YouTube is the most popular video platform on the World Wide Web and there is probably no Internet user who has not yet watched one or the other video there. YouTube has over 1.9 billion visitors a month. However, based on the search queries for YouTube alternatives, one can assume that there are some users who are at least not 100% satisfied with this portal.
If you are one of them, there is good news for you, because there are alternatives to YouTube that may be less well known, but that does not mean that they are any less good.
Best YouTube Alternatives 2021
Summary
Best Sites like YouTube – Vimeo, Dailymotion.
Best for short videos – TikTok, 9GAG, BuzzFeed
Best for music – Vevo
Best for TV shows and movies – Netflix, Crackle, Hulu
Best for educational content – TED
Dailymotion
Dailymotion is a French company that is the world’s second-largest video platform and considered the top YouTube alternative. There are around 300 million visitors per month here. In terms of its functions, it is very similar to YouTube. However, thanks to GEMA deals, you can also find music videos that are blocked on YouTube. Erotic content is also dealt with a little more loosely here. Videos of 60 minutes in length can be uploaded to Dailymotion. If you become an official partner, you can also upload longer videos and earn money with them. You can also publish live streams here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less censorship than on Youtube | advertising |
| Also music videos that are blocked on Youtube | Less choice than on Youtube |
| More capacity for content creators – high video quality | |
| Second largest video platform |
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Vimeo
This YouTube alternative is particularly suitable for creative videos. In the past, you could only upload a limited number of videos with a basic account. If you needed more than 5 gigabytes per week, a paid account was required. Vimeo is now completely chargeable. That means you have to pay at least 6 euros a month to use the player and 5 GB of upload storage per week.
Their paid version offers advantages, such as ad-free, customization options for the player, interaction tools, and advanced data protection functions. With its high-quality videos, Vimeo looks more professional than YouTube. In addition, Vimeo is the best YouTube alternative without censorship.
- It enables you to personalize video players.
- Allows you to easily maintain privacy and protection.
- Allows you to change the video URLs to your liking.
- You should work with other people.
- This platform offers excellent customer support.
- It is easy to stream live videos.
- Android, Web, iOS, Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Chromecast, Nvidia Shield, PS4, and Fire TV are all supported platforms.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited length of uploaded videos | Lower marketing potential than on YouTube |
| Good video management tools for content creators | Chargeable |
| High video quality | |
| No advertising |
Videos on Facebook
Facebook Videos is a YouTube substitute that makes it easy to watch TV shows. You can save your favorite videos on this website. It makes it easy to upload high-definition videos.
- It’s available in a number of different languages.
- You have the option to personalise your video.
- This alternative to YouTube helps you to easily search for images.
- It has a simple sign-up procedure.
- You have the option of sharing videos with others.
- Facebook videos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/videos.
Twitch
The Twitch streaming platform is a popular alternative, especially for gamers. Because here you can watch users gamble live. The number of viewers for the respective games now gives an important impression of which games are particularly popular and can be viewed as a kind of success barometer. Of course, like-minded people can also communicate with one another here. But Twitch isn’t just about gaming, it’s also about other popular topics like music and design. In the “Creative” area you can get a lot of interesting inspiration.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Content directly and live from the creator to the audience | The content is mainly interesting for gamers, but the trend is now more on other topics |
| Strong community feeling and closeness to the streamer | Certain extra features only against payment |
TED
The TED platform is still relatively unknown in some regions, but is still growing. In particular, those inquisitive who are interested in educational topics get their money’s worth, because interesting lectures are uploaded here as short films. If possible, these should not be longer than 18 minutes and by no means boring. Around 3,600 lectures are currently available. The lectures are subtitled in different languages by volunteers. TED can be compared to an ever-growing digital lexicon of the present.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The best platform for knowledge | Very limited selection of videos |
| More than 3600 videos on many scientific topics |
Vevo
Completely free, the Vevo platform offers more than 350,000 music clips. However, all of the available content is selected by the service. In other words, the lack of videos shared by amateurs limits the possibilities. Nevertheless, Vevo will be able to seduce a large number of music lovers.
