15 Best YouTube Alternatives for Creators & Streaming in 2024

YouTube remains a top destination for free content, but the increasing number of ads can be frustrating. Additionally, the platform is often criticized for its tracking practices and restrictions on content creators' free speech. Besides, the competitive nature of YouTube demands that creators consistently produce high-quality, algorithm-optimized content, risking burnout as they must continually adapt to frequent and uncontrollable changes in the platform's demands.

As a response, numerous YouTube alternatives are gaining traction, promising enhanced user experiences. These platforms often provide quality music and video content without intrusive ads. While they might offer less variety compared to YouTube, many prioritize user privacy and security.

I've compiled a list of the best YouTube alternatives, each selected for its unique features that cater to different preferences and needs. This includes monetized options for creators looking for more freedom in expressing themselves.

1. Vimeo — The YouTube Alternative for Watching UHD Content

You can watch UHD content published for free on Vimeo

Vimeo delivers cinematic 4K and 8K quality videos without ads. You can find free content published by creators offering free-to-stream music, movies, comedies, and documentaries. There is also on-demand, rent, or buy content, allowing you to get more variety and support your favorite creators.

For filmmakers and video creators, Vimeo provides robust tools for creating and showcasing professional videos. These include advanced privacy settings, allowing creators to control who can view their content, and collaborative tools for feedback during the video development process. However, the complicated pricing models can be challenging to new users or small creators searching for free alternatives to publish their content.

2. Rumble — A Monetized YouTube Alternative for Content Creators

You don't need many subscribers to start earning on Rumble

Rumble is particularly appealing to content creators who are frustrated with YouTube's strict monetization policies. It offers various ways for content creators to earn revenue, including ad revenue sharing, video licensing, and direct sponsorships. This can be advantageous for new and emerging creators who may find it difficult to monetize their content on platforms like YouTube due to stringent policies.

Also, content censorship isn’t as rife as on YouTube because Rumble commits to free speech. The transparent algorithm and faster approval aid fair content promotion, making it attractive for creators who want their voices heard without bias. However, the viewer base is smaller compared to YouTube, which could initially limit the reach and audience growth for new creators. So, it’s the trade-off of less censorship and better monetization options.

3. DailyMotion — A YouTube Alternative With Close Feature Similarities

DailyMotion is more centered on news and entertainment content

DailyMotion offers a user experience quite akin to YouTube. The similarity is beneficial as it reduces the learning curve for new users to navigate the platform intuitively and leverage features like video uploading, viewing, and finding categorized content. DailyMotion allows uploads up to 4GB in size and supports resolutions up to 1080p. Viewers can watch high-resolution videos without having to pay, though ads may be present.

The content variety and global audience reach are decent, given the platform started around the same time as YouTube. Still, DailyMotion’s viewership base is comparatively small. The major advantage is that it has less stringent content moderation compared to YouTube. Also, creators can integrate ads for monetization purposes, and the platform supports HD videos. It's suitable for businesses and professional accounts aiming to maximize their online presence.

4.Odysee (LBRY) — A Video-Sharing Service Similar to YouTube but Ad-Free

Many YouTube influencers also host their content on Odysee

Odysee offers a user-friendly interface similar to YouTube, making it easier for users to upload, share, and watch videos. You can even sync your YouTube channels with Odysee. The platform leverages the decentralized features of LBRY to provide a censorship-resistant platform. It offers dedicated apps for both mobile and computer devices, making it accessible across various platforms, including Linux.

Both viewers and creators are rewarded with LBRY Credits (LBC) for engaging with the platform. Activities such as watching videos or publishing content earn these credits. Creators can set prices for their videos or offer them for free, and they receive support through tips and a built-in wallet system (which is a form of direct monetization). However, the rewards and earnings are cryptocurrency-based, which can be a turn-off for less tech-savvy users.

5. Twitch — The Best YouTube Alternative for Live Streams and Gamers

Twitch offers live streams on many other topics beyond gaming

Twitch is famous for its top-notch live streaming, making it a favorite among gamers and creators who love interacting with viewers in real time. Whether you're into gaming, music, or lifestyle streams, Twitch offers a vibrant community where you can catch all the action live. If you're watching for free, you'll see some ads, but you can upgrade to Twitch Turbo to skip the ads and enjoy extra perks, like more storage for your broadcasts.

