YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok: Which Platform Is Better?

Shanoon Cox

Mar 17, 2025• Proven solutions

YouTube Shorts is the latest feature designed to mimic TikTok's creation, but can it go hand in hand with one of the biggest social media apps? Let's discuss this scenario in detail in this article!

YouTube's TikTok competitor, YouTube Shorts, is now rocking globally. Seeing the success of Instagram Reels and TikTok, it seems like YouTube didn't want to lag behind the game. So in September last year, it decided to step into short-form content via YouTube Shorts, a social platform for quick 60-second videos hosted on the YouTube app.

According to the Shorts product lead Todd Sherman, the social media giant aims to unleash new grounds for creativity.

On the other hand, TikTok is a short-form, video-sharing app that assists users to share and make 15-second to 60-seconds videos on any topic.

TikTok contains a separate app for the Chinese market, Douyin, with 300 million-plus active monthly users. The new app's logo is a merger of the Duyin and Musical.ly logos.

And, we're going to discuss the comparison of both these giants, i.e., YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok, in terms of which app is better for making short videos.

In this article

1. Part 1: Is YouTube Shorts the New TikTok?
2. Part 2: YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok: What Are the Similarities and Differences?
3. Part 3: How to Make YouTube Shorts Video
4. Part 4: YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok: Which One Is Better for Short Video Promotion
5. Conclusion

Part 1: Is YouTube Shorts the New TikTok?

In general, we can't say that YouTube Shorts is the new TikTok because YouTube Shorts is YouTube's expansion and have its own identity than TikTok.

YouTube Shorts is playing hand in hand with TikTok as the short-form video platform, but the Shorts integration with the broader ecosystem of YouTube is its key selling point according to Google's service.

Ironically, while YouTube is laying ways to emulate TikTok’s format, TikTok is experimenting with formats that are closer to YouTube’s traditional focus. This is why TikTok has tripled its maximum video length to three minutes for everyone and has been developing apps slowly on TV platforms like Fire TV and Android TV.

At a glance, YouTube Shorts looks pretty similar to TikTok. However, there are certain TikTok features that even the Shorts product manager Todd Sherman disagrees with is that of the YouTube Shorts. Sherman said the way TikTok works is quite an industry-wide standard than the point of view of any single app.

Even though YouTube is quite late to the short-form content game, it has a strong brand of YouTube behind it.

Thus, saying that "YouTube Shorts is the new TikTok" doesn’t even qualify in terms of the $100 million fund sanctioned for the creators of YouTube Shorts.

Part 2: YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok: What Are the Similarities and Differences?

In this section, we’ve defined the analysis of YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok in the form of both a comparison table and specific points of similarities and differences.

Section 1. The Similarities Between YouTube Shorts and TikTok

• Both these platforms are for short-form video content.
• The TikTok and YouTube Shorts both assist creators in adding music from their audio libraries, and users can view all videos beneath the audio library.
• Both offer analytics, including video views, likes, comments, watch time, shares, impressions, and reach. You can view these analytics on a desktop or mobile device for both platforms.
• The Shorts and TikTok feed provide a full-screen immersive experience with the engagement menu shown on the right-hand panel.
• Their feeds scroll in the same manner. Plus, there is an endless number of videos lined up for users to discover and watch. Yet, there's no auto-scroll on either, and users must scroll manually for the following video to come up. 
• Both provide tools that assist creators in earning money from their content creation.
• Users can subscribe or follow creators directly from their videos in both feeds.
• Both offer creators the ability to alter their video content's speed and help them to set timers with the filming process.
• YouTube Shorts TikTok give creators the ability to upload video content they've previously filmed.
• You can add closed captions and overlaying text to both of these platforms.
• They both assist creators in setting a video for the public, so anyone can view it or set it to private.

Section 2. The Differences Between YouTube Shorts and TikTok

• The monetization features of both these platforms are entirely different. Shorts offer their 'Shorts fund,' whereas TikTok provides Shoutouts and Digital Gifts. 
• Shorts can only be 60-seconds long, whereas TikTok's can be as long as three minutes (it could soon be stretched to five minutes duration as per their recent test).
• TikTok allows users to add video captions that are present in the bottom left area of TikTok. At the same time, users can add a video title in Shorts which is present in the exact location as a TikTok caption. And, a video description that is only viewable when users click the three dots above the link button and click 'Description' can be in YouTube Shorts.
• YouTube has a large music library which gives users an abundance of undiscovered and popular songs to select from, possibly more than the TikTok offerings list.
• TikTok has a vast library of filters, including greenscreen and AR effects, whereas Shorts only provides filters that edit the video's tone, temperature, brightness, etc. 
• Shorts' 'private' video option allows creators to choose or see who watches your video. On the other hand, TikTok's 'private' video option only allows the creator to view the video. 
• You can view the TikTok analytics directly in the TikTok app. On the other hand, YouTube Shorts analytics can be visible in YouTube Studio. 

Features TikTok has, but YouTube Shorts does not…

• A stitch and duet feature, where users can add other creators' videos to their accounts.
• A Q&A feature to leave questions for creators to answer with a video. Creators can also reply to their comments.
• A discovery tab that assists users in viewing trending sounds, effects, and hashtags.

