YouTube is a video-sharing website where users can upload, share, and view videos. The site was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees and has since become a global phenomenon.
YouTube is more than just a video-sharing platform and a social network.
It is also a social media hub with massive engagement potential. It has evolved into a network with its own set of influencers and audiences.
Presently, YouTube has over two billion monthly active users. YouTube is a platform for many types of content, including music videos, TV shows, vlogs, and even educational videos.
Its ease of use and excellent interface have made it extremely popular, and it is also the second-most-popular search engine after Google.
The site’s goal is to find the newest, most relevant videos and to organize these videos into easy-to-browse categories.
But recently, many users and creators have become disgruntled with the platform. For instance, one Quora user highlighted several problems with the service, including its suspect algorithm, which favors some content over others. There was also research to support this claim.
Several content creators also worry that it’s stifling creativity and hurting independent artists.
If you have a concern too and are not pleased with YouTube, this article is for you. I have revealed some of the best free alternatives to YouTube that you can try. Some of these platforms have impressive features that will surprise you.
Let’s get started.
Best Free Alternatives to YouTube
1. Vimeo
If you’ve spent any time scouring the internet with hopes of expanding your following and exposure through online video, you’ve likely encountered Vimeo. If you haven’t yet jumped on the Vimeo bandwagon, here’s why you should make the switch.
Vimeo is a popular video-sharing site that offers some unique features and customization not usually found on YouTube.
Whether you want to upload the next viral hit, enjoy the fully featured HD service, or just want to do some viewing, there are many reasons to use Vimeo.
Vimeo partners directly with artists and creators to host and distribute their work online, build an audience, and make a living from their videos.
Anyone can visit Vimeo to watch and enjoy videos. Vimeo’s tools and services include HD and 4K video hosting, video distribution, video players, video discovery, audience analytics, crowdfunding, and more.
Vimeo users can connect with others to provide and receive feedback on their work while giving others the ability to provide tips on improving their work.
Unlike YouTube, Vimeo is ad-free and provides technology that supports live streaming of concerts and sports events.
With an interface like YouTube and the ability to post videos directly to Facebook and other social platforms, Vimeo is fast becoming a contender for the next big video hosting. However, several content creators feel Vimeo should increase the weekly upload limit which is 500MB at the moment.
The Vimeo Pro subscription service opens up new options for storing videos and adding tools and options. For example, the pro subscription allows you to list your work availability using the “hire button” on the video platform.
The higher the Pro account price you choose, the greater the amount of storage and tools you’ll get.
2. Dailymotion
If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably heard about Dailymotion. And if you’re like most small business owners, you probably think of it as just another niche channel for cat videos and film school grads.
In reality, it’s the online equivalent of installing a massive movie theater in your house.
It’s not niche at all; it’s a full-blown production house and a global video community that brings together every aspect of video culture. Dailymotion supports an embedded video player and supports 4k video upload and playback.
On Dailymotion, you can watch and upload videos with #hashtags and comments, share your favorite videos on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+, or subscribe to your favorite channels.
Dailymotion is available in 183 languages. It earns revenue through ads, which is why it is entirely free.
You will see a significant lift in video engagement on Dailymotion because the video platform has a smaller audience than YouTube and can hit the trending list faster.
Unlike YouTube, Dailymotion only allows video uploads of up to 60 minutes max.
3. TikTok
TikTok, a mobile video sharing platform, took the world by storm and has hit over one billion downloads on the Google Play Store.
Creators can post short videos (15 seconds -10 minutes) and share them with their followers.
As a result of its simple, fun interface, TikTok has become extremely popular.
This free YouTube alternative offers a wide range of features, including landscape video and music filters. A real-time view of viral trends and covers is also available in the app.
TikTok is primarily used for short-form, creative content, while YouTube is better suited for longer videos and more educational content. TikTok also has a built-in music library, which makes it easy to create lip-sync and dance videos.
The best part of being a TikToker is that, unlike YouTube, it has less censorship.
4. Facebook Watch
Facebook Watch is a video-on-demand service that allows content creators to host their videos on Meta. You can use Facebook Watch through the official Facebook website.
The platform shares many similarities with YouTube and IGTV; however, unlike YouTube, users can only upload short videos.
As one of the best YouTube alternatives, Facebook has a huge audience and allows content creators to earn through ads.
5. Twitch
Twitch is reinventing the video game industry in a way that’s highly beneficial to the gaming community and its players. More than 100 million live broadcasts are watched on Twitch every month, making it the world’s largest video gaming community.
Twitch and YouTube allow users to create and share content. However, the majority of content on YouTube is pre-recorded, while Twitch is live-streamed.
Originally, Twitch was a video-sharing site for video game players and creators, but for some, it has become a profession.
People who started hosting videos on the site have managed to turn what began as a hobby into a full-time career. And the numbers speak for themselves.
