Who would’ve thought that self-destructing content would be a massive hit? Snapchat spearheaded the trend, and many apps have since followed suit. Most of the popular messaging apps now have their own version of Snapchat Stories. But Snapchat also inspired the creation of hundreds of face filter apps. On this list, you’ll find the best apps like Snapchat, some of which offer traditional messaging features while others focus on providing fun and unique face filters.
Apps Similar to Snapchat
1. Instagram
It comes as no surprise that the app closest to Snapchat is Instagram. While it’s best known for being a photo and video sharing app, Instagram has introduced plenty of features that make it the Swiss army knife of social media applications. You can now access the built-in face filters on Instagram in just a few taps on your screen. These filtered photos can be shared as Stories or through direct messages. While you might be looking for apps that aren’t as mainstream as Instagram, it gives you the quickest access to face filters since you and your friends are probably using the app already.
2. Messenger
Facebook kept an eye on Snapchat since its inception. The social media giant knew that Snapchat found a new way to captivate users and keep them engaged. And when Snapchat was getting more and more popular, Facebook was getting a bit stale. Facebook offered to buy Snapchat, but when the latter refused, Facebook went on to add Snapchat-like features in their products, including Instagram and Facebook Messenger. 3D masks, face filters, and special effects became primary attractions for Messenger users, and they only got better over the years. They also added the “My Day” feature in 2017, which was renamed to Facebook Stories a few months later. Just like Snapchat, this allowed users to share ephemeral content.
3. TikTok
Who doesn’t use TikTok these days? The growth of TikTok is nothing short of astounding, and it isn’t surprising either. By now, everybody knows how online users love watching videos. TikTok capitalizes on this by creating an app that proves to be the ultimate place for consuming and sharing short-form videos. It’s easy to think that TikTok is only for people who hop on the latest dance craze, but ordinary folks also love using the platform to share random things going on in their day. It may not be the best alternative to Snapchat, but it’s certainly just as fun to use.
4. Sweet Snap
As mentioned earlier, Snapchat made face filters a thing. And if you’re only looking for a face filter app, then be sure to check out Sweet Snap. Over 100 million people use this app, so that should tell you a lot about how excellent the app is. Sweet Snap makes it easier than ever to take selfies and embellish them with unique filters, stickers, and beauty effects. You wouldn’t run out of choices, so be prepared to spend lots of time sifting through their endless selection of special effects and filters. You can even create GIFs if you wish.
5. B612
When it comes to beauty effects and filters, you can’t miss B612. It’s one of the most popular apps for taking photos and turning them into works of art. B612 features more than 1,500 unique stickers that use facial recognition technology, enabling the app to turn your face into a cute animal or distort it into all shapes and sizes. You can also play around its real-time beauty effects for that glass-skin complexion or to find the perfect face shape. B612 also has a ton of filters to choose from. Whether you want filters for your selfies or your landscape shots, you’ll surely find something that fits your needs. The app also makes it possible to create music videos through their library of exciting tunes.
6. Bigo Live
You may have tried all of the social media apps out there, but it seems that every single one of them lacks certain features you need. Bigo Live could prove to be the exception. Watch out because this app appears to be the next big thing. As its name suggests, Bigo Live is primarily geared toward users who want to live-stream and share their everyday moments, talents, and interests to the whole world. With more than 200 million users, Bigo Live is one of the most used live streaming platforms right now. This is one of the most promising apps like Snapchat, especially when you discover all of its features. Users can go live to share anything they want, gain fans, make money, receive gifts, or simply enjoy interacting with other people. It’s also popular among gamers who want to show off their skills.
7. Wickr Me
If you want an app that’s similar to Snapchat but value privacy, then you should consider using Wickr Me. It can’t compete against the likes of Snapchat, Messenger, and WhatsApp in terms of popularity, but it more than makes up for it with its security features. You don’t need a phone number or email address to use the app, and your contacts aren’t stored on their servers. Wickr Me allows users to send and receive encrypted messages, photos, and videos. If you love the self-vanishing content that Snapchat made popular, then you should know that this app comes with a shredder function, which irreversibly gets rid of messages, images, and videos. You can also customize your photos and videos with filters, stickers, and graffiti, though the choices aren’t as extensive as those in Snapchat.
8. Marco Polo
Here’s another sleeper in the world of messaging apps. Marco Polo makes texting and video calling fun and easy while integrating social elements to provide an app you’d want the rest of your family and friends to use. One of the best things about Marco Polo is that they don’t sell user data for advertising purposes. If privacy is a top priority for you, then this app should definitely make it to your must-try list. Marco Polo enables you to send video messages which the recipient can view at a later time. Of course, you can still make regular video calls for real-time communication. Just note that the video messages do no disappear after 24 hours as they do in Snapchat.
9. SNOW
If you’re a fan of AR makeup features, then look no further than the SNOW camera app. It’s used by over 200 million people across the globe, thanks to its powerful yet easy-to-use features. SNOW gives you access to thousands of stickers, but what makes it truly special is its ability to find your perfect shot through AR-driven beauty and makeup effects. The different effects allow you to highlight special moments of your day, try new looks with different makeups, and create visually-engaging images with its built-in creative tools. There’s also a video editing tool to make your videos even more appealing for your social media followers.
10. YouCam Perfect
Need an app to edit your selfies? YouCam Perfect should be your go-to app. 300 million people have used this camera and photo editing app, and this number continues to grow. YouCam Perfect gives you all of the tools you need to create share-worthy photos. From funny camera filters and stickers to easy-to-use photo effects and face touch up, YouCam Perfect is hard to beat. Using the different photo editing features of YouCam Perfect is straightforward. You may have to spend some time to learn how to use each feature to its fullest, but once you do, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to turn an otherwise dull image into something you’d feel excited to share with your fans on social media. There’s an option to upgrade to YouCam Perfect Premium which unlocks even more face filters, stickers, and beautifying tools.
