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Best TikTok Alternatives for Brands to Boost Growth in 2025

drishti
drishti
Create: Mar 25,2025


In June 2020, India made a bold move—it banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps. Almost overnight, millions of content creators, influencers, and businesses were left stranded without their primary platform. 


For a moment, it felt like short-form video content would take a massive hit. After all, TikTok wasn’t just another app — it was a cultural phenomenon. It gave brands unprecedented reach, creators instant fame, and businesses direct access to their target audiences. 


But what happened next was something no one anticipated. The vacuum left by TikTok's ban sparked a massive shift in India's content space. New platforms emerged almost overnight, old platforms like Instagram and YouTube quickly adapted, and brands began exploring new ways to engage their audiences. 


The Rise of New Platforms After TikTok's Ban 


Within months of TikTok’s ban, several homegrown platforms like Moj, Josh, and MX TakaTak flooded the market, hoping to capture the gap left behind. At the same time, Instagram launched Reels (in August 2020), which quickly became the default short-video platform for many creators and brands. 


By mid-2021, two things became clear: 


  1. The demand for short-form content was unstoppable. 
  2. Brands that leveraged these new platforms early gained a massive edge in visibility and reach. 


Throughout 2021 and 2022, platforms like Moj, Josh, and MX TakaTak became extremely popular, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Major brands began partnering with regional influencers to tap into local markets, something they previously relied on TikTok for. 


Simultaneously, YouTube Shorts also emerged as a major player in the short-video space, thanks to YouTube’s already massive audience base in India. By the end of 2022, most businesses had fully shifted their short-form video strategy to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and homegrown platforms like Moj and Josh. 


What’s Happening Now in 2025? 


Fast forward to 2025, and short-form content has become the backbone of digital marketing. What started as a TikTok trend has now become the most powerful tool for brand visibility, engagement, and customer acquisition. 


But here’s the catch — the content game has changed. 


  • Instagram Reels has become hyper-competitive. Simply creating content isn’t enough anymore — you need high-quality, trend-driven content to stand out. 
  • YouTube Shorts is now heavily monetized, giving brands a chance to earn directly from content creation. 
  • Homegrown platforms like Moj and Josh still dominate regional markets, offering businesses a powerful way to connect with audiences outside major cities. 
  • AI-powered content creation tools are making it easier (and faster) for brands to churn out short videos consistently. 


The message is clear — if your business still isn't investing in short-form video content, you're leaving money on the table. And since TikTok is out of the game in India, the real question is: Which platform should your business focus on in 2025? 


7 Powerful TikTok Alternatives for Brands and Businesses in 2025 


Here are the best TikTok alternatives that can help your brand stay visible, grow, and thrive in 2025. 


1. Instagram Reels (The Undisputed Champion) 


Launched: August 2020 

Audience Size: Over 600 million monthly active users in India 

When TikTok disappeared, Instagram Reels became the default short-video platform for millions of creators and brands. Even in 2025, Reels remains unmatched in terms of reach, engagement, and brand visibility. 


Why Brands Should Use Instagram Reels 


  • Massive Audience: With over 600 million active users in India, your brand has limitless visibility. 
  • Trend-Driven Content: Reels thrive on trends, making it easy for brands to go viral if they hop on the right trend. 
  • Influencer Partnerships: Collaborating with Instagram creators can skyrocket your brand’s reach. 


Use trending sounds, viral challenges, and hashtag campaigns to maximize visibility. Don't hesitate to show the human side of your brand. 


2. YouTube Shorts (The Monetizable Powerhouse) 


Launched: September 2020 

Audience Size: Over 467 million monthly active users in India 

YouTube Shorts has become a content goldmine, especially for businesses aiming for large-scale visibility. Since YouTube content ranks on Google, posting Shorts also gives your brand a SEO advantage. 


Why Brands Should Use YouTube Shorts 


  • Massive Search Visibility: Shorts often rank on Google, bringing traffic from both YouTube and search engines. 
  • Direct Revenue Potential: YouTube now shares ad revenue from Shorts, giving brands a chance to monetize content. 
  • Built-in Audience: If your business already has a YouTube presence, adding Shorts is a no-brainer. 


Repurpose your existing long-form content into bite-sized Shorts. Product demos, testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content work best. 


3. Moj (India’s TikTok Clone That Made It Big) 


Launched: July 2020 

Audience Size: Over 300 million monthly active users in India 

After TikTok’s ban, Moj (by ShareChat) quickly gained traction by offering a TikTok-like experience. Today, it’s one of the most popular platforms in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. 


Why Brands Should Use Moj 


  • Localized Audience: Moj is heavily dominated by regional language content. 
  • E-commerce Collaboration: Moj allows brands to partner with creators for product promotions. 
  • Influencer Marketing: Many former TikTok stars now dominate Moj, making influencer marketing easy. 


If your brand targets regional or semi-urban audiences, Moj is a goldmine. 


4. Josh (Another Indian Contender) 


Launched: July 2020 

Audience Size: Over 160 million monthly active users in India 

Josh quickly captured TikTok’s regional market by targeting Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural areas. Today, it’s a major force in the short-video space. 


Why Brands Should Use Josh 


  • Massive Regional Reach: Perfect for brands targeting smaller cities. 
  • Influencer Partnerships: Strong micro-influencer presence. 
  • High Engagement: Regional audiences engage more with relatable content. 


Create content in local languages or partner with micro-influencers to build brand trust. 


5. ShareChat (The Regional Powerhouse) 


Launched: 2015 (Gained major popularity post-TikTok ban) 

Audience Size: Over 180 million monthly active users 

ShareChat primarily targets regional language users, making it ideal for brands aiming for deep market penetration. 


Why Brands Should Use ShareChat 


  • Localized Marketing: Perfect for businesses targeting regional customers. 
  • Built-in Trends: ShareChat has its own viral trends. 
  • Untapped Market: Many brands still ignore ShareChat, leaving massive market potential. 

 

So, Where Should Your Business Focus in 2025? 


Here’s a quick breakdown based on your target market: 


  • Instagram Reels: Best for maximum reach, influencer collaborations, and high-visibility content. Ideal for urban audiences, Gen Z, and millennials. 
  • YouTube Shorts: Great for SEO visibility, content monetization, and broad audience reach. Suitable for all age groups and markets. 
  • Moj / Josh: Perfect for reaching regional and hyperlocal audiences, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Excellent for brands targeting local markets. 
  • ShareChat: Highly effective for vernacular language content and rural market penetration. Ideal for businesses aiming to connect with semi-urban and rural audiences. 

 

Conclusion: Short-Form Content Is the Future—Are You Ready? 


The TikTok ban in 2020 wasn’t the end of short-form video content—it was just the beginning. Over the past five years, the landscape has shifted massively, and in 2025, short-form videos are more powerful than ever. 


The only difference is—you now have multiple platforms to tap into, each with its own unique audience. Whether you choose Instagram, YouTube, Moj, or ShareChat, one thing is clear: short videos drive business growth. 


Need help growing your brand through short videos? Zoopup India can help you craft content strategies tailored to each platform. Reach out today and let’s turn your short videos into massive business growth! 


FAQs 


1. Which platform is best for maximum reach and visibility? 


Instagram Reels is still the best platform for maximum reach, viral content, and brand visibility, especially if your target audience is urban Gen Z or millennials. 


2. Which platform should I use if my target audience is in Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities? 


Moj, Josh, and ShareChat are the best platforms to connect with regional audiences and semi-urban/rural markets. These platforms have massive reach in smaller cities. 


3. Can businesses still make money from short-form videos? 


Yes! Platforms like YouTube Shorts offer direct monetization through ad revenue, while platforms like Instagram Reels and Moj offer indirect monetization through influencer collaborations and product promotions. 


4. Should I be creating content on multiple platforms or focus on one? 


It depends on your target audience. If you want mass visibility, focus on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. If you're targeting regional markets, also expand to Moj, Josh, or ShareChat for deeper market penetration. 

About The Author

drishti
drishti
Create : Mar 25,2025

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