YouTube alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave YouTube: free tier carries frequent ads, including mid-roll, and background play and downloads need a paid Premium plan. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces YouTube, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. FreeTube currently ranks first.
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Show all 7 alternativesThe best YouTube alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best YouTube alternative for most people
FreeTubeWatches the same YouTube videos on desktop without ads, sign-in or Google tracking.
Best YouTube alternative for a free option
NewPipeAndroid app for YouTube without ads, with background play and downloads that YouTube charges for.
Best YouTube alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
BilibiliChina's main creator video site, with live scrolling comments and strong anime and gaming communities.
Best YouTube alternative for open source
InvidiousOpen-source, self-hostable front end that lets you watch YouTube without an account or tracking.
Best YouTube alternative for self-hosting
InvidiousOpen-source, self-hostable front end that lets you watch YouTube without an account or tracking.
Best YouTube alternative for Mac
GrayjayFollows creators across YouTube, Twitch, PeerTube and more in one app, without depending on one platform.
Best YouTube alternative for Windows
FreeTubeWatches the same YouTube videos on desktop without ads, sign-in or Google tracking.
Best YouTube alternative for Linux
FreeTubeWatches the same YouTube videos on desktop without ads, sign-in or Google tracking.
Best YouTube alternative for iPhone and Android
TikTokThe leading short-video app if you mostly watch YouTube Shorts.
Best YouTube alternative for working in the browser
TubiAnother free ad-supported service, focused on full-length films and TV series.
YouTube alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to YouTube?
FreeTube ranks first right now. Watches the same YouTube videos on desktop without ads, sign-in or Google tracking. NewPipe and Grayjay follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to YouTube?
Yes. FreeTube (open source), NewPipe (open source), Grayjay (free) and Invidious (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to YouTube?
Yes: FreeTube, NewPipe and Invidious. Invidious can also be self-hosted.
Which YouTube alternatives work on Linux?
FreeTube and Grayjay run on Linux.
Why do people switch from YouTube?
The complaints we hear most: free tier carries frequent ads, including mid-roll; background play and downloads need a paid Premium plan; heavy tracking of viewing history to drive recommendations.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces YouTube, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.