As TikTok continues to face potential bans in the U.S. due to ongoing Supreme Court deliberations, two new Chinese-owned apps, RedNote and Lemon8, are quickly gaining popularity as users explore alternative platforms. Here’s what we know about the new social media apps gaining traction.
The uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future has left creators and audiences alike scrambling to find fresh spaces for creative expression and social interaction, and these two apps are stepping in to fill the void.
What Is RedNote?
RedNote is described as a dynamic lifestyle platform for young people to share experiences, explore a real, beautiful, and diverse world, and find the lifestyle they desire.
It’s being compared to TikTok, but with a twist. Known as Xiaohongshu in China, RedNote is a social media platform that includes images, short-form videos, community building tools, shopping and more. It is not an exact replica of TikTok, and it is not owned by ByteDance.
The app, founded in 2013 by Shanghai-based Xingyin Information Technology, is hugely popular in Mandarin-speaking countries and has more than 300 million monthly active users, according to Bloomberg.
For creators, RedNote provides a unique opportunity to spotlight their lifestyles. Fans of TikTok’s platform may find this app to be a natural transition as it builds a community around different forms of storytelling.
What is Lemon8’s Unique Appeal?
Lemon8, often described as a blend of Instagram and Pinterest, offers a lifestyle-centric platform where users share content around topics like travel, beauty, food, and fitness. Its visually appealing interface and curated feel have made it particularly popular among Gen Z and millennial users seeking inspiration and community.
Unlike TikTok’s frenetic, fast-paced nature, Lemon8 focuses on creating a calmer and more polished environment for sharing ideas and experiences. As creators worry about losing their TikTok audiences, Lemon8 offers a fresh avenue for building engaged communities.
Lemon8 is more of a TikTok clone as it was also developed by ByteDance, the company that operates TikTok. In the United States, the app recently secured the top spot in the Apple App Store’s “Lifestyle” category.
Why the Shift?
The threat of TikTok’s ban stems from concerns over data privacy and its ties to the Chinese government. With the Supreme Court evaluating its future in the U.S., creators are hedging their bets by exploring new platforms. RedNote and Lemon8, though also Chinese-owned, have yet to face the same level of scrutiny, positioning them as appealing alternatives for now.
Chinese officials are reportedly considering the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk as a potential resolution to the app’s pending ban in the U.S. However, ByteDance’s, the court’s recent leanings suggest it may uphold the ban.
China is reportedly exploring several responses to U.S. policy under the Trump administration, including the possibility of merging TikTok with Musk’s social media platform, X, and his AI company, xAI.
As the social media landscape evolves, the rise of apps like RedNote and Lemon8 reflects the adaptability of both creators and audiences. Whether these platforms can sustain their growth remains unknown, but they highlight the ongoing demand for innovative spaces in an era of digital uncertainty.