TikTok isn’t just where trends start—it’s where apps are made or broken. In 2025, the platform continues to play a massive role in influencing what people download, from productivity tools to lifestyle platforms. A few viral videos or influencer shout-outs can turn a little-known app into an overnight sensation.
So, what’s lighting up TikTok’s For You Page right now? Here are the top trending apps in 2025 that everyone’s downloading—and why they’re blowing up.
1. Edits – Meta’s Answer to CapCut
Move over CapCut—there’s a new editing app in town. Meta launched Edits earlier this year, and it’s already become a staple for creators. This free video editing tool is built specifically for short-form video and comes packed with features like AI-powered effects, green screen support, and real-time performance analytics.
What makes Edits special is its seamless integration with Instagram and Facebook Reels, making it easier than ever for creators to edit once and publish everywhere. With over 5 million downloads in its first week, it’s clear that creators were eager for a CapCut alternative.
Why it’s trending: Professional-grade edits with an intuitive interface, and a major push from Instagram influencers.
2. OpusClip – AI Video Editor That Saves Time
If you’ve ever had a long-form video you wanted to cut down for TikTok or Reels, OpusClip is the tool you’ve been dreaming of. This AI-driven app takes long content and automatically generates short, engaging clips optimized for social media.
Backed by a recent $20 million funding round led by SoftBank, OpusClip has gone viral among content creators, especially podcasters, coaches, and marketers.
Why it’s trending: It lets you go from a 60-minute podcast to a week’s worth of clips in minutes.
3. Clapper – The Go-To TikTok Alternative
In the wake of uncertainty around TikTok’s future in the U.S., Clapper has surged in popularity. It looks and feels a lot like early TikTok—simple interface, short-form content, and no heavy advertising. But it also includes livestreaming and community-based features like chat rooms.
Clapper recently climbed to the #3 spot on the iPhone app store and is attracting creators looking for a backup plan.
Why it’s trending: It’s TikTok without the bloat, and creators are flocking to secure their place early.
4. Daze – Chatting, Reimagined with AI
Daze isn’t just a messaging app—it’s a whole new way to communicate. This AI-powered chat platform lets users express themselves through sketches, stickers, and in-convo games. Think of it as part iMessage, part Snapchat, with a heavy dose of Gen Z creativity.
Daze generated serious buzz ahead of its release, with over 150,000 people on the waitlist. Now that it’s live, it’s become a TikTok favorite for group chats and couples who want more playful, expressive messaging.
Why it’s trending: It makes texting fun again—with just enough AI magic to feel futuristic.
5. Temu – Shopping for the Ultra Budget-Conscious
Temu isn’t new, but it continues to dominate download charts thanks to TikTok haul videos showing off dirt-cheap fashion, gadgets, and home goods. Users love the thrill of getting “way too much for way too little,” and Temu feeds that desire perfectly.
The app saw nearly 58 million downloads in a single month last year and continues to beat Amazon on app store charts in 2025.
Why it’s trending: Shockingly low prices + viral haul videos = endless downloads.
6. Threads – Meta’s Text-First Comeback
Meta’s Threads app exploded when it launched—30 million users in four hours—and it’s still going strong. Positioned as a microblogging alternative to X (formerly Twitter), Threads has carved out a niche for people who want short, text-based social updates without the toxicity.
Now boasting over 175 million monthly active users, Threads continues to trend thanks to TikTok creators cross-posting text content and sparking debate.
Why it’s trending: It’s where creators are posting their “unfiltered thoughts,” and people love the behind-the-scenes vibe.
7. RedNote – China’s Viral App Goes Global
RedNote is a Chinese short-form video app that’s gained traction globally after being translated into English. It’s become a popular fallback option amid TikTok’s legal woes in the U.S., and users praise its algorithm for surfacing niche content that doesn’t get lost in the crowd.
Think of it as TikTok’s younger, quieter sibling—with its own unique flavor.
Why it’s trending: Fresh content, no ads (yet), and a recommendation system that feels genuinely personal.
8. Lemon8 – TikTok Meets Pinterest
From the creators of TikTok comes Lemon8, a lifestyle app that combines the inspiration of Pinterest with the viral power of TikTok. It’s all about aesthetically pleasing photos and videos—think skincare routines, book recs, outfit ideas, and productivity hacks.
Creators love Lemon8’s emphasis on high-quality, curated content, and it’s quickly becoming a go-to platform for niche influencers.
Why it’s trending: Clean vibes, helpful content, and strong monetization potential for creators.
Honorable Mentions:
- Flip: Another short-form video app making gains as a TikTok alternative.
- Fanbase: A platform that emphasizes creator monetization and subscription content.
- Focus: A rising productivity app that’s going viral thanks to “study-with-me” creators.
Final Thoughts
From creative editing tools to shopping platforms and TikTok clones, 2025’s trending apps reflect a few key shifts: the rise of AI, the hunger for alternatives, and a growing desire for apps that feel fun, expressive, and creator-friendly. TikTok itself may be the stage, but the apps it promotes are setting the tone for how we edit, chat, shop, and share.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, these are the downloads worth making today. Just be prepared—some of them might take over your screen time in ways you weren’t expecting.
