Skylight App Surges Past 380K Users as TikTok Alternative
A new short-form video app is riding a wave of user migration sparked by TikTok’s recent U.S. ownership shakeup—and it’s gaining serious traction. Skylight, built on the open-source AT Protocol, has now surpassed 380,000 users, with over 150,000 videos uploaded and daily engagement metrics tripling in just 24 hours. For users seeking a privacy-conscious, decentralized alternative to TikTok, Skylight is emerging as a compelling option. But what’s behind this sudden surge, and can it sustain momentum?
Credit: Skylight
Why Users Are Flocking to Skylight After TikTok’s Ownership Shift
The catalyst came on January 22, 2026, when TikTok announced the formation of TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a new entity created to comply with long-standing U.S. regulatory demands. Under the deal, ByteDance—the Chinese parent company—now holds less than 20% ownership of TikTok’s American operations, with the remainder controlled by a consortium of U.S. investors.
While the move was intended to ease national security concerns, it instead triggered confusion and skepticism among users. Compounding the issue, TikTok experienced widespread technical glitches over the weekend, further eroding trust. Many users began searching for alternatives that offered similar functionality without the geopolitical baggage. Enter Skylight.
Built on Open Source: The AT Protocol Advantage
Unlike TikTok’s closed, algorithm-driven ecosystem, Skylight is built on the AT Protocol—the same decentralized framework that powers Bluesky, the fast-growing Twitter alternative with over 42 million users. This architecture gives Skylight several key advantages:
- User control: Content isn’t locked into a single corporate platform.
- Interoperability: Skylight can stream videos directly from Bluesky accounts, expanding content availability without requiring re-uploads.
- Transparency: Because the protocol is open source, developers and privacy advocates can audit how data is handled.
For digital rights-conscious creators and viewers, this level of openness is a major draw—especially in an era where data privacy and platform neutrality are top concerns.
Features That Make Skylight Feel Familiar (But Fresh)
Skylight doesn’t try to reinvent the short-video wheel. Instead, it offers a clean, intuitive experience that mirrors TikTok’s core functionality while adding unique community-driven elements:
- A built-in video editor with filters, transitions, and audio tools
- Standard social features like likes, comments, and shares
- Custom feeds curated by community members, not just algorithms
This last feature is particularly innovative. Rather than relying solely on opaque recommendation engines, Skylight empowers trusted users—called “curators”—to assemble thematic feeds around topics like #IndieMusic, #UrbanGardening, or #AIExplained. Followers can subscribe to these human-edited streams, blending personalization with editorial oversight.
Explosive Growth Metrics Tell the Story
The numbers speak volumes. According to co-founder and CTO Reed Harmeyer, the weekend following TikTok’s announcement saw unprecedented activity:
- 1.4 million video plays in a single day—up 3x from the previous 24 hours
- 150% increase in new signups
- Over 50% rise in returning users
- More than 100% jump in user-generated posts
These aren’t just vanity metrics. The spike in returning users suggests people aren’t just testing the app—they’re sticking around. And with average video plays per session up over 40%, engagement depth is growing too.
Backed by Visionary Investors, Led by Experienced Founders
Skylight’s credibility isn’t just technical—it’s also rooted in its leadership and backing. The startup is co-founded by CEO Tori White and CTO Reed Harmeyer, both veterans of consumer social platforms with a focus on ethical design.
Notably, the company counts Mark Cuban among its early investors, alongside other tech-forward backers who see potential in decentralized social media. Cuban, long an advocate for user-owned data and competitive tech markets, has publicly praised Skylight’s approach to balancing virality with transparency.
Can Skylight Sustain Its Momentum?
While the current growth is impressive, the real test lies ahead. TikTok boasts over 170 million monthly active users in the U.S. alone—a scale that no newcomer can match overnight. Still, Skylight isn’t aiming to replace TikTok entirely. Instead, it’s carving out a niche for users who prioritize data sovereignty, creator autonomy, and community curation over pure algorithmic reach.
Moreover, its integration with Bluesky’s ecosystem gives it a built-in audience. With over 42 million Bluesky users already familiar with the AT Protocol, cross-platform adoption becomes far easier. A creator can post once on Bluesky and have their video appear natively in Skylight—no extra effort required.
What This Means for the Future of Social Video
Skylight’s rise reflects a broader shift in user sentiment. After years of centralized platforms controlling visibility, monetization, and data, there’s growing appetite for open, interoperable alternatives. The timing couldn’t be better: as governments worldwide scrutinize Big Tech’s influence, decentralized models offer a path forward that aligns with both regulatory trends and user demand.
If Skylight continues refining its UX, expanding creator tools, and fostering curator communities, it could become more than a TikTok alternative—it might help define the next generation of social video.
A Real Contender in the Post-TikTok Landscape
Skylight’s 380,000-user milestone isn’t just a number—it’s a signal. In a digital climate where trust is fragile and alternatives are scarce, a well-designed, ethically grounded app can capture attention fast. While it may never dethrone TikTok in terms of raw scale, Skylight offers something equally valuable: a platform where users feel seen, heard, and in control.
For creators tired of unpredictable algorithm changes, for viewers wary of opaque data practices, and for communities craving authentic connection, Skylight isn’t just another app—it’s a promising new chapter in social video. And with growth accelerating by the hour, it’s one worth watching closely.
