AppBreakup
Submit an app

FreeTube alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave FreeTube: can break temporarily when YouTube changes its site, and no personalized recommendations or account features like commenting. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces FreeTube, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. NewPipe currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1NewPipe logoNewPipeOpen sourceYesAndroid4 of 466.5
2Invidious logoInvidiousOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted4 of 462.6
3Grayjay logoGrayjayFreeNoAndroid, Windows, macOS +14 of 459.6
  1. NewPipe logo

    1. NewPipeTop pick

    Best for: Android users who want ad-free YouTube with background play and downloads

    Open sourceAndroid

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from FreeTube

    The same privacy-first, account-free approach for Android phones, with background play and downloads.

    Pros

    • Background and popup playback without a subscription
    • Downloads video, audio or captions for offline use
    • No Google account or proprietary Google APIs

    Cons

    • Not on the Play Store; installed via F-Droid or APK
    • Can stop working for days when YouTube changes
    • Android only
    Visit NewPipe Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is NewPipe a good FreeTube alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL 3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026newpipe.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum Android
    Android 6
    Checked Oct 25, 2026newpipe.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Google APIs
    None used
    Checked Oct 25, 2026newpipe.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Services
    YouTube, PeerTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp
    Checked Oct 25, 2026newpipe.net(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Invidious logo

    2. Invidious

    Best for: Privacy-minded viewers and self-hosters who want YouTube in any browser without ads

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from FreeTube

    Works in any browser instead of a desktop app, and you can self-host your own instance.

    Pros

    • Works in any browser, no install needed on the device
    • Subscriptions and playlists without a Google account
    • Self-hostable, with a documented API

    Cons

    • Public instances are often slow or blocked by YouTube
    • Running your own instance takes ongoing maintenance
    • Fewer features than YouTube's own site
    Visit Invidious Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Invidious a good FreeTube alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026invidious.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Accounts
    No YouTube account needed
    Checked Oct 25, 2026invidious.io(opens source in a new tab)
    API
    REST API
    Checked Oct 25, 2026invidious.io(opens source in a new tab)
    SponsorBlock
    Supported
    Checked Oct 25, 2026invidious.io(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Grayjay logo

    3. Grayjay

    Best for: People who follow creators across YouTube, Twitch and PeerTube and want one feed

    FreeAndroid, Windows, macOS, Linux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from FreeTube

    Combines YouTube with PeerTube, Twitch and other sources in one feed, on desktop and Android.

    Pros

    • One feed for several video platforms via plugins
    • Downloads, background play and casting built in
    • Fully functional without paying

    Cons

    • No iOS app
    • Source-available rather than open source
    • Plugins can break when platforms change
    Visit Grayjay Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Grayjay a good FreeTube alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    Android, Windows, Linux, macOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026grayjay.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free, optional one-time purchase
    Checked Oct 25, 2026grayjay.app(opens source in a new tab)
    iOS app
    Not planned soon
    Checked Oct 25, 2026grayjay.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Casting
    FCast, Chromecast, AirPlay
    Checked Oct 25, 2026grayjay.app(opens source in a new tab)

The best FreeTube alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

NewPipe logo

Best FreeTube alternative for most people

NewPipe

The same privacy-first, account-free approach for Android phones, with background play and downloads.

Invidious logo

Best FreeTube alternative for a free option

Invidious

Works in any browser instead of a desktop app, and you can self-host your own instance.

NewPipe logo

Best FreeTube alternative for open source

NewPipe

The same privacy-first, account-free approach for Android phones, with background play and downloads.

Invidious logo

Best FreeTube alternative for self-hosting

Invidious

Works in any browser instead of a desktop app, and you can self-host your own instance.

Grayjay logo

Best FreeTube alternative for Mac

Grayjay

Combines YouTube with PeerTube, Twitch and other sources in one feed, on desktop and Android.

Grayjay logo

Best FreeTube alternative for Windows

Grayjay

Combines YouTube with PeerTube, Twitch and other sources in one feed, on desktop and Android.

Grayjay logo

Best FreeTube alternative for Linux

Grayjay

Combines YouTube with PeerTube, Twitch and other sources in one feed, on desktop and Android.

Invidious logo

Best FreeTube alternative for working in the browser

Invidious

Works in any browser instead of a desktop app, and you can self-host your own instance.

FreeTube alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to FreeTube?

NewPipe ranks first right now. The same privacy-first, account-free approach for Android phones, with background play and downloads. Invidious and Grayjay follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to FreeTube?

Yes. NewPipe (open source), Invidious (open source) and Grayjay (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to FreeTube?

Yes: NewPipe and Invidious. Invidious can also be self-hosted.

Which FreeTube alternatives work on Linux?

Grayjay runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from FreeTube?

The complaints we hear most: can break temporarily when YouTube changes its site; no personalized recommendations or account features like commenting; desktop only.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces FreeTube, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.