When it comes to online video platforms, YouTube is undoubtedly the most popular and widely recognized.
However, there are a number of other video sites that offer unique features, specialized content, and alternative ways of consuming video that make them worth exploring.
Some of these sites, such as Vimeo and Dailymotion, are well-established and have been around for a long time, while others, like TikTok and Twitch, are newer and have grown rapidly in popularity.
Regardless of their size and history, each of these sites has something special to offer and can be considered as a better option than YouTube in certain scenarios.
1. Vimeo
YouTube may be the most popular video platform, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only one worth visiting. Vimeo is a great alternative that should be included in your regular video browsing rotation.
The site was a pioneer in supporting high-definition videos and while it does have user-generated content, it prioritizes high-quality videos.
In addition, Vimeo offers a variety of TV series and supports 360-degree videos. Its user-friendly interface allows for easy browsing through a variety of categories and channels.
If you’re unsure of what to watch, Vimeo’s staff picks, which are regularly updated, can provide some great suggestions.
2. Dailymotion
Dailymotion is a video platform that has been around since 2005, launching just a month after YouTube.
Despite being a bit younger than its more famous rival, Dailymotion has grown to be a formidable competitor, with over 300 million monthly users. The site hosts a variety of videos from both professional publishers and amateurs.
The homepage is organized by category, with featured videos, news, sports, entertainment, and music being given prominence.
Dailymotion also allows users to create their own account, which leads to a more personalized experience. The more videos you watch, the more tailored the site’s recommendations will become, making it a great alternative to YouTube.
3. Twitch
Twitch is a live-streaming platform owned by Amazon, and it’s one of the most popular in the industry. It boasts over 140 million users and hosts a wide variety of content from top streamers.
Gaming is the most popular category on Twitch, with a vast array of options to choose from, such as Minecraft, League of Legends, and Overwatch.
But, if gaming isn’t your thing, you can also find streams under IRL (In Real Life) and Creative categories, where you can watch people drawing, hosting general conversations, singing and cooking.
Additionally, Twitch has also broadcasted several live music videos from festivals and concerts.
International DJ Steve Aoki famously broadcasted an entire set from Ibiza in 2014. Currently, Twitch is also the official streaming partner for the Ultra Music Festival in Miami.
On Twitch, you can follow streamers for free, or subscribe to their channel for a monthly fee to support their streaming venture.
You can also earn channel points for the time you spend watching particular streamers, making it a great alternative to YouTube.
4. TED Talks
TED Talks is a leading video platform that features over 4,100+ talks on a variety of topics such as technology, business, design, science, and global issues.
With a new batch of five to seven talks uploaded every week, there is always something new to discover and enjoy.
The talks on TED range from funny to emotional, some are meant to educate while others are mainly for entertainment.
But, one thing that’s consistent in all TED Talks videos is that you’re likely to take something memorable out of each one.
The TED Talks website is particularly convenient for those who are short on time. Videos on the menu are labeled with an easy-to-spot red circle if they are shorter than six minutes, making it easy to find the right video for your available time.
5. Facebook Watch
Facebook Watch is a video platform similar to YouTube that offers a curated selection of content for viewers to enjoy.
There is a diverse range of series available on Facebook Watch, such as The Real Bros of Simi Valley, Sorry for Your Loss, and Sacred Lies.
While it may not have as many categories to choose from as YouTube, users can follow the shows they love to stay updated with new episodes.
Overall, Facebook Watch is a worth considering as an alternative to YouTube, especially for those who enjoy browsing through lists of easy-to-watch videos.
6. 9GAG
9GAG is a platform that offers a collection of entertaining and humorous content, including funny photos, GIFs, gaming videos, memes, anime, and more.
Most of the content on 9GAG is light-hearted and playful, with video titles such as “A Compilation of the best Commercials Starred by the Star Wars Crew” or “This High School Love Story Will Warm Your Heart and Then Break It Before You Know What Happened.”
It is the type of content that is hard to resist and can easily lead to hours of browsing.
However, it’s worth noting that some of the content on the site may contain risqué or inappropriate material that may not be suitable for a work setting.
7. Crackle
Crackle is a streaming platform that offers a mix of original web shows, Hollywood movies, and TV series from different networks.
It’s considered as one of the best free video streaming services available and is worth checking out.
Crackle has some noteworthy original content, such as the web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, starring Jerry Seinfeld, that received critical acclaim. It also features a robust collection of popular TV shows.
8. DTube
DTube, short for Decentralized Tube, is a video platform that operates similarly to YouTube. However, it utilizes the Steem blockchain, making it decentralized and different from YouTube.
Users who upload videos to the site earn Steem (STEEM) cryptocurrency tokens, which they can transfer to their own cryptocurrency wallets or sell for cash on a cryptocurrency exchange.
One distinct feature of DTube is the way it displays metrics. Instead of showing the number of views each video has, the site displays the amount of cryptocurrency each video has earned, making it a unique alternative to YouTube.
9. The Open Video Project
The Open Video Project is a platform developed at the Interaction Design Laboratory at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s School of Information and Library Science.
It is primarily aimed at the research community, including professionals working in multimedia retrieval and digital libraries.
Given its focus, the majority of videos on The Open Video Project are educational in nature.
It features a wide range of videos from NASA archives, as well as a collection of classic TV commercials and educational films dating back to the 1950s.
If you’re interested in researching historical video content, The Open Video Project is a great resource to explore.
10. The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a vast digital library that offers free content of all kinds, including books, music, software, and movies.
One of the strengths of The Internet Archive’s video collection is its vast archive of historical content.
While it also has newer videos, its most valuable videos are older and obscure news reports, TV series, and movies that can be difficult to find on other platforms.
As with other sites, users can also upload videos to The Internet Archive. H.264 is the most commonly used video coding format for uploads.
Conclusion:
Exploring YouTube alternatives is worth your time. YouTube is undoubtedly a leading video-sharing platform with a vast selection of content.
However, it is not the only option available for online video viewing. Therefore, it’s worth checking out the YouTube alternatives mentioned above to discover new types of videos. Variety is always a great addition to your video-watching experience.