Features YouTube Shorts has, but TikTok does not…

• A scheduling tool that assists creators in scheduling the timing of their Shorts going live.
• The option to select whether their videos are for kids or not. Or if they'd like to restrict their videos to viewers under 18.
• You can edit even after publishing.
• The option to "unlist" your Shorts, which means anyone can view it with a link to that video.

Part 3: How to Make YouTube Shorts Video

The following step-by-step guide teaches you how to use Wondershare Filmora to create a YouTube Shorts video:

Note: Before proceeding to the instructions, make sure that you have already recorded a video using your cellphone, and that it has been transferred to your PC.

Step 1: Add the Video to Timeline

Launch Wondershare Filmora on your Windows or Mac PC (a Windows 10 computer is used here for demonstration), go to File > New Project, and click 9:16 (Portrait). Click anywhere inside the Media box, and select and import the source vertical video from your PC to Filmora.

Next, hover the mouse over the clip in the Media box, click the + button that appears at the bottom-right corner of the thumbnail, and in the resolution confirmation box that comes up next, click the button under the Match to Media section to add the video in the correct orientation to the Timeline at the bottom.

Step 2: Edit the Video

Select the clip in the Timeline, and use the Split, Crop, Speed, etc. buttons above the Timeline itself to remove the unwanted portions from the clip, manage its playback speed, and do other fine-tuning tasks.

You can even click the Edit button, and use the available editing features like Motion Tracking and Stabilization to add text or objects to a moving body in the video and stabilize the clip if the camera shook during the recording session respectively. Click OK to save the changes when done.

Note: To be able to remain compliant with the YouTube Shorts policies, make sure that the video length is no longer than 60 seconds.

Step 3: Beautify the Video

Click Titles from the standard toolbox at the top, choose your preferred text category from the list in the left, hover the mouse over a decent preset in the right window, and click the + button at the bottom-right corner of the thumbnail to add the preset on top of the media track in the Timeline. Next, you can double-click the preset track in the Timeline to modify the text and make granular modifications to it as needed. Click OK to save the changes.

Similarly, you can select the Effects and Elements tools to add effects and elements to the video as needed. To add background music, you can go to the Audio tool, and pick your preferred preset from the available options. A custom music can be added by going to the Media tool, and importing an audio file from your PC using the method explained in Step 1.

After this, optionally, you can go to Split Screen from the standard toolbar at the top, and use your preferred Split Screen preset to club multiple video clips into one screen. In Filmora, you can add as many as 6 screens in a video.

Step 4: Render the Final Output

Once everything is set up, click EXPORT from the top of the window, go to the Local tab on the Export window, select MP4 from the formats list in the left, give a name and configure other settings from the available options in the right, and click EXPORT from the bottom-right corner to create a YouTube Shorts video. Once the clip is generated, you can upload the video to YouTube using #Shorts in the title or description to publish the video under the YouTube Shorts section.

Pro Tip: Filmora's new Smart Short Clips feature is perfect for creating YouTube Shorts. It automatically generates short clips from existing videos, adding transitions, captions, stickers, and music, making it easy to produce engaging viral content quickly.

Part 4: YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok: Which One Is Better for Short Video Promotion

Key Insights on Short Video Platforms

• YouTube Shorts’ Unique Position: Unlike TikTok, YouTube Shorts integrates short-form content within a broader video ecosystem, making it versatile for creators producing long-form videos. This aligns with current social media trends where flexibility in content creation is key for short video marketing.
• TikTok’s Strengths: TikTok’s immersive, app-only experience and direct messaging features make it a hub for community interaction. These tools are essential for short video marketing, as they drive higher audience engagement and sharing.
• Accessibility and Tools: YouTube Shorts leverages YouTube’s extensive audio library and partnerships with the music industry, offering creators more resources for video editing tips and content creation. However, the lack of a standalone app might deter users seeking a dedicated short-form platform.

Expert Perspectives

• Ramona Pringle (Tech Expert): YouTube’s expertise in video content makes Shorts a natural evolution. While it doesn’t need to mimic TikTok, its broad audience base and integration with YouTube’s ecosystem position it as a strong contender in short video marketing.
• Matt Navarra (Social Media Consultant): YouTube Shorts benefits from its remix features and extensive audio library, providing creators with more creative freedom. These features and YouTube’s industry partnerships make it a valuable platform for video editing tips and innovative content.

Choosing the Right Platform

• Global Reach:YouTube Shorts has a wider global availability compared to TikTok, which is banned in some countries. This makes it a safer choice for brands targeting diverse audiences in short video marketing.
• Audience Preferences:The choice between YouTube Shorts and TikTok depends on regional social media trends. If TikTok dominates in a specific market, it’s better for short video marketing; otherwise, YouTube Shorts is a strong alternative.

Both YouTube Shorts and TikTok are powerful platforms for short video marketing, but YouTube Shorts’ global reach and integration with YouTube’s ecosystem give it a slight edge. For more insights and video editing tips, watch the video below! 

TikTok or YouTube? Creators at VidCon 2023 Reveal Their Platform of Choice

Conclusion

So, this is our detailed overview of YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok. Since YouTube wants its new platform to progress and stand a chance in front of TikTok, they will make Shorts a priority, and thus much more likely to promote it to a broad audience. As we step further into the year, it is yet to consider which short-form video platform will be popular among the creators, marketers, and consumers. 

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox