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Where to Go After the TikTok Ban? Here Are the 8 Best Alternatives
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As the looming Jan. 19 deadline draws ever nearer for TikTok to be banned in the United States, it looks like we collectively have to decide which new doomscrolling app will reign supreme. While it’s been a good(ish) run, the D.C. Court of Appeals ruled to uphold a law passed last April that demanded TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations, or face a nationwide ban — and as of right now, it looks like it’s going to stick.
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TikTok is currently hoping for an extension to look for a buyer that will keep the platform operational in the U.S. (and no, it probably won’t be Elon Musk). But if that doesn’t happen, the app will go dark, and millions of users will be left searching for a new short-form video spot to call home. While there’s no app that can perfectly capture TikTok’s je ne sais quoi, from its blend of shopping content and unhinged memes, to its scarily accurate algorithm, top TikTok alternatives have spent years trying to replicate similar features (and vibes).
8 Best TikTok Alternatives 2025
Facing digital excommunication (and international users feeling like they’re “losing the town drunk“), we’re going to have to jump ship somewhere. In lieu of standing outside TikTok’s offices with a boombox blasting “Nothing Compares 2 U,” we’ve rounded up the eight best TikTok alternatives to fill the void in 2025 (and beyond).
Instagram Reels
There’s one major reason why Instagram’s Reels is arguably the most popular TikTok clone — most of the videos uploaded on there are exactly the same, as creators often share and cross-promote content that they post on TikTok to Reels. While it may have a reputation for being the “Boomer” alternative, as trending sounds and topics seem to make it on there a couple weeks late, that won’t really be a problem anymore. Benefits include a massive user base, similar format, and a recommendation system that’s been increasingly improving as of late (although still not on the same uncanny level as TikTok’s algorithm). You also get Photos, Stories, and Reels all in one place, so there’s no switching between apps to catch up on what everyone’s up to.
YouTube Shorts
Similar to Instagram Reels, you’ll already find plenty of TikTok content reposted on YouTube’s short-form video section of the its site. If you’re also someone who’s keen on discovering new music off of TikTok, Shorts may be for you — with access to YouTube’s massive library of music videos and songs, there’s a lot here to make it a worthy replacement. Because it’s integrated with a popular long-form video content platform, you’ll be able to jump from quick clips to lengthy video essays with ease. The only downside? A healthy portion of content from Shorts are just chopped-up, reposted clips from longer YouTube videos (although you can search for specific topics based on hashtags or keywords).
RedNote
While it was launched way back in 2013, TikTok users in the U.S. have recently been signing up in droves for the Chinese short-form video app RedNote (known as “Xiaohongshu” in China). It’s a recent favorite among “TikTok refugees” thanks to its visual layout of Pinterest combined with the social shopping features of TikTok shop, and the livestreaming abilities of Instagram Live. Even with the language barrier (although many users are now picking up basic Mandarin with Chinese users practicing their English, leading to many wholesome cross-cultural exchanges), RedNote includes a lot of the same kind of content you would see on TikTok anyways, like beauty tutorials and product reviews. There’s also some level of “stick-it-to-the-man” sentiment as RedNote is another Chinese-owned app, which could no doubt face the same scrutiny as TikTok down the line if it picks up popularity state-side.
Lemon8
With the impending ban, TikTok has recently been going hard into pushing its sister app, Lemon8, promoting a seamless transition by allowing users to access the app with their existing TikTok account. While the app is branded more as a “lifestyle community,” it has a similar functionality to Instagram and Pinterest, where you can share everything from stylish photo collections to slideshows, and browse for content through “Following” and “For You” feeds. Even the usage of filters, effects, and creative tools are similar to TikTok, so it’ll feel like a no brainer to post instead of learning a completely new UI. But spoiler alert: Lemon8 is also owned by ByteDance, so it might get hit with the same regulatory hammer as TikTok — the question is just when.
Fanbase
As a subscription-based social network, think of Fanbase like a combination of TikTok, Instagram, Patreon, Clubhouse, and Snapchat, all wrapped into one. What you’ll really be here for is the app’s “Flickz” feature, which lets you watch those short-form videos you’re used to — although that’s not all there is to Fanbase. Their platform was built on a mission of platforming and uplifting Black creators, whose content often goes undervalued (or outright stolen) on TikTok. The subscription model also means creators get a fair chance to reach their audience without the looming pressure of algorithm changes or risk of being shadowbanned (with the added benefit of being ad-free).
Likee
Likee already boasts hundreds of millions of users from all around the world that’ll be a particularly attractive alternative for content creators, with an extensive editing suite (think beauty filters, unique AR filters, and background changers). As a short-form video app, its monetization system also rivals Tiktok’s, with the ability to receive gifts from viewers through SuperLikes and live streaming. As a bonus, you’ll find an extensive music library on the app, so it could be another great spot to find the next big viral hit. Although this has one of the smallest user bases on this list, for those whose livelihood depends on TikTok, its creative tools and interactivity can’t be beat.
Snapchat Spotlight
One of the main draws of TikTok is its ability to deliver educational content on the election in one video and then follow it up with a high-spirited cooking demo for the next. Snapchat’s Spotlight doesn’t exactly replicate that everything everywhere all at once approach, but its short-form videos tied to light and trendy topics make for an entertaining watch. Similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, you’ll find extensive search features that’ll let you seek out specific content through keywords and hashtags, although the platform’s trending section makes it easy to find out what everyone is talking about right now. As someone who hasn’t used Snapchat since college, I understand if you’re wary about jumping into this app’s noticeably younger userbase. But as long as you’re not expecting political or news-related content, it’s still fun to use.
Triller
Triller may have explicitly started off as a TikTok competitor, but that’s just what makes it a crowd-pleasing alternative for former TikTok users. Unlike other apps who are simply opening their arms wide to the displaced fanbase, Triller is seriously gunning for the top spot — not only did they recently hire ex-TikTok exec Sean Kim as CEO (you can thank him for helping develop TikTok’s famous “For You” feed), but they’ve also recently launched SaveMyTikToks.com to help facilitate an easy content transfer for creators. It’s currently got less content than other short-form video apps, but with Triller’s video-saving features (and an emphasis on music and dance content), it’s well-positioned to become the migratory home for TikTok’s top talent.
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