Top 10 Chinese Social Media Apps You Can’t Miss!

Have you used Chinese social media apps? With over 1 billion internet users in China, social media has become an important part of daily life. Chinese social platforms operate very differently from Western platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In this article, we will talk about the top 10 Chinese social media apps deeply that not only dominate the digital landscape but also set trends, drive sales, and build huge communities. Whether you’re looking for like-minded friends or promoting your business, understanding these platforms can help you navigate this new world.

Top 10 Chinese Social Media Apps

1. WeChat: China’s All-in-One Messaging App

WeChat, developed by Tencent, is far more than just a messaging app—it’s an all-in-one platform that has become essential to everyday life in China. With over 1.3 billion monthly active users, WeChat is the go-to social media app in China, offering a wide variety of services, from chatting to shopping, payments, and beyond.

WeChat features:

• Messaging: Chat one-on-one or in groups.
• Moments: Share updates, photos, and videos with friends, similar to Facebook’s News Feed.
• WeChat Pay: Mobile payments, money transfers, bill payments, and even online shopping.
• Mini Programs: Access lightweight apps within WeChat, such as ordering food, playing games, or shopping, without downloading any additional apps.
• Official Accounts: Follow businesses, influencers, and media to get the latest news, promotions, and updates.

WeChat has a diverse user base and is popular in both large and small cities, making it the go-to platform for people across China. For businesses, WeChat offers various ways to connect with customers and grow your brand:

• Create an Official Account: Promote your products, share updates, or provide customer service.
• Advertise in Moments: Reach your audience through in-app advertisements, similar to Facebook’s News Feed ads.
• Engage via Live Streams and Mini Programs: Interact directly with users through live broadcasts or offer services via mini programs, keeping everything in one app.

If you want to stay connected with friends in China or grow your brand, WeChat is the platform you need to know.

2. Sina Weibo: The “Twitter of China”

Sina Weibo, often called the “Twitter of China,” is one of the most influential microblogging platforms in the country, with over 600 million active users. Popular among younger generations, Weibo is the place to go for sharing breaking news, trending topics, and viral content.

Weibo allows users to share short updates, photos, and videos while engaging with others through comments, shares, and interactive features. It’s especially popular for following celebrity gossip, social trends, and discussions around hot topics.

Weibo features include:

• Post: Share ideas, updates, and multimedia content.
• Hashtags: Use hashtags (#) to join conversations, hot topics, and discussions.
• Multimedia: Upload pictures, videos, and host live broadcasts.
• Interactivity: Comment, share, or tag others to get discussions going.
• Trending: List the most popular topics at the moment.
• Verified accounts: Public figures and brands get a “V” next to their names for authenticity.

Weibo’s audience is predominantly young. Surveys show that users spend about 30 to 45 minutes daily on the platform, making it the go-to space for news, celebrity updates, and social buzz.

If you’re looking to connect with Chinese fans of celebrities, or if you’re a brand trying to tap into China’s vast consumer base, Weibo is a must-use platform.

One of Weibo’s main draws is its open public model, making it easy to follow trends, interact with celebrities, and engage with people who share similar interests.

3. Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book): Best Chinese social media for e-commerce

Xiaohongshu, or “Little Red Book,” is becoming one of China’s top social media apps. With over 260 million active users, the platform has carved out a space for itself by blending social networking and e-commerce. On Xiaohongshu, people share everything from product reviews and beauty tips to fashion finds and travel experiences.

What really sets Xiaohongshu apart is its emphasis on authentic user-generated content (UGC). Users share real-life experiences and honest recommendations, making it a trusted resource for many.

In early 2025, TikTok refugees flock to Xiaohongshu due to the TikTok ban, facilitating daily communication between Chinese and American people.

Key features include:

• Content sharing: Post photos, videos, and stories about your life, shopping trips, and personal product reviews.
• Social interaction: Interact with content through commenting, liking, and sharing.
• E-commerce: Xiaohongshu lets users shop directly within the platform. You can buy products based on genuine reviews from real users.
• Live streaming: Conduct live streams to showcase products, share experiences, and interact with your audience in real-time.

