India has seen a significant rise in social media usage, driven by increasing internet penetration and smartphone adoption. This growth has paved the way for numerous innovative social media startups. These startups are not just clones of Western counterparts but bring unique flavors catering to Indian sensibilities and needs. Here’s a look at the top 10 social media startups in India that are making waves:
1. ShareChat
Founded in 2015 by Ankush Sachdeva, Bhanu Singh, and Farid Ahsan, ShareChat is a social media platform headquartered in Bengaluru. It caters to India’s non-English speaking population by supporting 15 regional languages. Users can share and enjoy a variety of content, including jokes, videos, songs, and memes. ShareChat has become a popular choice for those looking for a platform that accommodates regional languages and culturally relevant content.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Ankush Sachdeva, Bhanu Singh, Farid Ahsan |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Social media platform in 15 regional languages, offering jokes, videos, songs, and memes. |
Founded: 2015
Founders: Ankush Sachdeva, Bhanu Singh, Farid Ahsan
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: ShareChat is an Indian social media platform that allows users to share content in 15 regional languages. It caters primarily to the non-English speaking population of India. The platform offers various content including jokes, videos, songs, and memes.
Also read: Top 10 Edutech Startups in India
2. Chingari
Chingari, founded in 2018 by Sumit Ghosh and Biswatma Nayak, is a video-sharing app based in Bengaluru. It emerged as a popular alternative to TikTok, allowing users to create and share short videos with special effects. The platform supports multiple Indian languages, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Chingari’s unique appeal lies in its focus on local content and regional language support.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founders | Sumit Ghosh, Biswatma Nayak |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Video-sharing app with special effects, multiple Indian languages, alternative to TikTok. |
Founded: 2018
Founders: Sumit Ghosh, Biswatma Nayak
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: Chingari is a video-sharing app that gained popularity as an alternative to TikTok. It allows users to create and share short videos with various special effects and features. The platform supports multiple Indian languages, enhancing its reach among diverse user bases.
Also read: Top 10 TravelTech Startups in India
3. Koo
Launched in 2020 by Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka, Koo is a microblogging platform headquartered in Bengaluru. It serves as an Indian alternative to Twitter, supporting multiple Indian languages to help users express themselves in their native tongues. Koo has gained attention for its user-friendly interface and localized approach, making it a go-to platform for microblogging in India.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | Aprameya Radhakrishna, Mayank Bidawatka |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Microblogging platform supporting multiple Indian languages, alternative to Twitter. |
Founded: 2020
Founders: Aprameya Radhakrishna, Mayank Bidawatka
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: Koo is a microblogging platform akin to Twitter, designed for the Indian audience. It supports multiple Indian languages, enabling users to express themselves freely in their native languages. Koo has gained attention as a homegrown alternative to global social media giants.
Also read: Top 10 Mobility Startups in India
4. Trell
Founded in 2016 by Pulkit Agrawal, Bimal Kartheek Rebba, Arun Lodhi, and Prashant Sachan, Trell is a Bengaluru-based lifestyle social commerce platform. It allows users to share and discover personalized recommendations across categories like travel, beauty, fashion, and food. Combining user-generated content with e-commerce, Trell offers a unique social shopping experience tailored to lifestyle enthusiasts.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | Pulkit Agrawal, Bimal Kartheek Rebba, Arun Lodhi, Prashant Sachan |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Lifestyle social commerce platform with user-generated content and e-commerce. |
Founded: 2016
Founders: Pulkit Agrawal, Bimal Kartheek Rebba, Arun Lodhi, Prashant Sachan
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: Trell is a lifestyle social commerce platform where users can share and discover personalized recommendations across categories like travel, beauty, fashion, and food. It combines user-generated content with e-commerce, providing a unique social shopping experience.
Also read: Top 10 FashionTech Startups in India
5. Mitron
Mitron, established in 2020 by Shivank Agarwal and Anish Khandelwal, is a video-sharing social media platform based in Bengaluru. It gained popularity as a TikTok alternative, focusing on short video content. Mitron supports multiple Indian languages, making it an inclusive platform for content creators and consumers across the country.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | Shivank Agarwal, Anish Khandelwal |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Video-sharing platform similar to TikTok, focusing on short video content. |
Founded: 2020
Founders: Shivank Agarwal, Anish Khandelwal
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: Mitron is another video-sharing social media platform that gained traction as a TikTok alternative. It enables users to create and share short videos, leveraging India’s growing short video content consumption trend.
