FreeTube
FreeTube is an open source desktop YouTube player built with privacy in mind. Use YouTube without advertisments and prevent Google tracking from you with their cookies and JavaScript. Available for Windows, Mac & Linux thanks to Electron.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- AppImageHub
- Flathub
- Flatpak
Features
- Ad-free
- YouTube Downloader
- Import subscriptions
- Privacy focused
- Watch blocked videos
- No registration required
- Watch later
- User Profiles
- Desktop Application
- No Tracking
- Dark Mode
- Picture in Picture
- Lightweight
- MP3 Downloader
- Floating windows
- YouTube Music
- Support for 4K
- Playlists management
FreeTube News & Activities
Recent News
Recent activities
- CodexCrypto reviewed FreeTube
The best YouTube player I've ever tested. As well as being multiplatform, it's also open source and you can use the portable version. It offers much more privacy and functionality without displaying ads on the videos. I use it on both my PC and my cell phone and highly recommend it.
- Azazel reviewed FreeTube
I like the idea, the design and how fast it is compared to youtube's clunky-ass web app, but there are bugs, no tabs and no refresh button, even though a video reload is often needed. Well, they call it beta for a reason.
- ThisIsMyUsername rated FreeTube
FreeTube information
Developed by
PrestonNLicensing
Open Source (AGPL-3.0) and Free product.Written in
Rating
Average rating of 4.4Alternatives
77 alternatives listedSupported Languages
- English
AlternativeTo Categories
Video & Movies, Audio & MusicGitHub repository
- 13,106 Stars
- 812 Forks
- 416 Open Issues
- Updated Sep 12, 2024
What is FreeTube?
FreeTube is an open source desktop YouTube player built with privacy in mind. Use YouTube without advertisments and prevent Google tracking from you with their cookies and JavaScript. Available for Windows, Mac & Linux thanks to Electron. Please note that FreeTube is currently in Beta. While it should work well for most users, there are still bugs and missing features that need to be addressed.
How does it work?
FreeTube uses the proprietary YouTube HTTP API with a set of hard coded API keys. Videos are resolved using youtube-dl and played using the stock HTML5 video player. While YouTube can still see your API and video requests it can no longer track you using cookies or JavaScript. Your subscriptions, history, and saved videos are stored locally on your computer and never sent out. Using a VPN or Tor is recommended to hide your IP while using FreeTube.
Features
Watch videos without ads Use YouTube without Google tracking you using cookies and JavaScript Make API calls through the Tor network Subscribe to channels without an account Local subscriptions, history, and saved videos Export & import subscriptions Mini Player Light / dark theme
Comments and Reviews
MiniTube isn't working for me on Linux Mint regardless of installing from the software center or the deb file, even though I installed libmpv1 from the package manager. Therefor, I'm using FreeTube instead. It works for the most part. I can subscribe to channels, view comments, download videos, enable dark mode, etc.
EDIT: I forgot a few other great features it has. It offers import/export functionality in FreeTube, NewPipe, or OPML formats. It can also connect with Tor.
However, one problem I have is it appears to only play HD at 720p and not 1080p. Another is it doesn't seem to be getting recognized by my screensaver. My screensaver starts up after 1 minute of playing a video on FreeTube as if there's no activity going on.
[Edited by CapR, August 11]
Free of annoying ads, and you can subscribe to channels without revealing your identity to Google.
Accidentally changing the language to one you can't understand, There is NO WAY back to your language, even after a reinstall leaving the software useless thank god for "Invidious" that's been my go to program.
What? There's NO language option in other languages? Try using DeepL or Google Translate to translate the app and change it back.
Reply written May 6, 2024
The best YouTube player I've ever tested. As well as being multiplatform, it's also open source and you can use the portable version. It offers much more privacy and functionality without displaying ads on the videos. I use it on both my PC and my cell phone and highly recommend it.
I like the idea, the design and how fast it is compared to youtube's clunky-ass web app, but there are bugs, no tabs and no refresh button, even though a video reload is often needed. Well, they call it beta for a reason.
I recommend that you download the latest version of FreeTube from their site. Personally, with this version, I have none of the problems you have. https://freetubeapp.io/#download
Reply written Aug 3, 2024
Sorry, it's true that there are no tabs.
Reply written Aug 3, 2024
Great backup for YouTube.
It sucks. IDK why FreeTube has so many positive comments? First of all, only 1080p video is available. Why? Devs stayed something about YouTube streams, available only in 1080p with audio, so higher resolutions are inaccessible. What? And what with all those YouTube downloaders and video players like MPC-HC, which easily generate streams in 1440p or 4K, you need only copy the link to the video. What is the problem for FreeTube?
Second thing - subscriptions. You cannot import your subscriptions from Youtube into FreeTube. There is a FAQ that lists steps to doing so, but it does not work. You only get a bunch of API errors. I also tried some methods mentioned on the internet, but nothing works. Just the same list of API errors. Hell, even podcast apps easily import my subs from YT, why is so problematic with FreeTube?
After all, without those 2 features: high bitrate/resolution videos and accessing my subs, FreeTube is almost useless for me.