With the Jan. 19 TikTok shutdown on the horizon and ongoing Supreme Court deliberations over the app’s ban in the U.S., users are exploring other options in search of suitable replacements.

This legal situation has become a defining issue of free speech vs. national security, starting in early 2024 when President Joe Biden enacted legislation to prohibit TikTok’s distribution in the U.S. if its Chinese parent company ByteDance fails to divest by Jan. 19, 2025. A ban would mean the app could not be available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

A variety of apps are competing for dominance in app stores, notably the Chinese application RedNote, which has recently taken the top position after bumping down Lemon8, another ByteDance-owned app.

Curious about the new platforms gaining popularity? Here are 10 alternatives that are on the rise as the potential TikTok ban looms.

Lemon8

Lemon8 has emerged as a social media app dubbed a “lifestyle community,” quickly climbing to the No. 1 rank on the Apple App Store in the first week of January, amassing over 10 million downloads on Google Play.

This platform merges elements of TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. According to its Apple App Store description, it offers a comprehensive solution for photo and video editing and sharing.

However, Lemon8 is also under the ByteDance umbrella, the same company that owns TikTok. While the app is not specifically mentioned in the legislation aimed at tackling TikTok, it could still be affected since the act refers to “any other applications or services developed or provided by ByteDance.”

RedNote (Xiaohongshu)

RedNote, a Chinese app, is currently leading in the social networking category among free iPhone apps on the Apple App Store.

Launched in 2013, RedNote has rapidly ascended within China’s social platform landscape, now valued at over $17 billion, per the Financial Times.

Known in Chinese as Xiaohongshu, translating to “little red book,” RedNote sports a layout akin to Pinterest and is often referred to as the Chinese Instagram. Its emphasis on short content, similar to TikTok, has enabled it to emerge as a strong competitor, according to TechCrunch.

Instagram Reels

In response to TikTok’s popularity, various social media platforms enhanced their features, creating their own versions of short-form video feeds. Instagram, in particular, introduced Instagram Reels.

This platform closely resembles TikTok’s primary function, allowing users to create and edit videos lasting up to 90 seconds. While many popular TikTok videos are migrating to Reels, the platform may experience a surge in new content should TikTok face a ban. However, some users express concerns over Reels’ algorithm, which is considered less sophisticated than TikTok’s.

Facebook Reels

Being under the same ownership as Instagram, Facebook’s Reels features are quite similar. According to the platform, Reels consist of short videos that can incorporate music, audio, effects, and more.

Like other short-video applications, Facebook Reels includes editing tools and allows content to be cross-shared with Instagram. Videos can be up to 90 seconds, or longer when shared from Instagram.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts, sharing a fundamental idea with TikTok, also offers short-form videos. Like TikTok, which introduced options for longer content, YouTube Shorts now includes a feature that permits creators to upload videos as long as three minutes, expanded from the prior 60-second limit.

Clapper

Clapper is another app vying to take TikTok’s place, specifically aimed at adults. It enables users to create, share, and comment on short-form videos and live streams in a familiar format to TikTok.

It brands itself as a space where “you can observe the latest trends alongside genuine lives as they unfold, expressing authentic opinions and showcasing talents. FREE to use, NO Ads, just Real lives.”

In contrast to other similar applications, Clapper operates out of the U.S. (near Dallas), and stores user data within a U.S.-based cloud infrastructure, as stated by Deadline.

Triller

Like Clapper, Triller closely resembles TikTok in both appearance and functionality, with some app store reviews labeling it a “copy” or “knock-off.” Its focus lies in the production and sharing of music and music video content, reminiscent of the musical.ly predecessor to TikTok.

Positioning itself as a “next-generation, AI-driven social media and live-streaming event platform for creators” that combines “music culture with sports, fashion, entertainment, and influencers through a comprehensive approach to content and technology.” Notably, characters like “Josh Richards, Charli D’Amelio, Noah Beck, Tyga, and more” are mentioned as users of the app.

Furthermore, Triller is led by a former TikTok executive and even offers a “savemytiktoks” feature to help users transfer their content from TikTok to Triller.

While it stands at #57 in the photo and editing category on the Apple Store, it boasts over 10 million downloads on Google Play. According to Yahoo Finance, it gained 100 places on the Apple App download charts this month and is a U.S.-based application.

Fanbase

Currently ranked #9 in the free social category on Google Play Store, Fanbase is an innovative platform that enables users to create and monetize various types of content, including posts, long-form videos, and audio chats.

It presents itself as a “Next-Generation Social Creator Hub that enables any user to earn money from the very beginning” while remaining ad-free and without shadowbans. This Atlanta-based, Black-owned startup reports raising over $13 million from 16,000 investors and features creators like Snoop Dog, Charlamagne the God, Will.I.Am, Kandi Burruss, and Jamal Harrison Bryant, among others. The app also offers a TikTok-to-Fanbase migration tool.

Fanbase currently holds the #10 position on the Apple App Store’s social networking chart.

Neptune

Neptune is a female-led app that hasn’t yet launched in app stores, but users can sign up to be Beta testers on its website and engage on their Discord.

Marketed as a “bold rethinking of the social media experience,” it promises unique features like a customizable algorithm and ghost metrics, meaning it doesn’t prioritize follower counts or engagement statistics. The platform also claims to simplify and make content monetization clear and accessible.

Twitch

For those who enjoyed TikTok’s live streaming feature, Twitch serves as a perfect alternative. Established in 2011, Twitch has long maintained a focus on live content and offers creators opportunities to earn revenue from their streams.

Although primarily associated with gaming and esports, Twitch also embraces lifestyle, music, and diverse content. It ranks #6 in the Photo & Video category on the App Store and has surpassed 100 million downloads on Google Play.

Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., Greta Cross, YSL News