TikTok has been around since 2016 – and in less than 10 years, it has achieved major successes in form of 50 million daily active users. With 500 million businesses present on the platform, and 1 billion daily video views, this bite-sized content platform is no short of earning opportunities for users, influencers, brands and B2B affiliate marketers. But who doesn’t love more revenue? Hence more apps like TikTok and more earning!
If you too are an aspiring influencer, an affiliate marketer, a video enthusiast, a content creator or just a hobbyist who loves scrolling TikTok for hours because of its diverse content, here are 12 TikTok alternatives to help you make more revenue or simply explore more content when bored.
And what’s the bonus from CMOLDS UAE? We have featured how these TikTok alternatives make money so if you’re inspired, just take a leap and Dirhams will start pouring in!
- Triller – Best TikTok Alternative for Fashion, Music and Sports
Triller is a video-first social media site and quite an alternative to TikTok from Triller Corporation the parent company of Triller TV. On the platform, users can create, upload and lip-sync on short-form as well as full music track videos. With AI, the platform gives you the ability to record music playback and utilize filters and special multimedia effects.
Triller has a greater focus on music videos, so while it is an app like TikTok, it has unique features that allow users to record full music videos, with lip-syncing, and that’s why, it’s a good choice for users and creators who enjoy short and long-form content. Plus, the American platform is becoming ideal for podcasts, and video/music album remixes and covers. Some media sources also suggest that Triller is planning to start revenue models for creators and influencers.
What truly makes it one of the best apps like TikTok is its strong presence and usage by American celebrities for music, fashion and sports. That’s why, the platform is growing by leaps and bounds.
Features of Triller
- Triller allows creators to collaborate on challenges with other users, which can be a fun way to engage with the community.
- The app offers a variety of AI-powered editing tools that can automatically sync your videos to the music and add special effects.
- It has a built-in live-streaming feature, which means that you can connect with your audience in real-time.
How does Triller make money?
Triller currently utilizes a hybrid monetization model and makes money from data, advertisements, sponsored content and premium subscriptions that cost $299 per year – $29.99 per month. In addition, the platform has in-app purchases for additional features and effects.
Triller currently has an average rating of 4.7 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play with more than 50 million downloads.
- YouTube Shorts – Go-To Platform for Bite-Sized Content
YouTube has almost 5 billion monthly active users, and if you are one of these, you must have checked their super cool YouTube Shorts. Just like TikTok, YouTube Shorts is for creators and viewers who enjoy short videos with music, text, and other creative tools. YouTube introduced the feature right when TikTok with its ‘short-form’ content USP had entered the market – so you can say it is one of the earliest TikTok alternatives, but with a bigger user base, diverse niches and fun areas, and strong audience.
Features of YouTube Shorts
- Shorts are directly integrated with the YouTube platform, so as a viewer, creator or marketer, it is easy to go viral and monetize with your existing subscribers
- YouTube Shorts has built-in discovery tools that can help users find new and interesting content based on their preferences and viewing history.
- Creators who meet YouTube’s Partner Program requirements can earn money through advertising on their Shorts videos.
- YouTube Shorts offers a vast library of music and sounds that you can use in your videos.
How do YouTube Shorts make money?
YouTube Shorts earns from advertisements, sponsored content and premium subscriptions.
Because YouTube Shorts comes with the flagship YouTube app, there is no separate application – but for statistics, the app has 4.3 and 4.7 stars on Google Play and App Store.
- Likee – TikTok Alternative for Live Streaming
Similar to TikTok, Likee allows users to create and share short videos with music, special effects, and filters. However, Likee has a unique focus on live streaming and augmented reality (AR) effects, and this makes it a good choice for creators who want to experiment with these features.
Features of Likee App
- Likee offers a wide variety of advanced AR effects that can be used to create unique and engaging videos.
- Likee has a robust live-streaming feature that allows creators to connect with their audience in real-time and receive virtual gifts.
- Likee allows users to create duet videos with up to four people, which can be a fun way to collaborate with friends and other creators.
- Likee has a large and active global community, which can help creators gain exposure to a wider audience.
How does Likee app make money?
Likee app makes money with ads and data monetization. It also sells in-app purchases in the form of virtual gifts and diamonds.
The app has a 4.3 and 4.6 stars average rating on Google Play and App Store with over 500 million downloads.
- Huddles – TikTok-Like Platform But Safer
Huddles is a video-hosting social platform with a greater focus on secure sharing and safe social communities. With more private settings, users can share funny moments and connect with close friends and family.
Features of Huddles App
- Huddles allow you to create private groups for safe and controlled sharing of videos with specific people.
- Huddles offers a disappearing status option that works like WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat.
