TikTok is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.0. TikTok wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Snapchat on 1.
Creators who want fast reach with short, fun videos
Teens and friends who like to chat with photos
Score by score
The details
| Feature | TikTok | Snapchat |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Media & Creator Tools | Social Media & Creator Tools |
| Category rank | #4 of 17 | #16 of 17 |
| Developer | TikTok | Snap Inc. |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is TikTok better than Snapchat?
TikTok is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.0. TikTok wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Snapchat on 1.
Which is cheaper, TikTok or Snapchat?
TikTok: Free with ads; Coins for LIVE gifts are sold in the app, from $0.29. Snapchat: Free with ads; Snapchat+ is listed at $4.99 a month on the US App Store. On value for money, TikTok scores higher.
Do TikTok and Snapchat work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, TikTok or Snapchat?
Snapchat scores higher on privacy (5.8/10). The App Store label says contact info and identifiers may be used to track you. Location, contacts, purchases, search history and your content are linked to you. The app shows ads.
Strengths and weaknesses
TikTok
- New accounts can reach lots of people fast
- Easy editing tools right in the app
- Free to watch and post
- Easy to lose hours scrolling
- Collects a lot of data and tracks you
- Pay needs 10,000 followers and longer videos
TikTok is the fastest way for a new account to get seen. Its For You feed shows your video to strangers even if you have no followers, and the built-in editor, sounds and effects make posting easy. Creators with 10,000 followers can earn from videos of one minute or longer. It is free, but it is easy to lose hours scrolling, and the app collects a lot of data.
Full TikTok review
Snapchat
- Great for quick, private chats with friends
- Fun face and camera effects
- Free, with all the main features
- Creator pay is invite-only and needs 50,000 followers
- Free Memories storage is capped at 5GB
- Layout can confuse new users
Snapchat is built for close friends, not crowds. You send photos and videos that vanish, keep streaks going, and play with Lenses that change your face or the world around you. Spotlight and Stories let you post to everyone, but the bar to get paid is high at 50,000 followers. It is free with ads. Free Memories storage is now capped at 5GB, and the layout can confuse new users.
Full Snapchat review
