As the Supreme Court considers the bill that would outlaw the app, TikTok has threatened to shut down in just six days. We then decided it was time to investigate alternative platforms that could be able to bridge the gap left by TikTok in our life.
According to the law, ByteDance, the parent firm of TikTok, has until January 19 to sell off its U.S. business or risk being banned from the nation. Although TikTok is seeking for a legal pause, the app will be essentially prohibited in the nation if that doesn’t happen.
While there isn’t a 1:1 substitute for TikTok, there are a few good alternatives that provide a comparable experience. Over the past few years, numerous businesses have been developing TikTok clones for their own products, and a number of more recent businesses have attempted to subvert the app’s hegemony.
The several apps that are worth looking into are as follows:
- Instagram Reels
With good reason, Instagram’s Reels feature is undoubtedly the most well-known TikTok clone. Since creators frequently publish their TikTok content on Instagram Reels, many of the films are identical. Additionally, many of the popular subjects and noises on TikTok eventually find their way onto Instagram Reels. Instagram Reels might be the greatest choice for a TikTok substitute because a lot of the content is the same.
However, Instagram Reels might not be able to showcase films you’re interested in as well as TikTok because of the latter’s superior algorithm. However, Instagram has been improving the Reels suggestion algorithm for the past few years, so we can definitely anticipate it getting even better in the future.
Instagram Reels, which already controls a huge portion of the social media landscape and has the majority of the same users and content categories as TikTok, may emerge as the most popular platform for short-form video content if a TikTok ban is implemented.
- YouTube Shorts
Another site that has been expanding and giving priority to its TikTok-like offering is YouTube. Given that YouTube Shorts offers access to YouTube’s extensive song and music video catalog, it can be the greatest TikTok substitute for you if you already spend a lot of time on the platform or enjoy discovering new music on TikTok.
One of YouTube Shorts’ advantages over the other services on this list is its integration with a well-known platform for long-form video production. YouTube has the potential to become the preferred platform for short-form content if TikTok is prohibited, especially if well-known TikTok producers decide to move their work there. Millions of people visit YouTube every day to watch content.
Unfortunately, because YouTube Shorts occasionally offers content that has been republished from lengthier YouTube videos, the content is frequently less entertaining than that seen on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels. Nevertheless, you might use hashtags or keywords to identify videos and search for information you wish to see.
- Snapchat Spotlight
Another good TikTok substitute if you’re searching for brief and engaging content is Snapchat’s Spotlight feed. Spotlight typically only displays humorous and cheerful videos, in contrast to TikTok and Instagram Reels. The stream probably doesn’t contain news or political content, which may appeal to some readers.
You can view popular videos based on various subjects and songs that are now trending in Spotlight’s trending area. You may look for content using hashtags and keywords, just like on TikTok and Instagram Reels.
However, Snapchat Spotlight’s inability to go beyond its younger user base is one of its main drawbacks. You might not find the content on Spotlight as compelling because it primarily targets younger audiences, whereas adults are more likely to use platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels.
- Triller
For those who are primarily interested in the music and dancing components of TikTok, Triller, which began as a competitor, might be a suitable substitute. Note that there isn’t as much content on Triller as there is on TikTok because of its considerably smaller user base.
Triller is already trying to capitalize on the possibility of a TikTok ban in the United States. In an effort to encourage content creators to move their work to Triller’s app, the business just created SaveMyTikToks.com, a website that lets TikTok users save their films by moving them to Triller’s platform.
Additionally, Triller just appointed Sean Kim, a former TikTok executive, as its CEO in order to concentrate on redesigning the app. Kim worked on TikTok’s “For You” feed, creator monetization, developer platform, third-party integrations, and other projects while she was the company’s head of product from 2019 to 2022. By hiring one of TikTok’s best talent, Triller may be able to expand its offerings and become a more competitive alternative to TikTok.
- RedNote
The Chinese short-form video app Xiaohongshu, often known as RedNote in English, is already attracting a large number of TikTok users in the United States. The app, which debuted in 2013, is China’s version of Instagram.
The app has several social shopping elements and an interface that is reminiscent of Pinterest. It offers a variety of livestreaming and video services to users. Much of the material found on TikTok, such as product reviews and beauty instructions, is also found on RedNote.
