Both Snapchat and TikTok are popular social media apps, but they have some key differences. Snapchat is more focused on sharing photos and videos that disappear after being viewed once, while TikTok is a platform for creating and sharing short videos set to music. When deciding which app is better for you, there are several factors to consider including features, user experience, popularity, privacy, and safety.
Snapchat Overview
Snapchat is a mobile app created in 2011 that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. Snapchat was originally designed to provide a more private way of sharing moments with friends versus posting publicly on social media. Some key features of Snapchat include:
- Snaps – Photos or videos shared that disappear after being viewed once. Users can control the length of time before snaps disappear, from 1 to 10 seconds.
- Stories – Photos and videos compiled to create a narrative that remains visible for 24 hours.
- Lenses – Fun filters and effects that can be added to snaps.
- Discover – A section where users can watch curated content and stories from publishers.
- Chat – Instant messaging feature for communicating with friends.
- Memories – Private storage area for saving your own snaps and stories.
The impermanent nature of snaps and stories created a unique way to share authentic, unedited moments. Overall, Snapchat aims to provide a fun way to visually communicate and share your life with close friends.
TikTok Overview
TikTok is a video-sharing app launched in 2016 where users create, watch, and share short videos set to music. TikTok videos are typically 15 to 60 seconds long. Some key features of TikTok include:
- Video creation tools – Range of effects, filters, and editing tools to create short videos.
- Sounds – Library of audio clips and popular songs to add to videos.
- Hashtags – Used to discover videos on topics of interest.
- Duets – Ability to create a split-screen video next to someone else’s video.
- Stitch – Combine multiple videos together.
- LIKE and comment – Ability to interact with other users’ videos.
The TikTok algorithm is very adept at serving users content that keeps them entertained for hours. While Snapchat is focused on private connections, TikTok leans more into being an entertainment platform with viral challenges and trends.
User Experience
Both Snapchat and TikTok offer mobile apps with slick, intuitive interfaces. Snapchat pioneered the concept of ephemeral photo sharing, while TikTok made short-form videos truly mobile-first. Some differences in user experience include:
- Learning curve – Snapchat has a steeper learning curve as users must understand features like snap streaks and discover the creative tools. TikTok is very easy to pick up by simply scrolling the feed.
- Creating content – Creating unique short videos on TikTok can be more complex than Snapchat, involving music, effects, and stitching. Posting spontaneous photos and videos on Snapchat is very quick.
- Discovering content – On TikTok, endless scrolling and tailored For You feed makes finding engaging content effortless. Snapchat relies more on following specific friends and curated content in Discover.
- Watching content – TikTok is focused on consuming a stream of entertaining videos. Snapchat has a mix of watching ephemeral stories or directly communicating with friends.
Overall, TikTok provides more instant entertainment, while Snapchat excels at intimate communication. The choice comes down to whether you want a public content platform or private friends network.
Popularity
In terms of active users, TikTok has surpassed Snapchat and continues to grow. Some statistics on each app’s popularity:
- TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide as of September 2021.
- TikTok has been downloaded over 200 million times in the United States.
- Snapchat has over 300 million daily active users worldwide.
- An estimated 90% of Snapchat users are between age 13 and 24.
- TikTok is available in over 150 countries and 75 languages.
- TikTok was the most downloaded app in 2020.
TikTok has broad appeal across different age groups while Snapchat’s audience skews younger. TikTok saw massive growth in 2020 in part due to COVID-19 lockdowns where people downloaded new apps for entertainment. The continued growth of TikTok represents a shift in preference towards short video content.
Country Popularity Comparison
Looking at download estimates by country also shows TikTok growing faster than Snapchat:
| Country | TikTok Downloads | Snapchat Downloads |
|---|---|---|
| India | 611 million | 26.6 million |
| United States | 123.8 million | 203 million |
| Indonesia | 82.6 million | 14.5 million |
TikTok is the clear leader in emerging mobile markets like India and Indonesia. Snapchat maintains an edge in more established markets like the United States, but TikTok is quickly gaining ground there as well.
