YouTube and TikTok prominently compete for supremacy in digital entertainment and video sharing. While other noteworthy contenders exist, these two have the most extensive reach and user base.

As a creator, you may need clarification about which platform suits your needs and target audience. A bit late to the party, TikTok has and continues to cause ripples globally, and YouTube, the longest-standing video-sharing platform, has been making moves to counter TikTok’s popularity.

So, which will it be? TikTok vs. YouTube. To cut to the chase, both platforms are equally capable, but they’re each suited to different uses.

Explore the differences and similarities between these two platforms and learn which works best for your case.

What Is TikTok?

TikTok is a leading short-form mobile video platform on Android and iOS devices. It’s the go-to platform for users who want to create and share fun, exciting, and sometimes silly content. People come to TikTok to share their personalities, be creative and discover others.

Users get access to a vast array of content, ranging from educational clips and challenge-driven videos to celebrity content and advertisements. If you’re looking to leverage TikTok’s popularity, have a look at this guide on how to use TikTok videos for business growth.

The platform’s user interface makes it incredibly easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly discover, create, and share content with the tap of a button. Besides that, TikTok has powerful tools available to creators to help them refine content to perfection. Filters, effects, music and video clips, and video editing tools are all built into the platform.

TikTok also boasts a range of live streaming tools and integrations with other platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. For the latter, the integration enables users to cross-post content from TikTok to these different platforms, providing users with even more visibility and reach.

Without mincing words, it’s the ultimate platform for creativity, allowing anyone, regardless of skill level or age, to participate.

What Is YouTube?

YouTube is a world-renowned online video-sharing platform owned by Google and boasts more than 2 billion monthly active users. The platform has been credited with bringing the entertainment world closer to people around the globe, offering users an infinite number of free videos in virtually every conceivable genre.

Users can upload content on the platform, such as homemade music, vlogs, how-to tutorials, or educational talks. This allows creators to share their knowledge and gain recognition and fame for their talent or expertise.

Unlike TikTok, YouTube has additional subscription-based services, such as YouTube Premium and YouTube Music. Under these, viewers can stream exclusive content and gain access to an expansive library of ad-free videos.

From vloggers to beauty and makeup gurus to chefs and entertainers, YouTube has become an integral part of the internet’s entertainment, information sharing, and avenue for creative expression.

While still on YouTube, use these tips to grow your YouTube channel.

YouTube vs. TikTok: The Highlights

YouTube	TikTok
The largest video-sharing platform by market share and user base (~2.5 billion monthly users)	New viral platform with close to 1.4 billion monthly users.
Experiencing slowing growth with its user base.	Fastest growing video-sharing platform in terms of popularity and user base.
Accommodates diverse content.	The content scope is mainly limited to entertainment
Videos can be as long as 3+ hours.	Typically short videos, the maximum length is 10 minutes.
Appeals to slightly mature, older audiences.	Preferred by teenagers and young adults.
Video recommendations are limited to user likes, viewing history, and subscriptions.	The platform keeps users hooked, with the secretive algorithm recommending new videos that are most likely to keep users on the platform.

YouTube vs. TikTok: Which Is Better?

The answer to this depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Each platform excels in a different specialty. Here’s a look at how the two giants perform across various aspects:

Reach and Audience

On this front, YouTube has a clear advantage over TikTok. The platform boasts over 2 billion users worldwide, while TikTok is still relatively new and only has slightly over 1 billion users.

Regarding audience demographics, YouTube’s user base is slightly older than that of TikTok, with the majority of users between the ages of 18 and 34. This makes YouTube the go-to platform for companies looking to reach more mature audiences.

On the other hand, TikTok’s user base skews towards youngsters, with most users between the ages of 13 and 24. This makes TikTok ideal for brands targeting younger audiences.

In terms of global reach, YouTube is also the clear leader. It is available in 91 countries and can be accessed in 80 languages, while TikTok is only available in 154 countries and supports 75 languages.

TikTok has an advantage as it’s still growing in popularity while YouTube’s growth is slowing down a bit.

Types of Content

YouTube is primarily known as a platform for creating and sharing videos, with users uploading everything from educational content to music videos to vlogs. On the other hand, TikTok is primarily focused on creating and sharing short, often humorous videos with users singing, dancing, lip-syncing, and more.

YouTube also supports using images, audio clips, and animation for videos, allowing for greater versatility in the type of content that can be shared. TikTok has recently added support for these forms of content, but its main focus is still on shorter video clips.

Supported Devices

YouTube and TikTok are available on various devices, making it easy to access their content no matter where you are. YouTube is accessible on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, as well as on computers and laptops. You can also access YouTube TV through select devices.

As for TikTok, it’s available on all mobile platforms and devices, such as Android and iOS phones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, and more. If you want you can also access TikTok on your laptop computer by visiting the official website.

YouTube is available on various game consoles, such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, while TikTok is available on some Smart TVs.

Average Video Length

The average video length on YouTube is usually between 4-10 minutes, with some videos lasting up to 3 hours or more. However, TikTok videos are typically only around 15 seconds in length with a maximum of 10 minutes.

This is by design as it makes it easier for viewers to scroll through many videos relatively quickly and keeps users engaged by providing them with new content quickly.

Also, the algorithm gets a chance to correct it if its recommendations are a bit off, which is rare.

YouTube’s longer format allows for more in-depth explanations of topics and story-telling, which makes it ideal for creating longer-form content like tutorials, reviews, and vlogs.

In contrast, TikTok’s shorter format encourages creativity and is ideal for light-hearted content like music videos, dance challenges, and comedic sketches.

Monetization and Affiliate Programs

The two platforms have different monetization approaches. YouTube, creators can generate revenue through ads, sponsorships, and memberships. Ads can be placed before or during videos and are linked to creators’ Google AdSense accounts.

Sponsorships involve companies directly partnering with creators to promote products or services within their videos, and memberships allow viewers to pay for exclusive content and perks.

TikTok, on the other hand, focuses primarily on influencer marketing. In this case, influencers are paid to promote a brand’s products or services rather than having ads placed within their videos.

TikTok also allows creators to earn revenue through branded hashtag challenges and hashtag challenges with a “swipe up” feature that links to the product’s website.

Both YouTube and TikTok have affiliate programs. YouTube’s Partner Program requires users to have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time within the past year to become eligible for the program. The program allows creators to make money when viewers use their referral link to purchase products or services advertised in the video.

On TikTok, the Creator Marketplace allows brands to collaborate with influencers. Creators can earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, and custom content campaigns.

Sharing

With YouTube, users can share their videos on popular social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and other websites and forums. Additionally, YouTube allows users to create playlists to organize their videos and even has a feature to subscribe to channels.

TikTok also offers some sharing options, though less extensive than YouTube. On TikTok, users can share their content with friends and family through direct messaging or links or on popular social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter. It also has a “re-vibe” feature that allows users to share a post with multiple friends simultaneously.

Analytics

Both platforms offer detailed information about the performance of your content, so you can better understand what’s resonating with your audience.

With YouTube, you can view and analyze real-time analytics such as total views, watch time, impressions, demographics, and more. You can also set up specific reports to measure your performance over time. Additionally, YouTube Analytics includes features like audience retention, which helps you understand how long viewers watch your videos and where they might drop off.

TikTok also has powerful analytics tools, with metrics like reach, views, watch time, likes, comments, shares, and average engagement rate. It also provides a breakdown of the demographic information of your followers and viewers.

Creator Experience

On YouTube, creators can create and upload videos in different formats, such as vlogs, tutorials, reviews, gaming, and more. It also supports multiple video resolutions from 240p to 4K. Plus, creators can add subtitles, annotations, end cards, and links to their videos.

TikTok also offers users a range of creative tools for creating videos, including effects, filters, music and sounds, 3D objects, and text. It also has various editing tools, including clip editing and video speeds. Creators can also add effects like slow motion and fast-forward to their videos.

In terms of managing their channels, YouTube provides creators with detailed analytics so they can track the performance of their videos. It also allows them to interact with their audience by responding to comments and enabling community posts. Additionally, creators can manage their channel’s look and feel with custom thumbnails and background images.

TikTok provides less control over channel customization and analytics than YouTube does. However, it does allow creators to use hashtag challenges and trends to engage with their audience. Additionally, creators can respond to comments, share content, and connect with influencers on the platform.

Ultimately, it depends on the type of content a creator wants to make and how involved they want to be in managing their channel. YouTube is better for creators who want more control over their content, while TikTok is better for those who want to create more spontaneous content and engage with their audience quickly.

YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok

When comparing YouTube Shorts and TikTok, YouTube has the advantage of longevity and ease of use. YouTube allows for videos of up to 60 seconds, and creators can customize their content however they like.

