Imagine scrolling through endless short videos. Dance moves catch your eye. Quick cooking tips pop up next. Then comes a funny pet video that makes you laugh out loud. This is what TikTok does best — it grabs your attention and won’t let go.
TikTok changed everything about making videos. But now people worry about their privacy. Some countries might ban the app completely. Others just want to try something new and different.
Understanding TikTok: Why Users Are Seeking Other Platforms
More than 1.5 billion people use TikTok every month in 2025. That’s a huge number, which makes it easy for users to acquire their 1K followers on TikTok quickly! The app lets you make videos between 15 seconds and 3 minutes long. To make your videos look even better, you have the option to incorporate music, eye-catching effects, and a wide range of filters. You can also go live if you have 1000 followers on TikTok.
Here’s the problem though. TikTok comes from China, and its parent company is called ByteDance. Many people don’t trust how they handle personal information. The United States even shut down TikTok for a short time in January 2025. India has already banned it completely.
Additionally, some creators are looking for improved methods to earn revenue from their content. Others require specialized editing tools that TikTok doesn’t currently provide.
What Makes These Apps Similar to TikTok
All these apps share some basic features:
- The platform is filled with brief clips that are simple to enjoy.
- They offer a wide selection of music to use in your content.
- Your videos can become visually engaging with the many filters and effects offered.
- Smart systems that show you videos you might like
- Ways for creators to earn money
8 TikTok Alternatives to Check Out in 2025
1. Instagram Reels
Instagram added Reels in 2019. Over 2 billion people use Instagram every month, so your videos can reach tons of viewers. The more followers you can acquire on Instagram, the higher would be the number of views on this social platform. Getting your first 1K followers might prove difficult but after that it would be an easy journey if your content engages people. You can make videos up to 90 seconds long. Instagram also allows you to hide followers and see who blocked you.
The best part? If you already use Instagram, Reels works with everything else. You can share your Reels to your Instagram Story or main feed too. You’ll find a wide variety of music and effects available in the app, helping you get Instagram followers and get views on Instagram more effectively.
Want to know how Instagram Reels helps small creators stand out? Instagram algorithm ranks how entertaining a video is and how likely you are to engage with it, even favoring smaller creators to help them go viral! Basically, if a Reel keeps you hooked, makes you hit that like button or comment, or inspires you to create your own, the algorithm is much more likely to show it to others.
Good things about Reels:
- Millions of people might see your videos
- It’s easy to use if you are already familiar with Instagram.
- Great music library
- Works with other Instagram features
Not-so-good things:
- Too many creators make it hard to get noticed
- The system that picks which videos to show can be confusing
- Lots of ads everywhere
- Unfortunately, you cannot speed up videos for faster viewing.
2. YouTube Shorts
YouTube launched Shorts in 2021. Since YouTube has 2.7 billion users, your short videos can reach almost anyone in the world. Shorts can stretch to 60 seconds.
YouTube is great because you can make both short and long videos. If someone likes your Short, they might watch your longer videos too. Curious about how YouTube Shorts can help you earn money? The YouTube Partner Program works great for creators looking to make handsome money.
YouTube Shorts algorithm wants to show you stuff you’ll absolutely love. It learns from what you watch and interact with. It really cares about whether you stick around to watch a whole Short, if you share it, or even if you just give it a quick like – basically, if it’s super engaging, the algorithm will push it out to more people.
What’s great:
- You can actually make good money
- Huge audience around the world
- Make both short and long content
- People can find your videos by searching
The downsides:
- New creators have a harder time getting views
- Not as many editing tools as TikTok
- Videos can only be 3 minutes max (TikTok allows longer)
- No automatic captions
3. Snapchat Spotlight
Snapchat Spotlight started in November 2020. It offers a similar experience to TikTok but with significantly more dynamic camera effects. You know those filters that put dog ears on your head? Snapchat has thousands of them.
Watch time on Spotlight grew by one hundred and twenty-five percent in one year. That means more people are watching! You can also do live streams to talk with viewers in real time, which is a great way to be viral on TikTok-style platforms like Snapchat, as engaging live content often attracts more viewers.