Privacy
Privacy controls and practices are a major concern when using social apps. Here is a comparison of how Snapchat and TikTok handle user privacy:
- Snapchat – Does not allow public profiles. Stories disappear after 24 hours. Users must opt-in to location services.
- TikTok – Accounts are public by default. Creators can choose to make videos public or private. Users can control comment privacy settings.
- Data collection – Both share user data with advertisers. TikTok has faced scrutiny over potential data sharing with the Chinese government.
- Young users – TikTok requires users to be age 13+ to create an account, but does not verify ages. Snapchat recommends 13+ but does not require verification.
- Direct messaging – On Snapchat, photos/videos disappear after opened. TikTok messages remain visible indefinitely.
- Parental controls – TikTok has robust controls like screen time limits. Snapchat just launched parental controls in June 2022.
Overall, Snapchat offers more privacy protection through disappearing content and restricts visibility by other users. TikTok’s public nature means less control over who views your videos. Both apps still allow younger kids to access content not suitable for their age group.
Third-Party Data Sharing
| Platform | Data Shared |
|---|---|
| Snapchat | Demographics, usage data, device info, location |
| TikTok | User profiles, contacts, messages, location, metadata |
TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has been accused of capturing more private user data than comparable apps like Snapchat.
Safety
Keeping brands and communities safe is a priority for any user-generated content platform. Here is how Snapchat and TikTok address safety and moderation:
- Moderation – TikTok uses a combination of artificial intelligence and human reviewers. Snapchat relies more on AI-based systems.
- Reporting systems – Both make it easy to report inappropriate content or users.
- Restricted content – TikTok and Snapchat use age ratings and restrict Overly Sexual or Violent content.
- Parental controls – As mentioned earlier, TikTok has robust controls, while Snapchat only recently launched basic controls.
- Digital well-being – TikTok lets users manage screen time and restrict notifications. Snapchat has no built-in well-being tools.
Overall, TikTok invests more resources in moderation and safety tools. Snapchat has relied on its disappearing content but is starting to add more controls to support younger users. No system is perfect however, and inappropriate content can slip through on both platforms.
Problematic Challenges
| Platform | Challenges |
|---|---|
| TikTok | Blackout challenge, skull breaker challenge |
| Snapchat | Snap and drive challenge |
Dangerous viral challenges continue to be an issue plaguing both TikTok and Snapchat. Parents should monitor challenges and discuss safety.
Advertising
Advertising and monetization are key priorities for both apps. Here is an overview of how Snapchat and TikTok approach advertising:
- Ad formats – Snapchat focuses on curated sponsored lenses, filters, and AR. TikTok relies on more display ads, banners, and videos.
- Targeting – TikTok offers detailed targeting based on user interests, behaviors, and demographics. Snapchat has broader tools for targeting based on location and device type.
- Measurement – TikTok provides robust metrics on views, clicks, and conversions. Snapchat has fewer insights available.
- Shopping – TikTok is ahead with shoppable video ads and partnerships with ecommerce platforms. Snapchat only allows shopping through its story ads.
Overall, TikTok seems to have more robust advertising options targeted to brands. Snapchat has focused on fun sponsored experiences tailored to its younger users who have less spending power. Brands will likely test both as they diversify social advertising budgets.
Conclusion
Determining whether Snapchat or TikTok is better depends on your priorities and interests as a user. Snapchat is better for privacy and intimate social connection with real friends. The disappearing stories and snaps create a unique way to share your life. However, TikTok wins out in terms of entertainment and videos that get you hooked. TikTok’s algorithm for recommending content is best-in-class. The sheer breadth of content also gives TikTok wider appeal across different age demographics.
In many ways, Snapchat pioneered the modern social media landscape that TikTok later capitalized on. TikTok made mobile short-form video truly immersive and addictive. Both apps have risks around youth safety that continue to be addressed through moderation and parental controls. Ultimately the choice comes down to whether you want an intimate friends network or global entertainment platform.
As TikTok continues its rapid growth, no other app has replicated its addictive feed of short videos. However, Snapchat laid the groundwork for ephemeral social media and maintains its hold among younger users. The rise of TikTok does not make Snapchat irrelevant, but Snapchat will need to continue innovating, especially around its video capabilities, to stay competitive long-term.