20 YouTube Alternatives for Watching and Hosting Videos

YouTube is the second most popular social media platform in the world, and it boasts around 2.5 billion users each month. With the rise of targeted ads both during and between videos, unwelcome data collection and algorithms interfering with uploads, delivery and discovery, there are plenty of users searching for the best YouTube alternatives.

While it’s still important to have premium protection services downloaded onto your devices no matter what platform you use, there are alternatives to YouTube that can significantly decrease frustrations for creators, users and businesses alike.

Check out these 20 YouTube alternatives that are great for creating, hosting and sharing content. 

Table of Contents

• Dailymotion
• Vimeo
• DTube
• Odysee
• Vevo
• Twitch
• TED
• Facebook Watch
• BitChute
• Wistia
• VideosHub
• Spotlightr
• Brightcove
• SproutVideo
• Brid.TV
• 9GAG
• Crackle
• Uscreen
• PeerTube
• Veoh

1. Dailymotion

Notable feature: Free

If you’re looking for a YouTube alternative that is almost identical to the original, Dailymotion is a great option. Similar to YouTube, Dailymotion allows users to set up channels, host unlimited videos, gain followers and monetize content by partnering with advertisers. This alternative to YouTube also streams news and entertainment videos globally, connecting more than 300 million users monthly.

Pros:

• Unlimited video uploads for free
• Support for HD and 4K videos
• Monetization available
• Embedded video player
• Less competition for users

Cons:

• Smaller audience
• Ads on all types of videos

Best alternative for:

• Users looking for a free video watching and hosting platform
• Businesses needing a free HD video embed host

2. Vimeo

Notable feature: Free

Along with video hosting, Vimeo offers users a variety of creative options including collaboration, sharing, lead generation and more. With more than 260 million users worldwide, Vimeo claims it is the perfect platform for creatives, entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes. Additionally, this YouTube alternative is ad-free and its current users are highly engaged, making it a good option for creators and businesses looking to grow a fan base and following.

Pros:

• Supports 4k videos
• Livestreaming is available
• Established users

Cons:

• Limited weekly uploads with free plan
• Video size maximums with free plan
• No monetization options

Best alternative for:

• Creators looking for a hosting platform for visual art, animation and more
• Businesses needing a free HD video embed host

3. DTube

Notable feature: Free

Unlike YouTube, DTube uses blockchain technology to share and host content. Additionally, this alternative to YouTube is decentralized, meaning there is a lower possibility of server outages and interrupted viewing time. DTube also allows users to post videos without censorship. Additionally, users can share videos from other hosting platforms.

Pros:

• Monetization is available through cryptocurrency
• No censorship

Cons:

• Smaller audience
• Cumbersome interface

Best alternative for:

• Cryptocurrency users and fans
• Creators looking to avoid censorship

4. Odysee

Notable feature: Uses blockchain technology

As the child company of LBRY, Odysee runs entirely on blockchain technology and uses LBRY credit to pay users. Aside from simple video hosting and sharing, Odyssey allows creators to use its platform to develop apps. Plus, this platform prioritizes content created by independent users rather than corporate content.

Pros:

• Publishes a variety of content formats, including videos, audio and documents
• Monetization through cryptocurrency
• Pricing models available per stream or view
• Ad-free viewing
• Supports videos up to 1080p

Cons:

• Interface can malfunction
• Many YouTube users autopost to Odysee instead of using the platform individually

Best alternative for:

• Users interested in cryptocurrency
• Content creators who want to expand outside of traditional platforms
• Creators looking to avoid censorship

5. Vevo

Notable feature: Music video network

If you’re looking for a YouTube alternative that allows video and channel grouping, Vevo is a great choice. Vevo users are able to follow artists and channels, comment on videos and share content to social media channels. Additionally, this platform offers users high-quality videos from Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group. 

Pros:

• Featured playlists and new releases
• Extensive video catalog
• Videos grouped by artist

Cons:

• Focus on music videos and web series

Best alternative for:

• Music creators and producers
• Businesses in the music industry

6. Twitch

Notable feature: Livestream gaming

Gamers, unite! Twitch is the perfect YouTube alternative for gamers and game lovers alike. This platform is a livestreaming website for sports and games, specifically video games, role-playing games (RPGs) and massively multiplayer online strategy games (MMOs). You can sort videos by recommendations or rating and browse the site by category.

