What is Snapchat used for?

Snapchat is a camera-first messaging and stories app known for ephemeral content, with lenses, Spotlight videos and tools for advertisers and creators. It is a good fit for messaging friends with photos and short videos, and reaching younger audiences with ads and lenses.

Is Snapchat open source?

No. Snapchat is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. In the Social Media category, open-source options include Bluesky, Mastodon and Misskey.

What are some alternatives to Snapchat?

Snapchat competes with Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Snapchat: features, pricing and alternatives

About Snapchat

Snapchat is a consumer messaging and social app that starts with the camera. Users send photos and short videos called Snaps to friends, post Stories, chat, video call and apply augmented reality lenses, with much of the content designed to disappear after viewing.

Its web version lets people chat and view Stories and Spotlight videos from a computer, and a subscription called Snapchat+ adds extra features. Businesses can use an ads manager, and developers can build AR experiences with Lens Studio. It is a hosted platform, free for basic use. This entry describes a social platform rather than software that can be self-hosted.

Key features

Photo and video messages called Snaps
Stories and Spotlight videos
Chat and video calling
Augmented reality lenses
Ads manager and Lens Studio for businesses

Good fit for

→Messaging friends with photos and short videos
→Reaching younger audiences with ads and lenses

Tags: social-network; messaging; stories; augmented-reality; ephemeral-content; advertising; mobile-app

Snapchat: questions and answers

What is Snapchat used for?: Snapchat is a camera-first messaging and stories app known for ephemeral content, with lenses, Spotlight videos and tools for advertisers and creators. It is a good fit for messaging friends with photos and short videos, and reaching younger audiences with ads and lenses.
Is Snapchat free?: Yes. Snapchat is free to use.
Is Snapchat open source?: No. Snapchat is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. In the Social Media category, open-source options include Bluesky, Mastodon and Misskey.
What are some alternatives to Snapchat?: Snapchat competes with Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.