As long as the content remains true to YouTube’s terms and conditions, a video can stay up for years and build up long-term, sustainable views and subscribers. TikTok is much shorter, usually 15-second clips, and requires a creative approach to grab attention and leave viewers wanting more quickly.

As for what type of content works best for either platform, the differences are stark. For YouTube Shorts, informational videos work well, as do skits, lifestyle videos, and music. For TikTok, challenge videos, comedy skits, and vlogs get the most attention. Of course, it also helps to leverage

YouTube Live vs. TikTok Live

The top features of YouTube Live show it as a more comprehensive and detailed setup.

The ability to select custom stream layouts, live editing options, and overlay graphics make YouTube Live stand out as a comprehensive solution. Not only that, but streamers can also embed their content onto external sites, including social media accounts and their websites.

On the other hand, TikTok Live is best known for its incredibly interactive and entertaining user interface. Integrating an overlay graphic with funny text and popular filters allows for a truly unique experience for viewers.

Additionally, streaming content for up to 10 minutes at a time is a definite advantage for some types of content. Furthermore, viewers can leave reactions and interact with one another directly through the platform.

If you haven’t done so, here’s how to go live on TikTok.

Go Live with Wave.video

If you choose to go live, we strongly recommend you consider Wave.video as a user-friendly multistreaming tool. You can easily go live in a couple of clicks.

1. Create an account or log in an existing one.
2. Add destinations (YouTube, Facebook. Instagram, etc.).
3. Go Live!

So, Which Do You Choose?

It’s easy to see why YouTube and TikTok remain two of the most popular content creation platforms. Anyone will be forgiven if they struggle with choosing between the two.

Both platforms offer a unique approach to video-based content and viral success. For this reason, look at each platform’s strength(s) and whether it aligns with or complements your overall content strategy.

FAQs

What is more popular at the moment – YouTube or TikTok?

Both platforms are wildly popular, but a closer look at the numbers reveals TikTok is slightly ahead

Despite having a headstart, YouTube is losing its market position, primarily because it now appeals to older demographics that are now shrinking. It is also likely that TikTok’s algorithm has something to do with it.

The relatively new platform is addictive, but it’s improbable that it’ll dethrone YouTube as a market-leading video-sharing platform.

Where can I earn more money – on YouTube or TikTok?

YouTube is the more established platform with various monetization options, including ad revenue, YouTube Premium, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

TikTok has recently started to roll out monetization options for creators, but it’s still early days. Creators can make money from ads and TikTok’s Creator Fund, which pays creators based on their engagement and performance on the platform. There are also brand partnerships available.

If you want to make money from your videos, YouTube offers more opportunities than TikTok. With a larger audience and more mature monetization options, YouTube can be a great way to generate some income from your content.

On the other hand, TikTok is an emerging platform with plenty of potentials. Its focus on short-form content can be a great way to get noticed quickly and reach a wider audience. Although the monetization options are currently limited, they are growing fast. This makes TikTok a great choice if you want to reach a new and growing audience while exploring ways to make money from your videos.

What is the pay-per-view on TikTok and YouTube?

On YouTube, creators typically earn money by placing ads in or alongside their videos. They can also be paid per view, meaning they receive a flat fee for every 1,000 views the video gets.

Additionally, YouTube has a Partner Program which allows creators to earn additional revenue from their videos by enabling ads. This program requires creators to have at least 4,000 watch hours over the last 12 months and at least 1,000 subscribers.

TikTok does not currently have a Partner Program and does not pay creators per view. Instead, it pays a flat fee per ad impression. The rate can range anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars depending on the ad’s length and the video’s popularity

That said, TikTok does offer in-stream ads, affiliate programs, and sponsored brand challenges, which can be an additional source of income for creators.

Final Thoughts

YouTube and TikTok are both excellent platforms to work with as a creator. Choosing between TikTok vs. YouTube, though, is more complicated.

Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses. The only way to determine which is suitable for you is to look at your content strategy and target audience. Each platform favors a different content type and is similarly preferred by different demographics

Solve this, and you can answer which platform is ideal for you. It’s also more accessible than it sounds. You also don’t have to look at all the mentioned aspects. Assess only those that apply to your needs and content strategy and decide on a platform.

Also, depending on your target audience and content strategy, you might use both platforms in different capacities or with specific content types.