Snapchat vs Instagram, is it still a debate? Which social media app suits you? Where are all your friends at? How exactly are Snapchat and Instagram different?
I’ve covered the answers to all the critical details between the two platforms and the unique features they offer. Read on till the end to find the best social media app you can be on in 2025!
We’ll explore how each app stands out, from filters and stories to user engagement and advertising potential.
Read this guide to determine which platform best suits your purpose of using the apps, goals as a creator, whether you’re looking for more private interactions or broader reach.
With that, let’s find out who wins the battle of Instagram vs Snapchat!
Snapchat vs. Instagram: Differences In a Nutshell
The main difference between Snapchat and Instagram lies in their user experiences, where one is more akin to a platform review, providing social interaction, while Snapchat is primarily intended for private, photo-based conversations.
| Parameters | Snapchat | |
| Audience | 2 billion+ monthly active users. | 800 million monthly active users. |
| Filters | Less unique filters than Snapchat. | Unique and animated filters. |
| Ads | Robust ad manager with powerful targeting feed ads, stories ads, and boost posts. | Robust ad manager with powerful targeting, snap ads, geofilters, and lenses. |
| Content type | Snapchat insights are paid analytics tools. | Stories and Private Snaps |
| Analytics | Instagram insights, free analytics tools. | Disappears after 24 hours, alerts on any screenshot. |
| Discoverability | User-generated content, public profile, and engagement. | Info on profile, private snaps, and replies. |
| Stories | Disappear after 24 hours; no alerts on screenshots. | Fewer unique filters than Snapchat. |
7 Main Differences Between Snapchat And Instagram
To better understand the main differences between Snapchat and Instagram, we will cover each element of the comparison below!
1. Audience
Instagram has a vast user base with 2 billion+ monthly active users. At the same time, Snapchat has a much smaller user base, with 800 million monthly active users. This may be because Instagram is comparatively an older platform than Snapchat. Therefore, we can clearly announce Instagram as the ultimate winner in terms of audience number.
2. Filters
Snapchat offers various filters to its users intact. The main feature of Snapchat is picture filters. But, Instagram is seemingly suggesting filters similar to Snapchat to its users. Still, the variety of filters available on Instagram is much less than that on Snapchat. So here we can announce Snapchat as the ultimate winner in our battle for better filters.
3. Ads
When it comes to ads, both Instagram and Snapchat have robust ad managers targeting feed posts, stories, and boost posts ads on Instagram and targeting geo-filters, snap ads, and lenses on Snapchat.
According to the influencer marketing hub, charges for Instagram ads range between $2 per click, whereas on Snapchat, the average cost per impression is $2.95. Here, people with tight budgets should go for Instagram ads, and Instagram wins the race. However, other factors also come into play when it comes to advertising, including your target audience, location, and more.
4. Content-Type
It is getting to the type of content on each platform. We all know that Snapchat is mainly famous for its snaps and stories, whereas Instagram has a range of formats, including stories, images, text posts, videos, and reels. The content on Snapchat is raw and unfiltered.
On the other hand, Instagram content is curated, polished, and high-res, making it a better platform for businesses and influencers. Therefore, deciding a winner in the content-type parameter is difficult since both have their own preferences.
5. Analytics
Instagram offers an Instagram insights feature to its audience to view their overall engagement on posts and their audience. Snapchat, on the other hand, provides Snapchat insights to only selected accounts of brands and influencers.
Furthermore, free analytics tools are available in the marketplace for Instagram; however, this is not the case with Snapchat, where you have to purchase a paid tool to get Snapchat analytics.
6. Discoverability
Turning to the Discoverability of Instagram offers the public profile option to its users, resulting in a better reach and transparency across users, whereas Snapchat is a more private platform where very little information is shared on the accounts.
The other content, including snaps, is shown to people added to your friend list. Here, Instagram gets the win with greater discoverability than Snapchat.
7. Stories
Both Instagram and Snapchat stories disappear after 24 hours of uploading them. However, the significant difference between Instagram and Snapchat stories is the notification or alert sent to you if any of your Snapchat story’s screenshots are taken.
However, this is not the case with Instagram, where you are not given any alerts for screenshots of stories. Again, we see a win-win situation for Instagram over Snapchat.
Which Platform Should You Choose Between Snapchat vs Instagram?
A straightforward answer to this question is Instagram. Instagram is indeed the best platform for influencers, marketers, and businesses. Instagram accounts are accessible considering the number of active users and their reach.
If you wish to grow your Snapchat account, you can choose the “My Public Profile” feature to increase your account’s outreach. According to DemandSage, Snapchat’s active users are growing dramatically where the active user count of Snapchat by 2021 was 428.4 million, and now is 464.8 million active users in 2022.
Regarding Instagram, the monthly active user went from 1.21 billion in 2021 to 1.28 billion+ in 2022. This is enough to realize the growing love for Instagram among the public.
We decided to look over Google Trends to see what people are searching for. We were shocked to see how Instagram is all over Google’s search list compared to Snapchat.
The blue line in the graph represents Snapchat, and the red line represents Instagram. The rise of the red line indicates the worldwide popularity of Instagram over Snapchat.
Source: Google trends
We can say Instagram is the best, and choosing it over Snapchat is a good idea.
Related Read:
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- 80+ Telegram Statistics
- Right Time to Post on Instagram
Final Verdict: Instagram Is Better Than Snapchat For Reach
While Snapchat is the favorite of a very niche audience and its users, Instagram has caught up quickly and is now more popular than Snapchat in 2025.
I recommend Instagram because of its more extensive user base and superior tools for influencers and marketers to make things easier for you. If you want a more private social networking experience with a fun image filter, Snapchat is the way to go.
But if you want to stay connected with the majority of your friends, use AI-assisted features, and reach more followers as a creator, Instagram should be your go-to choice!
We hope the information in this article has helped you decide between Instagram and Snapchat. In the comments below, let us know what you think is the best option.
FAQs
YouTube is the safest social media app, with the lowest toxicity rate of 5.38.
According to a survey, Snapchat is used by people ages 15-25 in the USA, with 48% of the audience contribution, followed by people ages 26-35 with 30% contribution.
Instagram is used mainly by people ages 25-34. Females are more active on Instagram compared to males.
Clearly, Instagram is a leading platform if you want to build your audience and thrive with the influencer culture. With all the options and possibilities, Instagram should be your ideal focus initially.