Also read: Top 10 HRtech Startups in India
6. Moj
Launched in 2020 by the founders of ShareChat, Ankush Sachdeva, Bhanu Singh, and Farid Ahsan, Moj is a short video app headquartered in Bengaluru. It was developed to fill the void left by TikTok’s ban in India. Moj offers a diverse range of content, including dance, comedy, and educational videos, and supports multiple Indian languages, catering to a wide audience.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | Ankush Sachdeva, Bhanu Singh, Farid Ahsan |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Short video app developed by ShareChat, offering diverse content including dance, comedy, and education. |
Founded: 2020
Founders: Ankush Sachdeva, Bhanu Singh, Farid Ahsan
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: Moj, developed by ShareChat, is a short video app that became popular post the TikTok ban in India. It offers a variety of content, including dance, comedy, and education, catering to the entertainment needs of Indian users.
Also read: Top 10 AdTech Startups in india
7. Roposo
Founded in 2014 by Mayank Bhangadia, Avinash Saxena, and Kaushal Shubhank, Roposo is a Gurugram-based video-sharing platform. It allows users to create and share content across various genres. Roposo supports regional languages and offers numerous channels, making it a versatile platform for users interested in diverse content.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Mayank Bhangadia, Avinash Saxena, Kaushal Shubhank |
| Headquarters | Gurugram |
| Overview | Video-sharing platform supporting regional languages with multiple genre channels. |
Founded: 2014
Founders: Mayank Bhangadia, Avinash Saxena, Kaushal Shubhank
Headquarters: Gurugram
Overview: Roposo is a video-sharing social media platform that allows users to create and share content across multiple genres. The app supports regional languages and provides a variety of channels, making it a popular choice among diverse audiences.
Also read: Top 10 BeautyTech Startups in india
8. Public
Public, founded in 2019 by Azhar Iqubal, Anunay Arunav, and Gaurav Singh, is a location-based social network headquartered in Bengaluru. It provides real-time local updates, news, and events, connecting users with their local communities. Public has become a popular platform for staying informed about neighborhood happenings.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | Azhar Iqubal, Anunay Arunav, Gaurav Singh |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Location-based social network providing real-time local updates, news, and events. |
Founded: 2019
Founders: Azhar Iqubal, Anunay Arunav, Gaurav Singh
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: Public is a location-based social network that provides real-time local updates, news, and events. It connects users with their local communities, helping them stay informed about what’s happening in their vicinity.
Also read: Top 10 ConstructionTech Startups in india
9. Vokal
Launched in 2015 by Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka, Vokal is a question-and-answer platform based in Bengaluru. It allows Indian users to ask and answer queries in their native languages, aiming to democratize knowledge sharing. Vokal supports multiple Indian languages, making it an accessible platform for users seeking information and expertise.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Aprameya Radhakrishna, Mayank Bidawatka |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Overview | Q&A platform for Indian users in native languages, focusing on sharing culturally relevant information. |
Founded: 2015
Founders: Aprameya Radhakrishna, Mayank Bidawatka
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Overview: Vokal is a question-and-answer platform for Indian users, allowing them to ask and answer queries in their native languages. It aims to democratize knowledge by providing a space for sharing information in a culturally relevant manner.
Also read: Top 10 Cybersecurity Startups in india
10. Tango
Tango, founded in 2009 by Eric Setton and Uri Raz, is a live streaming social platform with significant operations in India. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Tango enables users to broadcast live videos and interact with their audience in real-time. Despite its international roots, Tango has a strong user base in India, catering to the interactive entertainment needs of Indian audiences.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Eric Setton, Uri Raz |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, California (Operations in India) |
| Overview | Live streaming social platform for broadcasting live videos and interacting with audiences. |
Founded: 2009
Founders: Eric Setton, Uri Raz
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, with significant operations in India
Overview: Tango is a live streaming social platform where users can broadcast live videos and interact with their audience in real-time. Although not originally Indian, Tango has a strong user base in India and caters to the interactive entertainment needs of the Indian audience.
Also read: Top 10 Social Media Startups in india
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s) and Answers about the Top 10 Social Media Startups in India
ShareChat
Q1: What is ShareChat?