For brands, Xiaohongshu is a prime platform for content marketing. Influencers, known as KOLs and KOCs, play a huge role in promoting products through authentic content.

Read more: What Is Xiaohongshu: The Hottest Social Platform in China

4. Douyin: The Chinese Version of TikTok

Douyin, the Chinese counterpart to TikTok, boasts an impressive 730 million monthly active users. Although both apps come from the same parent company, they operate independently, each tailored to its own audience.

Douyin has evolved far beyond a simple video-sharing app. Today, it blends social media, entertainment, and e-commerce into one unique experience. Users can find everything from lip-sync videos and dance challenges to life hacks and detailed product reviews.

Douyin’s Main Features:

• Video creation and editing: Users can easily create, edit, and share videos with a range of fun effects, music, and text overlays.
• Personalized feeds: Douyin’s smart algorithm tailors content feeds to each user’s preferences, making the app highly addictive.
• Live streaming: Douyin supports live broadcasts, allowing influencers and brands to engage with their followers in real time.
• E-commerce integration: Douyin makes it easy to shop directly within the app, creating a powerful avenue for brands to drive sales.
• Social interaction: You can follow, comment, like, share, and private message, creating a highly interactive user experience.

Douyin is especially popular among younger audiences, with about 80% of users under 35. Influencer marketing thrives here too, as brands partner with KOLs to engage this highly active user base.

While TikTok faces potential bans in the U.S. over national security concerns, Douyin continues to thrive in China. For brands looking to tap into the Chinese market, Douyin is simply too big to ignore.

Read more: Xiaohongshu vs TikTok: Should You ‘Flee’ to REDnote?

5. Tencent QQ: The Original Giant of Chinese Social Media

Before WeChat took over, Tencent’s QQ was the most used social platform for Chinese users. Launched in 1999 by tech giant Tencent, QQ started out as a simple instant messaging service but quickly grew into a full-blown social ecosystem. Today, it still boasts over 550 million monthly active users.

QQ is more than just a chat app. It’s packed with features like instant messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, online games, music streaming, and even virtual pets.

Key Features of QQ:

• Instant Messaging: Send text, voice, and video messages to individuals or groups.
• File Sharing: Share large files easily, a feature that’s still highly valued today.
• Personalization: Customize your profile with avatars, themes, ringtones, and “QQ Spaces”.
• Gaming Integration: QQ is deeply tied to Tencent’s gaming empire, making it super easy for users to jump straight into popular online games.
• Music and Streaming: Through QQ Music and media tools, users can stream their favorite songs and watch videos.

While WeChat has largely become the preferred app for adult communication, QQ remains incredibly popular among teenagers and college students in China.

6. Zhihu

Zhihu, the Chinese version of Quora, is a popular Q&A website where people share knowledge, experiences, and opinions.

On Zhihu, you can post questions and get answers from experts, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The community values ​​detailed and thoughtful responses, and users can upvote or downvote answers to highlight the best ones.

Key Features of Zhihu:

• Q&A-focused: Asking and answering questions is at the heart of Zhihu. High-quality answers usually get a lot of attention.
• Upvotes and downvotes: Good answers rise, and poor answers are buried.
• Topic tags: Questions are grouped by topic, making it easy to follow your interests and discover related discussions.
• Columns: Users can also write long-form articles (called columns) that delve into topics of interest.
• Zhihu Live: A paid feature where experts host live courses, allowing users to learn directly from professionals.
• Paid content options: In addition to free content, Zhihu also offers webinars, e-books, paid Q&A, and more.

Here, you can find sometimes the most authentic content from Chinese users. If you want to know anything about China or if you want to reach Chinese audiences, Zhihu is a good platform.

7. Kuaishou

When it comes to Chinese social media, Kuaishou is definitely a must-see. With over 600 million monthly active users, Kuaishou has amassed a huge user base in the fields of short videos, live streaming, and e-commerce.

Founded in 2011 as a GIF-making app, Kuaishou went public in 2021 and has grown rapidly since then.

