As January 19th approaches, the TikTok ban seems increasingly inevitable. Numerous TikTok users in the US have begun searching for and settling into a social refuge that they can use consistently.
To help you navigate this digital migration, we’ve handpicked the 8 best TikTok alternatives currently available and provided you with practical tips on how you get TikTok unblocked in the future. Let’s start!
Table of Contents
8 Best TikTok Alternatives Recommended
It’s important to note that our list does not include mainstream and widely recognized TikTok competitor, such as Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
Many U.S. TikTokers are dissatisfied with the TikTok ban, viewing it as an infringement on their right to free speech. Some users have decided to take action: “if I’m not allowed to use TikTok, I’ll just use other Chinese social platforms,” and adopted a skeptical attitude toward mainstream U.S. platforms.
Meanwhile, Meta declared the end of its current “fact-checking program,” causing dissatisfaction among numerous Instagram and Facebook users. The keyword “how to delete an Instagram/Facebook account” continues to gain traction on Google Trends.
Given these factors, our focus shifts to Chinese social platforms that are currently gaining global popularity, as well as other emerging platforms with significant potential. Keep reading!
RedNote(XiaoHongShu)
Who could have predicted that just days before TikTok’s “day of reckoning” in the U.S., many American “cyber refugees” would flock to RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese social media platform, rapidly propelling it to the top of global free app download charts in several countries.
The functional and interface similarities between RedNote and TikTok have allowed the platform to benefit from the TikTok ban. RedNote’s features are considered very similar to Instagram, allowing users to share posts, livestream, shop, or sell online. Originally a platform for overseas shopping tips, RedNote already boasted a wealth of international content, with a user base heavily composed of students and users with high English proficiency. Following the recent situation, RedNote also quietly revamped its video section, adjusting the UI to closely resemble TikTok’s. This made it easier for TikTok refugees to quickly adapt to the unfamiliar Chinese soil.
Certainly, there’s a warm tip from the first wave of US TikTok refugees: New members should pay the “cat tax” to integrate into the Xiaohongshu community. So please don’t be that surprised when you open the app and see many furry friends being coaxed by their owners to serve as adorable tools for breaking language barriers.
💡If you want to know more about RedNote, read this blog: Xiaohongshu? Red Note Welcomes All TikTok Refugees.
Lemon8
Since President Biden signed the TikTok ban last April, ByteDance has developed a social platform called Lemon8 to address the Sword of Damocles over its head. Lemon8 is positioned as a sister app to TikTok and has been actively promoted for some time, aimed at ensuring a seamless transition as the TikTok ban looms.
Lemon8 and TikTok share many similarities in functionality. It combines video and photo-sharing features, catering mainly to users aged 18-35. Users can share and explore content through tags, interact with the community, and create visual content using built-in tools. The support Lemon8 offers TikTok users extends further, as since November last year, Lemon8 users can log in using their TikTok accounts, allowing creators to transfer their content and followers to the new platform.
However, despite being a potential stepping stone prepared by ByteDance for U.S. TikTok users, Lemon8 has not reached the expected traffic levels, with RedNote surpassing it to reach the top of the free app download charts. Through research, we’ve found its main disadvantages are its stylistic and business model differences from TikTok. While TikTok focuses on short videos, Lemon8 emphasizes images and text. It currently relies on KOLs and KOCs for monetization, resulting in a relatively slower pace of revenue generation.
💡If you want to know more about Lemon8, read this blog: What is Lemon8?
DouYin
TikTok enthusiasts are likely quite familiar with “DouYin,” the Chinese version of TikTok, which was launched by ByteDance in 2016 for the domestic market. TikTok was introduced to international markets a year later. Despite TikTok’s massive global user base and traffic over the past eight years, DouYin remains the heart of ByteDance’s operations.
As the TikTok ban looms, DouYin has started to open up for international registrations. Currently, there are already lots of videos from users in the U.S., UK, Russia, and other countries on DouYin. And because DouYin and TikTok are essentially the same software tailored for different regions, their basic functionalities remain largely consistent.
Users can easily browse videos recommended by smart algorithms by switching the language to English, create content using a variety of filters, and engage in live streams. This makes Douyin undoubtedly one of the best alternatives to TikTok.
Clapper
Clapper is a social media app that emphasizes authentic expression, unfettered interaction, and friendly community building. Its interface is quite similar to TikTok, but it focuses on content geared toward adults, requiring users to be at least 17 years old to register.
On Clapper, users can post short videos up to three minutes long, host live broadcasts, engage with fans in real-time, and even create “Radio-only” rooms that can accommodate up to 2000 listeners and 20 speakers. For TikTok users, Clapper’s main appeal is its ad-free, harassment-free environment, and its unwavering commitment to genuine expression. Users can enjoy unfiltered video content, showcasing their real-life surroundings, sharing authentic opinions, and following the trends they truly care about.
Although Clapper’s functionality and user base currently don’t match up to TikTok, if you’re looking for a less intrusive and more genuine social platform after January 19th, Clapper might be a worthwhile option to consider.
Flip
Flip currently ranks just below RedNote, Lemon8, and Clapper in the free app charts as a TikTok alternative. Unlike other platforms that focus more on content creation, Flip is essentially a social e-commerce app with a strong emphasis on beauty and other product shopping.
Flip operates on the principles of “honesty” and “authenticity,” encouraging users to create short videos to share their genuine feedback and experiences with beauty products or other items. Users can shop and experience products while also monetizing their content by sharing honest reviews. This transforms consumers into buyers and gives them the opportunity to become content creators and brand promoters, fostering a healthy and harmonious community.
