focuses on content without distractions, making it easy to navigate and read.

Possible disadvantages of Lobsters

  • Limited Audience
    Due to its niche focus on technology and programming, Lobste.rs may not offer as broad a range of topics as other forums, limiting its appeal to a wider audience.
  • Invitation Barrier
    The invitation-only system, while maintaining quality, can make it challenging for new users to join unless they know someone already in the community.
  • Smaller Community
    The site has a relatively smaller user base compared to larger platforms like Reddit or Hacker News, which can result in fewer discussions and slower content generation.
  • Bias Towards Technical Topics
    Given its focus, there is often a bias towards highly technical discussions, which might be off-putting to those with a casual interest in technology or programming.
  • Less Mainstream Content
    Mainstream tech news and trends might be underrepresented compared to more niche, highly technical content, which could limit its usefulness for staying current with broader industry trends.

4chan features and specs

  • Anonymity
    Users can post and interact without needing to register or provide any personal information, promoting free expression and privacy.
  • Diverse Content
    4chan hosts a wide range of boards dedicated to various topics, from technology and politics to hobbies and random discussions, catering to diverse interests.
  • Ephemeral Posts
    Content on many boards is temporary, with old posts being automatically deleted as new ones are created, keeping discussions fresh and reducing clutter.
  • Creativity and Innovation
    The platform is known for spawning internet memes and creative content that often spread to mainstream social media, influencing online culture.
  • Simple Interface
    The straightforward and minimalist design makes the site easy to navigate and quick to load, even on slower internet connections.

Possible disadvantages of 4chan

  • Lack of Moderation
    The anonymity and limited moderation can lead to the posting of harmful, offensive, or illegal content, making the platform controversial.
  • Cyberbullying
    The anonymous nature can encourage cyberbullying, harassment, and doxxing, creating a hostile environment for some users.
  • Unverified Information
    Due to the anonymous nature, the site can become a breeding ground for misinformation, rumors, and unverified claims.
  • Isolation from Mainstream
    The culture and norms of 4chan can be very different from mainstream platforms, potentially making newcomers feel unwelcome or confused.
  • Legal Risks
    Users can inadvertently engage in or be exposed to illegal activities, leading to potential legal consequences for themselves or the platform.

Analysis of Lobsters

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Lobsters (lobste.rs) is generally considered to be a good platform.

Why this product is good

  • Lobsters is a well-regarded technology-focused community that offers high-quality discussions and articles. It is designed to cater to software developers, tech enthusiasts, and industry professionals, providing a platform for sharing links and engaging in discussions without the noise and distractions common in larger forums. The community is smaller and more curated, which often results in more informative and meaningful interactions.

Recommended for

  • Software developers
  • Technology enthusiasts
  • Start-up founders
  • People interested in programming and tech discussions
  • Individuals looking for a moderated and respectful community

Analysis of 4chan

Overall verdict

  • Whether 4chan is 'good' largely depends on what you are looking for. It can be a source of entertainment and niche community interaction, but it can also expose users to negative and harmful content. It is considered good by those who appreciate its free speech ethos and anonymity but is regarded as problematic due to its association with toxic behaviors and activities.

Why this product is good

  • 4chan is an imageboard website that has gained notoriety for its unrestricted content and is often associated with internet subcultures and viral memes. It offers anonymity to its users and features many boards dedicated to various topics. However, it is also known for hosting controversial and offensive content due to its lack of moderation compared to more mainstream platforms.

Recommended for

    4chan is recommended for those who value anonymity and are interested in exploring a variety of niche topics and internet cultures. However, it is not recommended for those who are sensitive to offensive or controversial content, or those looking for a moderated and safe online environment.

Lobsters videos

No Lobsters videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

4chan videos

The Problems With 4chan (Ft. Mumkey Jones)

More videos:

  • Review - 4chan Board Review - /fit/ (Fitness)
  • Review - A 4Chan Pokemon game? - Pokemon Clover Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Lobsters and 4chan)
Social Networks
60 60%
40% 40
Social News
61 61%
39% 39
Startups
80 80%
20% 20
Knowledge Sharing
46 46%
54% 54

User comments

Share your experience with using Lobsters and 4chan. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Lobsters and 4chan

Lobsters Reviews

15 Best Reddit Alternatives in 2024: Find Your New Online Community
Lobsters is a technology-focused link aggregation site with a strong community emphasis.

4chan Reviews

We have no reviews of 4chan yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Lobsters should be more popular than 4chan. It has been mentiond 135 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Lobsters mentions (135)

  • Ask HN: Lobste.rs Invite?
    Http://lobste.rs does describe apporaches to getting an invite. The site is a lot more topic focused than HN. Writing something of interest (web link) to the lobste.rs community is a good way to approach an invite request. ( see lobste.rs topic on chat section ). - Source: Hacker News / 8 days ago
  • Ask HN: Lobste.rs Invite?
    >> "a similar site called lobse.rs" You might mean: https://lobste.rs That said, it looks quite similar to HN, and if I remember correctly, it was launched by HN previous users. - Source: Hacker News / 8 days ago
  • Whistleblower details how DOGE may have taken sensitive NLRB data
    I very much enjoy https://lobste.rs. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • They Might Be Giants Flood EPK Promo (1990) [video]
    Pff. HN has rebranded to become the DOGE News Network. If you want a more curated technical experience, I recommend https://lobste.rs. There's much less latitude for non-technical stuff. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Treasury agrees to block DOGE's access to personal taxpayer data at IRS
    Https://lobste.rs seems to still have technical focus. The issue I have with the comments is that a lot of them don't go into technical issues per se, and are not based on first hand information. What would be useful is if somebody in the government could post specifics about their abuses. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
View more

4chan mentions (61)

  • [BUG] cannot add URLs starting with digit to Speed Dial
    Just downloaded Opera, and found a bug while setting up my Speed Dial. If you right click > Edit an existing Speed Dial, and type for example https://4chan.org, the `OK` button will be grayed out. Playing with it a bit I found a workaround starting the URL with `www.\` (so long as the website supports it, not all do). You can also circumvent this bug by adding a Speed Dial via other means, such as clicking a... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Elon Musk-Owned X (Twitter) Revamps Its Ad Strategy As Ad Revenues Decline
    Does the 4chan.org organization have a big marketing budget? If so, X could be saved! Source: over 1 year ago
  • Anon has a cheeky day
    Ignore my previous comment, you’re perfect for 4chan. It’s…. https://4chan.org. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What happened to 4-chan
    It is 4chan.org, if you google it it is the first thing that comes up. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Kudos to the people who remove those stickers, fuck that guy
    Best internet forum ever, 4chan.org. 18+ only and be prepared to see anime as it comes from 2chan.net, which is in japanese. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Lobsters and 4chan, you can also consider the following products

Hacker News - Hacker News is a social news website focusing on computer science and entrepreneurship. It is run by Paul Graham's investment fund and startup incubator, Y Combinator.

Reddit - Reddit gives you the best of the internet in one place. Get a constantly updating feed of breaking news, fun stories, pics, memes, and videos just for you.

Tildes - A non-profit community site driven by its users' interests

SaidIt.net - Saidit.net - say your truth.

Lemmy - Federated link aggregator and Reddit alternative built with Rust

Raddle - A web-based forum where users submit links, pictures, posts, etc.