It is one of the best alternatives to YouTube that allows you to group videos by the artist. You can comment, follow networks, and post it on any social media website. This app provides music videos as well as original web series.
- It is meant for music lovers.
- Provides access to a collection of music videos.
- It provides high-definition material to video makers.
- You’ll get featured playlists and new releases from across the spectrum of musical genres.
- Extensive collection of premium music-related video content
- Assists you in concentrating your efforts on music, artists, and viewers
- Manage the comments you use in your video previews.
- iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Fire OS, Windows, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, Boxee, Xbox, and PlayStation are all supported platforms.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge range of official music videos from great artists | Only available through third party sites |
| Different formats for stars and newcomers to the music industry | Not all videos are available in all regions |
IGTV
IGTV is a video-streaming website that helps you to easily host clips. It’s designed exclusively for smartphone users. It is one of the best sites like YouTube because it allows you to upload 60-minute clips. This website assists you in presenting your work to a large audience.
Please note that you can only view videos through the app; however, you can upload videos from your desktop. If you already have an Instagram account, IGTV will automatically show you videos from the people you follow on Instagram.
- It enables you to view a video in vertical mode.
- Allows you to start your own channel by uploading videos to the web or app.
- You can upload videos up to an hour in length.
- Quick videos are supported.
- It is easily accessible to Instagram users.
- Allows you to sign in using either Facebook or Instagram.
- Allows you to easily record footage.
- You can easily find any channel.
TikTok
TikTok is quickly becoming one of the most popular resources among young people; it’s a social network that allows us to upload short videos, allowing us to express ourselves to the fullest. A social network that originated in China in 2016 and has since grown in popularity around the world. It allows users to upload short video clips with various backgrounds, effects, and filters. Of course, there’s music. While everyone can upload their own clip doing whatever they want and relying solely on music to place a song in the background, TikTok is primarily a site where we find music videos.
You can get the app for iOS or Android and use it to find and track other users, watch their videos, discover famous videos, and even upload your own. While it is not comparable to YouTube in terms of elaborate content or professional tutorials or videos, it is a good choice if you are looking for exclusive, short, and creative content.
TikTok’s Android and iOS apps have a built-in video editor that makes creating content a breeze. There are also a number of third-party applications that can directly upload to TikTok, such as Adobe Premiere Rush, PicsArt, and Fuse.
- Free solution
- It’s ideal for mindless binge-watching.
- Policies on content upload have been relaxed.
Veoh
This is an Internet TV service. Users can watch well-known TV series, films, and their own productions here. In order to enjoy the content in HD, however, the Veoh Web Player must be installed. The platform can be seen as a mixture of video streaming services and social networks, as users can also exchange ideas and join different groups.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Video uploads without many restrictions | Bad search function |
| Almost instant video sharing after upload | Outdated interface |
| Installation of Veoh Web Player required to watch HD content |
Crackle
This is a streaming platform from Sony Pictures Entertainment. Accordingly, it is a very good site for watching TV shows and older movies. There are a large number of well-known Hollywood films from major production companies such as Columbia Pictures, Funimation Films, or Tri-Star Pictures.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good for TV shows and older movies | Not available in some regions |
| Original content from Hollywood stars | Lots of advertising |
| Little content for children |
Netflix
Netflix is a YouTube alternative site that provides high-quality series and movies without you having to leave the venue. It enables you to import titles to your mobile device and watch them offline at any time.
- This site outperforms YouTube in terms of high-quality original content and the availability of programmes in several languages.
- Provides original videos of high quality. Allow for ad-free viewing.
- Downloads that can be done offline on a mobile device.
- It helps you to watch web series and movies in advance.
- For each account, you can build up to five profiles.
BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed is a tool that allows you to easily build and host videos. This alternative to the YouTube website provides quizzes, TV channels, movies, and other material. It offers a variety of video categories such as news, entertainment, lifestyle, and more.
