Best NGL Alternatives in 2026: Anonymous Q&A Apps Compared

The best NGL alternatives let friends send you anonymous messages through a link, without fake questions, paid "who sent it" hints or an 18+ age limit. In this guide we compare three popular options (MirrorBox, Sendit and Tellonym) on what matters most: who can use them, what they cost, how they handle safety, and whether they work without an app.

Full disclosure: MirrorBox is made by us, Vexil. We've kept the comparison to facts you can check yourself, with links to each app's App Store listing and to the official FTC documents. Everything here is accurate as of October 2026; these apps change often, so check the store listing before you decide.

Why people look for an NGL alternative#

NGL ("not gonna lie") made anonymous Q&A links popular on Instagram stories. Two things send people looking elsewhere:

• It's now 18+ only. In July 2024, the FTC and the Los Angeles District Attorney settled a lawsuit with NGL Labs and its co-founders. The order requires $5 million in payments and bans them from offering the app to anyone under 18. The FTC alleged the app sent fake messages that looked like they came from real people, falsely promised that a paid "Pro" subscription would reveal who sent messages, and charged recurring weekly fees of up to $9.99 that many users didn't know about. (FTC press release)
• Paid hints. NGL's current App Store listing is rated 18+ and sells NGL Pro, which includes "hints about who sent each of their messages", plus separate "unlimited hints" purchases.

If you're under 18, or you just want an app that doesn't sell hints about your friends, here are the alternatives.

Quick comparison#

Sources: the Sendit and Tellonym App Store listings (US) and mirrorbox.me.

1. MirrorBox: best for teens, and for using it on the web#

MirrorBox gives you one link (mirrorbox.me/yourname) for your story or bio. Friends send anonymous notes, questions, songs, 3-word descriptions, vibes and memories, and you answer the best ones on your story.

Enlarge screenshot

Why pick it:

• Open to 13+, with filters on by default and a team that reviews reports.
• Never sells sender hints. Not in the free version, not in MirrorBox+. Senders are only revealed if they choose to reveal themselves in a chat.
• No fake friends. Questions MirrorBox sends to get you started are always labelled as coming from MirrorBox.
• Works in any browser. You and your friends don't need to download anything.
• No ads.
• Extras: a wall to decorate, a Friends' portrait built from 3-word cards, a monthly recap, and 14 languages.

Downsides: The iPhone and Android apps are still coming soon, so for now it's web only. It's also newer and smaller than the others, so fewer of your friends will already be using it.

2. Sendit: popular, built around Snapchat and Instagram#

Sendit lets you post an "ask me anything" prompt or game to your Snapchat or Instagram story and collect answers in an inbox. It's very popular, with around 1.5 million ratings on the App Store.

Why pick it: lots of games and prompts, public profiles, and your friends may already have it.

Things to know:

• Its paid Diamond membership includes "hints about who sent all of your messages", and the listing also sells hint and "reveal" purchases.
• The listing says the app contains advertising.
• In September 2025, the Justice Department, on behalf of the FTC, sued Sendit's operator, Iconic Hearts, and its CEO. The complaint alleges the app collected data from children under 13 without parental consent, sent fake provocative messages, and sold a Diamond membership as revealing senders when it didn't. These are allegations, and the case was still pending when we last checked. (DOJ press release)

3. Tellonym: Q&A plus a social network, for adults#

Tellonym is one of the longest-running link-based Q&A apps. You share your link on Instagram and Snapchat, get anonymous questions called "Tells", answer them, and follow friends to see their answers.

Why pick it: it's established, and has a feed, discovery and chats.

Things to know:

• The App Store listing is rated 18+, so it isn't an option for teens.
• The listing says it contains advertising, and it sells Tellonym Plus and Premium subscriptions, including weekly plans.
• It lists word filters, blocking, reporting and a moderation team.

How to choose#

• You're under 18: NGL and Tellonym are 18+. MirrorBox is open to 13+ and was built with teens in mind.
• You want to try it right now without downloading anything: MirrorBox works fully in the browser.
• You don't want anyone paying to guess who you are: MirrorBox never sells sender hints. NGL and Sendit do.
• Your friends are all on one app already: the best app is often the one people already use. Just check its safety settings first.

Want the details on one app? Read our head-to-head MirrorBox vs NGL comparison. For what to look for in any anonymous app, see are anonymous message apps safe?

FAQ#

Is there an NGL alternative for people under 18?#

Yes. Because of the 2024 FTC order, NGL can't be offered to anyone under 18. MirrorBox is open to 13+, and Sendit's App Store rating is 13+.

Is there an NGL alternative that doesn't reveal who sent a message?#

MirrorBox never reveals senders, free or paid. A sender only becomes known if they choose to reveal themselves in a chat.

Is there an NGL alternative without an app?#

MirrorBox runs fully in your browser at mirrorbox.me: you claim your link, read your inbox and reply without downloading anything.

What happened to NGL?#

In July 2024, NGL Labs settled charges from the FTC and the Los Angeles District Attorney for $5 million and agreed to keep users under 18 off the app. The FTC ran a refund process for affected NGL Pro subscribers, which closed on April 6, 2026. (FTC case page)

Ready to switch? Get your free MirrorBox link and post it on your story tonight.