- You can use Huddles for live video chat, with options for video creation and real-time interaction with friends.
- Huddles also offers in-app interactive games that you can play with your friends and family to make your videos more engaging.
How does Huddles make money?
Huddles follows a freemium model with limited features in the free version. It has also started offering in-app purchases for extended video call duration.
With more than 10 million downloads, the Huddles app maintains an average rating of 3.1 stars showing that the company needs to pay serious attention to the user interface and user experience.
- Zoomerang – TikTok Alternative for Creative Boomerangs
Zoomerang offers a unique take on short-form videos by focusing specifically on creating boomerang videos. These are short clips that play forward and backward in a loop. If you enjoy viewing playful and visually interesting content, Zoomerang is your go-to TikTok alternative.
Features of Zoomerang App
- Zoomerang offers a variety of tools and effects to enhance your boomerang clips.
- You can adjust the speed of your boomerang videos to create slow-motion or fast-motion effects.
- Zoomerang allows you to easily share your boomerang creations on various social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- You can directly share your boomerangs to your Instagram Story from within the Zoomerang app.
How does Zoomerang make money?
Zoomerang currently doesn’t show ads or utilize data monetization. The platform is new and heavily depends on Instagram’s Meta ad program and influencer sponsorships.
Recently, Zoomerang has introduced a marketplace-like feature where creators can upload and sell templates. So when creators make a sale, Zoomerang deducts a small percentage as a fee and that’s where major earnings come from.
As a video editor, Zoomerang maintains an average rating of 4 stars in Google Play and App Store.
Recommended Read: Food Delivery Apps in UAE
- Zigazoo – TikTok for Kids
Zigazoo is a social networking site with video hosting options dedicated to kids and children. It offers a safe and educational environment for creating and sharing short-form videos and has diverse celebrity, sports companies and other apparel brand affiliations.
Features of Zigazoo App
- Zigazoo features a colorful and easy-to-use interface designed specifically for children.
- Zigazoo offers a variety of educational challenges and activities that encourage creativity and learning through short videos.
- Parents have access to robust parental controls so they can monitor their children’s activity and approve who can see their videos.
- Bullying is strictly not allowed to keep Zigazoo a safe space; that’s why it’s heavily moderated.
How does Zigazoo make money?
Zigazoo earns from age-appropriate advertisements and sponsored content. The company has announced its plans to introduce enhanced parental controls and paid children and co-parenting courses as parts of exclusive premium content.
With over 1 million downloads, Zigazoo has maintained 4 stars on Google Play and a whopping 4.7 on the App Store.
- Instagram Reels – Bigger and Better TikTok Alternative
Instagram Reels are short-form videos with music, effects, and text overlays. Since Instagram already has a large user base, it’s a great TikTok alternative if you wish to leverage existing followers and potentially reach a wider audience through the Explore page and Reels suggestions.
Features of Instagram Reels
- Reels are directly integrated with the Instagram app – same followers, same interface, just more space to grow.
- The Remix feature allows you to create your version of existing Reels, which can be a fun way to collaborate with other creators and participate in trends.
- Instagram offers a wide variety of AR effects that you can use in your Reels to add a unique touch to your videos.
- You can tag products in your Reels so users can directly purchase items they see in your videos.
How do Instagram Reels make money?
Instagram Reels utilizes the same Meta ad model to earn from advertisements, sponsored content, and commissions.
Instagram maintains 4.3 stars on Google Play and a whopping 4.7 stars on the App Store – with billions of daily active users.
- Snapchat – TikTok Alternative That’s More Social
While known for its disappearing messages, Snapchat also offers features for creating and sharing short videos with friends and followers through its Snapchat Stories which makes it one of the apps like TikTok but better in user experience. Snapchat was already a giant before TikTok came and its main focus is on interactive experiences.
Features of Snapchat
- Snaps (photos and videos) disappear after a set time, adding a layer of privacy and impermanence to your content.
- You can share live videos through your Snapchat Story and interact with your followers (audience) in real-time.
- Snapchat offers a variety of interactive features like polls and quizzes that you can add to your Stories.
- Snapchat is known for its fun and creative lenses and filters that you can use to add a unique twist to your videos.
How does Snapchat make money?
Their official website suggests that the Snapchat app made 4606 million USD in 2023. While Snapchat is free for users, it has a strong hybrid monetization strategy in place; the strategy utilizes in-app purchases for premium filters and effects and sponsored content from brands.
With 414 million daily active users, Snapchat has maintained a 4.1-star rating on Google Play and 4.6 on App Store.
- MuStar – Lip-Syncing App for Music Lovers
One of the growing apps like TikTok, Mustar focuses on lip-syncing and short music video creation. The strong video lip-syncing and editing features make it a close alternative to TikTok, but the audience is still smaller yet growing fast.
