The rapid rise of video apps like RedNote, Flip, Clapper, and Likee in the U.S. App Store charts highlights the fluid nature of the app marketplace. As TikTok faced a brief ban, these apps surged in popularity, capturing top positions. On Monday, after TikTok came back online, RedNote managed to retain its No.
1 spot, amassing 700,000 new U.S. users. This signifies a shift among users potentially looking for alternatives to TikTok. Despite assurances from President-elect Trump about extending the TikTok ban deadline, both app stores reflect users’ shift to other TikTok alternatives.
As of Monday morning, video apps RedNote, Likee, Clapper, and Flip held the No. 1, 2, 4, and 10 spots, respectively, in Apple’s U.S. App Store charts. RedNote, Flip, and Clapper experienced significant growth, transitioning from low thousands in daily downloads earlier in January to tens of thousands by the end of the month.
RedNote alone saw 818,000 new U.S. installs across the App Store and Google Play during January 2025. Clapper, a TikTok alternative targeting users aged 17 and up, garnered 646,000 downloads in the U.S. It jumped to the No. 4 top app on the U.S. App Store and No.
2 on Google Play.
Video apps rise amid TikTok challenges
Likee also saw massive growth, moving from No.
202 to No. 2 on the U.S. App Store within days and reaching No. 3 on Google Play.
Android users also saw new top contenders with Scoopz making it to No. 4 on Google Play, and ReelShort at No. 7.
Flip, focusing on social commerce, recorded 580,000 downloads in January, achieving No. 10 on the U.S. App Store and No. 9 on Google Play.
Despite a temporary surge in VPN app downloads as U.S. users tried to bypass the TikTok ban, the app store charts are expected to adjust as users return to TikTok. Apps like VPN – Super Unlimited Proxy, Fast VPN Super, Nord VPN, and others quickly rose in popularity during the ban but may not sustain these positions. This rapid shift in app usage and downloads shows how user preferences can pivot in response to geopolitical events.
The app marketplace remains fluid, with new contenders ready to take the spotlight when opportunities arise.
