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by Sarah Lentz
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Did you know there are viable YouTube alternatives that fill in the gaps where YouTube comes up short?
Let’s be honest, YouTube is a tough act to follow; but some downsides worth noting include:
Content creators and consumers are hungry for new alternatives to replace their overreliance on YouTube.
So we’re glad you’re here!
Because we’re going to uncover 17 video and streaming platforms — complete with pros and cons, that may have you ditching YouTube.
So let’s take a look.
TikTok has made a name for itself by focusing on short-form videos. It’s become a favorite of content creators and influencers who prefer snack-size videos to longer, more detailed (or cinematic) ones.
Dailymotion has a similar layout to YouTube, with a search bar and the same content categories. Users like this alternative mainly for high-quality videos. Dailymotion allows you to upload videos with a resolution of 1080p, while YouTube typically compresses them.
Vimeo is ad-free because it earns money from creators rather than its viewers. As a video hosting platform, it provides video sharing and hosting, as well as lead generation and analytics tools, making it a superior option for businesses and professional content creators.
Twitch is a mega-popular live streaming service for content creators.
Originally, Twitch was a platform for gamers to broadcast their playthroughs. And while gaming is still the dominant niche on the site, you’ll also find musicians, artists, and other creators who stream on Twitch.
Twitch is ad-free by default. But, it does have an affiliate program, allowing approved streamers to monetize their channels with subscriptions and ads.
Vevo is a music video hosting networking with licensing partnerships from Universal Music Group, Sony Entertainment, and Warner Music Groups.
You probably recognized Vevo from their YouTube channel, but Vevo distributes music video content across many apps and devices like Roku, AppleTV, and T-Mobile phones and tablets.
Videoshub is an excellent option if you’re just looking for some funny, lighthearted videos, product reviews, or quick how-tos to stream and share with others.
Videos on this platform are up to 90 seconds long and have middling quality (compared to other media on this list). That said, Videoshub does guarantee you won’t find any duplicates.
D.Tube is an ad-free video platform that uses blockchain technology, allowing users to earn cryptocurrency from their content. Its decentralized approach means less risk of server outages interrupting live streams.
D.Tube also prioritizes free speech (rejecting YouTube’s AI-based censorship) and user data privacy.
Instagram Video was the by-product of IG’s pivot when its launch of IGTV ran into unexpected competition from TikTok and other short-form video platforms. So Instagram pulled the plug on IGTV, choosing instead to focus on its four main video formats:
Facebook Watch is a natural choice for those who use Facebook and want to make a video-sharing platform part of their marketing strategy. The algorithm suggests trending videos based on each users viewing history and interests.
While the interface is different, there’s enough overlap in the audience and the content to give Facebook Watch an edge as an alternative.
TED is a well-known non-profit media organization that puts a global knowledge base at your fingertips. It’s one of the best free YouTube alternatives for viewers looking for fresh ideas and insights or anyone wishing to learn something new.
Currently hosting over 3,000 talks, TED covers topics ranging from business and technology to design, personal health, and global issues.
Utreon offers its users advanced content creation tools and an engaging community. And the videos you upload to YouTube will even sync to your Utreon channel — up to 4K resolution.
Utreon’s strict privacy policy means they don’t sell your data under any circumstances. And you have the option of monetizing your content with direct subscriptions.
Odysee runs on LBRY, a blockchain protocol, allowing users to upload and publish audio and video content, offer free content to viewers, build apps, and set prices per download or stream.
You can also earn cryptocurrency through LBRY Credit just by using the platform.
9GAG’s tagline is “Go fun the world,” which gives you some idea of their overall vibe. They’re not influencer-heavy like TikTok. With a focus on sharing images, GIFs, memes, and short videos from other social networks, 9GAG feels more like Twitter.
Content categorization makes it easy for you to find the content you want.
The Internet Archive is what it sounds like — an archive of movies, documentaries, and videos you might not be able to find anywhere else. Search by topic, year, and language to find specific content, or upload your own.
PeerTube, allows you to upload any kind of video without stressing censorship or being banned. It’s ad-free and open-source, meaning anyone can contribute to the code.
PeerTube’s video platform focuses on peer-to-peer interaction. Each user and their content form an “instance,” which can connect and interact with each other.
Crackle offers on-demand entertainment videos at no cost — where you’ll find familiar titles and some lesser-known movies. In addition, you can view TV shows and TV series from established production companies like Columbia Pictures, Funimation Films, and Tri-Star.
Twitter Video lets you upload and share your videos, images, and content using the icons in the tweet editor. Live streaming is also an option using the improved camera icon available with Twitter’s mobile app.
The maximum video length is 140 seconds with a complete resolution of 1200p.
Will any video hosting sites on our list mop the floor with YouTube? Not any time soon — and that’s the truth! But that doesn’t mean there aren’t advantages.
For example, some of the YouTube alternatives we’ve looked at are more secure and less ad-heavy. And some are more content creator-friendly, while others focus on maximizing viewer satisfaction.
So which of these 17 YouTube alternatives will you test drive? Why or why not? Better yet — did we miss any?
Let us know what platforms you love and loathe, and fill us in on the really cool ones we may have missed!
Content Marketing,
Sarah Lentz