ByteDance’s Big Move: US Versions of TikTok and CapCut Explained

ByteDance is making headlines again, and this time it’s a pretty big deal for anyone who uses TikTok or CapCut. The company is planning to build US-only versions of both apps to keep them running for American users. This blog will break down exactly why ByteDance is making these changes, what’s happening with TikTok and CapCut, and how a 2024 law forced their hand.

What is ByteDance?

Let me start at the top. ByteDance is the giant Chinese tech company that owns TikTok. Founded in 2012, ByteDance quickly grew into one of the world’s most influential content platforms. People often think of it as “the TikTok company,” but it’s much more than that. They also own apps like CapCut, the popular video editor, and other platforms like Lemon8 and Toutiao.

They’ve always focused on one thing: making content easy to create, share, and consume. They built advanced recommendation algorithms that keep users engaged for hours. TikTok’s success is a direct result of these AI systems. But now, ByteDance is facing a big hurdle in the US. It’s not about how good their technology is. It’s about politics and security concerns.

What’s happening with TikTok?

Here’s the scoop. In 2024, the US passed a law forcing ByteDance to either divest TikTok or face a total ban in the country. Think about that for a moment. TikTok has around 135 million unique US users monthly. That’s half the country. It’s huge!

So, ByteDance came up with a plan. Instead of completely selling TikTok to an American company, they’re building a US-only version of TikTok. Internally, they call this Project M2. This version will have its own algorithm and user data system, separate from the main global TikTok.

Why? Because the US government is worried that Chinese-owned companies could share user data with the Chinese government. ByteDance denies it, but to keep TikTok alive in America, they need to make some serious changes. The plan is to spin off TikTok US as a separate app with local data, algorithms, and operations.

Right now, they’re aiming to launch this US-only TikTok by September 2025. That’s the deadline under the new law. If they fail to do this, TikTok could get banned completely. People would lose access, creators would lose audiences, and businesses that rely on TikTok marketing would scramble to find alternatives.

Here’s an interesting detail. The old TikTok will still be available until at least March 2026, but eventually, everyone will need to switch over to the US version. The government wants to make sure the data stays in the US and that the algorithm isn’t influenced by China-based developers.

What’s happening with CapCut?

CapCut is another app owned by ByteDance. If you’ve ever edited a TikTok video, chances are you’ve used CapCut, even if you didn’t know it. It’s easy to use, has tons of templates and effects, and works seamlessly with TikTok.

Now, ByteDance is planning to build a US-only version of CapCut too. It doesn’t have a cool internal name like Project M2, but the idea is the same. They want to separate US user data and operations to comply with the new law.

CapCut has over 1 billion downloads globally and is the top photo and video app on Apple’s US App Store. That’s a huge user base at stake. If ByteDance doesn’t launch a US-specific CapCut, it could face removal from app stores in America. And for creators who rely on CapCut to edit their videos quickly, that would be a nightmare.

So far, ByteDance hasn’t announced exactly when this new US CapCut will launch. But it’s likely to arrive around the same time as the US TikTok version. Both apps are being reengineered to ensure they stay on Americans’ phones without breaching any security rules.

The 2024 Divest-or-Ban law, explained

Let’s talk about this law for a second. Officially called PAFACA (Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act), it passed in April 2024. The idea is simple: force companies like ByteDance to either sell their US operations or shut them down entirely.

Why did the US government do this? It comes down to national security fears. Lawmakers believe that foreign-owned apps, especially from countries like China, could collect personal data on US citizens. In the worst-case scenario, they worry this data could be used for surveillance or influence campaigns.

ByteDance tried to negotiate. They proposed partnerships with American companies like Oracle to store data in the US. But lawmakers wanted more. They wanted true divestiture or a standalone US entity with no Chinese influence.

That’s why ByteDance is rushing to launch these US-only versions. The law set a divestment deadline for September 17, 2025. Otherwise, Apple and Google would need to remove TikTok and CapCut from their app stores. For many users, this would mean losing access to their favorite platforms overnight.

The best alternatives to CapCut

Here’s the real question for creators and marketers: what do you do if CapCut isn’t available for a while? Even if the US-only version launches on time, there could be glitches, migration delays, or missing features during the transition.

You could use your phone’s built-in editing tools, but let’s be honest. They’re basic. You can trim, crop, and adjust brightness, but that’s about it. For serious creators, especially those making tutorial videos, social media ads, or marketing explainers, you need more power.

One of the best alternatives to CapCut is Visla.

Why Visla?

Visla isn’t just an editing app. It’s a full video creation platform. You can record your screen, edit with AI-powered tools, collaborate with team members, and publish your final video all in one place.

For example, let’s say you’re creating a training video for your team. You can use Visla’s screen recorder to capture your process, then edit the footage with its AI Video Editor. Need to rearrange scenes or cut out filler words? Visla does that automatically. You can even add AI voiceovers in multiple languages to localize your videos instantly.

Another great feature is Visla’s Workspace. If you’re on a marketing team, you can share footage with teammates, leave comments on specific scenes, and approve edits together. No more endless email threads or version confusion.

Plus, unlike CapCut, which focuses mainly on mobile editing for social media, Visla is built for business. You can create polished onboarding videos, customer support explainers, or social media ads with advanced branding features. Visla even integrates with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Adobe Express to streamline your workflow.

And yes, Visla’s AI Video Generator can create videos directly from your idea, script, PDFs, PPTs, and more. You just enter in your concept, and the AI pulls footage, adds music, creates voiceovers, and generates subtitles automatically. Imagine how much time you’d save each week.

Final thoughts on ByteDance

ByteDance is racing against the clock. They need to launch US versions of TikTok and CapCut before the deadline, or risk losing their massive US user base. For creators, marketers, and businesses, it’s smart to stay ahead of these changes.

If you use CapCut daily, start exploring Visla or other professional video editing tools now. You’ll be better prepared if anything goes offline during the transition. And you might find Visla’s all-in-one features fit your workflow even better.

The world of video creation moves fast. Governments are catching up to regulate data and influence. But your ability to create great content shouldn’t slow down. Whether ByteDance succeeds with their US apps or not, tools like Visla will keep you covered.

FAQ