Expert streamers make $3,000 to $5,000 each month playing around 40 hours a week, excluding ad revenue which can be as high as $250 for every 100 subscribers.
If you subscribe to a broadcaster’s channel, you will receive notifications when new broadcasts are available. Twitch Integrations make the platform the social engagement hub for any Twitch-integrated game or community.
You can watch Twitch ad-free and play free games as a Twitch Prime member. Additionally, Twitch users who already subscribe to Amazon Prime and Prime Video will receive a bonus.
Twitch is also available on the go for iOS and Android users.
6. Instagram TV
Launched in June 2018, Instagram TV, or IGTV, is another free YouTube alternative. It is also a video-sharing platform.
You can create your IGTV channel, upload content, watch videos, and follow creators.
Two major differences between IGTV and YouTube are that IGTV is explicitly designed for mobile viewing, with vertical videos optimized for mobile screens.
Secondly, IGTV allows videos to be up to 15 minutes long when uploaded from mobile devices and 60 minutes when uploaded from the web. On YouTube, users can upload videos up to 12 hours long.
It is available within the Instagram app and also as a standalone app.
You can use the IGTV app within your main Instagram account and create a channel if you have an Instagram account. Plus, IGTV offers an easy process to create videos appealing to your designated audience.
7. Veoh
Veoh Networks, Inc. is a provider of online video distribution and advertising services. The company is relatively new on the internet compared to YouTube; however, it is worth your time and attention.
Veoh services enable organizations to discover, make, and share video content on the Internet and offer a solution that allows users to manage and view large video libraries.
The company offers three web properties, including Video World, an online video community; VeohTV, a video user-generated content, broadcast, and entertainment channel; and Veoh Profiles, a channel that enables companies to showcase their products, services, and brands in the video space.
One benefit of this platform is that it provides free access to full-length TV shows restricted to networks such as ABC, Hulu, and CBS.
As a content creator, you can enjoy the flexibility of uploading any video length without worrying about finding a way to shorten it. Additionally, you can download videos on the platform for offline use.
If you find ads buggy, you may discover Veoh useful as it features a limited amount of ads compared to YouTube.
A fascinating feature of Veoh is how videos are sorted based on metrics such as popularity, genre, length, date, and language.
Despite Veoh’s unique benefits, the platform no longer generates significant revenue. Therefore, you might earn less for published content.
8. VideosHub
VideosHub offers full-length shows and movies, and unlike YouTube, it is an ad-free platform and home to Hollywood movies and shows.
While it is not as popular as Netflix or Prime, it is certainly shaping up to be one of the most prominent free video hosting services.
Video quality on the platform is low (480p), which might be discouraging, if you are big on that.
VideosHub is compatible with devices ranging from mobile phones to tablets and some specific gaming consoles.
9. Vevo
The majority of artists find YouTube to be less profitable than more traditional methods of distributing music. However, Vevo’s introduction changed that.
Vevo, founded by the Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media, is the world’s largest all-premium music video and entertainment platform that connects hundreds of millions of people with the music they love.
Unlike YouTube, the website offers ad-free music videos and artist interviews. They also provide other entertainment-related videos. For example, viewers can find concert footage and live performances, clips from television shows, or music-related films.
Vevo offers a simple yet unique user interface that is easy to use. So, even if you aren’t tech-savvy, you can navigate the platform smoothly without difficulties.
Vevo also offers a social network feature that allows users to share their content across multiple social media platforms.
Vevo provides distribution support for other platforms such as Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, Samsung TV, etc.
You can watch all Vevo videos on the go, connect with other artists, and keep track of all your favorites!
Although Vevo is a fantastic platform that will appeal to everyone, it isn’t available everywhere.
10. DTube
YouTube was a good start for us, but DTube is the natural evolution of a free society. DTube is a new decentralized video platform that is similar to YouTube but with a few key differences, which are:
- Content creators get most of the profits because DTube eliminates ad revenue and instead generates revenue for creators through the STEEM blockchain.
- Users can monetize their videos.
- Videos cannot be removed due to copyright infringement claims—not even by copyright holders.
Given the framework of this new technology, the video platform is not dependent on any third party. The video streaming portal also offsets bandwidth costs by sharing videos peer to peer with a reduced overall load on its web servers compared to YouTube.
Since DTube does not have a central server, all personal information and videos are safe, unlike YouTube, which collects your data and makes it available to third parties. DTube requires a unique key to log in and has an active user base of two million monthly users.
11. 9GAG
9GAG was created to spread happiness. You can find hilarious, inspiring, exciting videos, fail images, games, and GIFs.
9GAG offers you the flexibility of uploading your videos and posting comments to share your favorite funny content with the world.
Like YouTube, the contents on 9GAG are correctly organized and sorted into unique categories, allowing users to search for desired content without much trouble.
Users can also vote up or down on user-generated content on 9GAG and its original content. If you are looking for a creative and fun community, join 9GAG.
12. PeerTube
Popularly known as Homemade YouTube, PeerTube is a federated video platform – built on secure federated technology and open to everyone. It is a video hosting platform that allows you to create a social network around videos while respecting copyleft licenses.
Unlike YouTube, PeerTube introduces a peer-to-peer solution that uses Web torrenting to deliver videos of much higher quality than the standard Web video. The user can find, download, and upload content via the network.
PeerTube videos are shared and decentralized in the private sector. You can embed videos on external websites.
PeerTube has a detailed FAQ page. It provides a simple and customizable user interface.
The platform provides a platform whose content is community-driven (i.e., content that gets more views and engagement naturally rather than advertisement-driven algorithms) and provides a transparent revenue allocation.
13. Utreon
Utreon allows users to upload, share, and view videos. Its syncing capability lets users have their YouTube videos synced automatically, eliminating the need to upload to both platforms.
With Utreon, you can create a seamless platform without restrictions. For instance, the lurking questions around privacy on YouTube are not a problem in Utreon. The reason for this is that Utreon takes a stricter stance when it comes to handling user data.
Also, Utreon monetizes videos through direct subscriptions. As a creator, you get a 75% cut on user subscriptions which is a higher offer than YouTube.
Soon, Utreon will offer creators more options for monetizing their content through a solid advertisement model.
14. BitChute
BitChute is one of several alternatives to YouTube that are ideal for distributing short-form content (such as presentations, photos, or instructional videos), and it offers multi-device compatibility.
This end-to-end video platform allows you to monetize and deliver high-quality video experiences in multiple formats. It also offers UltraHD support for up to 4K resolution.
BitChute also offers technology and services for measuring video content (analytics) to leading media and communications organizations, independent content creators, and social publishing sites to attract and retain a broad audience of engaged users.
The company’s products support live and on-demand production for small to mid-sized businesses.
One key difference between BitChute and YouTube is censorship. BitChute has a more relaxed censorship policy.
15. Odysee
Odysee uses blockchain technology for distributed video storage and cryptocurrency to incentivize video posting and interaction.
Unlike YouTube, this site has a relatively small user base. But creators and viewers will enjoy the platform’s ad-free service.
The business model of Odysee isn’t transparent, but I know that users receive LBRY tokens for watching, uploading, and commenting on videos. (LBRY tokens are a form of cryptocurrency.)
In the left-hand menu are handy quick links to predefined video categories, similar to YouTube. All videos on the site are free for viewers to watch, comment on, and share.
Before uploading videos, creators need to earn 10 LBRY credits, which is easy.
The Odysee platform also allows you to earn LBRY tokens for verifying your email address and referring friends.
You can upload videos up to 4GB once you have enough credits. It is best to limit your videos’ quality to 720p, which is equivalent to YouTube’s quality.
Furthermore, viewers can donate directly to creators even though the platform is free. Odysee’s alternative revenue stream simplifies monetizing videos, and many YouTubers rely on it for secondary income.
16. TED
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design — three broad subject areas that collectively shape our future.
TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics from science to business to global issues in over 100 languages.
The platform features over 3,000 talks on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics.
TED offers videos that help teach specific skills and lessons. But unlike YouTube, TED videos are 18 minutes long.
Most of the talk shows on the platform are recorded from live events, after which they are uploaded to the official TED website.
TED-Ed’s commenting system, along with its non-profit mission, was designed to support its growing community and integrate users’ feedback for a seamless user experience.
17. The Open Video Project
The Open Video Project is a “YouTube for scientists.” Like YouTube, the platform offers an easy way to search for high-quality videos and filter the endless number of content available online into a few relevant videos.
Its goal is to engage and support creative video initiatives by encouraging communities to organize videos and providing a technology platform to facilitate video sharing.
This page provides free and open access to over 6,500 short video documentaries from all over the world. It aims to capture and preserve valuable media content and make it globally available to anyone.
Summary
From the list above, DTube stands out for me. While YouTube’s censorship is increasing, DTube is taking a new path free of censorship. The decentralized nature of this platform makes it even more powerful.
DTube eliminates the problems of fake ads and targeted views. Also, creators can profit more from their content because DTube eliminates ads and generates revenue from the STEEM Blockchain. As a result, users benefit from fewer interruptions and more relevant content.
The video streaming portal also offsets bandwidth costs by sharing videos peer-to-peer, meaning less load on its servers than YouTube.
And most importantly, users can enjoy the service without worrying about what can happen to their data since DTube respects the privacy of its users and doesn’t sell their information.
DTube offers the perfect solution for everyone who values privacy online and content creators who want to share their knowledge with the world for free.
