The future of short-form video is diversifying. As TikTok faces scrutiny and potential bans in various countries, users are actively seeking alternatives. While Meta’s Instagram and Facebook Reels remain dominant, a surge of new platforms – many built on decentralized technologies – are vying for attention. This shift isn’t just about escaping one app; it’s about data control, algorithmic transparency, and creator empowerment.
The Rise of Decentralized Video: Skylight and Loops
Skylight Social and Loops represent a new breed of social media. Both platforms prioritize user autonomy over centralized control. Skylight, launched in 2025, operates on the AT Protocol, allowing seamless data transfer between compatible networks like Bluesky. This means you can move your followers and content without being locked into any single platform.
Loops takes it a step further with its open-source design and integration with ActivityPub, enabling cross-posting to Mastodon and Pixelfed. The appeal is clear: if one platform fails, your content survives. The founders of Loops and Skylight are currently dealing with scalability issues, as demand grows faster than infrastructure can support.
Established Players: Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat
Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels provide familiar territory for former TikTok users. Both allow videos up to 90 seconds long and offer similar editing tools. The Meta-owned integration allows easy cross-posting, maximizing reach.
Snapchat Spotlight has also seen significant growth, with total viewing time up over 125% year-over-year. Snapchat incentivizes creators with cash rewards through Snap Crystals, encouraging content creation on its platform.
Emerging Options: Skylight and Xiaohongshu (RedNote)
Skylight Social, an Australian platform, has quickly risen to prominence, ranking No. 2 among free apps in the Apple Store. Its hybrid design – blending Twitter and Instagram elements – appeals to a broad audience. However, founder Issam Hijazi admits the platform is “increasing its capacity” to handle surging usage.
Xiaohongshu (RedNote), known as the “Chinese TikTok,” has gained traction among US users following restrictions on TikTok. This lifestyle app combines features from Pinterest and Instagram, offering a different cultural and content ecosystem.
Why This Matters
The fragmentation of short-form video isn’t just about picking another app. It reflects a growing distrust in centralized social media giants. Decentralized platforms promise greater control over data and content, while established players leverage existing infrastructure to retain users. The shift also highlights the increasing importance of cross-platform compatibility, as users demand portability and avoid vendor lock-in.
Ultimately, the choice depends on priorities: ease of use (Meta), creator rewards (Snapchat), or data ownership (Skylight and Loops). The battle for short-form video dominance is far from over, and users now have more options than ever before.
