What’s the best LinkedIn alternative for professional networking out there? Do you actually need a LinkedIn profile?
Most people think of LinkedIn as the place to look for jobs—and they’re not wrong. It’s everywhere. Almost every recruiter uses it, and if you’ve ever job hunted online, you’ve likely ended up there. But it’s not always the best tool for everyone.
Some people get lost in the crowd. Others get tired of the constant updates, the hidden algorithms, or the feeling that unless you’re posting all the time, you’re invisible. Some folks want more privacy. Others need something more focused on their industry or way of working.
That’s where this article comes in: we’ll explore real LinkedIn alternatives that might work better for you.
General-purpose professional networking platforms
If you’re just looking to browse jobs and apply quickly, there are a few solid LinkedIn alternatives that don’t require building a personal brand.
Indeed is the biggest name here. You can upload your resume once, set up alerts, and apply with one click to a job listing. It also shows employer reviews, which help you spot red flags early.
Glassdoor started as a place to read anonymous reviews about companies, but now it’s also a job board. The real value is in the insights: how much a role pays, how people feel about management, and whether teams are actually hiring or just pretending.
ZipRecruiter uses AI to match your resume to open roles and invites you to apply. Once a job goes live, it pushes the job posting to over 100 job boards. Employers can use templates to send automated outreach to candidates who match the role.
All three are free, easy to use, and cover a wide range of roles.
Niche and industry-specific platforms
Sometimes what you really need is a platform built for your industry. LinkedIn casts a wide net, but these tools go deep instead of wide.
Prosple focuses on helping students and recent grads discover early-career jobs, internships, and graduate programs. It’s especially useful if you’re trying to land that first role out of school. You can filter by industry, location, and even employer size—great if you’re still figuring out your preferences.
AngelList (now Wellfound) is where startups go to find early hires. Most job listings show salary and equity upfront. Some even let you apply directly to founders, which saves time and cuts through the noise. It’s one of the better LinkedIn alternatives out there.
Behance and Dribbble are visual-first platforms for creatives, with many active users. If you’re a designer, illustrator, or animator, your portfolio is everything—and this is where you’ll get found.
And for developers and other tech talent, GitHub used to have GitHub Jobs but that’s shut down. Still, tools like Stack Overflow Jobs (now powered by Indeed) and Remote OK are filling the gap. You’ll want to keep your code public, your contributions visible, and your GitHub profile in shape.
These platforms don’t try to do everything—they just do your thing well.
LinkedIn alternatives for fractional executives
If you’re a fractional executive—someone working part-time in high-level roles across multiple companies—LinkedIn can feel noisy and generic. What you need is signal, not noise. The right intros, warm leads, boards that understand your level.
Bolster is built for exactly that. It connects experienced execs with startups needing interim, advisory, or board talent. You set your availability and interests, and the matching engine handles the rest.
ExecThread is another one worth checking. It’s a curated network of senior-level professionals, with access to confidential leadership roles. Some are full-time, many are advisory or consulting.
And don’t sleep on Catalant or Graphite—platforms that match execs with short-term, high-skill consulting gigs.
These aren’t job boards in the traditional sense. They’re more like deal flow. And that’s what you want at your level.
Remote and freelance-specific platforms
If you’re freelancing, contracting, or just want the freedom to work from anywhere, there are different platforms made for that.
Upwork is one of the biggest freelance marketplaces out there. You can pitch for gigs, get rated by clients, and build a steady pipeline. It’s a bit of a hustle at first, but once you get a few good reviews, things get easier.
Toptal is on the premium end. They screen potential candidates hard with tests and interviews, but once you’re in, you get access to better-paying, high-trust clients—especially in tech and finance.
Remote OK, We Work Remotely, and FlexJobs focus on remote-first jobs. Some are freelance, others are full-time. FlexJobs charges a small fee, but they screen every post so you’re not wasting time on scams or shady listings.
If your goal is flexibility and freedom, these are worth checking out.
Community-driven and emerging platforms
Some platforms aren’t about job listings—they’re about meaningful connections. And sometimes, that’s how you find the best work. Here are three LinkedIn alternatives that offer networking opportunities:
Jobcase is a good LinkedIn alternative for hourly and blue-collar workers. Think service providers in retail, warehouse, and delivery. It feels more community-based and less corporate. You’ll find discussions, job leads, and people sharing what actually works.
Fishbowl is part anonymous chat, part job board. It started with industry gossip and insider talk, but now includes verified hiring channels. If you want to ask “what’s it really like to work at this place?”—this is where you go. Fishbowl and Glassdoor are LinkedIn alternatives that rely on insider insights.
Lunchclub isn’t a job site at all. It sets up 1:1 video chats with people in your field based on similar interests. Some of those conversations turn into job leads. Others just help you feel connected when you’re between gigs. It’s a good way to build valuable professional relationships.
Slack communities are another great source of jobs — one of the best LinkedIn alternatives I can recommend. These days, there’s a Slack group for almost any niche, and many of them have a #jobs channel inside with opportunities. See if your professional community has a public Slack group listed on Slofile, or create one yourself. As a professional networking platform, it’s hard to beat.
Facebook Groups are another solid option. Many local, industry-specific, and alumni groups post job leads on the social media platform regularly. Search for a Facebook Group in your field, join a few, and keep an eye out for posts with open roles or networking events.Â
These aren’t traditional job platforms — they’re networking tools. But sometimes a conversation on a chat platform goes further than an application ever will.
Traditional but overlooked channels
Some of the best jobs aren’t on any professional networking platform—they’re sitting quietly on company websites. If you already know where you want to work, skip the middleman and check their careers page.
If you went to university, chances are your alumni office runs a job board or career service that most people forget exists. These listings tend to be low-competition and trusted.
Then there are professional associations tied to your field. Whether it’s engineering, social work, or biotech, almost every field has one—and their job boards tend to be highly relevant and vetted.
These are less flashy but often more direct.
Strategic advice for job-seekers
You don’t have to pick just one platform or social network. Use different ones for different goals—maybe browse on Indeed, network on Lunchclub, and apply directly on company sites.
Being on multiple platforms increases your chances of landing potential clients, getting your next job, learning valuable insights, or simply expanding your professional network.
If you’re a freelancer, make a simple personal site or online portfolio. Even a basic one helps recruiters take you seriously. For creatives or devs and other tech talent, it’s not optional.
Also: don’t wait to be found. If you see a hiring manager on Twitter or mention a company in a post, reach out. A short, thoughtful DM often beats a cold application.
Finally, don’t let algorithms filter you out. Use human channels—email, referrals, warm intros—wherever you can. Be seen by real people, and try to build a professional connection offline, too.
Try LinkedIn + alternative platforms for best results
Having a LinkedIn profile works—but it’s not the only game in town. You’ve got more options than you think. Try a few, mix them based on what you’re looking for, and don’t be afraid to step off the beaten path. The right opportunity might be where fewer people are looking.
Mo is the founder and CEO of Column Content, a thought leadership content agency that helps leaders shape public opinion. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
