What is REDnote? The TikTok alternative that's making its way to Europe
With the potential ban of TikTok in the United States, many users, influencers, and brands are looking elsewhere to find a reliable social platform to invest their time and content.
Among the emerging alternatives, REDnote—known in China as Xiaohongshu—is quickly gaining popularity and positioning itself as a concrete and innovative option in the social media landscape.
What is REDnote and how does it work
REDnote is much more than just a note-taking app: it’s a kind of social-commerce platform, blending elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok in a unique way.
Perfect for students, freelancers, and anyone who needs to better manage their time, REDnote stands out thanks to its clean and intuitive interface, allowing you to automatically save notes, lists, and reminders, all synced to the cloud so they're always at hand across any device.
You can also organize everything with tags and categories, and share your notes with a team—making collaborative work easy and smooth.
In a digital world where we often waste time juggling countless apps, REDnote is the smart solution that helps you stay productive, organized, and efficient, transforming the way you manage your ideas and daily tasks.
REDnote by the numbers in 2025 (so far)
According to recent data from Sensor Tower, downloads of REDnote in the U.S. have increased by 200% year-over-year and by 194% week-over-week.
In just two days, over 700,000 new users signed up—many referring to themselves as “TikTok refugees.”
This surge highlights how uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future is driving a shift in how people use social platforms, opening up space for younger but promising alternatives.
From rising app to real TikTok alternative
REDnote was launched in 2013 as a social commerce platform, initially focused on fashion and beauty, but today it’s a full-blown social network with over 300 million monthly active users.
It allows users to share photos, videos, and text on a wide range of topics—from lifestyle to food, fitness to travel—with a highly engaged and active community.
REDnote's expansion in the U.S. is sparking an interesting cultural exchange: in the now-famous “TikTok Refugees” livestream, over 50,000 people discussed social and cultural issues, from lifestyle choices to differences between China and Hong Kong.
The sudden influx of users has brought some challenges for REDnote, which is now investing in content moderation and developing translation tools to help users communicate across languages.
These efforts are crucial to maintaining community quality and ensuring user safety—non-negotiables for any platform today.
REDnote for brands and creators: why give it a try
Marketing, effective ads, and TikTok virality aren’t going away anytime soon. But for brands and creators, REDnote presents a fresh and real opportunity.
Still in its growth phase, it offers plenty of space to build strong communities, experiment with new formats and strategies, and carve out a spot in an increasingly competitive social landscape.
The platform is built on authentic content, transparency, and a participatory community—elements that make it one to watch for anyone in the digital space.
Why keep an eye on REDnote’s growth
In short, REDnote has the potential to become a key player in the social media world, especially at a time when people are actively seeking safer, more transparent, and quality-first alternatives.
For those working in social and digital marketing, tracking this evolution is crucial to seizing new opportunities and staying ahead of market shifts.