Is BeReal Still Popular in 2025?

BeReal burst onto the social media scene with a very simple mission: capture authentic moments without the gloss of filters, pre-planned lighting, or carefully staged captions. Launched in 2020 by French founders, the app quickly became a standout in a crowded marketplace dominated by polished feeds. Instead of chasing likes or crafted aesthetics, BeReal encouraged users to share a glimpse of real life as it happens, at a random moment each day. That premise resonated with people who wanted a break from the “highlight reel” and a sense of shared spontaneity. Since then, BeReal has evolved in response to user expectations, market pressures, and the ever-changing habits of digital natives. So, is BeReal still popular in 2025? The short answer is nuanced: the app remains relevant for many communities, but its popularity trajectory has shifted as competitors adapt and new social norms emerge.

What Made BeReal Popular in the First Place

Several forces converged to give BeReal its early lift. First, the moment-to-moment spontaneity created a feeling of intimacy and community. When a notification arrives at an unpredictable time, users are compelled to respond quickly, revealing real-life context rather than a canned shot. Second, the absence of heavy editing lowered the barrier to participation. People who felt overwhelmed by the pressure to curate their image could join a platform that celebrated authenticity. Third, the app’s straightforward design makes it approachable for new users who don’t want to learn a complex feature set. Finally, BeReal tapped into a cultural longing for transparency in a digital world that often feels filtered and contrived.

As a result, early adopters—especially younger audiences in several regions—paired BeReal with a sense of belonging: a shared ritual, a daily moment to reveal, and a minimalistic interface that prioritized user content over algorithmic manipulation. Brands and creators also noticed the potential for authentic storytelling, rather than glossy advertising. The combination of simplicity, real-life glimpses, and a social contract around authenticity helped BeReal grow beyond a niche app into a recognizable cultural phenomenon.

Is BeReal Still Popular?

To answer this question, it helps to look beyond raw download counts and consider how people actually use the app now. Is BeReal still popular? In many places, yes, but the intensity of that popularity has shifted. The initial wave of novelty has given way to a steadier, more sustainable engagement pattern. Some users still check the app every day or several times a week, participating in the daily Real Time post window and the accompanying real-life conversations. For others, the novelty wore off as the rest of the social landscape introduced competing experiences that blend authenticity with more features or entertainment. In practical terms, BeReal remains a meaningful option for those who prioritize candid moments and peer connection, but it’s not necessarily the singular social hub for all users anymore.

Several factors shape whether BeReal remains popular for a given user group. First, platform updates matter. When BeReal adds or changes features—such as expanding posting options, tweaking notification timing, or introducing new ways to react to posts—some users re-engage while others stay the course. Second, the competition is persistent. Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and others have started to borrow BeReal-like prompts, offline-style check-ins, or more transparent storytelling features. This “catch-up” dynamic can dilute the sense of exclusivity that BeReal once held, but it also helps the core idea reach broader audiences who might not have discovered the app otherwise. Third, regional and cultural differences matter. In some markets, BeReal maintains a strong cadence with peers and family; in others, the app competes with alternative forms of sharing that align more closely with local digital habits.

User Base and Geography

BeReal’s user base tends to skew younger, with a strong presence among teens and college-aged users in multiple regions. The app’s popularity is often highest where smartphone adoption and online social rituals align with a preference for real-time, unfiltered content. In several markets, the user base has settled into a stable core group that uses BeReal as part of a broader social toolkit. In others, growth has slowed or plateaued as users experiment with new features or migrate toward platforms that offer a richer ecosystem of formats and creator tools. The geographic story, therefore, is not monolithic: some countries maintain vibrant BeReal communities, while others observe a tempered but persistent usage pattern that coexists with competing apps.

Product Changes and Features

Authenticity remains central, but BeReal has experimented with feature tweaks to improve retention and accommodate a broader audience. RealMojis—emoji reactions tied to a user’s Real image—are one example of a light touch that lets friends respond without derailing the moment. The company has also explored improvements to the notification system, making it more reliable for users who want to capture candid moments in different daily rhythms. Some updates aim to reduce friction—like simplifying the process to post with a single screenshot capture in addition to photos taken with the camera. Others focus on safety and privacy, acknowledging that casual sharing during adolescence requires thoughtful guardrails. The result is a platform that adapts without losing its core ethos: real, unpolished moments shared with people you know.

