YouTube is the King of online videos. But like many users, there are times when you consider the alternatives to this web giant.
Whether you dislike the site’s ads or the data collection makes you uncomfortable, the good news is that there are alternatives out there.
Some are free, while others are not. Some run ads, while others feature user-uploaded content, Hollywood movies, comedy, family series, and music videos.
Whatever your needs, the following list contains the web’s top video destinations for quality content.
The best YouTube alternatives
| Name | Highlights | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Dailymotion | All video types | dailymotion.com |
| Vimeo | Quality videos | vimeo.com |
| Netflix | Quality original content | netflix.com |
| TikTok | Entertainment, fun | tiktok.com |
| Crackle | Oldies | crackle.com |
| Vevo | Music Videos | vevo.com |
| Twitch | Gamers platform | twitch.tv |
| TED Talks | Education, inspirational videos | ted.com/talks |
| 9Gag | Entertainment, funny videos | 9gag.com |
| Hulu | Premium content | hulu.com |
1. Dailymotion
Dailymotion is a French video site, but it is available in all languages and most countries. It lets you watch all types of videos, discover interesting videos, follow people, channels, and topics.
You can access the site from either the web or with an app on Android and iOS devices. It lets you create a video list to personalize your experience, create and manage a video library, and even save videos to watch offline.
Dailymotion includes all types of videos, from music to news, personal videos, celebrity gossips, and other interesting content from professional and established brands.
The one downside with the offer is ads, and this includes the app as well. But for that, the site offers top-quality content, is available in most formats, delivers up to 20 Mbps bitrate, and up to 3840 x 2169 (4K) resolution.
Highlights: All types of videos, quality content
Cons: Includes ads
Website: dailymotion.com
2. Vimeo
With roughly 200 million users, Vimeo has a smaller user base than YouTube. But this smaller base is more mature overall, resulting in better videos and comments.
The site is available on the web and through smartphone apps. Vimeo also makes it easy to edit and publish high-quality videos with its Vimeo Create app.
There are four account types on this platform – Free, Plus, PRO, and Business. What sets them apart is storage. Free comes with a 5GB total storage and 500MB weekly limits, while Plus allows up to 5GB per week, but with unlimited total storage, and so on.
While this sounds funny compared to YouTube’s completely free video hosting, the good part of it all is the complete absence of ads.
Highlights: Quality content, mature audience, no ads
Cons: Subscription-based uploads
Website: vimeo.com
3. Netflix
YouTube is an ad-supported platform for user-generated content, while Netflix is a subscription-based service for high-quality scripted and unscripted content.
So, while you can watch a wide range of entertaining videos on YouTube, Netflix offers you a wide range of premium content.
You can see everything from shows to Hollywood movies, series, and dramas. There is something for everyone on Netflix.
The service needs a subscription though and it costs $8.99 per month for the Basic plan. But for $13.99, you can get 2 simultaneous streams that lets you and someone else share a single account to watch whatever you want, or 4 streams for $17.99 per month.
Highlights: High quality & original content
Cons: Needs a subscription
Website: netflix.com
4. TikTok
Loathed by many, but loved by its over 1 billion users, TikTok is an entirely different phenomenon on its own. The video portal features only short videos, but this has proven to be more entertaining than ever imagined.
TikTok counts users from all over the world, although it got banned in many countries. 41% of its users fall between 16 and 24 years old and about 90% use the app daily.
It is easy to get addicted to this app, as many trends have arisen on the platform. They include lip-synced songs, duets, memes, and lots of comedy clips. You can also follow other users you like and it is easier for your video to go viral on the platform than on YouTube.
TikTok is available on the web and as Android and iOS apps. The app comes with everything you need to make your TikToks. Plus it is very easy and fun to use.
Highlights: Fun, comedy, dance videos
Cons: Can be addictive
Website: tiktok.com
5. Crackle
The Crackle platform offers a good selection of movies and TV shows for viewers in 21 countries, completely free. The service is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
If you are the type that loves old series and movies, then this app might be worth a look. It is available on the web and for Android and iOS.
