Top 12 YouTube alternatives and competitors

The best YouTube alternatives

With so many websites similar to YouTube, we’ve narrowed down our list to the top 12. Here are some of the best alternatives for YouTube that we think are worth your time:

1. Vimeo

Vimeo was founded by actual filmmakers, so it’s no surprise it’s the go-to platform for creative minds. Everyone from video content makers and photographers to musicians and ad agencies uses Vimeo.

It has a great interface and surpasses YouTube with its high-quality videos (4K Ultra HD, to be precise). Vimeo is also ad-free and has a built-in community so users can comment, follow channels, and share videos on their social media accounts. Definitely one of the better sites for uploading videos.

Pros

• High-quality content.

• Professional user base.

• Ad-free viewing options.

Cons

• Less variety than on YouTube.

• Subscription fees for premium features.

• Limited social networking features.

2. DTube

DTube is one of the best privacy-focused video content platforms, which is still somewhat similar to YouTube. It’s completely decentralized, meaning DTube videos aren’t uploaded and streamed from one centralized server as they are with YouTube. All of its content is stored on a blockchain. This means that it’s pretty difficult for hackers to tamper with video content, it’s unlikely that your personal data will leak, and the community controls the platform.

What’s also great about DTube is that it doesn’t serve you ads or have a recommendation algorithm, it supports free speech (the community monitors the content), and all content creators have the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency revenue. The interface is similar to YouTube, so die-hard YouTube fans won’t find it difficult to move to this platform. Want to upload videos without the risk of tampering from hackers? Then choose DTube.

Pros

• Decentralized.

• Privacy-focused.

• Anti-censorship.

• Rewards with cryptocurrency.

Cons

• Small user base and niche audience.

• Variable content quality.

3. Dailymotion

Dailymotion attracts 112 million monthly viewers and is one of the biggest YouTube competitors. Some say it’s as close as you can get to YouTube, while others call it “the darker and poorer” brother of YouTube. Either way, it has a similar layout, a great interface, a search bar, and the same content categories YouTube has.

Users choose Dailymotion mainly because of its high-quality videos. Dailymotion allows users to upload content up to 4GB in size and with a resolution of 1080p, while YouTube tends to compress videos. The only downside is that all Dailymotion videos are only up to 20 min long.

Pros

• Wide content variety.

• Similar to YouTube.

• User-friendly interface.

Cons

• Ads can be intrusive.

• Less organized content.

• Limited live streaming options.

4. Vevo

Vevo is a safe YouTube alternative if you only watch music videos. Vevo offers many high-quality music videos from two labels – Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group. You can either watch the latest hits or explore other video clips, which are grouped by artist.

Pros

• Music-focused.

• High-quality music videos.

• Partnership with major record labels.

Cons

• Limited to music content.

• Fewer features than YouTube.

5. Twitch

Best known in the gaming community, Twitch is a video hosting platform that allows its users to “live broadcast” their gameplay or upload a recording of a gaming session. It also serves as a social network where people can share their game tips and interact with other players.

Pros

• Live streaming.

• Real-time interaction.

• Large gaming community.

• Diverse content.

• Monetization options.

Cons

• Focused on gaming.

• Can be overwhelming for new users.

• Competitive monetization.

• Requires consistent streaming for growth.

6. TED

TED is a well-known non-profit organization that hosts conferences worldwide, and it is one of the best free YouTube alternatives if you’re looking for knowledge. The majority of TED lectures (known as TED Talks) are recorded, and these videos then appear on the TED website. As of now, it has over 3,000 talks covering everything from technology and business to design and global issues. TED is a great platform if you are looking for fresh ideas or want to learn something new.

Pros

• Educational content.

• Inspirational talks.

• High-quality production.

• Wide range of topics.

Cons

• Niche focus.

• Limited content variety.

• Predominantly English content.

• Limited user interaction.

7. Crackle (available only in the USA)

Crackle was founded by Sony Picture Entertainment, which makes it the best place to watch original TV shows or older Hollywood movies. It offers a range of well-known movies such as Animal House, Paranormal Activity, and Rudy. Crackle also features videos from established production houses, including Columbia Pictures, Funimation Films, and TriStar Pictures.

Pros

• Wide range of mainstream content.

• Movie and TV show library.

• Easy to navigate.

• Ad-supported but not intrusive.

Cons

• Limited original content.

• Limited recent blockbuster titles.

• Geographic restrictions.

• Standard definition content quality.

8. PeerTube

PeerTube is an independent open-source video-sharing platform developed by the French non-profit social network Framasoft. It is not controlled by one big company and comprises various servers administered by different groups of people.

Being a decentralized platform, PeerTube hosts diverse content ranging from educational material to entertaining clips. It doesn’t employ opaque algorithms and doesn’t track your online activity, which lets you avoid annoying targeted ads.

Pros

• Decentralized.

• Freedom-focused.

• Diverse content.

• Community-driven servers.

• Less commercialized than YouTube.

Cons

• Smaller user base.