- Allows you to easily view videos.
- Every day, new videos are added.
- It has a simple sign-in procedure.
- Allows you to post videos on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
9Gag
9Gag is one of the best YouTube alternatives if you’re looking for entertainment and viral videos. If you’re searching for funny videos in every genre, this is the place to go. You can look through the most common items, as well as the various categories on the list, such as history, food, and drink, anime, cosplay, video games, football, Fortnite, K-Pop, and so on.
Not only can you find videos on 9GAG, but you can also find a variety of formats such as breaking news, memes, and GIF images. You won’t find very detailed material, tutorials, or experienced YouTubers here, but it’s a nice choice if you’re looking for viral or entertaining content.
9GagTV is your go-to location in 2021 if you’re looking for a video-sharing platform that will provide you with pure entertainment. This portal, which provides an endless supply of entertainment in the form of GIFs, videos, and memes, is already familiar to Facebook and Twitter users.
The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive often pops up when it comes to free content. It collects everything: books, music, software, and, of course, movies and films, drawing on everything in the public domain.
Archive.org will allow you to perform multiple searches depending on the age, location, or even the theme of the content. In addition, a relevant feature of the platform grants the downloading of stored videos. In short, Archive.org amply deserves its notoriety acquired in recent years. The presence of a forum will answer any questions related to the use of the service.
Its strong point is undoubtedly its vast collection of historical content. While it also has more recent content, the bulk of the archive is made up of period footage, historical films, documentaries, and even old news broadcasts, many of which are virtually impossible to find anywhere else.
Metacafe
Here they specialize in short video entertainment. You can also find different categories here: movies, video games, sports, music and television. Metacafe is even older than YouTube. The videos that are uploaded are all up to 90 seconds long. Unfortunately, their quality is often not particularly good.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited upload | Mostly only short clips |
| Original curated content | Lots of advertising |
| Often lower video quality | |
| Smaller number of users – fewer videos |
DTube
The YouTube replacement DTube is based on blockchain and also has a similar user interface. You can scroll through current, trending, or recently viewed videos on the home screen. There is also the option to save videos to watch later and check out viral content via trending tags. And the best thing about it is: DTube is completely ad-free.
With technologies like blockchain and individually generated keys to connect to the video platform, it takes a bit of time for new users to get used to DTube. For ease of access, the developers of the web application have deliberately taken inspiration from YouTube in terms of design, in order to create a familiar environment. The following three options are available for download:
- Peer-to-peer: the most anonymous download variant, where you can choose between BTFS, Skynet and IPFS protocols.
- Third-Party URL: The easiest way to upload videos, with which users can embed videos to DTube via clip URL from platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, Dailymotion, Instagram, Liveleak, Vimeo or Facebook.
- File Upload: The best way to upload light and simple files.
With its concept, DTube represents a forward-looking alternative to YouTube, which is struggling to keep pace today. According to officials, there are already more than 189,000 content creators and content curators registered on the blockchain video platform, uploading a video every three minutes on average. The estimated 2 million monthly unique visitors show that DTube is still in its infancy.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Decentralized content storage | Fewer users |
| Without advertising | Little content available |
| Censorship protection |
Odysee
The Odysee platform has been available to users worldwide since September 2020. Like DTube, this YouTube alternative is also blockchain-based, including cryptocurrency. Those who post content and recruit other users can earn “ LBRY credits ”. LBRY is also the name of the protocol used to build the blockchain. If you don’t want to use the content network through the browser, you can also install the LBRY apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS.
Like other blockchain alternatives to YouTube, Odysee focuses on independence from a central entity that has full control over the content. Of course, Odysee users must also respect certain rules: content protected by trademark law cannot be broadcast, nor content that justifies violence. However, Odysee does not have a censorship authority like Google. In addition, the platform is completely ad-free, as the channels are monetized exclusively on the basis of cryptocurrency. Content creators receive LBRY credits for views, as well as donations from users who like their content (similar to Twitch).
