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Posted on by Chris Kyriacou

Vine Vs. Instagram: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Each

Instagram and Vine are often seen as two competing social media networks. Since Instagram added video to its app, the two are often compared to each other. Instagram’s video feature came only a few months after the Vine app was released, and at first seemed to be a response to Vine.

Since Vine is backed by Twitter, and Instagram by Facebook, there is some obvious competition between the two social networks.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each social media network. Below are just a few differences you will find for Vine versus Instagram.

Video Length

One of the major differences between Vine and Instagram is the video length. Vine allows videos to be six seconds long while Instagram allows 15 seconds of recording. Depending on your purpose of the video, those extra seconds could mean everything.

Part of the beauty of Vine is how it forces users to make such great content in only the space of 6 seconds. On the other hand, Instagram’s 15 seconds of video forces the user to make high-quality content so that the audience will continue to be engaged throughout the video.

Shooting + Editing

Since Instagram videos allow for longer recording compared to Vine, it makes shooting videos easier. Instagram has more editing tools, specifically their signature filters. There are perks to having such appealing editing features, as it gives the user a feeling of being in control of their content.

The filters also allow you to hide against bad lighting and angles. However, Vine keeps it simple and forces you to spend your thoughts on bringing entertainment through your videos by allowing the videos to be natural and untouched.

User Friendliness

One of the perks of Instagram videos is that it is automatically included on your Instagram profile. Vine is an app that people need to download separately in order to use. Since Vine is owned by Twitter, Vine videos easily appear on Twitter. However, unlike Instagram, Twitter users could not create their videos. Instagram made it very convenient as a built-in updated feature.

So, Who Wins The Fight?

There is no definite answer to which social media network is “better” to use. This will depend on the objective of your videos and who your target audience may be. With Vine and Instagram possessing different target audiences, that have different engagement behaviours.

Whereas Instagram has an automatic larger user audience, more time and flexibility in editing and shooting, Vine creates a niche social media network where quality counts to the users.

It is important no matter which social media platform you decide to use, whether it is Vine, Instagram or both, to understand and use the differences to your advantage.


Check out our #12MovesOfChristmas Vine campaign we executed for our client Xen-Do Martial Arts. In the build up to Christmas, we posted a video of a kickboxing combo from each of their grading curriculum’s, building up to black belt on Christmas eve.

#TheFutureOfMarketing

By Chris Kyriacou

@MrChrisKyriacou
Connect with me on LinkedIn

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