The platform has a major focus on music and dance – and that’s why, the app has a solid database of trending music, with filters, video and sound effects.
Features of MuStar
- Users can create duet videos with other creators and find a collaborative element to music video creation.
- MuStar offers various beauty effects that you can use to enhance your appearance in your videos.
- The app has hundreds of voice filters that you can add to your videos to give them a serious or fun twist.
- MuStar frequently hosts in-app challenges and competitions and encourages user participation and content creation.
How does MuStar make money?
MuStar makes its main money from advertisements and sponsored content. The platform also sells in-app purchases for premium features, video templates and voice filters, but the transaction system is still a work in progress and the checkout processes need more effort on user experience. MuStar has also started receiving brand partnerships for marketing opportunities, especially targeted for the GenZ audience.
With more than 50,000 downloads, the app has maintained a rating of 4 stars on Google Play and 4.6 stars on App Store.
- Bigo Live – TikTok-like App for Live Streaming
Bigo Live is a TikTok alternative that focuses on the same short-form videos but gives the option for 24-hour live streams. While not exactly a direct competitor, Bigo places a strong emphasis on real-time content creation, community interaction and engagement.
In a very short time, Bigo has achieved more than 500 million downloads on Google Play and App Store.
Features of Bigo Live
- Bigo Live’s core feature of live streaming helps users broadcast themselves singing, dancing, chatting, or showcasing their talents to a global audience.
- Viewers can send virtual gifts and diamonds to show appreciation for their favorite broadcasters. The app claims that these virtual items can be converted into real money for creators – but this is something yet to be reviewed and rated.
- Player vs Player is a unique feature where two broadcasters compete for virtual gifts from viewers. This adds a gamified element to live streams.
How does Bigo Live make money?
Bigo Live also follows a hybrid monetization strategy with advertisements, data monetization, and in-app purchases.
The number of downloads and positive reviews with 4.4 and 4.5 stars ratings suggest that Bigo Live has a strong user experience and it’s on the right track to acquire users.
- Beat.ly – One Platform for Video Editing and Sharing
If you’re an influencer or a TikToker who wants to explore different new filters, video effects and music remixes, Beat.ly is an app like TikTok but much better because of its high-definition video quality and a vast multimedia library.
Features of Beat.ly
- Beat.ly works as the editing TikTok alternative that allows customized transitions to adjust video speed.
- Users can merge photos into videos with special sound effects to make animated collages.
- The app has 10+ social media integrations so you can share your newly made video on the platform of your choice.
How does Beat.ly make money?
Beat.ly is a free app that earns mainly from advertisements and sponsored content. The app also has in-app purchases for users who want to access and use premium templates, exclusive collages and sound effects.
Beat.ly has more than 100 million downloads on the leading marketplaces and has maintained a rating of 4.5 stars on average.
- Funimate Video – Content Editing and Sharing App
If you’re looking for an app like TikTok but with more options for AI-based video creation and editing, Funimate is the alternative you should try. It is a free app with in-app purchases, exclusive filters and templates, music and video effects, sounds and remixes that influencers around the globe love.
Features of Funimate Video
- Funimate lets you doodle and draw stickers on photographs and videos.
- The database has 1000+ photo frames, templates and video filters to choose from.
- Funimate is directly integrated with TikTok, so you create and share within seconds without a watermark.
- The app works well on smartphones as well as tablets and iPads – ideal for creators who love high-end design.
How does Funimate make money?
Funimate makes money from advertisements, featured content and in-app purchases for exclusive templates and filters.
The app has maintained a 4.5-star rating on Google Play and App Store and has almost 10 million downloads.
Video Sharing and Video Editing App Development
As a product development strategist serving clients at a reputable app development company in Dubai, I have witnessed hundreds of brilliant app ideas entering and exiting the market – some monetized within 5 months and others took 2 years to take off but were super profitable beyond the revenue charts. And while Dubai is a welcoming place with a population that craves valuable mobile apps, video apps are a superb niche. While this app development domain is competitive, it still has a gap for niche-specific TikTok-style videos: for example, a short video editing and sharing app for students, legal professionals, medical practitioners, health and safety, fitness, and food delivery!
If you too are an aspiring app entrepreneur planning to build and launch an app like TikTok that makes money, we’ll be your strategic partners helping you navigate your idea validation to design, development, testing, launch, monetization and funding!
Book a call with our app development strategist, share your epic video app idea and we’ll take it from there!
And yes, while you’re still here, take a look at our recent app project, Kitchenara – a TikTok-style food delivery app that just received funding of $380,000 from an angel investor for its innovative and monetization-ready concept!