A1: ShareChat is a social media platform that allows users to share content in 15 regional languages, including jokes, videos, songs, and memes.
Q2: How many languages does ShareChat support?
A2: ShareChat supports 15 regional languages.
Q3: Is ShareChat free to use?
A3: Yes, ShareChat is free to use.
Chingari
Q1: What is Chingari?
A1: Chingari is a video-sharing app where users can create and share short videos with various special effects.
Q2: How is Chingari different from TikTok?
A2: Chingari is similar to TikTok but focuses on Indian content and supports multiple Indian languages.
Q3: Does Chingari support regional languages?
A3: Yes, Chingari supports multiple Indian languages.
Koo
Q1: What is Koo?
A1: Koo is a microblogging platform similar to Twitter, designed for the Indian audience and supporting multiple Indian languages.
Q2: Can I use Koo in my native language?
A2: Yes, Koo supports multiple Indian languages, allowing users to express themselves in their native languages.
Q3: Is Koo available on both Android and iOS?
A3: Yes, Koo is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Trell
Q1: What is Trell?
A1: Trell is a lifestyle social commerce platform where users can share and discover personalized recommendations across various categories like travel, beauty, fashion, and food.
Q2: Can I shop on Trell?
A2: Yes, Trell combines user-generated content with e-commerce, providing a unique social shopping experience.
Q3: What kind of content can I find on Trell?
A3: You can find content related to travel, beauty, fashion, food, and more on Trell.
Mitron
Q1: What is Mitron?
A1: Mitron is a video-sharing social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos.
Q2: Was Mitron developed as an alternative to TikTok?
A2: Yes, Mitron gained traction as an alternative to TikTok, focusing on short video content.
Q3: Is Mitron available in regional languages?
A3: Yes, Mitron supports multiple Indian languages.
Moj
Q1: What is Moj?
A1: Moj is a short video app developed by ShareChat, offering a variety of content including dance, comedy, and education.
Q2: How is Moj different from ShareChat?
A2: While ShareChat is a broader social media platform, Moj focuses specifically on short video content.
Q3: Can I create videos in my native language on Moj?
A3: Yes, Moj supports content creation in multiple Indian languages.
Roposo
Q1: What is Roposo?
A1: Roposo is a video-sharing social media platform that allows users to create and share content across various genres.
Q2: Does Roposo support regional languages?
A2: Yes, Roposo supports multiple regional languages.
Q3: What types of channels are available on Roposo?
A3: Roposo offers a variety of channels including fashion, comedy, music, and more.
Public
Q1: What is Public?
A1: Public is a location-based social network that provides real-time local updates, news, and events.
Q2: How can I use Public to stay informed about my local area?
A2: Public connects you with your local community, offering updates on news, events, and happenings in your vicinity.
Q3: Is Public free to use?
A3: Yes, Public is free to use.
Vokal
Q1: What is Vokal?
A1: Vokal is a question-and-answer platform for Indian users, allowing them to ask and answer queries in their native languages.
Q2: Can I ask questions in my native language on Vokal?
A2: Yes, Vokal supports multiple Indian languages for asking and answering questions.
Q3: Is Vokal available on mobile devices?
A3: Yes, Vokal is available on both Android and iOS devices.
Tango
Q1: What is Tango?
A1: Tango is a live streaming social platform where users can broadcast live videos and interact with their audience in real-time.
Q2: Is Tango popular in India?
A2: Yes, Tango has a strong user base in India and caters to the interactive entertainment needs of Indian audiences.
Q3: Can I interact with viewers during my live streams on Tango?
A3: Yes, Tango allows real-time interaction with viewers during live broadcasts.
Conclusion
The Indian social media landscape is vibrant and dynamic, with startups bringing innovative solutions to the market. These platforms cater to diverse linguistic and cultural needs, helping bridge the gap between different regions and communities. As internet access continues to expand, these startups are well-positioned to shape the future of social media in India.
Also read:
Top 10 Edutech Startups in India
Top 10 TravelTech Startups in India
Top 10 Mobility Startups in India
Top 10 FashionTech Startups in India
Top 10 HRtech Startups in India
Top 10 AdTech Startups in india
Top 10 BeautyTech Startups in india
Top 10 ConstructionTech Startups in india
