Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

YouTube vs TikTok

YouTube 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner TikTok
TikTok 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

TikTok has a slight edge due to its more consistent core functionality, despite both apps facing significant recent issues with crashing and content moderation.

Full reviews: YouTube · TikTok

Both YouTube and TikTok are experiencing widespread crashing issues for many users, particularly on older iPhone models. While YouTube is praised for its diverse content, it's criticized for excessive ads and a push towards short-form content. TikTok users enjoy its social features and content, but report problems with moderation, account bans, and a recent decline in algorithm quality.

Head to head

Reliability & Performance tieR3R4R7R10
YouTube Many YouTube users report severe crashing issues, with the app failing to open or kicking them out immediately after launch, often requiring repeated uninstalls and reinstalls for temporary fixes R4R7R10R13. Some also mention ads freezing videos R3 and general bugginess .
TikTok TikTok users also frequently experience crashing, with the app getting stuck on the logo screen and then closing, especially on older iPhone models like the iPhone 7 R65R69R71R83. Some report issues with video uploads R25 and profile picture changes not reflecting for others .
Content & Features edge: YouTubeR6R8R9R11
YouTube YouTube is praised for its vast and diverse content, including videos, games, editing tools, and music R8. However, many users are frustrated by the increasing push for 'Shorts' R9R11, which they feel is turning YouTube into TikTok and detracting from its core long-form content R11. Users also miss the dislike button R21 and criticize the algorithm for suggesting already-watched videos R6 or unwanted content .
TikTok TikTok is enjoyed for its entertaining content, social interaction, and ability to discover hobbies and interests . Users appreciate the content creation aspect but wish for an edit button for comments and better organization for saved videos . Some users report issues with their 'For You Page' showing irrelevant or unappealing content and a desire for the old profile layout .
User Experience & Interface tieR3R14R18R19
YouTube YouTube users are annoyed by the excessive number of ads, especially frequent ads in longer videos R14R18R21R53. Some report ads freezing videos R3 or getting stuck R53. Recent UI changes, such as the lack of separation between videos in the subscription feed R19 and difficulties rearranging playlists , have been criticized. There are also concerns about inappropriate ads .
TikTok TikTok users complain about frequent ads, appearing every two scrolls, and some ads being inappropriate . Issues include comments being hidden or disappearing , lack of notifications for likes or replies , and problems with the 'photo comments' feature being removed . Some users dislike the new notification sounds and report issues with adding saved videos to collections .
Moderation & Support edge: YouTubeR1R21R25R30
YouTube YouTube users express concerns about content moderation, citing inappropriate videos and ads R21 and a perceived bias in content control R1. Some report issues with video uploads failing R25 and analytics discrepancies for Shorts R30, as well as difficulties updating their channel page through the app .
TikTok TikTok faces significant criticism for its moderation policies, with users reporting unjustified account bans and age restrictions R70R73R78R85, even for users who are old enough. There are reports of inappropriate content (CP, gore, violence) being published while legitimate content is removed . Users also mention shadow banning and issues with comments being hidden . Some feel the platform stirs up hostility .
Price & Value tieR14R18R21R53
YouTube YouTube is free to download, but users complain about the high prices for YouTube Premium R21, especially given issues like autoplaying the same videos repeatedly . The excessive number of ads is a major pain point for non-Premium users R14R18R21R53.
TikTok TikTok is free to download and offers in-app purchases. Users mention issues like not having access to 'TikTok Shop' and concerns about the app taking and selling user data .
Pick YouTube if

Pick YouTube if you prioritize a vast library of long-form content and diverse offerings beyond just short videos, and if you are willing to tolerate frequent ads or pay for a premium subscription R8.

Pick TikTok if

Pick TikTok if you enjoy short-form, trending content, social interaction, and discovering new interests, and are comfortable with its content moderation practices and potential account issues .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of recent negative reviews, primarily centered around app crashing and performance issues, making it difficult to assess other dimensions without this pervasive problem overshadowing them. Many reviews for both apps are very brief or non-specific.

