India is home to a rapidly growing and diverse digital landscape, and social media has become an integral part of everyday life. With the rise of smartphones and affordable internet, Indians are spending more time online than ever before. While global platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter continue to dominate, a new wave of homegrown social media platforms is taking center stage, offering localized experiences that cater to the unique needs and preferences of Indian users.
As we look ahead to 2025, the digital ecosystem in India is evolving rapidly. In this article, we will highlight the top 5 Indian social media platforms that you should be using in 2025, whether you’re a creator, a business owner, or just someone looking to engage with the digital world in new and exciting ways.
1. ShareChat
Why You Should Use It: ShareChat is one of India’s leading social media platforms, known for its regional focus. The platform caters to a diverse Indian audience, offering content in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, and more. ShareChat has successfully bridged the gap for users in smaller towns and rural areas, where language barriers often limit the reach of global platforms.
What’s New in 2025?
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Localized Content: ShareChat continues to grow as the go-to platform for regional language content, including memes, videos, news, and discussions.
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Creator Ecosystem: ShareChat has created a thriving ecosystem for creators to engage with audiences and monetize their content. This includes everything from live-streaming to short-form video content, which is gaining traction in the Indian market.
Perfect For: Users who prefer regional content and want to connect with people from diverse linguistic backgrounds. It's also great for businesses looking to target niche regional markets.
2. Koo
Why You Should Use It: Koo is India’s homegrown alternative to Twitter and has gained significant traction as a platform for real-time discussions, news, and opinions. Launched in 2020, Koo became especially popular after Twitter’s controversial stand on content moderation in India. The platform encourages people to express their thoughts in local languages, which has made it a favorite among users from non-English-speaking regions.
What’s New in 2025?
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Government Support: Koo is continuing to grow as the Indian government’s preferred platform for public communication. Various ministries and public sector undertakings have adopted Koo to engage with citizens.
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Increased Popularity Among Celebrities and Politicians: Many public figures and influencers have embraced Koo as a way to connect directly with their followers in a more regional and localized manner.
Perfect For: Politicians, influencers, businesses, and individuals interested in micro-blogging, especially for those who want to engage with audiences in regional languages and participate in public discourse.
3. Moj
Why You Should Use It: Moj is India’s answer to TikTok, which was banned in the country in 2020. Developed by ShareChat, Moj allows users to create and share short-form videos with a variety of filters, music, and effects. The platform has grown rapidly, becoming one of India’s top entertainment hubs, especially for younger users looking for bite-sized content.
What’s New in 2025?
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Content Diversity: Moj has expanded its content beyond just lip-syncing and dance videos to include a wider range of topics such as education, technology, and social issues.
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Monetization Features: The platform now offers creators a chance to monetize their content through brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and merchandise, creating a sustainable ecosystem for influencers and small businesses alike.
Perfect For: Content creators, brands, and users who love engaging with short-form videos, whether for entertainment, learning, or marketing purposes.
4. Trell
Why You Should Use It: Trell is a lifestyle-focused platform that combines video content with e-commerce, making it a unique hybrid. Primarily catering to interests like beauty, fitness, food, and travel, Trell allows creators to share their personal experiences through vlogs, tutorials, and reviews. The platform’s e-commerce feature allows users to buy products recommended by influencers directly through the app.
What’s New in 2025?
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Commerce Integration: Trell has continued to grow its social commerce features, allowing influencers to seamlessly promote products and create monetizable content through affiliate marketing.
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Localized Content: Like other homegrown platforms, Trell focuses on regional content in multiple languages, which helps it engage users from a variety of backgrounds.
Perfect For: Influencers and creators in lifestyle, beauty, fitness, or fashion niches, as well as businesses looking to tap into the growing social commerce ecosystem in India.
5. Roposo
Why You Should Use It: Roposo is another short-video platform that rose to prominence in the aftermath of TikTok’s ban in India. Similar to Moj, Roposo lets users create and share videos on a variety of topics, from dance and entertainment to DIY tutorials and cooking. It has become a significant player in the short-video space and is especially popular in smaller towns.
What’s New in 2025?
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Niche Content and Communities: Roposo has strengthened its community-building features, allowing users to create and join specialized groups based on interests, hobbies, and professions.
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AI-Powered Recommendations: The platform’s algorithm has become more refined, delivering personalized content to users based on their preferences, making the experience highly engaging.
Perfect For: Users who enjoy short-form videos and want to connect with specific communities based on their personal interests or expertise.
Bonus Mention: WhatsApp
While WhatsApp is not a "traditional" social media platform, its role in India’s digital economy cannot be overlooked. WhatsApp has become an essential tool for communication, not only for personal messaging but also for businesses to interact with customers. The app has integrated features such as WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Pay, enabling e-commerce transactions, customer service, and even peer-to-peer payments.
What’s New in 2025?
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E-commerce Growth: WhatsApp Business continues to expand, allowing small businesses to create catalogs, manage customer inquiries, and complete transactions all within the app.
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Payment Integration: With UPI (Unified Payments Interface) integrated into WhatsApp, users can send and receive money with ease, further driving financial inclusion in India.
Perfect For: Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals who rely on messaging for professional communication, customer support, and seamless payments.
Conclusion: Why You Should Explore Indian Social Media Platforms in 2025
As India’s digital ecosystem continues to evolve, the rise of homegrown social media platforms is becoming a crucial part of the nation’s social fabric. These platforms offer a more localized, tailored experience that resonates with the diverse Indian audience, making them essential tools for users and businesses alike.
Whether you’re a content creator looking for a platform that supports your regional language, a business aiming to tap into India’s massive digital market, or an individual seeking fresh content, these platforms offer something unique for everyone. As we move into 2025, expect to see more innovation and integration of social media with e-commerce, digital payments, and even governance, making these platforms even more central to India’s growing digital economy.
