YouTube
Google's free video platform for uploads, Shorts, live streams and podcasts, with an ad-free Premium tier.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 7
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About YouTube
YouTube is the world's biggest video site: anyone can upload, and viewers watch everything from music videos and tutorials to news, gaming streams and full-length podcasts. Alongside regular videos it has Shorts for vertical clips, live streaming with chat and paid Super Chats, and a library of films to rent or buy. Recommendations drive most of what people watch, shaped by subscriptions and viewing history. Watching is free with ads; YouTube Premium removes ads and adds background play and downloads, and YouTube TV sells live cable channels in the US. Creators in the Partner Program get a share of ad and Premium revenue and can add memberships, shopping and tips. There are apps for nearly every phone, smart TV, console and streaming stick, plus a separate YouTube Kids app with a narrower catalogue for children. People look for alternatives over ads, privacy or tracking, recommendation quality, or because they want a regional platform such as Bilibili.
Best for: Anyone who wants the widest range of free videos, tutorials, live streams and podcasts in one place.
Pros and cons
What works
- Huge free library covering almost every topic and language
- Shorts, live streams, podcasts and long videos in one app
- Runs on nearly every phone, TV, console and browser
- Clear revenue share for creators in the Partner Program
Why people leave
- 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
Top YouTube alternatives
See all 7- 1
FreeTube68.8Watches the same YouTube videos on desktop without ads, sign-in or Google tracking.
- 2
NewPipe64.8Android app for YouTube without ads, with background play and downloads that YouTube charges for.
- 3
Grayjay61.8Follows creators across YouTube, Twitch, PeerTube and more in one app, without depending on one platform.
- 4
Invidious59.4Open-source, self-hostable front end that lets you watch YouTube without an account or tracking.
- 5
Bilibili55.3China's main creator video site, with live scrolling comments and strong anime and gaming communities.
Why people left YouTube
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from YouTube, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers
Write a review of YouTube
YouTube: common questions
Is YouTube free?
YouTube has a free plan and paid plans.
Is YouTube open source?
No, YouTube is not open source. Open-source alternatives include FreeTube, NewPipe and Invidious.
What platforms does YouTube run on?
YouTube is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to YouTube?
The highest-ranked YouTube alternatives right now are FreeTube, NewPipe and Grayjay. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.