YouTube Alternative Apps for iPhone/Android in 2024

The YouTube Android app has come a long way since the dismal app of the Froyo days. It’s not perfect now, but it gets the job done well enough.

In any event, for those wanting something a little different, here are a few alternative YouTube apps worth looking at.

Tube Master

Tube Master is a free app that offers numerous features, making it a top choice as an alternative to the YouTube app. With Tube Master, you can watch videos while browsing through millions of options on the world’s largest video-sharing platform. This iOS app allows you to search and play videos without needing to sign in. Plus, you can adjust the playback speed to watch videos in slow motion. Tube Master also lets you create unlimited playlists and respond to comments or messages instantly.

Key Features:

Available on Google Play Store and other app stores.
Built-in browser for video browsing.
Download videos and audio at various resolutions.
Watch videos offline with the built-in player.
Download videos from multiple social media platforms.
Lightweight app that doesn’t require much storage or RAM space.

Vimeo

Vimeo, created by filmmakers, is a top choice for creative professionals, offering high-quality videos, including 4K Ultra HD resolution. It boasts a user-friendly interface and stands out from YouTube by providing an ad-free viewing experience and a built-in community for interaction. Here’s a summary of its pros and cons:

Pros:

High-quality content, including 4K Ultra HD videos.
Professional user base, attracting filmmakers, photographers, musicians, and ad agencies.
Ad-free viewing options enhance the user experience.

Cons:

Limited variety of content compared to YouTube.
Some premium features require subscription fees.
Social networking features are relatively basic.

PeerTube

PeerTube is a free and decentralized video platform, offering an alternative to centralized platforms like YouTube, Dailymotion, or Vimeo. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

Decentralized: PeerTube is built on a decentralized model, ensuring that no single organization controls the entire platform.
Ad-free: Users can enjoy content without interruptions from advertisements.
Support for ActivityPub: PeerTube supports ActivityPub, enabling seamless interaction and content sharing with other federated platforms.
Dark Mode: A dark mode option is available for users who prefer a darker interface.
Privacy-focused: PeerTube prioritizes user privacy, offering features to safeguard personal information.
No Tracking: The platform does not track user activity, ensuring a more private browsing experience.

Dailymotion

Dailymotion, with 112 million monthly viewers, stands as one of YouTube’s largest competitors. While some liken it to YouTube’s closest counterpart, others dub it as the “darker and poorer” sibling. Here’s a summary of its features:

Pros:

Wide content variety, offering a range of videos akin to YouTube.
User-friendly interface and layout, making navigation intuitive.
High-quality videos, allowing uploads of up to 4GB in size and 1080p resolution, appealing to content creators.

Cons:

Intrusive advertisements may disrupt the viewing experience.
The content organization may be less structured compared to YouTube.
Limited live streaming options, potentially restricting real-time interaction with viewers.

BitChute

BitChute offers a unique streaming platform that diverges from mainstream media with its emphasis on independent content and free speech. Here’s a concise overview:

Pros:

Emphasis on free speech, providing a platform for content that may not align with mainstream media’s policies.
Utilizes peer-to-peer technology, facilitating data sharing between devices without reliance on central servers.
Hosts diverse viewpoints, offering creators an alternative space to share their content without corporate oversight.

Cons:

May host controversial content due to its open nature, potentially attracting viewpoints and opinions deemed offensive by some.
Less moderation compared to mainstream platforms, leading to a wider range of content quality.
Appeals to a niche audience, limiting reach and potential engagement.
Potential for offensive content, as the platform’s openness allows for the expression of contentious viewpoints.

Floating Tube

Another notable third-party YouTube app on Android, Floating Tube takes the concept of floating video players to a level beyond that of the stock app.

Much like the previous entry, the UI and presentation largely feel like a mobile website. But play a video and you’re presented with a pop-out window, allowing you to resize the window, drag it around and fold it back into the app.

In other words, if you want to text buddies on WhatsApp while watching fail videos, this app is for you. Check it out on the Play Store.

FireTube

Google dumped a ton of alternative YouTube apps from the Play Store over the past few years, with FireTube being one of them. Why would they do that? Well, FireTube delivers audio-only playback.

Yep, FireTube is a handy alternative to YouTube Red, which isn’t even available in South Africa anyway. If there is one disadvantage though, it’s that the app seems to buffer quite often. Weird.

In any event, FireTube is one of the few audio-only YouTube apps on Android. Check out the developer’s Facebook page for the download link (it’s safe for me, but do practice caution with third-party links).

Tubecast

Microsoft’s Windows Phone doesn’t have an official app, but there are a ton of alternative YouTube apps available (such as MetroTube and MyTube).

Tubecast is another cool app, offering the usual viewing experience and YouTube account functionality. But it also delivers some unique features, such as 60fps video at 480p, offline downloads and audio under lock screen.

Check out Tubecast on the Microsoft Store, being available on PC too.

ProTube

Apple’s iOS platform enjoys Google support with an official YouTube app. But what if you want an app with more features?

Fortunately, there’s ProTube, being a paid app with oodles of functionality. The app delivers 4K playback, 60fps support, audio/background playback and ad-free functionality.

ProTube isn’t cheap, coming in at R60 on iTunes, but consider this if you want an alternative to the official app.

VideoTube

VideoTube is a free app that simplifies managing your YouTube, Vimeo, and DailyMotion accounts on your iPhone or iPad. With VideoTube, you can log in to your YouTube account and explore its vast library of videos effortlessly. The app includes unique widgets that allow you to access videos directly from the Notification Center. You can easily navigate YouTube channels, leave comments, and subscribe to your favorite channels, among other features.

Key Features: