TikTok has exploded in popularity in 2020, thanks in large part to the coronavirus outbreak. With people stuck at home, many have used the social networking app to create short-form dancing, singing, lip-syncing, and comedy videos. Indeed, TikTok has turned many unknown media creators into Internet superstars. But what are the best TikTok alternatives?
Many government officials have concerns that the China-based company behind TikTok is collecting phone data for the Chinese government. India has already banned the app, and even the US government is looking into the app for possible violations of children’s privacy laws.
While you might like watching TikTok videos, there may be a chance that it could be banned from your phone in the future. You may just like the idea of TikTok, but want to use something similar. Regardless, there are apps like TikTok out there that have many of the same features. Here’s a look at our picks for the best TikTok alternatives.
- Byte
- Snapchat
- Dubsmash
- Triller
- Chingari
1. Byte
Price: Free
Byte is one of the newer TikTok alternatives. It’s from one of the creators of the now-defunct Vine app, which helped to popularize short-form mobile app videos. It has seen a surge in app downloads over the past summer. Users have downloaded it to help create short clips that can loop over and over again. The app also has its own “communities” where you can browse through videos under “funny”, “horror”, “cinematic” and more categories. It’s one of the easier and best apps like TikTok to use.
2. Snapchat
Price: Free
Snapchat has, of course, been around for a long, long time. However, it has also seen a bigger boost in popularity this year, thanks in part to the success of TikTok. Snapchat has been used for years to create short-form videos that are designed to disappear after a relatively short amount of time. It can also be used for person-to-person chatting, sharing of photos, and much more. It’s definitely one of the most well known, and best, TikTok alternatives.

3. Dubsmash
Price: Free
Dubsmash has been around for several years, yet it has many of the same popular features as TikTok. Its main feature is that it allows video creators to select music or audio content, and then record a video with the subject of the clip lip-synching to the audio. It got very popular a few years ago but lost many users to other apps over the years. However, in the age of TikTok, Dubsmash has received a second wind, and it’s now regaining some of its earlier popularity. In addition to its lip-syncing features, you can add visual effects to your Dubsmash video clips.
4. Triller
Price: Free
Triller is a relatively new addition to the short video creation crowd. However, it’s being used by music artists like Chance the Rapper and Justin Bieber to help promote their music. Even comedians like Kevin Hart have used it to upload comedy bits. Triller not only allows creators to make videos on their own, but also allows for groups to collaborate on video creation. You can also add in filters, text, and more effects to each video.
5. Chingari
Price: Free
India has already banned TikTok and other similar video content apps, so there’s a huge rush to create new apps that offer the same services. One of them that has become popular in that country is Chingari. Like TikTok, it allows creators to quickly record and upload short videos, often with music and other audio tracks. It quickly allows users to share videos with family and friends. While it lacks some of the features found on TikTok, it’s likely that more will be added in the coming weeks and months.

Upcoming: Instagram Reels
Instagram (and its parent Facebook) is currently testing a new app called Instagram Reels. Like TikTok, the app is dedicated to users uploading music-themed short-form videos, but Reels limits the clips to 15 seconds. Creators can also use editing tools to, among other things, change the speed of their video clips It will allow users to check out individual creators, or browse creators in its Explore mode.
The app is currently being tested in countries like India, where TikTok is already banned, along with Brazil, France, and Germany. Instagram plans to launch Reels in the US and other countries sometime in early August. It could become one of the biggest and best TikTok alternatives.
If we missed any great apps like TikTok, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists!