TikTok, the popular social media platform for creating and sharing short-form videos, faces an uncertain future. The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, could be banned in the United States, impacting millions of monthly American users.
A TikTok ban by any country (India, for example, banned it in 2020) will likely prevent new users from downloading TikTok from app stores. It’s worth noting that while TikTok would not immediately disappear from existing users' phones, updates would stop, leaving the app vulnerable to security risks and degrading the user experience.
In this context, it’s more important than ever for businesses to diversify their content channels. Relying on a single platform puts a brand’s entire video strategy at risk, and changes to the availability or popularity of an app can dramatically disrupt reach and engagement.
Fortunately, there’s a wide range of TikTok alternatives for businesses and brands to share short-form videos. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest video-sharing platforms, plus some additional tips for protecting your content.
Can't give it up? Explore Vimeo's TikTok integration →
What’s the future of short-form video apps?
Apps like TikTok may come and go, gain or lose popularity, or change ownership, but short-form video is here to stay. Modern audiences crave the quick and easily digestible content only short-form video can deliver. Short-form video's popularity is driven by its accessibility for busy viewers and high engagement rates, as people are more likely to watch shorter videos to completion.
Businesses must take extra care when deciding where to post short videos. An app at the peak of its popularity today may have little to no influence in the medium to long term. Building a lasting video marketing strategy around several different platforms helps businesses stay relevant and resilient.
Things to consider when protecting your video content
There have been instances where TikTok was removed from major app stores, such as Google Play for Android devices and Apple's App Store. This will prevent creators and viewers with new phones from downloading the application.
To ensure your video content thrives over time and continues to be accessible, future-proofing is key. Protecting your videos and diversifying distribution channels are essential strategies for any brand aiming for long-term success. By safeguarding and owning your content, you can keep building brand awareness with video — no matter what happens to TikTok or similar apps.
Securely hosting your videos ensures you can continue building brand awareness, regardless of the shifting landscape of social media platforms. Here are some tips to consider when you take control over your video content:
- Host your videos on a secure platform. Find somewhere to host and store your videos online while maintaining control over access. Make sure to research different plans in order to prevent running out of video storage room in your video library.
- Research access controls. Wherever you store videos, you want them to be safe. Look for robust video security options that allow you to choose exactly who sees your videos, who can download your videos, and more. Utilize features like password protection or individual permissions to determine exactly who can view your videos.
- Understand platform licensing. Be aware of the licensing agreements of social media platforms. Some platforms may grant themselves broad usage rights to your content, limiting your control. TikTok prioritizes social sharing and viral engagement with less creator control. While you maintain ownership of content uploaded to TikTok, you grant the platform broad licensing rights.
- Think about must-have features. A high-quality video player goes a long way when you’re putting your brand’s best face forward. Maybe you want a platform that can make your content accessible to a global audience by translating captions and audio into dozens of languages. Or perhaps integrations designed to improve video creation, storage, and distribution are most important to you.
Move your videos to a protected platform →
6 best TikTok alternatives for you to try
Looking to diversify your strategy or find apps similar to TikTok for your brand’s short-form videos? We’ve put together a list of six popular options. Check out the pros and cons to decide which work best for your business.
1. Instagram Reels
- Recommended for: Creators building their personal brand.
With two billion active users, Instagram, owned by Meta, is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. Instagram Reels is a feature that allows users to create, edit, and share short videos ranging from 15 to 90 seconds in length.
Pros
Instagram Reels includes creative tools for customized content. By adding music, text overlays, or filters, creators can align video aesthetics with their brand identity. Reels feature prominently on Instagram’s Explore page, helping brands reach new audiences.
Cons
Standing out on Instagram Reels is a challenge — competition is extremely high. Reels relies on Instagram’s algorithm for visibility, so content that fails to quickly engage users is likely to fall flat. Also, frequent changes to the algorithm can complicate long-term planning for businesses.
Instagram Reels is free for all users. If you want your content to reach a wider audience, you can pay Instagram to boost your Reel.
2. YouTube Shorts
- Recommended for: Individual creators and influencers.
YouTube has adapted to the rise of short-form video content with YouTube Shorts. Videos that are uploaded to YouTube and are under three minutes long are automatically categorized as Shorts. You can also use the multi-segment Short camera to create short-form content directly from the app.
Pros
YouTube Shorts are highly shareable, leading to organic growth and the potential for content to go viral. For brands looking to maximize exposure and increase subscribers, YouTube Shorts is a TikTok alternative worth exploring. YouTube Shorts is part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), making it a strong choice for influencers monetizing short-form content.
Cons
Fewer in-built customization tools make it difficult for businesses to fully integrate their branding into YouTube Shorts. Choose Vimeo over YouTube if you want more customizable options for adding your brand's logo, fonts, or graphics to videos.
YouTube Shorts is free to use: anyone can create, upload, and watch Shorts on YouTube for free. Businesses can reach a larger audience by paying to promote Shorts as ads.
3. RedNote
- Recommended for: Brands looking for targeted marketing opportunities.
RedNote, known as Xiaohongshu in China, is a Chinese social media and e-commerce platform where users can share content and shop all in one app. RedNote has become one of the most popular TikTok alternatives in the US ahead of a possible ban, topping the iPhone app charts.
Pros
RedNote is a hotspot for lifestyle influencers, providing businesses with an alternative to TikTok for their product endorsements and promotional campaigns. Influencers on RedNote tend to have niche audiences and high engagement rates — valuable partners for targeted marketing strategies.
Cons
As an app owned by China, RedNote could eventually be subject to the same ban as TikTok. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act affects any apps with ties to what the US government considers foreign adversaries.
RedNote is free to use and also offers advertising options to help businesses reach their target audiences.
4. Lemon8
- Recommended for: Lifestyle-focused brands and creators.
Lemon8, a Chinese-owned app, is another TikTok alternative surging in popularity, especially in the US. Lemon8 users share and discover content on topics such as lifestyle, beauty, food, and travel. Content categorization makes it easy to connect with others that share similar interests.
Pros
Launched in the US and UK in February 2023, Lemon8 is a relatively new kid on the block. By diving into Lemon8, brands can build a strong following before the platform becomes saturated. Early adoption also helps brands appear innovative and in tune with emerging trends.
Cons
Lemon8 shares the same parent company as TikTok, ByteDance. This connection means Lemon8 could face similar challenges to TikTok, especially as its popularity grows.
Lemon8 is free to download and use for iOS and Android. The platform does not currently offer paid advertising options to promote short video content.
5. Snapchat Spotlight
- Recommended for: Brands targeting a Gen Z audience.
Spotlight is Snapchat’s answer to TikTok. Creators can post 60-second videos that are served to users based on their popularity and engagement. You can add fun effects to your short videos, including filters, augmented reality (AR) effects, and music.
Pros
Snapchat Spotlight allows brands to tap into a younger target market. Snapchat reaches 90% of 13 to 24-year-olds in more than 25 countries. With Spotlight, brands can get creative with video and easily share their story with audiences around the globe.
Cons
Brands using Snapchat Spotlight may be concerned about limited control over how videos are used and the unpredictable nature of viral content. In addition, Spotlight’s algorithm-driven feed means great content might not even get noticed.
Snapchat Spotlight is available for free. You can also promote your Spotlight content with ads in-app.
6. Firework
- Recommended for: Businesses creating short shoppable videos.
Firework is our final TikTok alternative for businesses. This AI-powered video commerce platform focuses on short-form video, allowing brands to provide customers with interactive and one-to-one video experiences.
Pros
Like Vimeo, Firework offers a shoppable video feature. Viewers can engage with products directly within a brand’s short video content, encouraging quick conversions. With Firework, brands can deliver professional short-form content without the noise of likes and comments.
Cons
Firework has a smaller user base than apps like TikTok or Instagram, limiting the organic reach and viral potential of videos. Premium features, including Firework’s AI solutions, come at a higher cost and may be less accessible to smaller businesses.
You can upload up to 10 videos with a Pilot account. There are pricing options for small businesses up to enterprise accounts.