BeReal vs Competitors

Instagram and TikTok offer more polished editing and a broader set of monetization and creator tools. While these platforms embrace authenticity features, they still reward aesthetically optimized content and engagement loops driven by algorithms. BeReal intentionally rejects this model, which appeals to users fatigued by constant versus curated feeds.
Snapchat has long specialized in ephemerality and real-time sharing. BeReal shares a similar impulse—capturing the present moment—but BeReal’s strict daily window and less social layering create a different social texture.
Smaller or regional apps may attempt to replicate the “real life” formula, but BeReal’s early-mover advantage and consistent daily posting habit provide a durable identity that’s not easily replicated.

In practice, the landscape suggests that BeReal is not disappearing, but it’s evolving. For some users, it remains the daily ritual that anchors their online life. For others, it’s one of several tools, adopted when the moment feels right but not relied upon as the sole channel for connection. The big question for the platform going forward is whether it can sustain growth, deepen engagement within its core communities, and maintain the sense of authenticity as more players enter the space with competing incentives to entertain or influence.

What It Takes to Stay Relevant

Staying relevant in a crowded social ecosystem means balancing consistency with innovation. For BeReal, several principles seem to matter most:

Preserve core identity: Keep the one-click, no-filter ethos intact so users feel the moment is truly theirs and not a manufactured performance.
Respect user privacy: Be transparent about data usage and provide clear controls for who can see content and how it’s shared beyond your immediate circle.
Smart feature experimentation: Introduce small, meaningful changes—like optional ways to share context about a post—without undermining the spontaneous feel.
Community norms: Encourage healthy interactions and discourage drama or bullying that could turn people away from sharing personal moments.
Creator-friendly signals: For brands and creators who want to participate, offer authentic ways to engage without turning BeReal into an obvious ad funnel.

From a practical perspective, users who want to try BeReal today should manage expectations. The app remains appealing for those seeking a quieter, more authentic snapshot of life. However, the daily novelty may fade for some. To make it work as a long-term habit, users often pair BeReal with other apps that fuel different moods—one for quick, intimate moments, another for broader storytelling or entertainment. This approach mirrors how many people manage multiple platforms to satisfy varied social needs.

Should You Join BeReal Today?

If you’re evaluating whether to join or re-engage with BeReal, consider these questions:

Do you crave a more authentic slice of daily life with friends and family?
Are you comfortable sharing unpolished moments without curating every post for maximum engagement?
Do you like the idea of a simple, no-ego environment that pushes you to respond promptly to real-time prompts?
Is your social circle active on BeReal, or are most of your connections on other networks?

For individuals, BeReal offers a refreshing counterpoint to the highly edited feeds elsewhere. For brands and creators, it can be a place to cultivate a human, behind-the-scenes narrative, especially when the audience values transparency and a genuine voice. Still, it’s wise to approach BeReal as a complementary channel rather than a one-stop solution. The most resilient online presences today mix formats, test what resonates with their audience, and stay adaptable to evolving expectations around authenticity and privacy.

Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of BeReal

Post when you actually feel present, not just to check a box. Authenticity shines when it’s truly you in the moment.
Keep your circle intimate. BeReal rewards closeness over vast follower counts, so focus on friends and family who appreciate real life, not just social currency.
Use captions sparingly. A short, honest line can add context without changing the raw feel of the moment.
Balance your activity. If you’re overwhelmed by daily prompts, it’s okay to skip a day. Consistency is more important than perfect attendance.
Consider privacy settings. Be mindful of who can see your Real posts and adjust as needed to protect your comfort level.

In summary, is BeReal still popular? The answer depends on how you measure popularity. The app retains a meaningful niche among users who prize authenticity and a low-friction sharing experience. It continues to influence broader social media trends, nudging bigger platforms to rethink how they present real-life content. For many, BeReal remains a legitimate and valuable part of their digital life in 2025—and for others, it’s a complementary option that complements a richer, multi-platform social strategy.

Conclusion

BeReal carved out a unique space by offering something fundamentally different: a moment of real life, shared without a lot of polish. The question, is BeReal still popular, isn’t answered with a single yes or no. It’s a nuanced picture of ongoing relevance, selective engagement, and thoughtful evolution. If you value authenticity, minimal friction, and everyday connection, BeReal is still worth exploring. If your social appetite leans toward feature-rich experiences and highly curated content, BeReal may serve as a meaningful seasoning rather than the main course. Either way, the app has helped redefine how we think about spontaneous sharing, and that influence persists as the social media landscape continues to evolve.