13 apps like TikTok to try in 2026
Learn about other apps like TikTok.
13 apps like TikTok
We’ll cover 13 apps similar to TikTok, and consider what makes them stand out. Here’s the list of apps and their core features.
| Platform | Monetization | Live streaming |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Instagram Reels | Yes | No |
| 2. Facebook Reels | Yes | No |
| 3. YouTube Shorts | Yes | Yes, from the main YouTube app |
| 4. Snapchat | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Lemon8 | No | No |
| 6. RedNote | Yes, with a valid Chinese ID | Yes, with a valid Chinese ID |
| 7. BlueSky | No | No |
| 8. Likee | Yes | Yes |
| 9. Fanbase | Yes | Yes |
| 10. Clapper | Yes | Yes |
| 11. Chingari | Yes | Yes |
| 12. Kwai | Yes | Yes |
| 13. UpScrolled | No | No |
1. Instagram Reels
Instagram’s short-form function lets users create content that’s brief, often soundtracked, and viewable in an infinitely scrollable feed. Reels are pre-recorded, and sit naturally in the wider Instagram monetization program.
Statista reports that Instagram’s core demographic is fairly young, with 63% aged between 18 and 34. This is more in line with TikTok’s audience.
2. Facebook Reels
Facebook Reels works in a similar fashion to Instagram Reels, as both platforms share the same parent company, Meta. The audience differs, though; according to Statista, Facebook has a smaller share of younger users, with 42.8% aged between 18 and 34. Reels monetization is calcuated based on engagement, views, and plays.
3. YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts’ bite-sized, vertical experience is similar to TikTok, letting YouTubers create shorter content or cut up their long-form videos. The platform supports vertical live streaming and has a robust monetization program, which works great for YouTubers with high-volume view counts.
In June 2025, YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, claimed that YouTube Shorts averaged 200 billion daily views.
4. Snapchat
Snapchat Spotlight looks a little like TikTok, as it’s a public, algorithm-driven feed. Snapchat supports monetization and live streaming.
In November 2025, Snapchat reported 943 million active monthly users.
5. Lemon8
Like TikTok, Lemon8 is owned by ByteDance. The app focuses on lifestyle-themed content, serving a TikTok-style experience with a Pinterest/old-school Instagram flavor. Lemon8 encourages longer captions and storytelling, compared to TikTok’s scroll-heavy focus.
Because both apps are integrated, users can log in to Lemon8 with their TikTok details. As of 2026, there’s no direct route to Lemon8 monetization, nor is there live streaming. Lemon8 was reported to have 16 million active monthly users in March 2025.
6. RedNote
As with other TikTok-like apps on this list, RedNote shares a lot with “old” TikTok, pairing licensed music with user-generated video. Rednote/TikTok comparisons gained traction in 2025, when US users discovered the former app while the latter was briefly unavailable.
At the moment, live streaming is limited to RedNote creators with a valid Chinese ID. Those without such an ID can still watch live-streamed content, but can’t host their own. The full monetization suite is also limited to users with a Chinese ID, but other users can still make money through the app’s official brand partnership platform, Dandelion.
RedNote was reported to have 350 million active monthly users in May 2026.
7. BlueSky
BlueSky started as a text-based social media app, and is often referred to as an unofficial alternative to Twitter/X. It’s since introduced video, and third-party developers have gone so far as to create BlueScreen: a vertical-video, scrollable feed for BlueSky video content.
BlueSky doesn’t support live streaming and is currently ad-free, but plans to roll out monetization options. By June 2025, the app had nearly 45 million total users.
8. Likee
Likee takes cues from TikTok and Snapchat, giving users a filter- and AR-heavy, vertical-video experience. Live streaming and monetization are possible directly through the app, but the content leans more on games and voice chat sessions.
9. Fanbase
Fanbase deals in short- and long-form content, both live and recorded, hinging its appeal on a “monetize from day one” concept. This means that even basic actions such as hitting the “Like” button require viewers to spend money.
10. Clapper
Clapper is a short-form video platform that shares a little DNA with apps like BeReal, encouraging users to publish unfiltered, “real” content. Unlike BeReal, Clapper supports live streaming and video content, and provides monetization via tiered membership subscriptions.
11. Chingari
Chingari is often described as “Indian TikTok,” as its popularity spiked in the country after TikTok was banned in 2020. It supports live streaming and monetization, and has strong ties to the Bollywood industry.
12. Kwai
Kwai is a short-form video platform that supports live streaming, duets, in-app music integration, and more. At its commercial peak, Kwai had more than one billion monthly users. Monetization is available.
13. UpScrolled
UpScrolled combines the text/photo nature of BlueSky with TikTok’s video-led scrollability. It prides itself as “a digital ecosystem that puts power back into the hands of the people,” offering a simple algorithm, feed control, and human moderation. UpScrolled doesn’t currently support monetization, but plans to. There is no live streaming.
There are so many apps like TikTok because it’s a formula that works. While all the apps we’ve listed have their merits, none of them replace TikTok.
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Frequently asked questions about apps like TikTok
How do apps like TikTok make money?
Apps like TikTok usually make money through advertising. In turn, this helps creators monetize their content.
What app will replace TikTok?
No app is currently set to “replace” TikTok. People in the US tried apps like RedNote while TikTok was unavailable in 2025, but that wasn’t permanent. As it stands in 2026, there’s no like-for-like replacement for TikTok.
What are people using instead of TikTok?
You can use mainstream short-form apps like Snapchat, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Reels as a stand-in for TikTok. However, people often use these platforms as well as TikTok, to increase their reach on social media.
Are there even more apps like TikTok?
There are countless other apps like TikTok. Apps like Loops and Skylight are decentralized, open-source platforms built on existing protocols. This means they can reach audiences on compatible apps; for example, Loops users can spread content to users on platforms like Pixelfed and Mastodon.
Apps like Tangi, Vigo Video, and Zynn were also similar to TikTok, but have shut down.
What apps does ByteDance own?
ByteDance owns TikTok, Lemon8, CapCut, Whee, Douyin, Toutiao, Xigua Video, Doubao, Helo, Lark, BytePlus, and more.
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