Frequently asked

Why does YouTube keep crashing?
Many YouTube users report that the app crashes immediately upon opening, often requiring them to delete and reinstall the app multiple times a day for a temporary fix R4R7R10R13.
Are there too many ads on YouTube?
Yes, many YouTube users complain about an excessive number of ads, with some reporting ads every 5 minutes in longer videos, ads freezing the video, or ads getting stuck R3R14R18R21.
Why is TikTok banning accounts?
TikTok users frequently report unjustified account bans and age restrictions, even when they are old enough, with some losing access to their content and progress R70R73R78R85.
Does TikTok have crashing issues?
Yes, many TikTok users, particularly those on older iPhone models like the iPhone 7, report that the app gets stuck on the logo screen and then crashes, preventing them from opening it R65R69R71R83.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] YouTube 3/5 · US Ads freezing the video: Since the most recent update, any time an ad plays the video ends up freezing. I have to close the app and restart it in order to watch the video. Fix this.
  2. [R4] YouTube 1/5 · US Application keeps crashing: Noticed about 2 days ago the app started crashing again and again. Only fix I have found is uninstalling and re-installing the application.
  3. [R7] YouTube 2/5 · US Keeps crashing: Why does it keep crashing every time I open it? I have to uninstall the app and keep reinstalling it. I’ve had to do it at least 20 times in the past three days.
  4. [R10] YouTube 1/5 · US YouTube crashes: YouTube crashes immediately upon opening. Deleting and reinstalling the app only resolves the issue temporarily for a few hours before the crashing recurs. Environment: OS: iOS 18.7, App Version: YouTube 21.26.4
  5. [R6] YouTube 3/5 · US Watched videos: It’s aggravating that my suggested videos are videos that I’ve watched. It’s not often that I find anything in suggestions and often do a search and leave the app.
  6. [R8] YouTube 5/5 · US Its just amazing: Its just amazing with all content and others its not just videos there could be games, editing, even other types like youtube tv and regular also even music on seperate apps
  7. [R9] YouTube 3/5 · US Shorts: Please stop trying to be tik tok, I deleted that app for a reason
  8. [R11] YouTube 4/5 · US Please fix shorts: I’ve been watching YouTube for years because I prefer the long-form content to instagram or TikTok. I fragrant and TikTok are very addictive and I find that the mindless scrolling takes over my life. I used YouTube instead but now that they added shorts they push almost exclusively shorts. When I open the app it’s automatically showing me shorts without me even tapping the video
  9. [R14] YouTube 5/5 · US Too many Commercial: Enjoy my time on YouTube but too many ads ( I know that’s how they make money) still good stuff
  10. [R18] YouTube 3/5 · US Too many ads: WAY too many ads for one video, especially to the longer videos like every 5 minutes there’s an add and the tiny ad box that appears in the corner when you skip one is just taking away from the experience of watching. It’s getting tiring but overall, I love the app and just see the ads as a little too excessive.
  11. [R19] YouTube 1/5 · US New update is terrible: Literally 0 pixels separation between videos in the Subscriptions feed. Horrible UI decision.
  12. [R1] YouTube 2/5 · US Crazy language and video rules: Crazy language and video rules
  13. [R21] YouTube 3/5 · US Fix your app: YouTube isn’t terrible but I have some complaints 1. Too many adds 2. Bring back the dislike button 3. Lower premium prices 4. Work on moderation I have seen videos and especially adds that should not be on YouTube.
  14. [R25] YouTube 1/5 · US Video upload failure: The same thing happened every time I try to upload a video of a train passing like CSX M585 clearing finding Georgia on the CSX Atlanta terminal subdivision it fails when the video was only 44 seconds
  15. [R30] YouTube 3/5 · US Posting: Can you guys please fix the bugs that are happening because i posted a short and it says it has 1.2k views but when i look in analytics it says 200 or less can you guys fix the bug please 🙏
  16. [R53] YouTube 4/5 · US Like it but the ads are a bit annoying: I don’t mind the ads but what I don’t like is that when they are so close together and when the ad gets stuck an I can’t get back to the video 😡 I have to click out of the video go back a find it and pick up where I left off. It very annoying and half of the ads are for stuff i ALREADY KNOW ABOUT! Please fix this
  17. [R13] YouTube 1/5 · US App doesn’t work: For over a week, every day i have to redownload the app because for some reason, it won’t even let me open the app. It just crashes immediately.
  18. [R70] TikTok 1/5 · US Good BUT GET RID OF BANNING THE PEOPLE UNDER 18: I WAS DOING GOOD WITH ONE GOAL GET FAMOUS BUT NO TIKTOK VOMES IN AND BANNED ME AND I LOST EVERYTING ON THAT ACCOUNT
  19. [R73] TikTok 1/5 · US They keep banning me: I’m old enough to be on here, but they keep banning me and I keep wanting to make new accounts
  20. [R78] TikTok 3/5 · US Very good but my accs keep getting banned: My accounts keep getting banned and age restricted when I am old enough plus I see literal five year olds on this app and they don’t get age restricted or nothing but it’s good to scroll on and it does give you videos that u actually could like.
  21. [R85] TikTok 1/5 · US Yall need to stop age restrictioning me!: So every time I make a new account yall keep age restricting me bc I look young stop doing it I can’t even text at all!
  22. [R65] TikTok 5/5 · US Something is wrong with my TikTok.: So, last night I had updated my TikTok right? And once I go into TikTok, the TikTok logo is suck for a while and then get kicked out. I’m not really sure if this my phone since it’s a iPhone 7. Can you fix my TikTok? There’s someone with that same issue I am having.
  23. [R69] TikTok 3/5 · US Can’t open my TikTok app: I see that I have several notifications but when I try to open the app, it just stays on the TikTok screen and then closes completely after a few minutes. I have updated, deleted, and reinstalled the app and restarted my app and my iPad mini 4. And I have cleared the app cache in my iPad settings
  24. [R71] TikTok 5/5 · US Its good but a problem: Im on my iphone 7 and tiktok keeps crashing i do everything like delete tiktok then add it back, reset my phone but it doesnt let me and it makes me reslly mad
  25. [R83] TikTok 4/5 · US WHY TIKTOK: I was scrolling then my TikTok bugged out I tried to open up the app again but it jus puts me on a black screen with the TikTok logo then it kicks me out of TikTok again I'm on an iPhone 7 that's probably why to be honest but still TikTok I NEEED U WORK AGAIN

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store