TikTok Stitch vs. Duet: What's the Difference?
What’s the difference between TikTok Stitch and TikTok Duets? In this article, we dive into what makes these features different from each other as well as when to use them.
Stitching and duetting are both features on TikTok that allow users to interact with their favorite creators and videos. You can use them to show your reaction to a TikTok, create a new ending for a video, facilitate collaborations between multiple creators, and much more. You can even stitch or duet your own content to continue the conversation and keep viewers engaged.
This article explains the difference between stitching and duetting on TikTok as well as when to use each feature.
Table of Contents:
- What's the Difference Between Stitching and Duetting?
- When to Use Duet Instead of Stitch on TikTok
- When to Use Stitch Instead of Duet on TikTok
What's the Difference Between TikTok Stitch and Duet?
Although stitches and duets are similar, there are a few key differences: Duets play side by side (or picture-in-picture) at the same time; stitches are shown in sequence, first the original clip, then your recording. Because of this, they're better for different use cases.
Duets are great for real time reactions and collaborations. Stitches are better for elaborating on a topic or continuing a discussion.
When to Use Duet Instead of Stitch on TikTok
With the duet feature, you have a few different layout options but both videos will always play at the same time. You can choose from split screen (vertical or horizontal), picture-in-picture (called React), and green screen, which superimposes your video over the original content.
When creating a duet, your recorded video must be the same length as the original poster's video. It will also use (or add to) the original audio.
Although duets do have their limitations (split screen = less screen real estate for your video, time limits, audio limits), sometimes they really are the best tool for the job.
1) Actual Duets
Everyone knows that TikTok started as Musical.ly and that music is still a huge part of the platform's algorithmic DNA. Not only is there a huge correlation between trending sounds and trending songs on the Top 40 charts, but smaller artists are also earning tons of views and engagement on their own musical TikToks.
For example, @DutchCriminalRecord used sound cues from the original audio to jump into a musical number, combining their talents with the original cooking video to create a soundtrack for a culinary musical experience.
@dutchcriminalrecord #duet with @samseats We promise it’s worth the wait💋 #indieband #duet #christmas #indiemusic ♬ original sound - Sam Way
2) Live Reacts
Live reactions, especially blind reactions, are a great way to use duets. Viewers will get to see the source material that you're reacting to as well as your reaction, all on screen at the same time. You can use the side-by-side or picture-in-picture layouts to record your reaction, depending on where you want the focus. There are whole accounts dedicated to this kind of reaction content.
Singer and voice coach, @emilykristenmorris, does a lot of blind react duets, using her platform to amplify the voices (literally) of other vocalists on the app. In some of them, like the one below, she's just having an honest reaction with no commentary. In other react duets, though, she leaves her audio on to narrate the other creator's video, praising their technique, calling out tricky harmonies, and adding educational value for any singers who are watching.
@emilykristenmorris #duet with @giantrooks that did something to me 😅 #voiceteacher #vocalcoachreacts #SmoothLikeNitroPepsi #singers ♬ Tom's Diner - AnnenMayKantereit & Giant Rooks
3) Changing the Context
Part of the beauty of duets is being able to build off of another creator's idea. Creating something together that is more than the sum of its parts.
TikTok creator and comedian @BrodyWellmaker has gained quite a large following from his viral duets. Instead of just reacting to the video, he uses the split screen to create a sort of optical illusion, inserting himself as a character in the video, often to hilarious effect.
@brodywellmaker #duet with @maribelspiritualjourney ♬ Surface Pressure - Jessica Darrow
Another way to change the context of a video with a duet is by playing off the sound instead of the visual. Take for example this video that went absolutely viral because of how people were "remixing" the audio with their duets:
@mrjonzmusic #duet with @kateylorrell #fyp #myfirstduet #singalong #funny ♬ original sound - Kate 💥
4) Before and After
Did you know that you can duet your own TikToks? This is great if you're documenting a long project, a wellness or recovery journey, or just want to "talk" to your future self. It's like quote tweeting yourself to restart a dialogue.
@jazmynjw set herself up for this duet by first posting a video asking her future, no-longer-pregnant self questions. Not only is it a fun experiment for yourself, to see where you are now vs. where you thought you'd be, it's also two pieces of content for the price of one idea. Always work smarter, not harder.
@jazmynjw #duet with @jazmynjw #baby #birth #trauma ♬ original sound - Jazmyn W
When to Use Stitch Instead of Duet on TikTok
The stitch feature incorporates clips from another TikTok, reposting them as part of your own video.
Unlike duets, which require you to use the entirety of the original video, a stitch clip is limited to just five seconds of the original video. You can choose any five-second clip from the original post and it will appear at the beginning of your video.
1) Continuing a Conversation
Asking questions has always been a great engagement tool on social media. People love a relatable question and will jump in the comments to answer it. With stitches, you can record your answers (and of course, add the trending video clip at the beginning of your own, to hopefully get on more people's FYPs).
It's so popular that the way to start a trending stitch chain has become almost formulaic: "Tell me about a time when... I'll go first."
@anniekshaffer #stitch with @kadyroxz never again will i put up with a lazy man-child. Learned my lesson! #breakups #whyitended #datingadvice ♬ Night Trouble - Petit Biscuit
2) Providing More Information
Everyone's an expert on something and if you come across a TikTok about your expertise, you might want to share more info about it! Stitching lets you do just that. The clip at the beginning both provides context and allows your viewers to click through to the original video and get the whole story.
@bucketliststays has grown a large following by featuring popular AirBnB destinations that go viral on TikTok, then following up the stitched clip with his own recording providing more context on the location. His quick and informative videos are a perfect example of using the stitch feature to catch trending traffic and elaborate further.
@bucketliststays #stitch with @ioanna.sym You need to checkout this #airbnb in Greece 🇬🇷 #milos #bucketlist #stay #travel #traveltiktok ♬ original sound - Unique Stays Worldwide
3) Correcting a Mistake
You can't assume that everyone is caught up on every conversation happening on TikTok. Whether it's your own mistake that you want to correct or some misinformation you've found, stitching is a good way to provide context for the correction before issuing it.
It can be a little tricky respectfully issuing a correction to another creator's content, so bear that in mind. @mammaculinaria does a great job of this. Not only is she incredibly kind in her response, she's also adding to the conversation, not detracting from it. She is an expert on the subject and provides a useful (and delicious!) solution to the problem she identifies.
@mammaculinaria #stitch mit @Emily Mariko hopr you’ll see this and try it out ❤️#lemon#pasta#emilymariko#stitch#recipe#howto#learnontiktok#italianfood#amazing#foryou#viral#fup#fds#love ♬ Originalton - Mammaculinaria
Of course, these are just guidelines on when to post a stitch vs. a duet. There are no rules when it comes to being creative. In fact, some of the most popular trends come about when creators use features in new and interesting ways (we're looking at you @BrodyWellmaker). Whether you're stitching or duetting on TikTok, the key is acting fast to jump on trends and get your ideas out on people's FYPs.
For more creator news, info, and inspo, check out our Resource Library.
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