No other app has become as popular as TikTok. It started in 2016 as Music.ly. By 2017, 90 million people were using it. In 2020, it was downloaded 2 billion times. In 2021, it became the most visited website, beating Google.
But TikTok isn’t just about dancing and music. There’s a lot we can learn from how they became so successful.
Firstly, TikTok mastered the concept of viewing short videos. Instead of searching for videos, TikTok has them ready for you to watch – you just have to scroll.
Secondly, TikTok’s algorithm is skilled at keeping users interested. Within 10 minutes of using the app, the algorithm learns your preferences, showing you content you enjoy and avoiding what you don’t.
Using this information, TikTok lines up many relevant videos, keeping you entertained for a long time.
Lastly, TikTok simplifies making and sharing videos. With trends to inspire and tools to improve your content, it’s no surprise that TikTok is popular with younger users. Their constant innovation ensures we’ll remain engaged.
Considering all of this, it’s important to have alternative apps like TikTok. Without them, TikTok might become too dominant, controlling what video content is available. We think competition is crucial for new ideas, so having similar websites and apps means better choices for everyone.
Best TikTok-like apps
Snapchat For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Each photo and video is valuable and rare.
- There are popular filters for photos and videos.
- There’s an interactive Snap Map.
Introduced in 2011, Snapchat is among the first modern social media platforms. It has become hugely popular among teenagers and young adults over the last 12 years because it’s easy to use and has many features.
Snapchat is free to use, but there’s also a subscription called Snapchat+ for $3.99 per month.
Here are three reasons why Snapchat is an excellent option instead of TikTok:
Firstly, every photo and video vanishes after a short time, making them valuable.
Secondly, Snapchat introduced and improved video filters, adding colors and emojis to videos.
Lastly, Snapchat’s “Snap Map” lets users see snaps from all over the country, enabling global participation and adding an interactive element.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| Available at no cost with a low-cost subscription option. | Concerns about privacy |
| Numerous filters for photos and videos. | Content easily forgotten to be saved |
| Special Snap Map |
Huddles For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Drops to boost creators and help their work gain popularity
- FanMail for direct communication with creators
- Paid subscriptions to assist creators
Created by Dan Hofmann, a co-founder of Vine, Huddles is a video-sharing platform from the United States. It lets users make looping videos that are 2 to 15 seconds long. Huddles is in 41 languages and has more than 5,000 users.
Here are three reasons why Huddles stands out from apps similar to TikTok.
Firstly, Huddles lets viewers give tips to their preferred creators with “Drops,” which creators can cash out, encouraging them to make consistent and interesting content. Secondly, Huddles provides “FanMail,” a paid service for sending direct messages to creators.
Lastly, Huddles allows viewers to pay a monthly subscription for exclusive content and to support their favorite creators, following the model of Patreon.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| A direct method to help creators | Privacy worries for younger users |
| Assured communication with creators | Limit on video length |
| Wide variety of video editing tools | Limited range of videos because of fewer users |
Triller
Important characteristics:
- Effective video editing tools included
- Top-notch AI music synchronization
- Smooth integration with streaming playlists
Triller, initially launched in 2015 as a video editing app, rapidly became a popular alternative to TikTok. With millions of downloads and celebrities using it, Triller is proving to be a strong social media platform.
Here are three reasons why Triller is an excellent substitute:
Firstly, Triller offers robust built-in video editing tools, making it simple to create and share your creations.
Secondly, Triller’s AI music sync feature is highly regarded, enabling quick creation of music videos.
Thirdly, users can connect their Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming accounts to Triller, allowing them to easily incorporate their favorite songs into videos.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| More than 80 million songs are available | Privacy worries for younger users |
| Effective AI music sync | Fewer video options because of a smaller user community |
| Abundance of video filters and effects | Sometimes, there are problems with AI synchronization |
Instagram Reels For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Smart algorithm
- Popular audio and effects
- Social media integration to increase interaction
Instagram has been a leader in the industry for more than ten years. Since introducing Reels in 2020, their dominance has only increased. With over 1 billion users in 2021, Instagram Reels are now widely recognized in modern social media.
Here are three reasons why Instagram Reels is an excellent option instead of TikTok:
Firstly, Instagram Reels has its own advanced algorithm that learns and suggests content based on users’ preferences. Secondly, it’s easy to use trendy audio and effects on Instagram Reels.
Finally, since Instagram is a popular social media platform, sharing reels on your account can increase engagement and followers.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| Smart algorithm | Reels are less popular than regular Instagram posts |
| Current trends | Fewer tools compared to other apps |
| Many video effects, tools, and editing options |
YouTube Shorts For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Biggest video audience globally
- A strong and sophisticated algorithm
- Simple creator monetization options
YouTube has been leading online videos for more than ten years. People questioned if they could compete with TikTok and Instagram, but they did and more.
YouTube Shorts is now well-known for short video content, with many creators focusing on it over regular YouTube videos.
Here are three reasons why YouTube Shorts is an excellent option instead of TikTok:
Firstly, YouTube is the largest video platform globally, offering a wide range of videos and audiences.