Is the Vimeo video editor a good alternative to CapCut?
CapCut is another application developed by ByteDance, and you might be worried if CapCut will be affected by any TikTok ban. CapCut is a video editing software and mobile app offering tools for editing, styling, and music integration. It’s currently available on iOS, Android, and Mac, but that could soon change — a US ban affecting TikTok would likely apply to CapCut as well.
Vimeo’s video editor is a professional alternative to CapCut. With free video editing tools, it’s easy to crop, trim, and cut your videos or add text, soundtracks, and other effects — no editing experience required!
Standard Vimeo members and higher can take their videos to the next level with advanced tools. Our AI-powered text-based video editor lets you delete pauses and unwanted footage just like editing a word document. In addition, complete customization options let you create videos that speak for your brand.
Video monetization beyond TikTok: Explore Vimeo OTT
Got TikTok content you’re proud of? Don’t let it go to waste — you can repurpose videos for other platforms, or even embed them on your website. Research whether you’ll need to edit your TikTok videos to fit their new destination.
TikTok is just one of many video monetization platforms. There are other ways to make money from your video content, including through over-the-top (OTT) services, which is another type of monetization model.
With an OTT platform, viewers pay to access content, compensating creators through subscriptions, pay-per-view transactions, or purchases. You can even create your own custom app. With your own digital subscription channel, your audience can come to you.
If you want to monetize longer-form content, creating your own video subscription channel is a great option to attract an audience and start monetizing your content directly. Vimeo OTT offers a range of monetization models including subscription and transaction VOD platforms. With our advanced analytics tools, you can track how videos are performing and maximize your income.
Monetize videos with Vimeo OTT →
Frequently asked questions
What country banned TikTok?
TikTok is banned in several countries, such as India, Iran, Afghanistan, and Nepal. Governments also restrict access to TikTok on their employees' devices. In the event of a ban, TikTok will be unavailable to download on your iPhone or Android device. Ongoing legal and political developments could lead to the app being banned in more places. Brands and businesses should diversify their content channels in order to remain relevant, regardless of what lies ahead for TikTok or similar platforms.
What’s the best alternative to TikTok in the US?
There are many apps similar to TikTok for businesses and brands. The best option depends on your audience, your preferred user interface, and what you want to get out of your videos.
Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts replicate the TikTok experience closely, allowing you to create and share short videos with a huge audience. Businesses can use TikTok and similar apps together with Vimeo to build brand awareness and drive revenue.
How can I transfer my TikTok videos to other platforms?
Follow these steps to repurpose your TikTok videos and transfer them to another platform:
- Download your TikTok videos using the “Save video” option
- Edit your video to meet the requirements of the new platform
- Upload to Instagram Reels, Lemon8, or other alternatives
Your short-form videos are ready to share across different platforms.
How can I protect my video content?
You can protect your video content by future-proofing its location. With uncertainty surrounding TikTok and other apps belonging to ByteDance, choosing where to store your videos is more important than ever.
Vimeo offers a secure video storage solution for brands and businesses. Create, edit, and store your videos in one place — your own online video library. With granular privacy and access controls, you also have control over who can watch your videos.
What’s the best way to make money from my content?
OTT platforms are an effective way to monetize longer-form video content. Viewers pay the creator to watch content, whether that’s through a subscription or a single transaction.
Social media channels like TikTok or YouTube are effective video monetization platforms for short videos. Creators can earn commissions through affiliate marketing or brand sponsorships — brands pay creators to feature their products in posts and videos.
Businesses can monetize content through direct sales using shoppable video, or through ads displayed on their content. With platforms including Instagram, businesses can generate income by providing exclusive content to fee-paying subscribers.
Protect your short-form videos with Vimeo
Even short-form videos take time and resources to create. It’s time to give them the protection they deserve with Vimeo. Store all your videos in a centralized library that you control, set video-by-video permissions, and enjoy complete peace of mind.
Vimeo is the reliable and secure video hosting, storage, and editing solution your business needs. Start using Vimeo today for free, or explore our Premium plans for access to advanced features.
