Tom Parker says it is "impossible" to compete with One Direction.
The 25-year-old singer admitted that The Wanted - who announced they were taking "a break" from each other earlier this year following their worldwide 'Word of Mouth' tour - struggled to keep up with the 'Kiss You' hitmakers' success.
He told Digital Spy: "For The Wanted to try and compete against one of the biggest bands in the world - One Direction - it's almost impossible.
"I don't think any band out there can compete with them at the moment."
Meanwhile, Tom insists that the group - which also includes Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes - remain good friends and says their decision to go their separate ways was born out of each member wanting to do their "own thing".
He explained: "I played guitar when I was younger and that kind of took a back seat when I was in the band.
"Obviously when you're in a band like that it's a product at the end of the day, and you're a boyband and that's what you do, even though we'd say, 'We don't wanna dance and we don't wanna do this'.
"Ultimately it probably wasn't a route I would've wanted to go down myself, so it's nice to come out of it and experiment in the studio and do my own thing for a while, which is cool."
The 'Walks Like Rihanna' hitmaker also hinted that a reunion could still be on the cards in the future.
When asked if there's a chance that The Wanted will release new material in the future, Tom said: "I think so, yeah. It's just timing at the end of the day."

Paul Hogan has divorced Linda Kozlowski.
The 75-year-old actor - who married Linda, 56, after the pair met on the set of 'Crocodile Dundee' in 1986 - has won a major victory in his divorce from his former co-star as she was awarded just £3.4 million of his estimated £11.75 million fortune.
Linda - with whom he shares custody of his son, Chance, 15 - will receive no child support in addition to her cut but will be allowed to live at the former couple's Venice Beach home until 2018 or until she remarries again, reports TMZ.
Paul will also keep all the rights relating to his famed 'Crocodile Dundee' character, Mick Dundee, as well as the production company that produced the classic film.
The pair were married for 23 years before separating in September last year.
News of the divorce follows a long-running ATO investigation into Paul's alleged tax evasion.
The actor was prohibited from leaving the US permanently following a trip to his mother's funeral in his native Australia in 2010, prompting him to enter into a public stand off with the US taxation department.
However, no charges were ever made and Paul has since settled the case for an undisclosed sum.

Lindsay Lohan is a "fitness freak".
The 'Mean Girls' star loves working out and has been hitting the gym more than ever since relocating to London, where she is preparing to star in a West End production of play 'Speed-the-Plow' later this year, according to her blogger pal Vas J. Morgan.
He told new! magazine: "Now she's based in London she doesn't have many friends here, so I'm with her basically every day. We work out, she's a fitness freak!"
The 28-year-old actress, who had court-ordered rehabilitation treatment last year, has moved across the pond for a fresh start, Vas, 26, claims.
The reality TV star added: "She's focusing on work and trying to rid herself of the demons that follow her in New York and LA."
Vas, who runs a celebrity website and also counts Rita Ora among his pals, befriended Lindsay while in LA and the pair are now regulars at London's exclusive celebrity hotspot, Chiltern Firehouse.
However, recovering alcoholic Lindsay avoids the temptation for a drink when they visit.
The blogger boasted: "I go almost every night, I'm part of the furniture. There's a bar but when I go with Lindsay we don't want to be around that so we just chill out."

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are on a year-long "marriage probation" period.
The estranged couple - who announced they were separating in March after 10 years of marriage - have been growing increasingly close recently so have reportedly given themselves 12 months to see if they can get their relationship back on track.
A source told Grazia magazine: "It's going really well. Things are better between them than they have been in years, and the channels of communication are well and truly open.
"They've still got a long way to go, but they've decided they've got too much to lose not to give it another shot.
"The way things are looking, their story won't end with the conscious uncoupling."
In order to help repair their marriage, the couple - who have children Apple, 10, and Moses, eight, together - have hired "heart healer" Blaire Allison, who also describes herself as a "spiritual teacher, marriage and family therapist, love expert, visionary, awakened warrior and enlightened master".
The source added: "It seems Gwyneth and Chris called in Blaire during their recent family retreat [to The Hamptons].
"She's known for devising a tailor-made intensive heart-healing programme to help overcome stumbling blocks and repair old wounds.
"It includes techniques including intuitive heart-healing sessions, spiritual healing, prayer and meditation."

