List of Chinese Social Media Apps
This guide provides an overview of widely used Chinese social media apps, their U.S. equivalents, similarities, differences, and details on English language support.
1. WeChat (微信)
- U.S. Equivalent: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger
- Similarities: Messaging, social feed (Moments), mobile payments
- Differences: Mini-programs (in-app apps), an all-in-one ecosystem for services like payments, ride-hailing, and shopping
- English Content Support: Yes, but primarily in private messages
- English In-App Setting: Yes
- English Setup Guide: How to Change Language to English in WeChat (微信)
2. Weibo (微博)
- U.S. Equivalent: Twitter, Facebook
- Similarities: Microblogging, trending topics, public posts
- Differences: Heavily censored, more focus on celebrity and government announcements
- English Content Support: Limited, mostly from international users
- English In-App Setting: No
- English Setup Guide: None
3. Weibo International (微博国际版)
- U.S. Equivalent: Twitter (alternative version)
- Similarities: Microblogging, trending topics, user-generated content
- Differences: Cleaner UI, fewer ads, partial English support
- English Content Support: Limited, mostly from global accounts
- English In-App Setting: Yes (partial)
- English Setup Guide: How to Change Language to English in Weibo International (微博国际版)
4. Douyin (抖音)
- U.S. Equivalent: TikTok
- Similarities: Short-form video sharing, trending challenges, AI-driven recommendations
- Differences: Different content, stricter regulations, not connected to TikTok (separate app)
- English Content Support: No (only available in Chinese)
- English In-App Setting: No
- English Setup Guide: None
5. Xiaohongshu (小红书)
- U.S. Equivalent: Instagram, Pinterest
- Similarities: Image-based sharing, influencer culture, lifestyle focus
- Differences: E-commerce is a core function, more product reviews and recommendations
- English Content Support: Limited (some bilingual influencers)
- English In-App Setting: Yes (but limited)
- English Setup Guide: None (Enabled by default for US users)
6. Bilibili (哔哩哔哩)
- U.S. Equivalent: YouTube, Twitch
- Similarities: Video streaming, user-generated content, gaming culture
- Differences: Danmu (on-screen live comments), anime focus, high community engagement
- English Content Support: Some content with English subtitles
- English In-App Setting: Yes, partially
- English Setup Guide: How to Change Language to English in Bilibili (哔哩哔哩)
7. Zhihu (知乎)
- U.S. Equivalent: Quora
- Similarities: Q&A format, expert-driven discussions, upvotes/downvotes
- Differences: More long-form, structured articles, less casual engagement
- English Content Support: Minimal
- English In-App Setting: No
- English Setup Guide: None
8. Kuaishou (快手)
- U.S. Equivalent: TikTok, Instagram Reels
- Similarities: Short video content, user engagement
- Differences: More focus on rural China and lower-income users, slower algorithm than Douyin
- English Content Support: No
- English In-App Setting: No
- English Setup Guide: None
9. Tencent QQ (QQ)
- U.S. Equivalent: AIM, Discord
- Similarities: Instant messaging, group chats, file sharing
- Differences: More gamification features, used mainly by younger audiences
- English Content Support: No
- English In-App Setting: Yes, but limited
- English Setup Guide: How to Change Language to English in Tencent QQ (QQ)
10. Baidu Tieba (百度贴吧)
- U.S. Equivalent: Reddit
- Similarities: Forum-based discussion, topic-based communities
- Differences: More centralized control, less anonymity
- English Content Support: No
- English In-App Setting: No
- English Setup Guide: None
11. Meitu (美图)
- U.S. Equivalent: Instagram Filters, Facetune
- Similarities: AI-enhanced photo editing and sharing
- Differences: Heavy focus on beautification, skin-smoothing, and facial feature enhancement
- English Content Support: Yes
- English In-App Setting: Yes
- English Setup Guide: How to Change Language to English in Meitu (美图)
12. Douban (豆瓣)
- U.S. Equivalent: Goodreads, IMDb, Reddit
- Similarities: Book, music, and movie reviews, discussion communities
- Differences: More niche and intellectual, community-driven culture
- English Content Support: Minimal
- English In-App Setting: No
- English Setup Guide: None
13. Qzone (QQ空间)
- U.S. Equivalent: Facebook, MySpace
- Similarities: Social networking, profile customization, blog posting
- Differences: More personalized themes, deeper integration with QQ
- English Content Support: No
- English In-App Setting: No
- English Setup Guide: None
Summary Table
| App | U.S. Equivalent | English Content | English In-App Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp, Messenger | Yes | Yes | |
| Twitter, Facebook | Limited | No | |
| Weibo Int’l | Twitter (Alt. Version) | Limited | Yes (Limited) |
| Douyin | TikTok | No | No |
| Xiaohongshu | Instagram, Pinterest | Limited | Yes (Limited) |
| Bilibili | YouTube, Twitch | Some | Yes (Limited) |
| Zhihu | Quora | Minimal | No |
| Kuaishou | TikTok, Reels | No | No |
| AIM, Discord | No | Yes (Limited) | |
| Baidu Tieba | No | No | |
| Meitu | Facetune, Instagram Filters | Yes | Yes |
| Douban | Goodreads, IMDb, Reddit | Minimal | No |
| Qzone | Facebook, MySpace | No | No |
For more check out the Chinese social networking websites Category on Wikipedia and the List of social platforms with at least 100 million active users on Wikipedia.