9 Best Likee Alternatives for Android (2026)
Likee made its name with filter-heavy short videos, lip-syncs and live streaming — launched in 2017, built around 15-second clips, a "Magic Camera" full of AR effects, and a rank system instead of plain followers — but many readers cannot even open it: Likee was banned in India in 2020 along with TikTok. These 9 alternatives cover everything Likee does, and every one was personally verified on the Google Play Store with its current rating. Two honest notes before we start: some old "alternatives" lists still recommend dead apps (Vigo Video and Dubsmash are gone, MX TakaTak was discontinued), and two Indian apps changed identity — Chingari is now a live/dating app and Josh is now live calls and chat — so neither is recommended here.
| App | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 4.0 (70M) | Biggest community |
| Kwai | 4.0 (11.2M) | Closest to Likee |
| Instagram Reels | 4.0 (169.5M) | Friends already here |
| YouTube Shorts | 3.8 (172M) | Creators who earn |
| Moj | 4.1 (2.1M) | Made for India |
| Triller | 4.3 (259k) | Music videos |
| Bigo Live | 4.5 (6.4M) | Live streaming |
| Funimate | 4.3 (1.1M) | Fancy video editing |
| Snapchat | 4.2 (39.8M) | Spotlight feed |
1. TikTok — Biggest Community
The obvious one. TikTok (rated 4.0 stars by 70 million reviewers, over a billion users) is where Likee got most of its ideas: an endlessly personalized For You feed, easy editing tools, effects, a giant free music library, and Go LIVE. It also has the strongest safety controls of the bunch — 50+ privacy features including Family Pairing and screen-time tools, which Likee users with kids should appreciate. The algorithm is the real draw, though: it learns what you like faster than any competitor, which is why "just one more scroll" feels impossible on TikTok. The one big caveat: banned in India. If you are in India, skip to Moj, Reels or Shorts.
2. Kwai — Closest to Likee
Kwai (rated 4.0 stars by 11.2 million reviewers) feels like Likee's sibling: TikTok-style feed, duets, magic effects, daily trends and challenges, plus a reward system where you earn while watching. At its peak it had over a billion monthly users, and it supports live streaming too. If you liked Likee's playful, effects-first vibe specifically, Kwai is the closest match — it even runs on the same formula of fun filters over a social feed. One thing to know: Kwai's audience is strongest in Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Asia, so if you want a global English-speaking audience, TikTok or Reels will serve you better.
3. Instagram Reels — Friends Already Here
Instagram (rated 4.0 stars by 169.5 million reviewers) needs no introduction: Reels sit inside the app your friends already use, with templates, trending music, stickers and filters. Its audience skews young (63% aged 18–34 per Statista), which lines up with the Likee crowd. The honest trade-off: Reels are pre-recorded only — no live streaming — and your content lives inside Instagram's algorithm rather than a video-first community. But for reach, nothing is bigger. Another plus: Reels get pushed to non-followers aggressively, so new creators often grow faster here than on TikTok — and you can monetize through bonuses and ads based on engagement, views and plays.
4. YouTube Shorts — Best for Creators Who Earn
YouTube (rated 3.8 stars by 172 million reviewers) hosts Shorts — vertical videos up to 3 minutes inside the main app, plus live streaming built in. Shorts reportedly average 200 billion daily views (YouTube CEO, June 2025), and the revenue-sharing program is the most serious creator-payout system on this list. If you want to turn your short videos into actual income rather than just likes, this is where the money is. Shorts also integrate with the full YouTube ecosystem: a Short can send viewers to your long videos, your live streams and your channel memberships, which no other app on this list can do. The 3.8 rating mostly reflects complaints about the main YouTube app, not Shorts itself.
5. Moj — Best Made-for-India Option
Moj (rated 4.1 stars by 2.1 million reviewers, by ShareChat in India) is the strongest answer for Indian users who lost Likee in 2020: trending 60-second videos, filters, effects and trending sounds, content in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and more, short drama series, and a Moj+ premium tier with ad-free originals. It is the only Indian short-video app here that is still actually a short-video app — Chingari and Josh both pivoted away, as noted above.
6. Triller — Best for Music Videos
Triller (rated 4.3 stars, Editors' Choice) is the musician's choice: shoot a few takes, and its auto-editing algorithm assembles them into a professional-looking music video with trending tracks or your own library, filters, text and emojis. It is popular with celebrities and supports live performances. The Play reviews are a mixed bag — some users complain about the feed showing repetitive content — but as a creation tool it outshines TikTok-style editors.
7. Bigo Live — Best for Live Streaming
Likee's live side is best replaced by its own sibling: Bigo Live (rated 4.5 stars by 6.4 million reviewers, 500M+ downloads), from the same parent company BIGO Technology. It is the biggest live-streaming app on Android — go live, battle other streamers, earn virtual gifts — and its Play data panel declares no data shared with third parties. The honest catch: it is live-first, not short-video-first, so use it for the broadcasting side of Likee, not the feed-scrolling side.
8. Funimate — Best for Fancy Editing
Funimate (rated 4.3 stars by 1.1 million reviewers) is for people who spend more time making videos than watching them: keyframes, video masks, AI effects, 100+ advanced effects, transitions, text effects — editing power no social app matches. It has its own community with weekly challenges, and your edits can be shared to TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Think of it as the video editor that happens to be social, rather than the other way around. And once you have made a great video, make sure it plays well — our best video player apps guide covers the players that handle 4K and every format.
9. Snapchat — Best for the Spotlight Feed
Snapchat (rated 4.2 stars by 39.8 million reviewers, 943 million monthly users) has Spotlight: a public, algorithm-driven short-video feed where you can submit your own Snaps — basically TikTok built into Snapchat. You also get the famous lenses and filters, stories and group chat. It is the pick for people who already live in Snapchat and want short videos without installing another app. Parents should note Snapchat also has a decent set of family controls, including the ability to see who your teen chats with most.
How to Choose
In India: your options are Moj (the only true Indian short-video app left), Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts — TikTok and Likee are both banned. Want the biggest audience? TikTok. Want Likee's exact vibe? Kwai. Want to earn? YouTube Shorts, then Instagram Reels, then Bigo Live for live gifts. Want the best music videos? Triller. Want the best editing tools? Funimate — paired with one of our recommended video players for watching the results in full quality. Want live streaming? Bigo Live. Already on Snapchat or Instagram? Just use Spotlight or Reels — no new app needed. And one tip that applies everywhere: these apps' music libraries are licensed for use inside each app only — re-uploading a TikTok-made video with its music to another platform can get you copyright strikes.
FAQs
What is the best alternative to Likee?
TikTok is the biggest and most feature-complete alternative (3.97 stars, 70 million reviewers). Kwai (4.0 stars) is the closest like-for-like match to Likee's style: duets, magic effects and trending challenges.
Is Likee available in India?
No — Likee was banned in India in 2020 along with TikTok. Indian users should use Moj (4.1 stars, made for India with regional languages), Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts instead.
Which Likee alternative pays creators?
Kwai lets you earn rewards watching and creating; YouTube Shorts has a revenue-sharing program for high-volume views; Instagram Reels pays based on engagement; Bigo Live streamers earn virtual gifts.
Is Chingari still a short video app?
No — Chingari has pivoted to live streaming, audio calls and dating with a crypto token wallet, and is rated Mature 17+. It is no longer a TikTok-style short video app. Moj is the remaining Indian option for short videos.
Which app is best for making pro-looking music videos?
Triller (4.3 stars, Editors' Choice): its auto-editing algorithm assembles your clips into polished music videos in minutes, using trending tracks or your own music library.