Twitch Studio simplifies the creators' streaming setup process. It can automatically detect streaming hardware like microphones and webcams and provide pre-loaded layouts to personalize your stream's appearance. Moreover, built-in alerts and chat features enhance the interaction with the audience, making it a highly interactive platform. However, the platform's primary focus on gaming content might not appeal to those looking for more diverse topics.

6. NewPipe — An Ad-free YouTube Alternative for Mobile Devices

NewPipe is only available on Android mobile devices

NewPipe is a great alternative for Android users seeking an ad-free YouTube experience. This app directly fetches and displays content from YouTube but without advertisements. NewPipe is an open-source application, which means its source code is publicly available, and it’s developed by a community of contributors. It’s available on the open-source F-droid app store and can also be sideloaded as an APK file.

You can play music or listen to podcasts in the background while using other apps (or even when the screen is off), a feature that is only available to YouTube Premium subscribers. NewPipe also allows offline video watching, and you can select the video format and quality. But since it’s not connected to Google, you can’t sync your existing YouTube subscriptions, settings, or watch history. You’ll need to manage subscriptions separately within the NewPipe app.

7. Vevo — The Best YouTube Alternative for Music

You can find exclusive music releases and performances on Vevo

Vevo is a great YouTube alternative for music lovers, where top artists from various genres release their official music videos. Also, the platform offers curated content, which includes exclusive videos, artist interviews, and live performances. This is backed by direct partnerships with record labels (Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group), which ensures that all content is not only high-quality but also legally sourced and rights-managed.

Additionally, Vevo supports artists through exclusive releases and premieres, which helps fans access new content before it's available elsewhere. It offers cross-device accessibility, whether you're watching on a desktop, mobile device, smart TV, or streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV. However, Vevo's specialized focus on music also means it lacks the broader variety of video types found on platforms like YouTube.

8. TED — The Best YouTube Alternative for Schools With Plenty of Educational Content

You can watch expert talks and presentations for free on TED

TED is a hub for compelling, ad-free presentations on a wide array of subjects, from science and technology to art and global issues. When you stream videos on YouTube, you get stuck in the “filter bubble,” so you might miss out on many eye-opening topics. TED is particularly beneficial if you're looking for a YouTube alternative with inspirational, educational, and thought-provoking content delivered by experts, innovators, and thinkers from around the world.

The vast library of talks is freely accessible, and there is a special category of TED-Ed with explanatory animated video lessons for school teachers and students who want to supplement their learning materials. Its interactive features, like discussions and comments, allow viewers to engage with the content and community. However, the platform doesn’t allow users to upload their own videos and it hosts predominantly English content.

9. PeerTube — A Decentralized YouTube Alternative That Emphasizes User Privacy

Users' activity is less likely to be tracked on decentralized platforms like PeerTube

PeerTube offers a unique, decentralized alternative to YouTube with a variety of features that emphasize user control, privacy, and community engagement. Instead of videos being hosted on a single server, they are distributed across a network of independently run servers. This reduces bandwidth costs and load on individual servers, which sometimes helps to counter video buffering. There are also no ads on the videos unless the content owner chooses to place them.

ActivityPub protocol allows users to follow, comment, and share videos across various servers, effectively enhancing content discovery and engagement within the community. PeerTube also offers users the freedom to host their servers, giving them complete control over the content and privacy management. The decentralized system, however, means user experience and video quality can vary significantly, depending on the server's hardware and network capabilities.

10. KidsTube — The Best YouTube Alternative for Kids

KidsTube can only be downloaded and used on phone

KidsTube offers a safe and educational space for children, much like YouTube Kids, but with its own unique flair. It's packed with fun and engaging videos that help little ones learn everything from the basics, like the alphabet and numbers, to more complex topics.