Features of Kuaishou:

• Short videos and live streaming: Users post everything, and talent shows to funny skits and DIY content.
• Community-driven culture: Compared to Douyin, Kuaishou is particularly popular in lower-tier cities and rural areas.
• User composition: About 80% of Kuaishou users are under the age of 34, with 1990s users being particularly prominent.
• E-commerce giant: In 2022 alone, Kuaishou’s e-commerce arm generated over $55 billion in revenue.

Today, more than 380 million users are actively creating content on Kuaishou, and over 200 million live streams are happening every single day.

If your brand is looking to break into China’s lower-tier markets, Kuaishou offers incredible opportunities for live events, creator collaborations, and influencer partnerships.

8. Douban

Often compared to IMDb, Douban is a platform where movie, book, and music lovers gather to discuss, review, and debate their favorite works.

Founded in 2005, Douban centers around thoughtful discussions and, as of 2024, has over 60 million monthly active users (MAUs). Unlike mainstream platforms, Douban draws a highly educated, culturally engaged audience, with most users being college graduates or university students.

Key Features of Douban

• Cultural Focus: Douban covers movies, books, music, and cultural events. It’s a space for exchanging ideas, posting reviews, and talking about favorite works.
• Community: Users share real opinions and find like-minded people through vibrant discussions.
• User Base: Douban’s users are mostly from China’s first- and second-tier cities, with a strong presence of female users.
• Marketing Potential: While smaller than platforms like WeChat or Weibo, Douban’s audience is highly engaged and quality-driven.

For marketers, it’s a great place to reach educated, culture-savvy consumers. And if you’re here simply to explore favorite content, you’ll feel right at home too.

9. Bilibili: The Hub for Anime, Gaming, and Youth Culture

Founded in 2009, Bilibili started as a platform for anime fans and has since evolved into a major player in China’s social media scene, offering everything from live streaming to documentaries.

Bilibili’s audience is over 86% of users under 35. This makes it a top choice for brands aiming to reach tech-savvy, trend-driven Chinese consumers.

Key Features of Bilibili

• Bullet Comments: One of Bilibili’s standout features is its bullet comments — real-time reactions that fly across the screen, syncing with specific moments in a video.
• Generation Z Stronghold: More than 80% of Bilibili’s users belong to Gen Z, with an average age of just 21. It’s the go-to platform for young people looking to enrich their online lives.
• Diverse Content: While it started with anime, Bilibili now spans gaming videos, music performances, live streams, documentaries, and more.
• Live Streaming: Live streaming is a major driver for Bilibili, accounting for over 80% of its marketing reach.
• Ad-Free Viewing: Watching videos on Bilibili remains a mostly ad-free experience, keeping user engagement high.

For brands, Bilibili offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with KOLs and connect with young audiences through culturally relevant content. And if you want a quick pulse check on what’s trending among Chinese youth, Bilibili is the place to be.

10. Baidu Tieba: China’s Giant Online Forum

Launched in 2003 by Baidu, Baidu Tieba predates Facebook and remains one of the Chinese social media platforms. Users can create and join forums (called “bars”) centered around shared interests like movies, music, gaming, sports, and technology.

Key Features of Baidu Tieba

• Topic-Based Communities: Users can create or join “bars” based on their passions and dive into lively discussions.
• User-Generated Content: Tieba thrives on user-driven content, with members posting questions, sharing experiences, writing reviews, and creating original posts.
• Search Engine Power: Backed by Baidu’s search engine, Tieba posts often rank high in search results, making it a strong channel for keyword marketing, Q&A content, and boosting organic brand visibility.
• Real-Time Interaction: Tieba offers live group chats, making it easy for users to connect and bond over common interests.
• Marketing Opportunities: Brands can engage deeply with their audience through sponsored posts, discussions, and community-driven marketing campaigns.

While Baidu Tieba might not be as internationally recognized as other Chinese apps, it remains a core part of the Chinese social media.

Why You Should Use Chinese Social Media?

If you want to connect with Chinese, it’s time to start paying attention to Chinese social media. Apps like WeChat, Weibo, and Douyin are not only massive, they are also setting trends, driving e-commerce, and building massive communities.