Everything is completely free and without registration, but this means that you will have to see ads. You can register for a free account though, to see fewer ads and manage your titles.
Another little downside is you will hardly find new content on this site. But if you love old crime, drama, and comedy shows, then you might love Crackle.
Highlights: Free movies, TV shows, Hollywood
Cons: Mostly dated content, ads
Website: crackle.com
6. Vevo
Music lovers should check out the Vevo service, as it contains over 450,000 videos focused on music and the artists behind the music.
Many YouTube users should know Vevo, but it not part of the platform. Vevo is an independent company owned by music industry heavy-weights Universal, Sony, and EMI.
The online service and mobile apps got pulled in 2018, leaving only YouTube as its official online syndication channel. But you can still get Vevo elsewhere.
You can get Vevo on smart TVs and streaming devices, such as Roku, Apple TV, PlayStation, and Xbox 360.
Highlights: Music videos, artists, music fans
Cons: No app
Website: vevo.com
7. Twitch
Gamers and lovers of e-sports love Twitch. It is an online video platform for live-streaming of games and sports competitions.
Twitch streamers also make money from the platform. With many gamers making millions per year. DrLupo for instance is rated at $1.9 million, with Shroud at $4.4 million, and Ninja topping the list at $5.4 million.
You don’t need an account to watch many of the platform’s streams, but you will need one to chat, comment, and create your streams.
Finally, the majority of the site’s users are male, with ages ranging from 18 to 34. And the site frowns on copyrighted content, pornography, and certain games like Second Life and HuniPop.
Highlights: Gamers platform
Cons: Solely for sports, mostly male users
Website: twitch.tv
8. TED Talks
For the intellectual with a preference for videos, TED Talks offer easy access to the minds of impressive innovators and leaders from around the world.
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and started in 1984 as a conference. It has since grown to offer online videos of its speakers. They range from Bill Gates to Larry Page, Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk, and even Shahrukh Kahn.
One of the most popular TED Talks of all time is Sir Ken Robinson’s “Do schools kill creativity?”, a highly entertaining and enlightening video. Still, there are thousands more, although some of the topics are boring. But to each, his own.
The videos are available on the TED Talks website and there are Android and iOS apps as well.
Highlights: Educational, inspirational videos
Cons: Some topics are boring
Website: ted.com/talks
9. 9GAG
If you are just out for fun, then 9GAG might be worth a look. The site contains memes, jokes, funny, and stupid stuff.
9GAG is also a social media platform. It allows you to share content from the most popular social sites and discuss them. The site is a major destination for memes.
You should note, however, that 9GAG has a very juvenile feel to it. There are also more pictures than videos, as well ads. But you can get PRO and PRO+ plans to remove the ads and ad extra privileges.
Highlights: Funny videos
Cons: Has a juvenile touch
Website: 9gag.com
10. Hulu
Meaning gourd in Mandarin, Hulu is a streaming media platform, owned by Disney and Comcast.
It features content from over 17 networks, allowing you to watch thousands of shows and movies. They include current-season episodes, series, Hulu Originals, and hit Hollywood movies.
Plans start at $5.99 per month for 2 streams, and you can get it without ads for $11.99. You can also get the streaming service with Live TV for $64.99 per month, which includes 65+ live TV channels.
You can watch Hulu on your laptop, TV, phone, or tablet. Plus HBO Max, Cinemax, and Disney+ are all available as add-ons.
Highlights: On-demand videos, recently aired content
Cons: Needs a subscription
Website: hulu.com
Conclusion
Coming to the end of this list of the 10 best YouTube alternatives. You can see there are many alternatives out there.
From pure fun to music, movies, and seasonal shows, there is something for everyone out there. And this includes both free and premium content. So, your choice depends on your needs.