RedNote’s ability to maintain the level of interest it is currently receiving is uncertain. Furthermore, if the app manages to attract a sizable American user base, it is unclear if the U.S. government will wish to take action against it because of its Chinese ownership.
- Lemon8
The business has been advertising Lemon8, its companion app, in the months before the TikTok ban deadline. Recently, users have been able to access Lemon8 via their TikTok account.
Because it allows users to share slideshows and photo collections and browse content through “Following” and “For You” feeds, the app is comparable to Instagram and Pinterest. Creative tools, filters, effects, stickers, text templates, and more are available on Lemon8.
But it’s important to keep in mind that Lemon8 might become involved in the TikTok ban, particularly given that lawmakers are primarily worried about TikTok’s Chinese ownership. Lemon8’s existence in the United States is therefore yet unknown.
- Likee
Likee is a short-form video app that offers livestreaming and editing capabilities in addition to video sharing. More than 100 million people worldwide have downloaded the app.
Likee allows producers to incorporate AR filters into their films and livestreams, much like Snapchat does. Additionally, Likee has a large music library, which may help TikTok users discover new songs.
The app also contains monetization tools that let content producers get paid for their work by getting SuperLikes from their fans. Likee doesn’t have the same reach as TikTok, thus engagement is a little bit limited, much like with the other smaller applications on this list. Naturally, it might alter in the future.
- Fanbase
In essence, Fanbase is a subscription-based social network that combines Snapchat, Clubhouse, Instagram, Patreon, and TikTok. Short-form videos, photos, long-form videos, Stories, livestreams, and audio rooms are all available on the app. Although the app is free to use, you can access unique content by purchasing a membership.
Fanbase’s “Flickz” stream is what makes it a potential TikTok substitute. Similar to TikTok, Flickz has two feeds: one for discovery and another for material from creators you follow. Fanbase offers a wide variety of content, such as films about humor, music, sports, food, and more.
The program was created with the goal of promoting and rewarding Black innovators, whose work is frequently underappreciated or stolen on conventional social media sites. The ad-free website Fanbase guarantees that no material will ever be suppressed or shadowbanned.
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- Zigazoo
For children and teenagers, Zigazoo, a relatively new short-form video platform targeted at younger users, might be a decent substitute for TikTok. Due to its stringent moderation guidelines and lack of a comments component, the app is seen as a safer substitute for TikTok and offers humorous and cheerful videos.
Using challenges or instructional cues, the app allows users to explore or produce brief movies. Fun dancing videos, one of TikTok’s most popular content categories, are also available on Zigazoo. Similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, the app offers a variety of video effects, noises, and filters.
The app is a fantastic substitute for TikTok for younger users, particularly those whose parents are worried about the app’s possible negative effects on children and teenagers. However, it is not a suitable substitute for adults.
- Favorited
Favorited is a social app that gamifies livestreaming and has support from A16Z. Through virtual presents from viewers, the software enables livestreamers to engage with their followers and make money. In addition, the app offers producers a 70/30 revenue split, while TikTok offers live creators a 50/50 share.
Additionally, Favorited enables producers to link their online storefronts. However, Favorited lacks a discovery feed to assist users in finding new material, in contrast to TikTok.
This year, the app has 750,000 users, and many more sign up every day. Unfortunately, the app isn’t very popular outside of the United States, but that might change in the future.
- Clapper
Clapper is a short-form adults-only app that champions authentic expression and unfiltered interactions. The app has a 17+ audience policy and is known for having limited moderation, which may not be for everyone.
Clapper lets you post videos that are up to three minutes long. The app features an audio-only feature that allows users to create a room with up to 2,000 listeners with 20 speakers. Plus, creators can create communities where they can interact with their followers one-on-one.
Instead of polished content intended to become viral, the app prioritizes raw content and is ad-free. Although it has some video editing tools, they are not nearly as extensive as those on TikTok. Naturally, there isn’t a lot of social contact because there aren’t many users of the program.
- Fable
For TikTok users who are a part of the BookTok community, which is centered around reading, Fable is a useful software. Similar to TikTok, the app offers book clubs where users can talk about the books they’re reading.
Unfortunately, Fable isn’t a full TikTok substitute because it doesn’t include the video component. Rather, it might offer a means for BookTok authors and community members to carry on their conversations on a different platform.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