Flip has already partnered with several well-known brands across various categories, including beauty, beverages, and electronics. If you have a keen interest in TikTok’s e-commerce features, Flip is undoubtedly a choice you shouldn’t overlook.
Snapchat Spotlight
Snapchat Spotlight is a separate tab in Snapchat that supports users to upload creative short videos. It is more focused on lighthearted and fun content, and serves as a vibrant viewing alternative to TikTok, offering an energetic experience. Unlike TikTok and Instagram Reels, Spotlight has little to no politics or news, perfect for TikTokers who just want to relax their brains.
Spotlight’s trending section showcases captivating videos with various themes and popular music, and its robust search feature allows users to quickly find specific content using keywords and hashtags. With a range of unique filters, users can add dynamic effects to their videos, adding a personal touch to their creations.
However, newcomers from TikTok may find Snapchat somewhat less user-friendly – videos can be hard to pause, and accessing specific creators’ pages is not as straightforward. The platform also has higher monetization requirements, which can make it more challenging for new accounts to grow. Overall, though, it offers a clean way to explore lighthearted and trendy topics, and is a platform where you can have pure fun without serious content.
Triller
Triller is a music and dance-focused short-form video app that offers a new refuge option for TikTok users who are interested in that kind of video content. Initially a competitor to TikTok, Triller’s user base was considerably smaller, and its content was relatively limited. However, Triller’s ambitions extend beyond these early challenges.
With the potential TikTok ban looming, Triller sees a significant market opportunity. In order to attract more TikTok refugees, Triller has specifically launched SaveMyTikToks.com, a tool designed to help users transfer their TikTok accounts to the Triller platform, ensuring their previous creations can be preserved and shared further. Additionally, Triller has been undergoing internal reforms, including hiring a new CEO, with the goal of becoming a leader in the music and dance short video niche.
Although Triller is still seen as a “TikTok imitator” in the minds of public, its innovative approach to music and dance content has already attracted some high-profile users and gained some traction in the space. For those looking to shine in music and dance creation, Triller is emerging as an increasingly promising platform.
Fanbase
Fanbase is a unique social networking platform that incorporates elements from various platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Patreon, and more. Here, you can find a rich and diverse range of content such as images, short/long videos, stories, live streams, and audio rooms. However, to unlock some exclusive features, users may need to pay for additional access to broader creative tools.
The feature most akin to TikTok on Fanbase is Flickz, which helps users discover exciting new content and focus on browsing works from creators they follow. Whether your interests lie in sports, cooking, music, or dance, Fanbase’s community covers various topics, offering an ideal stage for all people. A major highlight is that Fanbase is an ad-free platform, ensuring that creators’ content is not suppressed. Based in Atlanta, it’s particularly dedicated to providing Black creators with fair opportunities for expression and monetization, tackling issues like content theft or undervaluation that they often face on other platforms.
When the TikTok ban was confirmed to be irrevocable, and you’re seeking a new platform that supports diverse expression without interference, Fanbase is undoubtedly one of the best TikTok alternatives available.
Pro Tip: How to Get TikTok Unblocked in the US or Anywhere?
Certainly, we cannot be certain yet whether TikTok will be fully banned in the U.S. after January 19th. According to recent reports, Trump has mentioned considering an executive order to pause the TikTok ban upon taking office.
Regardless of Trump’s final decision, it’s important to be prepared. If the TikTok ban results in its removal from U.S. app stores and network restrictions, they’re no need to find any alternatives – using a VPN can get TikTok unblocked effectively.
As a privacy protection tool, a VPN can route your online traffic through remote servers, masking your U.S. IP address and easily bypassing ISP detection. We recommend X-VPN, a tool with over 8000 high-speed servers in 225+ locations worldwide. With its proprietary VPN protocol that integrates obfuscation, X-VPN can remove geo-restrictions within seconds, allowing you to unblock TikTok quickly from the U.S. or anywhere else.
Here is a reference guide we provide:
Step 1. Download the X-VPN on your computer.
・1000+ Free Servers ・Unlimited Data ・No login ・Robust Unblock Ability
Step 2. Launch it and connect to a server in a location where TikTok is not banned.
Step 3. Navigate to the TikTok website via a browser, and enjoy unlimited watching now.
Certainly, you can also unblock TikTok on iOS and Android devices, although the process is slightly more complex than on a browser, as you’ll need to set up a new app store account.
But don’t worry, we’ve prepared a detailed guide for you. Simply click the link to view it immediately:
💡TikTok Unblocked: Best Solution After TikTok Ban
Conclusion
Here are the top 8 TikTok alternatives we’ve selected for you. Regardless of the final outcome on January 19th, our blog is designed to help you prepare. You can find a new favorite platform from our list or just hit the button below and use X-VPN to get TikTok unblocked.
FAQs
What is a TikTok refugee?
“TikTok refugee” refers to former TikTok users who have migrated to other social media platforms out of concern that TikTok might face a full ban in the United States. This term has largely been adopted by users who have moved to the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote).
What will replace TikTok in the US?
If TikTok faces a ban in the U.S., as things stand now, RedNote and Lemon8 could fill the void. But since both products are also owned by Chinese companies, other TikTok alternatives like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, Snapchat Spotlight, Clapper, Triller and Fanbase also stand a chance. You can read this blog in full for a detailed review.
What will happen to TikTok if it gets banned?
Once TikTok is blocked, it could be taken down from the app store, preventing U.S. residents from downloading or updating the app; at the same time, all ISPs will be required to block TikTok’s data, thus preventing U.S. users from connecting to TikTok’s website. And on a more serious note, TikTok will simply shut down and users who have already downloaded the app won’t be able to continue using it.