Parents will appreciate the strong parental controls that allow kids to safely explore on their own without constant oversight. Plus, it's completely ad-free, so the kids can focus on learning and having fun without distractions. While the video library isn't as large as YouTube Kids, it still has plenty of content to keep your children entertained for hours. Sadly, the app is only available in Android.

11. BitChute — The Best YouTube Alternative Without Censorship

You can subscribe and follow your favorite channels on BitChute, just like on YouTube

BitChute is known for its strong stance on free speech, making it appealing to viewers and content creators who seek a platform with less regulation and censorship compared to YouTube. The platform uses peer-to-peer (P2P) technology for video hosting, which aligns with its open stance on content. Because of its less regulated nature, BitChute hosts a variety of content, including viewpoints that might be considered controversial or unacceptable on mainstream media platforms.

Videos on Bitchute don’t have ads, but content creators get direct audience support mechanisms such as cryptocurrency and third-party fundraising links (like Patreon), providing an alternative revenue stream. However, the relaxed approach to content moderation also makes it attractive for spreading hate speech, misinformation, or extremist ideologies.

12. Invidious — A YouTube Alternative You Can Use Without Registration

Invidious offers a way to access YouTube content without ads or Google tracking

Invidious is an open-source front-end alternative that allows you to watch YouTube music and videos without a Google account. This emphasizes privacy and user convenience because you can access YouTube videos with no ads and avoid getting tracked by Google. Registering on Invidious doesn’t require an email or phone number, but you can use your account to subscribe to channels, create playlists, and receive notifications.

The platform supports background play, allowing you to listen to audio from videos even when you navigate away from the site or turn off your device’s screen. This is particularly useful for listening to music or podcasts. Invidious supports multiple instances, and you can easily switch between them. Keep in mind, though, that the availability and performance of videos may vary depending on the Invidious instance you choose.

13. FreeTube — An Alternative For Watching YouTube Videos Offline

FreeTube allows you to add content to your favorites list

FreeTube is a desktop app that lets you enjoy YouTube videos both online and offline, without needing an internet connection. It's ad-free, so you can watch without those annoying interruptions you get on YouTube.

User activities aren’t tracked on FreeTube, and personal data is stored locally rather than online. This shields you from online surveillance and data collection. Plus, you can manage subscriptions and playlists without even creating an account, offering a seamless and private streaming experience. Keep in mind, though, that FreeTube is primarily for PC users and doesn't directly support mobile devices.

14. Piped — A Privacy-Focused Front-End YouTube Alternative

Piped doesn't have strict content moderation guidelines like YouTube

Piped is another YouTube front-end app with built-in features to emphasize privacy. It’s one of the most popular open-source platforms that serves ad-free YouTube content without connecting to Google servers, which prevents any form of IP address or cookie-tracking. Features like SponsorBlock also allow users to skip sponsored segments on video content.

The platform is praised for its efficient and smooth performance under heavy usage, both on the server and client side. It has multi-region load-balancing capabilities to provide high-quality content viewing for global users. Plus, features like infinite scrolling and audio-only playback allow music video and podcast streaming without the visuals. However, the reliance on self-hosting and complex setup might not appeal to less tech-savvy users.

15. Nebula — A Paid YouTube Alternative With Exclusive Content

Nebula has variety of exclusive content, ranging from movies to educational courses

Nebula operates on a subscription basis, offering an ad-free experience for all its content. Users pay a fee to access the platform, which supports the creators directly. It provides exclusive content that isn’t available on other platforms. Additionally, with the Nebula First feature, subscribers can access videos from their favorite creators before they are released elsewhere.

The platform features Nebula Originals, which include a variety of content, such as documentaries and animated features. These are unique to Nebula and are a significant draw for subscribers. While Nebula offers high-quality and exclusive content, its focus on specific creators might mean it doesn’t cater to as wide a range of preferences as YouTube, which hosts a vast array of content across many genres.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.

Quick Comparison Table: Best YouTube Alternatives

To help you quickly find the most suitable YouTube alternative, I’ve summarized platforms and the unique features they offer to content streamers and creators as follows:

Why Should You Use YouTube Alternative Sites?

