Likee vs TikTok: Is Likee Still Popular? (2025)

Likee (owned by Singapore-based company Likeme JOYY Inc.) and TikTok are both short video platforms that let users create and share video content with effects, music, and social features.

Some key distinctions:

Feature	TikTok	Likee
User base (global)	Over 1 billion active users globally.	Peak was reported around 150 million monthly users for Likee.
Content discovery / algorithm	Very strong recommendation algorithm (“For You Page”) that tends to push viral content aggressively.	More emphasis on video effects, creative tools, and features like AR, filters. Discovery is somewhat less central than TikTok.
Editing / special effects	Plenty of built-in effects, trending sounds, transitions, etc.	Offers creative tools such as 4D Magic, dynamic stickers, superpower effects, AR, etc. Some effects are more prominent or flashy.
Live streaming / social interaction	Yes (Lives, duets, comments, etc.)	Also yes — Likee supports live streaming, “People Nearby,” strong social / friend features.

In short: TikTok excels at algorithmic reach and trend propagation; Likee leans more into creative tools, effects and giving users flashy editing , AR tools.

Likee Version & Features

When people ask about the “Likee version”, they often mean one of:

The latest app version updates (what new effects, interface changes, and bug fixes are deployed).
Lite / regional versions (in some countries, lighter versions or modified features due to regulations or device constraints).
App vs web version(s) — browser access, APK versions, etc.

Some features unique / especially strong in Likee:

Advanced visual effects: 4D Magic, dynamic stickers, special filters.
Editing tools: good music library, filters, frame manipulation, multiple text boxes etc.
Social features: live streaming, making friends via “People Nearby” etc.

Also, the app keeps updated versions, depending on OS (iOS / Android). Some “APK” or third-party download sources show Likee version 5.x etc.

Likee Videos: What Kind of Content?

“Likee videos” usually refers to the short-video content people post there. It tends to include:

Trendy challenges, lip-sync, dance, comedy, fashion, etc.
Heavy use of special effects (AR, Magic Effects, filters). Creators often leverage flashy visuals.
Live streams and interactive content (viewers sending virtual gifts, etc.).
Local / regional flavors: content that reflects local culture, language, songs, etc. In many markets, this helps Likee remain relevant.

Videos on Likee are usually shorter, visually engaging, aimed at younger audiences. Because of its effects and editing tools, people who enjoy making creative, stylized content often favor Likee.

Is Likee Still Popular in 2025?

This is the big question. The short answer: yes — but less dominant, with pockets of strong popularity, especially in certain regions and contexts.

Here’s what the data & trends suggest:

User and download metrics
Likee once had ~150 million monthly active users globally at its peak and many millions of downloads. But growth appears to have slowed in many markets.
Search interest decline
According to search-data reports, interest in Likee has dropped significantly compared to 2021. For example, monthly search queries dropped from ~409,000 to ~168,000 in some data sets.
Opportunistic surges
Despite decline, Likee gets surges in certain conditions—for instance, when TikTok is down or facing regulatory issues. Wired reported that during a temporary TikTok outage / regulatory action in the US, Likee downloads rose sharply (143% more downloads, 37% more usage) in short bursts.
Regional strength
Likee remains relatively popular in particular regions (Asia, Southeast Asia, some Latin America) where its feature set, localization, and lighter device requirements give it an edge. Also, in countries where TikTok has regulatory or content restrictions, Likee is a go-to. Wikipedia and various sources confirm its user base is strongest outside US.
Challenges
- Intense competition from TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels etc.
- Privacy / regulatory concerns in some markets (similar to other short video apps).
- Feature parity / innovation pressure: users expect frequent updates; when these lag, platforms can lose momentum.

So: Likee is less in hype compared to TikTok, but it still holds firm in niches, especially among younger creators, effect lovers, and in markets where TikTok faces issues.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering “Likee vs TikTok … is Likee still popular?” — the picture is nuanced:

If you want broad reach, viral potential, trending sound challenges: TikTok is stronger.
If you enjoy creating with visual effects, filters, experimenting with editing, or want an alternative in markets where TikTok is restricted — Likee offers good value.
Likee’s “versions” (app updates, special effects, regional versions) remain relevant for creator communities.
But it’s no longer in the same momentum race globally; growth is slower, interest has cooled in some places, and it needs to keep innovating to retain / recapture users.

If you’re a creator or marketer considering which to focus on, it can be smart to maintain a presence on both, using Likee for creativity & local flavor, TikTok for reach & virality.