In terms of downloading videos, Odysee has so far imposed very strict requirements: at the beginning, at least 10 credits are required in the wallet. Otherwise, the download option is disabled. You can choose to buy the credits or receive them as a reward for views, checking emails, recruiting members, and more. As soon as the video download option is enabled, users can post clips up to four gigabytes in size, with the Odysee team recommending MP4 (H264 / AAC) format and a maximum resolution of 720p.
The structure and layout of Odysee resemble that of YouTube, which should make switching or trying out the blockchain platform easier for die-hard fans of Google’s platform. As an alternative to the home page with the most popular videos, visitors can use the left menu which groups videos by categories, like “Technology”, “Finance 2.0” or “Universe” to receive a selection. videos sorted by topic.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free and ad-free | A limited number of users and videos |
| Decentralized content storage | It is not possible to embed Odysee videos on other websites |
Bitchute
Bitchute is a YouTube alternative platform that allows you to search channels and videos easily. You may comment on any video on this website, which is close to YouTube. It displays a video that you have already watched.
- Live streaming is available on this YouTube alternative website.
- Allows you to watch it later.
- You will display videos that have recently been viewed.
- Notifies you when a video is released by the channel to which you have subscribed.
- It gives you the ability to access and edit your subscription.
Hulu
Hulu is a subscription service that provides unlimited instant access to popular and classic TV shows as well as hit movies. It allows you to make up to six profiles. This app lets you watch videos on your TV, computer, laptop, or tablet.
- You will have access to the largest ad-free streaming library.
- You can watch thousands of titles offline by downloading them.
- This YouTube alternative website provides live TV with more than 65 top channels.
- You can watch on your preferred computer.
- Provides a personalised TV experience.
Pluto TV
It may not be an alternative as such when uploading our own videos but it is recommended if you are looking to watch videos. On Pluto TV we can watch series and movies and programs live for free and on any platform. No registration is required and it is completely free. We can use it from the browser by visiting the website or we can use it through the applications for iOS and Android. Pluto TV has ads, like YouTube
The only downside to Pluto TV as a platform is that we won’t be able to find similar content. That is, we will not find here music videos as such or we will not find videos of “YouTubers” but rather it is focused on series, movies, television programs.
Why use an alternative to Youtube?
Undoubtedly, Youtube continues to develop each year by integrating certain relevant features. The possibility of broadcasting live content (announced in 2011 and implemented from the end of 2016) is undoubtedly one of the most striking.
Despite the presence of these attractive options, many Internet users favor other alternative platforms to Youtube for various reasons.
Maximize anonymity
As a reminder, Google is the sole owner of the Youtube platform. The American firm is nevertheless renowned for its many controversies related to the recovery of personal data. The largest video hosting service is also affected by these “substitutions”. An article published in 2018 on the Clubic.com site describes the collection of information from each Internet user … including underage users. Maximizing anonymity via an alternative solution is a major argument here.
Remove “predefined searches”
The data collection imposed by Youtube also refers to another issue: the definition of user profiles. This process can drastically reduce search results depending on the interests of an Internet user. While this policy makes it easier for a large number of users to use, it can also restrict access to some unusually viewed content.
Access certain unique content
Certainly, Youtube brings together an impressive number of videos published by professionals or amateurs. However, some media are sometimes exclusive to other online platforms. Thus, it may be wise to browse other alternative platforms to “find” a tutorial, a music clip, or even a streamed session that is almost unobtainable.
Privacy Concerns to look around for alternatives to YouTube
Even though YouTube is the most popular video platform, there are also videos here that are not available for certain countries and that contain a block. Then it is worth taking a look at other platforms. Especially at Dailymotion, deals with GEMA mean that many music videos are available that are blocked on YouTube.
This is where a VPN comes into play. A VPN encrypts your traffic and keeps your activities hidden from your Internet service provider and others. A VPN for YouTube is also very beneficial as it secures your internet connection.
