An NGL alternative for anonymous questions

NGL, short for "not gonna lie", is an app known for anonymous questions shared through social media stories. A person posts a prompt on their story, followers tap the link and send an anonymous message, and the owner sees the replies privately. It is a simple, fast format, and it brought the idea of anonymous questions to a new generation.

If you are searching for an NGL alternative, you probably want to compare options, not read a sales pitch. This guide stays neutral: it lays out what people typically look for in an anonymous questions app and explains how Qerios, an anonymous Q&A app, fits each point. It makes no claims about any other service.

How the NGL-style format works

The basic pattern is familiar to many people:

• You get a link and add it to a story or bio.
• Followers open it and type an anonymous message.
• You read the messages privately and may choose to reply.

That is a good starting point, and many apps follow some version of it. The differences appear in what happens next: who can ask, what tools you have, how moderation works and what the app asks of you in return.

What people look for in an NGL alternative

These are the themes that come up most often when people compare anonymous question apps:

• Control over who can ask. Can you limit who reaches you, or turn off questions when you need a break?
• Blocking and reporting. How quickly can you stop one person without ending the whole experience?
• Transparent moderation. Is it clear how content is reviewed, and what happens to a report?
• No pressure tactics. Does the app respect your attention, with clear notification settings instead of constant nudges?
• Public answers. Can you reply in a way others can read, and build a profile around your answers?
• Clear pricing and ads. Is it obvious what is free, what costs money and what is advertising?
• Privacy. Can you deactivate or delete your account when you want to?

None of these points is a verdict on a specific app. They are the questions worth asking of any of them, and how to choose an anonymous questions app turns them into a checklist.

How Qerios works as an alternative

A personal Ask link. Like other apps, Qerios gives you a link to share on stories, in your bio or in chats. People can ask you questions without showing their name. For a full overview, see what is Qerios.

Answers that live on your profile. Rather than staying only in a private inbox, your answers can become part of your profile. You choose which questions to answer, so the profile reflects what you want to talk about. You can answer with text, with a drawing (answer with a sketch) or with a Spotify or Anghami track (share music in your answers).

Direct questions and blasts. A direct question goes to one person. A blast goes to random people or to your followers, which is handy for polls and open prompts. The difference is covered in direct questions vs blasts explained.

Block, mute and report. If someone is unwelcome, you can block or mute them and report content that breaks the rules. Blocking vs reporting explains when each one fits.

Moderation you can understand. Qerios uses AI-assisted moderation alongside user reports. Automated systems help screen content, but they are not perfect, so reports from people still matter. Two useful reads are how AI actually helps (and fails) at content moderation and how reporting actually works behind the scenes.

Control over your attention. Notification settings let you choose which activity alerts you. Take control of your notifications offers practical advice for finding a comfortable balance.

Your data, your choice. You can deactivate or delete your account. See deactivating vs deleting your account.

More ways to connect. Beyond questions, Qerios has anonymous random chat with mutual reveal and in-chat games, and private chats with reactions, voice messages and images. Start with how anonymous random chat works.

Tips if you share your link on stories

Stories are a fast way to reach people, but they also reach more people than you may expect. A few habits help:

• Write a clear prompt. "Ask me about my favourite books" attracts better questions than "ask me anything".
• Start with a smaller audience. Share with close friends first to see how it feels.
• Do not reply to hurtful messages with personal details. If you receive one, read what to do when you get a hurtful anonymous question.
• Know your tools. Locate block, mute and report before you share widely.
• Rotate and review. Take your link down when you want a break.

For ways to attract thoughtful questions, read how to get more honest questions on your Ask link.

Anonymity has limits

Whichever app you use, anonymous does not mean invisible. Screenshots can be shared, and platforms can respond to reports. Treat anything you post as public, and keep addresses, schools and phone numbers out of it. If a younger person in your family uses these apps, a parent's guide to anonymous and social Q&A apps is a helpful conversation starter.

Looking for the Arabic-speaking context? Our guide to a Saraha alternative takes the same neutral approach.

Frequently asked questions

Is Qerios the same as NGL? No. Qerios is a separate app. It shares the idea of anonymous questions but adds public answers, sketches and music, blasts, anonymous random chat and private chats.

Can I share my Qerios link on social media stories? Yes. Your Ask link is a normal link you can place in a story, bio or chat.

Do I have to answer every question? No. You decide which questions to answer.

Can I block someone who sends unwanted questions? Yes. You can block or mute them and report content that breaks the rules.

Can I delete my account? Yes. You can deactivate or delete your account.

Try Qerios

If you want an alternative to NGL, try Qerios with a small circle first. Create a profile, share your Ask link, answer a few questions in different formats and see whether the controls feel right to you. Decide by your own criteria, and keep your personal details to yourself.