• Content discovery challenges.

9. BitChute

BitChute is a slightly different streaming platform from the ones you are familiar with. It welcomes independent content that might not find its place in other mainstream media due to strict content policies. It uses peer-to-peer technology, allowing to share large amounts of data between devices without central servers.

BitChute is a perfect option for creators looking for an alternative space to share their content that is restricted elsewhere. However, the platform’s openness might potentially attract controversial viewpoints and opinions.

Pros

• Free speech oriented.

• Peer-to-peer technology.

• Diverse viewpoints.

• Less corporate oversight.

Cons

• Controversial content.

• Less moderation.

• Niche audience.

• Potential for offensive content.

10. LBRY (Odysee)

LBRY is a unique streaming platform based on blockchain technology. It’s decentralized and known for not censoring content, which attracts diverse audiences and unique content. It operates using its own digital currency, rewarding creators and viewers for participating.

LBRY gathers an exclusive community of creators where media giants don’t control content. It’s easy to use and provides various educational content and entertainment.

Pros

• Blockchain-based.

• Decentralized.

• Rewards users with cryptocurrency.

• Variety of content.

Cons

• Steep learning curve.

• Cryptocurrency reliance.

• Inconsistent content quality.

11. MediaGoblin

MediaGoblin is another exclusive digital media platform supporting videos, images, audio, and 3D models. It operates on independent servers managed by different people who contribute to this inclusive environment. MediaGoblin is constructed for those who value collaborative communities and are interested in various forms of digital content.

Pros

• Supports various media types.

• Open-source and community-driven.

• Decentralized.

• Encourages creative expression.

Cons

• Less intuitive interface.

• Relies on community support.

12. Veoh

Veoh is a perfect YouTube alternative for those who are interested in user-generated videos, professionally produced films, and TV shows. It handles long video formats, making it a go-to platform for full-length movies. It also features a simple interface and networking tools, allowing users to interact with each other. Choose Veoh if you enjoy exploring a range of video content, from indie films to mainstream media.

Pros

• Supports long videos.

• Wide content range.

• User-generated and professional videos.

• Social networking features.

Cons

• Outdated interface.

• Limited community features.

• Variable video quality.

YouTube alternatives for kids

The internet is full of streaming services that cater to young children. However, choosing one that aligns with your values and your child’s interests is essential. While YouTube itself has a restricted mode for kids, inappropriate content might still slip through. So, if you are a parent looking for even safer alternatives to YouTube that are entertaining, engaging, safe, and educational for your kids, take a look at the list below.

• Kidoz is a kid-friendly ecosystem offering a wide range of content, including videos, games, and apps, all under constant review to ensure compliance with safety and suitability norms for children. It encourages exploration, adapts to children’s interests, and offers personalized content parents can supervise.
• PBS Kids Video is another platform offering children educational and entertaining content. It features a lot of popular TV shows that teach children valuable lessons. Besides, it is ad-free.
• Nickelodeon Play is a vibrant, colorful, and engaging platform where kids can enjoy their favorite Nickelodeon shows, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, and Dora the Explorer. The app also features games and interactive activities, expanding children’s imagination.
• The Cartoon Network app streams full episodes of the most popular Cartoon Network shows and invites children to play games and participate in polls. The platform mixes action, comedy, and creativity, perfect for kids who enjoy animated adventures and imaginative stories.

Why you should look for YouTube alternatives

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to stop video streaming websites from using some form of tracking. All of them collect aggregated data to “improve their services” or use cookies to collect data for marketing purposes. Some also share that data with their partners. Almost all of them will share your information in “special circumstances” like fighting fraud or when required by law enforcement agencies.

Google does that too, so why should you bother looking for YouTube alternatives?

• You’re giving Google even more data, adding to an even more accurate user profile. The alternatives above might serve you ads, but they won’t have much more than what you’ll provide them with your profile.
• You’re getting stuck in the "filter bubble." Google thinks that it knows what you want and serves the search results that match your profile and interests. Leaving any other information outside your "filter bubble."
• Broaden your horizons. Not all the high-quality videos available on the internet are on YouTube. If you are looking for fresh ideas for a scientific project – why not check TED? Or maybe you like niche movies that can’t be found anywhere else – then check out Crackle.

Who is YouTube’s biggest competitor?

With YouTube now hosting movies and shows, its biggest competitors are streaming platforms like Hulu and Vimeo. However, with Vimeo having gathered 150 million creators and 1.24 million subscribers, it’s still dwarfed by YouTube’s 2 billion registered users and $15 billion in advertising revenue.

Some alternatives to YouTube might not amass the same number of users or make nearly the same profit. Still, they can offer you better privacy, more unique content, and a more specific community of like-minded users.

It’s never nice knowing you’re being spied on. If you want to keep your traffic hidden from prying eyes, try using NordVPN. A VPN can protect you from secretly-placed tracking software like a super cookie. NordVPN also has the Threat Protection Pro feature that blocks trackers and intrusive ads on the spot.