Secondly, YouTube Shorts uses a strong algorithm to help users find their favorite content quickly. Lastly, creators can earn money from their work through YouTube Shorts.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| Effective algorithm | Concerns about privacy for users under 18 |
| Creators can earn money | No assurance of growth |
| Simple audience growth and content scaling | Restrictions on earning money at the beginning |
Likee For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Exclusive 4D editing
- Strong AR editing capabilities
- Smooth live streaming
Founded in 2017 in Singapore, Likee quickly joined the short video content competition. Likee aims to assist users in showcasing their talents and building communities. With over 80 million users as of 2019, Likee has a permanent presence in the market.
Here are three reasons why Likee is an excellent option instead of TikTok:
Firstly, Likee offers special 4D editing, enabling creators to change backgrounds and hair color.
Secondly, Likee includes AR technology for advanced video editing.
Lastly, Likee is great for live streaming, helping creators engage with their audience.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| Strong 4D background editing | Parents worry about privacy |
| Many video filters, stickers, and more | Editing problems because of new technology |
| Endless trends to explore | Fewer users compared to other apps |
Lemon8 For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Abundance of customization options for photos and videos
- Posts similar to blogs and Tumblr
- Gradual growth and genuine connections
Released by TikTok’s parent company in February 2023, Lemon8 combines elements of Pinterest and Instagram, featuring micro-blogging and visually appealing posts that have captured widespread interest.
While Lemon8 may not directly compete with TikTok, it serves as an excellent alternative to other popular platforms.
Here’s why:
Firstly, Lemon8 offers extensive customization options for both video and photo content, enhancing their appearance.
Secondly, Lemon8 permits lengthy posts, reminiscent of blogs and the Tumblr era.
Finally, Lemon8 emphasizes assisting creators in establishing genuine, like-minded communities around their content, prioritizing authentic connections over view counts.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| Produces genuine and visually appealing posts | Not in direct competition with TikTok |
| Great for building a community of similar-minded people | Focused heavily on a single aesthetic |
| Simple to navigate | Slower growth compared to many other apps |
Zigazoo For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Encourages uplifting content
- Thoroughly checks content for suitability
- Emphasizes education over popularity
Zigazoo was founded with a single aim: to promote positivity on social media. In recent years, they have achieved this by encouraging authentic human interaction through Zigazoo for Gen-Z and the first child-friendly social media platform, Zigazoo Kids.
Here are three reasons why Zigazoo is an excellent option instead of TikTok:
Firstly, Zigazoo prioritizes content that brings people together, rather than causing division.
Secondly, Zigazoo carefully reviews its content to ensure it’s positive and suitable for everyone.
Lastly, Zigazoo’s emphasis on education, rather than popularity, makes it a valuable learning tool.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| Great company mission | Smaller audience compared to other apps |
| Thorough content evaluation | Limited video-editing options |
| Emphasis on privacy | Few trending sounds and effects |
Zoomerang For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Make and earn money from your content
- Connects individual creators and businesses
- Provides expert advice to all creators
In the realm of short videos, creators are constantly seeking templates to enhance their reach, increase engagement, and establish their brand.
Zoomerang, a top player in this field, offers SMBs and individual creators video templates, AI video editing, and other tools. Zoomerang provides a free Starter option, with the premium plan priced at $4.99 per week or $29.99 per year.
Here are three reasons why Zoomerang is an excellent option alongside TikTok:
Firstly, Zoomerang lets you design and earn from your templates, empowering creators to profit from their creations.
Secondly, Zoomerang facilitates connections between solo entrepreneurs and businesses, helping them discover opportunities, broaden their reach, and expand their audience.
Lastly, Zoomerang offers professional advice to all creators, supporting them throughout their journeys, and ensuring they always have guidance along the way.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| User-friendly platform | Privacy worries for users below 18 |
| Turns short videos into profit | Sometimes AI editing mistakes |
| Both free and paid options | Fewer features in the free version |
Funimate For iOS & Android
Important characteristics:
- Robust editing tools
- Numerous transitions, filters, and other options
- Seamless connection with social media
If you’re making videos, you need a reliable video editor. That’s where Funimate comes into play.
With strong built-in tools for editing photos and videos, Funimate is a popular choice among creators worldwide. The app is free, but for additional features, you can opt for the pro plan, which costs $2.99 per month.
Here are three reasons why Funimate is an excellent option alongside TikTok:
Firstly, Funimate offers powerful editing tools such as its keyframe effects library and advanced coloring options. Secondly, Funimate provides numerous transitions and filters to enhance your videos.
Finally, Funimate seamlessly connects with your social media applications, simplifying the sharing of your creations.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
| Strong editing capabilities | Premium features require payment |
| Easy to learn and become proficient | The free version has fewer features |
| Join the Funimate editing community | The free version adds a watermark to videos |
Conclusion
When entering the short-form video realm, there are numerous options to explore. Once you embark on this journey, you’ll require a video editor to align your content with your creative vision.
This is where Movavi Video Editor comes into play, serving as the ultimate video editing tool you’ll ever need. With a plethora of visual effects and features, including AI tools and seamless TikTok sharing, it enables you to craft stunning video content effortlessly!
