The battle between TikTok and Instagram Reels is fairly new. Since TikTok has proven to be a very successful platform for sharing short-length videos, Instagram launched its Reels feature in an attempt to gain back the audience it has lost to its competitor, whose popularity continues to increase among various age groups.
Instagram Reels has been around for a while and is steadily growing in popularity. Perhaps, one of the main reasons why Instagram Reels easily captured the attention of many users is its striking similarities to TikTok. These similarities then beg the question – are there differences between TikTok and Instagram Reels that make one better than the other?
The simple answer to the question is yes! While TikTok and Instagram Reels seem to have the same functions – to enable online users to share and record videos set to music – there are key differences between these two prominent social media platforms. Read on to learn more about what makes TikTok and Instagram Reels different from each other.
What are their differences?
In essence, both TikTok and Instagram Reels serve the same purpose: they allow online users to create, edit, and share short-length video content easily and quickly on the internet. They both use fun filters as well as music and sound effects to make the experience more exciting for the users. However, beyond these similarities, apparent distinctions exist between the two popular social media apps.
Here are some of the most common and obvious differences between TikTok and Instagram Reels:
Video length
Both TikTok and Instagram Reels are based on the same concept – fun and musical videos made in short lengths. However, what “short” exactly means for TikTok and Instagram Reels is different. On TikTok, a short-length video can be up to 60 seconds long. On Instagram Reels, on the other hand, videos can only last up to 30 seconds. This 30-second difference is the most obvious distinction between TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Video editing
Both TikTok and Instagram Reels have editing interfaces that may look similar, but they are actually quite different from each other. On TikTok, a wide variety of effects, templates, and filters can be used by the users. This is actually one of the main reasons behind the enormous popularity of TikTok – it has super popular video effects and filters that users can play with.
On Instagram Reels, on the other hand, the video effects are much more limited. Its online users can only choose an effect from the Instagram Effects library before they start filming each video clip. Nonetheless, compared to TikTok, Instagram Reels has filters that provide better touch-up features.
Audio
When it comes to audio, key differences also exist between TikTok and Instagram Reels. On TikTok, users can constantly create new sounds because its sound library is not limited to the songs from the charts. In comparison, Instagram Reels has no such extensive library even though it has a wide variety of audio options. This is not surprising considering that Instagram is not a music-based platform, unlike TikTok.
Algorithm
The algorithm works differently on TikTok and on Instagram. Instagram has always been known for having a difficult-to-navigate and changeable algorithm, while TikTok is popular for its simple algorithm. Indeed, the easiness of blowing up and instantly becoming a monetised social influencer in Singapore on TikTok is part of the reason why it greatly appeals to many users.
Advertising
Instagram Reels does not feature advertisements, while TikTok includes both advertisements and sponsored content. These advertisements on TikTok are personalised to feeds, while the sponsored content is often offered by large companies mostly for the sake of helping the social influencers on the platform grow.
Which platform should you use?
From the perspective of an influencer marketing agency, TikTok is undoubtedly the superior platform when it comes to short video content. Its longer video length, the wider variety of video editing and audio options, easy-to-navigate algorithm, and openness to advertising make TikTok the better platform for those who want to become a monetised social media influencer.
Nonetheless, for those who are just looking for new ways to expand their Instagram account, the Reels feature is a great way to add some depth and creativity to their brand presentation. Instagram Reels is essentially a good place to start for those who particularly plan to buffer up their Instagram strategy and increase their following.
Conclusion
TikTok and Instagram Reels have their respective strong suits and advantages. Both social media platforms can provide you with a wide range of benefits. Which platform you should select totally depends upon your brand, audience, and marketing goals. Nonetheless, by knowing their key differences, you can easily determine which social media platform is more suitable for your objectives.