Many are also looking for a site that really only contains professional videos and doesn’t want to click through a mountain of poor-quality amateur videos, as is often the case with YouTube.
Last but not least, simply not all of the videos you are looking for are available on YouTube. Then it is always a good idea to take a look at other sites. For example, there are video platforms that focus specifically on scientific contributions. Or are you looking for that particular old Hollywood movie that you can’t find anywhere? There are also special platforms for this.
Depending on the area from which you want to see videos, it can make perfect sense not only to concentrate on one platform but also to give others, perhaps still relatively unknown ones, a chance. On many of these pages, you can find high-quality videos on interesting topics, and on some not as much content is blocked as on YouTube, for example. Still, other sites have a strong focus on security and help you deal better with the dangers of the Internet. So it is definitely worth it if you take a look at other portals. This article has given you a sufficient selection for the time being.
Sites Like YouTube FAQs
What are the best YouTube alternatives?
Here are some of the best YouTube alternatives:
- Dailymotion
- Vimeo
- IGTV
- Facebook Videos
- Twitch
- Vevo
- TED Talks
- Netflix
- Hulu
What can I use instead of YouTube?
You can use other video sites besides YouTube, such as Dailymotion, Vimeo, Metacafe, Vevo, Odysee, IGTV, and the others listed in this post.
Who is YouTube’s biggest competitor?
Vimeo is a major rival to YouTube, but it does not produce income like YouTube. It does, however, have a sizable user base, making it a worthy competitor.
Final Words
This overview shows that these alternatives to YouTube searched for their respective niches and found them. While Dailymotion comes closest to the principle of YouTube, Vimeo moves away from it with its ambitions of high-quality content and artistic nature. Vevo offers a welcome platform for artists in the music industry, even if the app no longer uses its own service. Twitch has jumped on the bandwagon and is well on its way to becoming a streaming provider for video games and online sports, while Metacafe specializes in entertaining short clips. With the blockchain, DTube and Odysee are innovating in terms of content storage.
All these alternatives to YouTube are good in their own way and cater to different target groups with different strategies. It’s nice to see that almost every platform has found its way onto mobile devices and living rooms.
| Platform | Pricing model | Main Features | Focus |
| Dailymotion | – Free for viewers and downloaders
– Pricing template for video promotion and advertising |
– Downloading long videos: 60 minutes / 2GB (advanced user: unrestricted)
– Optional video monetization – Intuitive and clear layout |
Entertainment, lifestyle and sports industry |
| Dtube | – Free for viewers and content creators
– Monetization based on cryptocurrency |
– Blockchain as a storage base for published content
– The main block producers are chosen by the community |
Lifestyle, Information, Gaming |
| Vimeo | – Free for spectators
– Free basic subscription – Vimeo Plus 6 € / month – Vimeo PRO 16 € / month – Vimeo Business 40 € / month – Vimeo Premium 70 € / month |
– Exchange platform for creative professionals
– Emphasizes artistic content such as music videos, short films and documentaries – Large storage capacity (according to the plan) – Customizable reader |
Artists, creators and art lovers |
| Twitch | – Free for spectators
– Free for streamers / downloaders – Twitch Prime around € 8 / month – Twitch Turbo around 7.5 € / month |
– Live streaming platform for gamers
– Property of Amazon – IRL function enables live streaming – User generated content |
Gaming |
| Vevo | – Free for spectators
– Free for artists |
– Offer support to established artists and newcomers to the music industry
– Music videos tagged with Vevo on third-party platforms |
Artists (music) |
| IGTV | – Free | – To view videos on a smartphone – More short-form videos with a time limit of up to 1 hour – Excellent revenue potential |
Entertainment |
| Odysee | – Free for viewers and downloaders
– Monetization based on cryptocurrency |
– Blockchain as a storage base for published content | Lifestyle, technical content, Finances, Information, Gaming |
| Metacafe | – Free for spectators
– Free for downloaders |
– Specialized in short clips
– Unlimited video download |
Men / Entertainment |
