Neptune is a new social video app aiming to compete in the short-form space against stalwarts like TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. Currently in beta with a test base of about 1,000 users, Neptune has amassed a waitlist of 400,000, according to the company. The app’s noteworthy features include the ability to hide likes and follower counts, in furtherance of a desire to prioritize creativity over competition. That goal stems from founder Ashley Darling’s past experience working as a talent director at the beauty and wellness agency OPTYX, where her focus was “underestimated influencers.”

Neptune “is expected to launch on the App Store next week” for iOS, while an Android version “is planned for release in about six months,” according to The Technology Express. Neptune’s algorithm “is tuned to favor user interests and genuine content quality,” providing “micro-influencers a greater chance to shine without being buried by big-name accounts.”

TTE describes the invisible like and follower counts as “ghost metrics,” but says there is an option to turn them on if a creator wants them visible. “Neptune also offers a ‘Hop Back’ feature, enabling users to return to the exact point they left off in a video — a thoughtful touch that improves user experience,” Technology Express adds.

Neptune, which is based in Phoenix, Arizona, “plans to offer various revenue streams, including tips, live streams, and subscriptions,” writes TechCrunch, adding that it “features a discovery tool and a vertical feed for users to swipe through short videos and engage through comments,” and lets users “add a cover photo to their profiles.”

The app made a January TechCrunch roundup of “alternative apps to check out” with TikTok facing a U.S. shutdown.

ZDNet urges creators to jump on the early opportunity to queue up to “get the username you want.”

With TikTok facing an uncertain future here, “Neptune is well-positioned to become a preferred alternative for creators seeking a fresh start,” says TTE, suggesting its “user-first design and commitment to authentic content” could make it “the creative refuge many have been waiting for.”

Conceding Neptune is “still developing,” TTE points out that while “the app provides a basic video feed and search functionality,” it also “lacks in-app editing tools and messaging,” features it says are “on the roadmap,” along with “live streaming, playlist creation, and music integration.”