• Huge user base: China has over 1 billion internet users. Apps like Douyin and Kuaishou have attracted hundreds of millions of active users, providing brands, creators, and businesses with tremendous reach.
• E-commerce integration: Chinese platforms blur the line between social and shopping. You can easily discover and purchase products without leaving the app.
• Rich content ecosystem: From short videos and live broadcasts to forums and expert reviews, Chinese social media offers countless creative ways to engage your audience.
• Brand growth and global visibility: Even if you’re not in China, being present on Chinese apps can increase your brand’s visibility around the world. More and more international brands are opening WeChat accounts, running advertising campaigns on Weibo, and working with influencers on Douyin.

If you’re thinking about expanding into new markets, try operating Chinese social media. With the right approach, these apps can unlock new audiences, new opportunities, and bring significant revenue.

How to Use China Social Media to Promote Your Business?

Breaking into the Chinese market may seem challenging, but it’s easier than you think if you use Chinese social media the right way.

Step 1: Choose the Right Platform

If you’re targeting young, trend-conscious consumers, TikTok or Bilibili is your best bet. For deeper customer relationships, WeChat’s official accounts and mini-programs are your best bet.

Step 2: Create Localized Content

Chinese audiences want to see content that resonates with local culture, slang, and trends. On Chinese social media, authenticity is more important than polish, so make sure it’s genuine.

Step 3: Partner with KOLs and KOCs

In China, influencers (KOLs) and regular consumers (KOCs) are crucial. Partnering with the right influencers can quickly launch your brand in front of a highly engaged audience.

Step 4: Leverage Livestreaming

Livestreaming isn’t just a trend, it’s a part of Chinese platforms like Kuaishou and Taobao Live. Brands use livestreaming to launch products, show behind-the-scenes footage, and even conduct direct sales. It’s an interactive way to increase engagement and drive sales.

Step 5: Targeted Advertising

Advertising works a little differently in China. Platforms like Weibo and TikTok offer powerful advertising options. Focus on user interests, behaviors, and city levels for best results.

Final Step: Provide Top-Notch Customer Service

Chinese users value after-sales service. Set up a customer service account on WeChat, respond to inquiries quickly, and manage feedback carefully. Great service can turn curious visitors into loyal customers.

The Future of Social Media in China

Whether you’re an individual or a business looking to tap into Chinese social media, understanding the trends shaping its future is crucial.

1. The Fusion of E-Commerce and Social Media

Chinese social media and e-commerce are merging like never before. apps like Taobao, Douyin (China’s TikTok), and Xiaohongshu are making it easier for users to shop while connecting with brands through live streams and interactive content.

2. The Rise of Live Streaming and Influencer Marketing

Live streaming is a cornerstone of digital marketing in China. Influencers and brands leverage platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou to connect with younger, engaged audiences through authentic storytelling. This form of marketing, often referred to as “quiet selling,” prioritizes relationship-building over aggressive sales tactics.

3. New Regulations Are Shaping Social Media

Recent changes to China’s digital regulations are having a major impact. For example, users now have to register with their real names online, increasing transparency but raising privacy concerns.

4. Technological Innovation Driving Change

Advanced technologies like AI and data analytics are revolutionizing how brands engage with their audiences. AI like Deepseek is increasingly integrated into popular social media apps, allowing for more personalized and targeted marketing.

Whether you’re trying to make friends or grow your business on Chinese social media, staying up to date with these trends is key to navigating the future.

FAQs About Chinese Social Media

1. What is China’s version of Instagram?

China’s version of Instagram is Weibo. It’s a mix of social media and microblogging, where users share photos, updates, and videos.

Think of it like a blend of Instagram and Twitter, but it’s super popular in China, with a lot of brands, celebrities, and influencers using it to connect with followers.

2. Which apps do the Chinese use for chatting?

The most commonly used chat app in China is WeChat. It is an all-in-one app that combines chat, social media, payment, etc. Another popular app is QQ, which is targeted at young users.

3. Which app is used in China instead of WhatsApp?

In China, people use WeChat instead of WhatsApp. It’s the top messaging app there, and it also handles payments, social media, and even booking services.