TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps in the world, with over a billion active users globally. Part of its popularity is that it allows users to publish short videos, which are often just dances or funny skits. It’s easy to get addicted to watching these short clips, and users can interact with each other in the comments section.
There are several TikTok alternatives that offer similar experience. Some of them include Likee, Clash, YouTube Shorts, Triller and others. However, the best TikTok alternative is Clapper. It’s a perfect avenue for content creators to meet likeminded people and to earn a great side income.
What’s the need to explore TikTok alternatives?
Despite TikTok’s popularity, there is a bit of a dark side, too. There are a lot of trolls on TikTok, and while TikTok does a good job of removing channels that release hateful or harassing videos, there are just too many for TikTok to handle.
At the same time, TikTok frequently bans creators who shouldn’t be banned. To some, it seems as if TikTok’s moderation process is broken.
In addition, many people have concerns about user data on TikTok. After all, TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company.
In fact, the Chinese government has acquired a stake in the domestic part of ByteDance (the part that controls the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin). While this may not affect global TikTok users directly, there are still some concerns about just how much influence and control the Chinese government has over ByteDance and TikTok.
According to TikTok insiders and former employees, quoted in this CNBC article, the Chinese executives at ByteDance have tight control over TikTok.
Finally, many creators feel that TikTok has too much competition and hinders them from forging more personal relationships with subscribers.
Regardless of why you’re looking for a TikTok alternative, however, options are available. While some alternatives, like Dubsmash, have or are shutting down, others are growing. I also listed a few above.
Let’s find out more about them.
Best TikTok Alternatives
1. Clapper
Clapper is a unique TikTok alternative that aims to connect creators with each other. It’s a lot more serious than TikTok, and it’s great if you want to make your opinions known.
It has a growing user base of people who got disillusioned with TikTok or were even banned by TikTok.
Clapper is all about equal opportunity, and it shows even users who do not have a lot of followers in the discovery section. If you feel like your voice is getting drowned out on TikTok by teenage dancers with large followings, Clapper is for you.
Clapper tries to generate real discussions. Using the Clap Back feature, you can express an opinion and view what other people think and whether they agree with you or not.
Clapper is about community, too. You can create a Clapper group of like-minded individuals and discuss all kinds of topics with them.
Creators on the Clapper platform can not only livestream to followers, but they can build a recurring passive income stream from their content. By setting up “famships,” or different subscription options for your fans, you can earn money month after month.
2. Likee
Likee is an app that is very much like TikTok. The interface is almost the same, so if you have used TikTok before, you will know how to use Likee.
You can scroll through videos in your feed, share them, comment on them, and like them. While you can browse videos on the web app, you will need to download the mobile app to create videos.
Likee has many augmented reality effects you can use while creating videos, such as Astral Travel and Face Morph. There is a beauty camera, which allows you to add beauty effects to make yourself look better and try out different virtual makeup styles.
Creators can also add stickers, quotes, and more to their videos and change the background.
Likee creators can go live, broadcasting videos in real times to their fans. Their fans can show their appreciation by sending virtual gifts.
Likee is smaller than TikTok, but it still has dozens of millions of users. Since it has fewer users than TikTok, it may be easier for small-time and new content creators to break into the market, but it still has enough users to make it possible to build an audience.
There are parental controls available on Likee, and I suggest you use them if your child is watching videos on the app. That is because users can private message each other on Likee, and it is important to keep your child safe from malicious actors.
Parents can set a password to prevent their children from changing the parental controls. Then, they can block users who are nearby, disable watching and/or making live videos, disable private messaging, turn all videos into private (so nobody can see them), and a lot more.
Likee is owned by Bigo, a company based in Singapore. Bigo Live is an app focused on live video chat and discovering friends, and Likee is the company’s TikTok alternative.
According to a press release from the company, Likee entered the world’s top 10 downloaded apps.
3. Clash
Clash App has had a long and varied history. It starts with the launch of Byte, an app intended to be the successor to Vine, which shut down a while ago.
Byte had no relationship to ByteDance, despite the similarity in the names. They were two completely unrelated companies.
The founder of Byte was also a co-founder of Vine. Back in the day, Vine was a popular social media site for sharing short video clips.
However, Clash ended up buying off Byte. The founder of Clash is a former Vine star, but he was not involved in founding Vine.
In any case, the purpose of Clash is to give content creators an opportunity to forge better, stronger relationships with their fans. While it competes with TikTok, it can also be used as a supplementary platform.
In other words, TikTok creators can create a channel on Clash for their diehard fans. Think of it as a Patreon for TikTok creators, sort of like how many YouTubers use Patreon to offer premium content.
While content on Clash is free to consume, the app offers several ways for fans to support their creators. For example, fans can purchase Drops to show their appreciation for the content creators are putting out.
Users can send Drops to their favorite content creators, along with Fan Mail. Creators can reply to Fan Mail, though sending fan mail to a creator is not a guarantee that they will reply.
All in all, Clash is worth considering if you feel like TikTok isn’t allowing you to forge meaningful relationships with your fans.
4. YouTube Shorts
Recently, YouTube launched a new type of video: Shorts. YouTube Shorts may have been released to counter TikTok’s growing popularity.
What sets YouTube Shorts aside from regular YouTube videos is that they must be 60 seconds or less. As such, many creators use them for the same types of videos they release on TikTok.
YouTube Shorts show up in the YouTube app, in a reel that is integrated yet still separate from the regular YouTube video feed. When users finish watching a Short, they can quickly move on to the next one, mimicking the TikTok experience.
You can also see all of a creator’s Shorts on their profile. When watching a Short, simply click on the creator’s name to see all the Shorts they have uploaded.
From there, you can click on their name again to be taken to their main profile, where you will see all recent videos they have released, including both regular YouTube videos and Shorts.
Since Shorts are an integral part of YouTube now, you can view your favorite YouTubers’ short videos right in the YouTube app, without the need to download TikTok.
Indeed, many YouTubers simply repost their TikTok videos to YouTube Shorts. So, if you don’t have room for TikTok on your phone, YouTube Shorts lets you stay up to date on your favorite YouTuber’s recent TikTok videos.
Explore: Best YouTube Alternatives
5. Firework (Android/iOS)
Firework is an awesome alternative to TikTok, with some unique differences.
For example, TikTok now allows users to publish videos that are up to three minutes long. That’s a long stretch from the original video length on TikTok, which was just 15 seconds.
If you are tired of the long videos on TikTok, Firework is an awesome alternative. It limits all videos to 30 seconds, so you can still ensure you get that quick fix you need.
Also, if you feel like TikTok is poisoning minds, with people getting obsessed with their like counts, try Firework! Firework does away with vanity metrics, as it believes that the number of views and reposts a video gets should be the only things attesting to its popularity.
You can browse a curated feed of videos based on your interests. You can follow creators and even add videos to your personal boards and collections to save for later.
On your feed, you can find cooking hacks, dance videos, short comedy skits, pranks, stunts, life hacks, and a lot more. There are always thousands of videos available for you to swipe through, just like on TikTok.
As a creator, you can even participate in the sponsored hashtags campaigns for a chance to win cash prizes.
Firework’s user base is still very small, especially compared to TikTok. However, the app definitely has a lot of potential, and there is a lot of room for growth.
6. Triller
Triller is one of the best TikTok alternatives. It is popular in the United States and other countries.
Triller actually first started out as a video editing tool. However, it later launched its social platform, and now users can create channels and share videos of themselves.
Short videos on Triller are called “trills.” These trills center around the same kind of content as do TikTok videos – there are a lot of lip-sync and dance videos.
You can view videos, like them, share them, and comment on them. You can follow a creator, and if you visit their profile, you will be able to see all of their videos as well as scheduled broadcasts.
On the homepage, you can find trending content and creators you may be interested in following. You don’t need an account to start browsing.
Triller TV is Triller’s alternative to TikTok Live, and it allows you to see live broadcasts from creators. You can also see the Triller TV Live Recap, which will show you the best live content you may have missed.
In the Music section, you can find official music videos from artists and lip-syncing or dance videos for your favorite and trending tracks.
Triller operates a website called Triller Swag, where you can buy hoodies and other merchandise with the Triller logo.
Also, Triller runs TrillerCares campaigns to help raise money for charitable causes, including to help young artists.
Triller said that it has over 100 million monthly active users, but some suggest that number may be inflated and that the actual user base might be a lot smaller than that. Nevertheless, there is no denying that Triller has a lot of potential as a TikTok alternative.
7. Reddit
A lot of articles talk about Dubsmash being one of the best TikTok alternatives, but Dubsmash is shutting down in February 2022 after being acquired by Reddit. Instead, Reddit plans to incorporate the video technology from Dubsmash in its own product.
Indeed, in 2021, Reddit started rolling out a TikTok-like video feature on iOS, according to The Verge. These short videos show up in a separate video feed, and users can scroll through one video after another, like on TikTok.
If the feature is available on your phone, you will see a video icon next to the search bar.
The video feature integrates the swiping experience TikTok users will be used to while also integrating Reddit’s usual features, such as the ability to upvote a video or comment on it.
The videos come from both subreddits you follow and those you don’t, allowing you to discover new content. However, according to PC Magazine, Reddit will be prioritizing videos from subreddits the user is subscribed to.
Many redditors will be delighted with this new feature, as it will allow them to enjoy the TikTok experience right on their favorite app.
Also Read: Best Reddit Alternatives
8. Instagram Reels
A while back, Instagram introduced Reels, a feature that was intended to compete with TikTok. Many Instagram stars upload TikTok videos to Instagram Reels, allowing you to view all of their content in one place.
Why choose Reels instead of TikTok? For one, Instagram has a broader user base.
It’s no secret that TikTok is geared more towards the younger crowd. The majority of TikTok users are very young, and many teenagers use the platform.
On the other hand, Instagram’s user base is not limited to young people. So, creating content on Instagram Reels may be a smarter choice, depending on your niche and the audience you are trying to reach.
If you already have a sizable audience on Instagram, Reels might be easier for you, as you won’t have to start entirely from scratch again.
Also, Instagram has a much larger user base than TikTok, although TikTok is growing rapidly.
Like TikTok, Instagram Reels are short videos, which users can swipe through. Creators can add music and filters, as well as hashtags to make the videos more discoverable.
Users can like, comment on, and share videos.
9. Kwai
An interesting TikTok alternative is Kwai. It’s a Chinese app, but it’s one of the most downloaded apps in many countries, including Brazil.
There are a lot of trends and challenges always going around on Kwai, in all parts of the world. Check the latest videos about the challenge, or make a video yourself to join in.
The interface is quite similar to TikTok, so it should be fairly easy to get acclimated to it. You can scroll through your feed to bring up new videos, comment on videos, or like or share them.
Like TikTok, Kwai makes sharing videos to other social platforms easy, as you can download the videos to your device and then upload them to your other channels. Downloading videos will also make it easy to watch them offline.
Kwai has a music video tool integrated in the app. Upload pictures from your gallery, choose a music track to add to your slideshow, and add filters and effects before sharing the final video with the world.
There are some basic editing tools, such as the cutting and trimming features. You can also use the beautification feature to make yourself look better.
Kwai has a private messaging feature, allowing you to connect with other users from your country and from all over the world.
Kwai is particularly popular in the Latin world, so if you’re looking for Latin-themed content, trends, and challenges, it might be a better app than TikTok. There is a lot of Spanish content on Kwai, including from US-based creators.
10. Playsee
Do you want to explore the world, but you don’t have the time or money to do so? Or do you simply want to discover the best places in your area to visit, including bars and restaurants?
Playsee is the TikTok alternative for that.
Like TikTok, it focuses on short videos. Unlike TikTok, however, it’s more for showing other people around your area than posting random dance videos, although there are definitely those, too.
On Playsee, you can take people on a virtual tour around your city. Or, you can snap some videos of some cool bars in your area, show people a nice place to watch sunset, or even just take a video of your daily walk in the park.
Playsee has a map discovery feature that allows you to explore random places around the world or find what people are doing in your area. You can also search by hashtag – hashtags can be about local or general topics.
11. Compete
Compete is a great TikTok alternative, and it has a competitive aspect. There are always new daily challenges you can partake in for a chance to win cash prizes.
There are gaming, dancing, music, and even STEM challenges, among others.
To enter a challenge, just create a video. Videos can be up to 30 seconds long, but you will need to select a 15-second segment for the challenge.
Add a music track to your selected segment before you enter the challenge.
Users get to vote on content to decide which ones are the best. As a user, you can even get a chance to earn money from your votes by earning the title of “Best Judge.”
12. MuStar
MuStar is a child-friendly TikTok alternative, with a filter for bad words and the ability to use an anonymous account.
On MuStar, you can create and share short music and lip sync videos. Another cool feature that MuStar has that TikTok doesn’t is the ability to challenge your friends to dance “battles” or other challenges.
You can use these battles to see what other users think of your skills and to get gain new fans.
By adding the hashtag #MuStar to your videos, you can get a chance to get featured by the official MuStar account and get more exposure.
13. SikSok
SikSok is a TikTok alternative for NSFW and adult content. TikTok doesn’t allow adult content on its app, but that is what SikSok is for.
SikSok works a lot like TikTok. There are short videos you can watch or scroll through, except that all of them focus on mature content.
You can use SikSok on your phone or your desktop computer. Either way, make sure you are over 18 before entering the site, as it will display mature content.
Wrapping It Up: What Is The Best TikTok Alternative?
There are so many awesome TikTok alternatives out there. Overall, however, I would recommend Clapper.
Clapper is just better for individual content creators who want to build communities and make their voices heard. Clapper isn’t just great for intellectual conversations and an exchange of ideas – it also provides an easy way for creators to earn passive income.
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