Weird Al Yankovic went to an Iggy Azalea concert to ask permission to parody 'Fancy'.
The 54-year-old singer wanted permission from the singer to include his spoof song 'Handy' on new album 'Mandatory Fun' but with time running out to get the track approved in time, he took matters into his own hands.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "We contacted her management office and we felt we'd hear back right away but we didn't ... The clock was ticking.
"Finally I decided if I wanted to get this album out, ... I just needed to track her down in person. So I flew out to Denver where she was doing this show and I waited by the side of the stage.
"As she walked off stage, I introduced myself and said 'Hi, we're supposed to be going to the studio tomorrow to record my new song ['Handy'] and I just wanna make sure that you're ok with that'.
"I showed her the lyrics, she looked at them and said 'seems fine' ... I got back on the plane the next morning and recorded the song."
The 'White and Nerdy' hitmaker hasn't always been given permission to parody songs - but insists that in the case of James Blunt, it worked out for the better.
He said: "A couple of albums ago, I wanted to do a parody of 'You're Beautiful' by James Blunt called 'You're Pitiful'. James had signed off on it but his record label, Atlantic Records, had told me they did not want me to release the song.
"I didn't want any drama and complications ... so we decided to back off. Actually, they did me a favour because that was originally the single off my album and instead we released 'White and Nerdy' which became my biggest hit ever. It was a top 10 single, a platinum selling single."
Weird Al's new album 'Mandatory Fun', which features the song 'Handy', is out now.

Emma Stone was intimidated by Woody Allen on the set of 'Magic in the Moonlight'.
The 25-year-old actress stars in the legendary director's latest project and she's confessed that working under his direction was nerve-racking because the cast weren't given time to get comfortable with him.
She said: "It was hugely intimidating. I think after a while you get your sea legs a little bit, but there's no rehearsal process, there's no real getting-to-know Woody at all. You are just terrified. It's all cold."
'The Amazing Spider-Man' star - who claims Allen "goes to great lengths" to keep his scripts under wraps - didn't even meet with the director before she was offered the part.
Stone told Collider: "I didn't physically see him. He didn't pull me into any room and he wasn't there when I read the script. Someone gave me the script. His assistant gave me the script and I read it, gave it back to her and then left."
The flamed haired beauty stars as a young woman who claims she can tell the future and communicate with the dead in the film, while her co-star Colin Firth takes on the role of a renowned illusionist tasked with the exposure of Stone's characters "lies", and he admits he also felt nervous around Allen.
Quizzed on whether the cast prepared for the film together, he said: We clung to each other! Nothing brings you closer together than blind terror."

Zoe Saldana planned her wedding in three weeks.
The 'Guardians of the Galaxy' actress tied the knot with her beau Marco Perego in London last year following a few months of dating, but she admits it took her less than a month to organise her secret big day.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, she said: "As soon as we decided we were going to get married, we didn't wait. We did it three weeks later. That part was very, very quick."
The 36-year-old star - who was engaged to long-term partner Keith Britton until their split in 2011 - had previously vowed she'd never get hitched, but falling in love with Marco changed her mind.
She explained: "I've known my partner for five years. I knew of his work. I knew of him. Then we met. And months later, we both made the decision to do what we both individually vowed never to do -- to get married."
Meanwhile, the loved-up couple are expecting their first child together and are delighted about becoming parents, but don't intend on confirming the news just yet.
A source said recently: "Zoe is about three months pregnant. But she will only announce the news when she's ready. Zoe has always wanted a big family, and Marco's on board too!"

Portia de Rossi is to guest star in 'Scandal'.
The 41-year-old actress' wife Ellen DeGeneres took to her Twitter account last night (23.07.14) to announce the blonde beauty has landed a role in the ABC's hit series.
She tweeted: "So annoying when people brag on twitter & that's why I'm not tweeting that Portia just signed on to do a top secret arc on "Scandal". Oops. (sic)."
Portia will appear in a multi-episode arc in the upcoming fourth season, which will hit screens on September 25, according to E! News.
The 'Scandal' announcement comes just weeks after it was reported Portia had spent the month of May seeking treatment in rehab for drugs and alcohol issues.
The Australian beauty checked into Passages Malibu rehab facility in California following an alleged blazing row with Ellen, whom she married in 2008.
However, the couple have since put on a united front while enjoying a vacation in Croatia last month and are working hard to sort through their marital problems.
A source said previously: "They've worked out difficulties in the past, and no doubt they're trying to work out any problems right now."