Ads interrupting YouTube videos are becoming more and more frustrating for viewers, driving many to look for alternatives. Additionally, privacy worries are on the rise with YouTube, as Google collects and shares a large amount of personal and activity data with third parties.

If you're a content creator, these alternatives can also be attractive because they often have less censorship and more flexible monetization options. Many of these platforms offer innovative ways to earn money, including direct donations and cryptocurrency rewards, giving creators more freedom and opportunity.

How to Choose the Best YouTube Alternative Sites

When choosing alternatives to YouTube, it's crucial to focus on features that enhance your streaming or publishing experience. Here’s what to look out for:

For Viewers

• Ad experience. Look for platforms that offer ad-free viewing or less intrusive ads. These sites generally provide a better user experience and smoother content streaming compared to those heavily focused on ad revenue.
• Privacy and data security. With increasing data privacy concerns, platforms that minimize tracking and profiling offer a safer and more private way to enjoy content online.
• Device compatibility. Ensure the alternative you choose works seamlessly across various devices. This allows you to enjoy content anytime and anywhere, whether on mobile phones, tablets, or smart TVs.
• Variety of content. Look for platforms that offer a wide range of content. A diverse selection ensures that you have access to numerous genres and creators, catering to all your interests.

For Creators

• Community and audience reach. Choose platforms with a solid viewer base. This not only helps grow your viewership but also enhances engagement and feedback, crucial for refining your content.
• Monetization options. Make sure there are viable ways to earn money on these platforms. Look for options like ad revenue, subscriptions, donations, or even cryptocurrencies.
• Content freedom and censorship. Opt for platforms that offer more freedom from censorship and have less restrictive content policies, particularly if your content challenges mainstream ideas.
• Video quality. Consider the video quality supported by the platform. High-quality video capabilities are crucial for delivering a professional look and feel to your content, which can attract and retain more viewers.

FAQs on YouTube Alternatives

Which YouTube alternatives can I use in China?

Bilibili, Youku, and Tencent Video are the most reliable YouTube alternatives. Most platforms are blocked in the country, so it's a matter of luck if any works. YouTube alternatives like TED sometimes host talks in China, and you can watch presentations on local platforms. Other YouTube alternatives you can watch in China are iQiyi and Kuaishou.

Is Rumble better than YouTube?

Whether Rumble is better than YouTube depends on what you value in a video platform. Rumble has less censorship, so you can easily find content outside of the mainstream media. Its monetization process is straightforward, which can be advantageous for creators looking for fewer restrictions and direct earnings. However, YouTube has the most extensive content library (with more sophisticated discovery algorithms) and a larger audience, which is beneficial for creators.

What are the privacy advantages of using YouTube alternatives?

Many YouTube alternatives don’t engage in extensive user tracking and data collection practices, as seen on YouTube. Decentralized platforms like Piped and PeerTube, for example, protect user privacy by not centralizing user data. However, some of these, especially torrent-based platforms, can be exploited by hackers to steal users' data.

Are there YouTube alternatives without ads?

Yes, several YouTube alternatives are ad-free. Platforms like Vimeo, PeerTube, NewPipe, LBRY/Odysee, and FreeTube offer ad-free experiences. Alternatively, adblockers and browsers like Brave can help to reduce the number of ads you see on streaming sites.

What is an Indian app similar to YouTube?

Roposo is a popular video-sharing platform in India that’s a close replacement for YouTube. It has regional and local content variety and also offers a platform for Indian creators to showcase their work. That said, most alternative sites to YouTube work well in India, and you can choose one based on your preferences as a streaming enthusiast or a content creator.

Who is YouTube’s biggest competitor?

YouTube’s biggest competitors are DailyMotion and Rumble. They are free and offer more or less similar features to viewers and creators. Vimeo is also a close YouTube competitor due to its focus on high-quality content and a professional user base. However, some essential publishing features are only accessible with a paid subscription, which is limiting for small creators.

Wrapping Up

Most YouTube alternatives are designed to meet users’ needs for ad-free online streaming and privacy. The options available for content creators also offer better monetization features and less restrictive publishing policies to facilitate freedom of speech. You can easily choose a service that enhances your video-watching or production experience while also respecting the right to privacy.