Yes, depending the case there are several alternatives, eg.Yggdrasil or OSHI Mesh. 40 years ago there was the Finger Protocol which still is implemented by default and works in Windows, Mac and most distros

Meshcore prefers to rely on volunteer infrastructure, meshtastic is better at ad-hoc networks.

If your going to a concert or convention, Meshtastic would be the better system. If your at home trying to make a local network, Meshcore is the tool for you.

Right now the issue is that they both mostly use the same hardware and there isnt really a method of using both projects on the same device to utilize their best aspects, ya sorta just have to go with what everyone else uses.

Currently considering buying one to stay in touch with a local community in a jurisdiction with heavy Internet censorship, where only state-run messaging platforms run reliably

It's a hobby

Among other reasons, a well-established, decentralized mesh network builds community resilience that can be very useful in emergencies where centralized infrastructure is compromised.

Decentralized messaging

Also a off-grid communication platform in areas without existing or reliable communications infrastructure.