Pros:

• Large library of game-based content
• Livestreaming and gamer chat possibilities
• Free options available
• Supports videos up to 1080p

Cons:

• Niche audience
• Most content is livestreamed rather than shot and edited
• Account banning is common
• Ad-free only with a premium account

Best alternative for:

• Amateur and professional gamers
• Gaming companies and game developers

7. TED

Notable feature: Industry experts

Aside from its reputation as a conference host and nonprofit organization, TED is a great alternative to YouTube for educational videos. Speakers cover topics from technology and business to social and global issues. Students, researchers, technology businesses and other companies with new ideas benefit from this platform’s offerings. 

Pros:

• More than 3000 talks are available
• Expert speakers and organization-led videos
• The Interface includes search, recommendations and topic options
• Free viewing options
• Supports videos up to 1080p

Cons:

• Users cannot upload their own videos
• Videos are streamed and uploaded at the discretion of the organization
• Collects personal information, cookies and IP addresses

Best alternative for:

• Students, researchers and knowledge- or idea-based businesses

8. Facebook Watch

Notable feature: Free

As the most popular social media platform, Facebook is quickly becoming a YouTube alternative. Based on interests, searches and viewing history, Facebook Watch recommends trending videos and allows users to browse creator profiles and content. While the interface is significantly different from YouTube, many creators and business owners use both to grow their platforms and brand recognition.

Pros:

• Large potential audience 
• Sharing opportunities to different audiences
• Monetization options
• Supports large, long files
• Users can target custom audiences
• Livestreaming capabilities
• Supports videos up to 1080p

Cons:

• Embeds are difficult and bulky
• Interface is significantly different than YouTube

Best alternative for:

• Vloggers, chefs and traveling creators
• Small businesses looking to reach local or regional audiences
• Marketers who want to create targeted ad campaigns

9. BitChute

Notable feature: Decentralized

Established in 2017, BitChute is a newer, less censored YouTube alternative that sees more than 50 million average monthly visits. Referred to as a piece of “alt-tech,” BitChute was created as a secondary space for creators looking to bypass censorship and content restrictions. Content on this platform can be viewed anonymously, but commenting, sharing, subscribing and voting all require users to register for an account.

Pros:

• Free content with no ads
• Contains user-generated content
• Monetization options available
• Collected data is encrypted

Cons:

• Only supports videos up to 480p
• Many creators have been banned or removed from mainstream platforms

Best alternative for:

• Creators with focuses on politics or activism
• Users interested in open-source content

10. Wistia

Notable feature: Business-centric

Wistia is a YouTube alternative for professional businesses using video content as a main form of marketing. Similarly to YouTube, Wistia provides users with in-depth analytics, plus it has options for in-video lead generation and automation possibilities. Additionally, Wistia’s embed options are fully customizable and even include CTAs for lead capturing.

Pros:

• Supports 4k videos up to eight gigabytes
• Customizable embed options
• Lead generation capabilities
• Allows for email synching and autoresponses

Cons:

• No free options
• Small audience opportunities

Best alternative for:

• Businesses reliant on lead generation
• Marketers who focus on on-site video creation

11. VideosHub

Notable feature: Short-form media

Formerly known as Metacafe, VideosHub is a YouTube alternative with 12 million monthly views that supports short-form video content. Most content creators use this site to host 90-second to 180-second videos that users can view and share across social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Plus, all content is vetted by a team of volunteer moderators, ensuring that content is family-friendly, fun and fast. 

Pros:

• A platform for family-friendly content
• Supports reviews, music videos, news clips and more
• Free options available

Cons:

• Uploads are limited to 100 MB
• Content must be approved by moderators before being hosted by the platform
• Not ad-free and may host third-party advertisers

Best alternative for:

• Creators looking to make short-form video content
• Content designed with followers and clients in mind

12. Spotlightr

Notable feature: Business-centric

Officially rebranded from vooPlayer, Spotlightr is similar to other lead-capture-focused YouTube alternatives like Wistia. As a video marketing platform, Spotlightr includes analytics tools, lead generation opportunities and special security features. In addition to video viewing and hosting, this platform allows users to run contests and giveaways for certain videos. 

Pros:

• Supports 4k videos
• Analytics and audience tools available
• Integrates marketing automation

Cons:

• No free options
• Only allows for 25 GB of storage
• Complicated interface

Best alternative for:

• Businesses reliant on lead generation
• Marketers who focus on on-site video creation

13. Brightcove

Notable feature: Business-centric

Brightcove is a great YouTube alternative for enterprises and businesses. This platform provides users with a variety of hosting and live video streaming options, as well as live video deliverability to smartphones and apps. Hosted videos can also be advertised on and analytics are available in real time.