Mireille Enos has given birth to a baby boy.
The 38-year-old actress and her husband Alan Ruck welcomed their second child into the world yesterday (23.07.14) and have named him Larkin Zouey Ruck.
A representative for the couple told E! News: "Mireille Enos, Alan Ruck and their daughter Vesper are overjoyed to announce the arrival of their son and brother, Larkin Zouey Ruck. He was born at 7:07am in Los Angeles. He weighs 7lbs 3oz."
The 'World War Z' star and her beau - who announced they were expecting their second child in February - admit they are besotted with their new bundle of joy and believe his arrival was a "miracle".
They told PEOPLE.com: "We are awestruck by the arrival of our little boy. The whole thing is a miracle."
The couple, who got married in 2008, already have three-year-old daughter Vesper together, and the youngster previously admitted she couldn't wait to meet her new baby brother.
She said in February: "I'm excited to meet MY baby."
Meanwhile, Alan, 58, also has daughter Emma and son Sam with his ex-wife Claudia Stefany.

Calvin Harris is reportedly trying to "avoid" Rita Ora.
The 30-year-old DJ - who split from the 'RIP' hitmaker earlier this year - is worried about bumping into the 23-year-old singer this weekend in Las Vegas and is doing everything he can to stay away from her.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Calvin has been asking mutual friends to keep him in the loop of her plans so they avoid each other. He's been doing everything he can to avoid bumping into her.
"Calvin is in Vegas almost every week and feels like it's his turf. He doesn't want the pressure of worrying about seeing her."
However, friends believe the 'Summer' hitmaker is more concerned about seeing his former flame with her new boyfriend Ricky Hil, the son of Tommy Hilfiger, whom she has been dating since the beginning of the month.
The insider explained: "If Calvin bumps into Rita and she's with her new boyfriend, he'll be gutted. He wants to know which parties and events Rita is planning on going to so he can stay well clear. Calvin knows that if they accidentally end up in the same place, it'll be beyond awkward for the both of them."
Calvin announced on Twitter in June that he'd ended his year-long relationship with Rita "some time ago", but wished her all the best in the future.
Rita then took to her account a week later to claim she had "moved on" from her former lover.
She tweeted at the time: "I don't usually address speculation but I've had an incredible time with Calvin, and I will treasure the memories.
"I've moved on so I hope people will respect that and do the same."

Eva Mendes' pregnancy was reportedly "unplanned".
The 40-year-old actress is expecting her first child with boyfriend Ryan Gosling, 33, but the baby news allegedly came as a complete shock to the couple.
A source told RadarOnline.com: "It [the baby] was completely unplanned.
"Ryan was surprised, especially because they had broken up early last year, only to get back together."
The 'Hitch' star moved into Ryan's modest home in Studio City, Los Angeles, but the property is fairly small and the pair are reportedly looking for a bigger house ready for when their new bundle of joy arrives.
The source explained: "The house is quite small, and only has two bedrooms. Eva has been looking for a bigger house to live in with Ryan once the baby is born."
Meanwhile, the pair, who have been dating since 2011, managed to keep the pregnancy a secret until recently by only telling a few close friends and family members.
An insider said previously: "[Eva] just hasn't ever wanted anyone beyond her close friends and family knowing more than they had to. And Ryan is certainly private and always has been."
The brunette beauty, who is due to give birth in October, "barely left the house" after she found out she is pregnant in a bid to keep the news underwraps.
The source added: "Their lives completely changed as soon as Eva got pregnant. They used to travel all over the place together and go on hikes with their dogs.
"Ryan has been taking care of her, picking up food and running errands. He has been very supportive about keeping things a secret."

Nicola Roberts has split from her boyfriend.
The former Girls Aloud singer reportedly called time on her six-year relationship with businessman Charlie Fennell late last year after their romance fizzled out.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Nicola and Charlie split at the tail end of last year. They just kind of grew apart - they had a great run but they both felt their relationship had come to an end."
The 28-year-old beauty - who had pet pooches Ronnie and Reggie with Charlie - is enjoying the single life and doesn't feel ready to settle down just yet.
The source explained: "Nicola is really enjoying being single again. She's been back out partying loads and is really enjoying making new friends and being out at showbiz parties. She's definitely still single, and she's not looking to settle down quite so much so soon."
Nicola - who previously said she wants "masses" of children - insisted earlier this year that she's not looking to start a family any time soon, but hopes to eventually.
She said: "It's in my future but not in my near future."
Meanwhile, Nicola's ex-bandmate Cheryl Cole married her beau Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini earlier this month following a whirlwind three-month romance.
The other Girls Aloud members are also getting ready to settle down as Kimberley Walsh is expecting her first child with long-term boyfriend Justin Scott, Nadine Coyle gave birth to her daughter Anaiya in February and Sarah Harding is happily dating DJ Mark One.