Photo Credit: Solen Feyissa
What’s the best TikTok alternative if TikTok gets banned in the US?
TikTok’s meteoric growth has turned the platform into the hottest social media network for music exposure. Sharing short-form dancing, lip-syncing, and comedy videos are a staple on the platform. TikTok’s audience skews young, which makes it a valuable platform for discovery and promotion. But the app’s uncertainty in the United States worries some creators and TikTok users.
Government officials have signaled they are seriously considering a ban on TikTok in the US. President Trump recently gave Microsoft 45 days to reach a deal with ByteDance to acquire the US arm of TikTok. But ByteDance’s CEO has signaled he’s unhappy with being forced to sell a (profitable) portion of his company.
If you like watching TikTok videos and want a TikTok alternative in the event the app is banned, check out these apps.
7. Byte
Photo Credit: Byte
The original creators of the Vine app got together to create Byte, their take on short-form videos. We briefly covered Byte when it launched as a viable TikTok alternative. Recently downloads for the platform have exploded, especially after India banned TikTok.
Users can create short video clips that loop over and over again, much like the original Vine. It’s not quite the same as TikTok since it isn’t as music-focused. But if you love short-form video comedy, the platform has that in spades.
Byte features communities that function like Facebook groups. Videos can be tagged as ‘funny,’ ‘horror,’ or ‘memes’ to be showcased in the correct group. It’s one of the best apps like TikTok for iOS and Android.
Download: iOS | Android
6. Chingari
Photo Credit: Chingari
Chingari is the best TikTok alternative in India, with plenty of filters and editing options for creators. This TikTok alternative allows users to share short-form videos with family and friends. It features categories to make browsing content more accessible, and it’s a local app for the Indian population.
Download: iOS | Android
5. Instagram Reels
Photo Credit: Instagram
Facebook wouldn’t be Facebook without creating a TikTok clone for Instagram. The new feature is called Instagram Reels, and they’re available in the United States after launching in Brazil. Instagram Reels offers users the ability to create 15-second videos that can be stitched together.
Reels shamelessly borrows TikTok’s ‘Explore’ tab to make public reels viral. The new Reels feature is as much as a copy of TikTok as Stories is a copy of Snapchat. Facebook’s rapid expansion of Instagram to help artists monetize their online presence will benefit from Reels.
Download: iOS | Android
4. Snapchat
Photo Credit: Snapchat
Snapchat just secured major music licensing deals with Warner Music and Universal’s publishing arm. It’s the precursor for Snapchat, adding the ability to have its short-form videos backed by music. Snapchat is slowly pivoting to become a viable TikTok alternative. By the end of 2020, it will have many of the same features.
Download: iOS | Android
3. Dubsmash
Photo Credit: Dubsmash
Dubsmash has been around for several years now. It is much more focused on creating lip-syncing videos, which was Musical.ly’s original purpose. ByteDance acquired Musical.ly back in 2017 and merged it with TikTok to form the short-form video app we have today.
If you want to get back to basics and focus on creating lip-syncing videos, Dubsmash is the best TikTok alternative. The app has seen a resurgence in popularity after India banned TikTok from the country.
Download: iOS | Android
2. Likee
Photo Credit: Likee
Likee is best described as a mix between YouTube and TikTok. Users can create short-form videos, or do long-form content for their followers. Likee does feature filters and text over videos. Discovery lacks in the app since the community is comparatively smaller than TikTok.
Likee gained some resurgence in popularity as people began searching for viable TikTok alternatives. The app lacks many of the monetization features TikTok roled out for creators to support themselves, however.
1. Triller
Photo Credit: Triller
Triller is one of the newest short-form video apps on the scene. It is much more focused on music, with stars like Chance the Rapper and Justin Bieber promoting their music on the platform. Triller is unique because it allows groups to collaborate on creating a video. It features the same editing, filters, and text options that are available in TikTok.
Triller is unique because it is specifically targeting the TikTok exodus that is happening right now. The app checks many of the boxes for a TikTok alternative that people want. It’s music focused, has plenty of filters, and it’s based in the US.
Download: iOS | Android