The good stuff:
- Amazing camera filters and effects
- Rewards for popular creators
- More people watching every month
- Live streaming feature
The challenges:
- The app can be confusing to use
- You need 1 million views per month to make money
- Smaller audience than TikTok
- New folks to the platform do not get attention easily
4. RedNote (Xiaohongshu)
RedNote, an app originating from China, combines short videos with lifestyle-focused content. Users can upload videos covering topics such as fashion, food, travel, and daily life experiences.
The app looks a lot like TikTok with its “For You” page. You can chat with other users and get product recommendations too.
Why people like it:
- Familiar TikTok-like design
- Good community features
- Appeals to different cultures
- Easy video creation tools
The concerns:
- Privacy worries since it stores data in China
- Hard to make money (mostly brand deals)
- Finding your content can be difficult due to the absence of hashtags.
- Might get banned in the US like TikTok
5. Lemon8
ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) also owns Lemon8. This app focuses on pretty lifestyle content – food photos, travel posts, wellness tips. It looks more like Pinterest than TikTok.
You can log in with your TikTok account and share content on both apps easily. Its interface is clean and serves as an ideal platform for lifestyle influencers.
The positives:
- Beautiful, high-quality content focus
- Easy connection with TikTok
- Good for detailed storytelling
- Growing among lifestyle creators
The negatives:
- No way to make money yet
- Could get banned like TikTok (same company)
- Smaller user base
- Less focused on viral, quick content
6. Triller
Triller focuses heavily on music content. It’s like the old Musical.ly app that became TikTok. You begin by selecting a song, and then you create your video around that specific track.
Videos can be up to 60 seconds long. The app got a new look in 2025 that makes it easier to use. You can earn money through their Wallet system using virtual coins.
What works well:
- Perfect for music and dance content
- Better money-making system
- Live streaming available
- Improved user interface
The limitations:
- Smaller music library than TikTok
- Fewer users mean less viral potential
- Mainly for music content only
- Trouble getting popular songs
7. Likee
Likee is all about filters and special effects. If you love making videos with crazy visual effects, this is your app. It has tons of AR filters, stickers, and creative tools.
You can also do live streams and earn money through “SuperLikes” from your followers.
The benefits:
- Incredible filter and effect library
- Make money from follower gifts
- Live streaming feature
- Lots of customization options
The drawbacks:
- Smaller audience than major apps
- Not as well-known globally
- Heavy focus on effects might not suit everyone
- Limited reach compared to bigger platforms
8. Clapper
Clapper wants people to be real and authentic. No heavy editing or fake content – just genuine moments. Think of it like BeReal but for videos.
The app is growing in the United States. You can make money through subscription tiers, and followers can support you directly.
Why it’s different:
- Encourages authentic, real content
- Good money-making options for creators
- Live streaming available
- Growing US community
The challenges:
- Much smaller than TikTok
- Basic editing tools
- Niche appeal won’t suit all creators
- Less chance of going viral
The logic of trying something other than TikTok
The apps are different in some way. Instagram Reels has billions of people at your disposal. Clapper concentrates on honesty and reality. Privacy is an issue as well – apps such as Instagram and YouTube adhere to more restrictive US privacy policies than apps owned by Chinese companies. As more bans are threatened, clever producers turn to various platforms. There could also be a smaller community that actually likes your type of content. Or find out video editing tools that would make your videos look even better.
Apps Like TikTok FAQs
The concern about privacy, the possibility of outlawing the app by the government, and the desire to find more effective methods of earning money push people to experiment with new apps.
In 2025, there are more than 1.5 billion TikTok users across the world.
YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are the most promising platforms in terms of earning money: both through advertisements and in collaboration with brands.
The Instagram Reel and YouTube Shorts fall under US privacy legislation and are safer in general. RedNote/Lemon8 is an app owned by the Chinese, so there are a lot of instances where privacy is scrutinized. Whenever you see privacy policies, read them and pay attention to what you discuss.