Pros:

• Supports UltraHD videos up to 8K
• Includes purchasable and sellable ad blocks
• Manageable content across apps and websites
• Collaboration tools available
• Analytics tools included
• Video interactions help build audiences

Cons:

• No free options
• Complicated interface

Best alternative for:

• Businesses looking for a centralized video platform
• Users who want to personalize video experiences

14. SproutVideo

Notable feature: Business-centric

For small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to grow through video marketing, SproutVideo is an exceptional alternative to YouTube. SproutVideo allows users to create customizable video players for every page on a website and unique video embeds. Additionally, videos can include lead generation forms and CRM integrations.

Pros:

• Supports HD and 4K videos
• Lead generation options
• Advanced analytics, including geotracking
• Customizable CTAs

Cons:

• No free options
• Complicated interface
• More than 500 GB/month of storage costs extra

Best alternative for:

• Small businesses who want to grow their video marketing
• Entrepreneurs interested in video and audience analytics

15. Brid.TV

Notable feature: Business-centric

As a YouTube alternative, Brid.TV focuses on content monetization and platform growth. This platform delivers HD videos to audience members across a variety of devices. Additionally, users can host videos and manage their content library as well as track analytics, customize their video players and integrate automation with CMS software.

Pros:

• Simple setup
• Affordable for enterprise-level customers
• Integrates with iOS and Android

Cons:

• No free options
• Plugins can be glitchy

Best alternative for:

• Users interested in quick monetization
• Businesses looking to boost views and revenue

16. 9GAG

Notable feature: Short-form media

Do you love social media and short-form video? Then 9GAG is the go-to alternative to YouTube for you! Rather than commentary videos or news stories, this platform hosts GIFs, memes and other short videos that are easily shareable. 9GAG also categorizes its videos so they are easy to find and send to other video lovers.

Pros:

• Short and shareable
• Easily searchable and categorized
• Ad-free

Cons:

• Small audience
• Interface is similar to Tumblr and Facebook
• Only supports videos up to 360p
• Long-form content does not usually succeed

Best alternative for:

• Creators making short-form videos or image-focused animation
• Businesses using comedy in marketing

17. Crackle

Notable feature: Professional media

For viewers looking to watch videos and television shows on a platform like YouTube, Crackle is a great alternative. This platform contains Sony-exclusive content, including legendary media. What Crackle lacks in user-generated content it makes up for in free, professionally created content from production houses like Columbia Pictures.

Pros:

• Supports videos up to 1080p
• Most professionally created videos are free

Cons:

• Not ad-free
• Less user-generated content

Best alternative for:

• Viewers looking for movies and television shows

18. Uscreen

Notable feature: Business-centric

As a YouTube alternative, Uscreen offers users the ability to download videos, save favorites to a personal library and organize videos based on categories or topics. This platform also allows users to livestream content, review analytics and set community features. Additionally, Uscreen is one of the best video platforms for content monetization by providing creators and businesses a streamlined distribution platform. 

Pros:

• HLM5 video viewing and speech algorithms
• Library for saved favorite videos
• Curates list of trending topics
• Monetization options

Cons:

• No free options
• Livestreaming and chat are more expensive
• Limited storage space

Best alternative for:

• Creators looking for video monetization options
• Businesses needing an all-in-one video hosting and distribution platform

19. PeerTube

Notable feature: Decentralized

Have you ever wanted YouTube to be dedicated solely to your favorite hobby, activity or video game? With PeerTube, that’s exactly what you can find or create! PeerTube is an open-source, decentralized platform that allows creators to establish their own individual YouTube alternatives known as instances. Each instance is run and regulated by a creator or a group.

Pros:

• Free content with no ads
• Supports videos up to 1440p

Cons:

• Thousands of instances rather than one central hub
• Rules and regulations vary by creator

Best alternative for:

• Large businesses with a variety of videos to host and share
• Creators with niche topics of interest

20. Veoh

Notable feature: Free

Veoh is a great YouTube alternative for those looking to stream user-generated content and watch professional shows or movies. Established in 2005, this platform follows the privacy regulations of the United States with content that is separated into categories — including videos, music, movies, channels and groups. Veoh allows users to upload their own content and organize their media into individual playlists.

Pros:

• Free accessible content
• Supports videos up to 1080p
• Interface is navigable
• Large video library

Cons:

• Not ad-free
• Disorganized video library

Best alternative for:

• Viewers looking for free movies and TV shows

You can start hosting your newest videos and supporting your favorite businesses on one of these YouTube alternatives at any time. If you choose to use an alternative to YouTube as your main form of video viewing or hosting, download a free VPN for browsing and keep your passwords varied for additional protection. 

Resources: Audiosocket | Sell Courses Online