YouTube Alternatives for Linux

YouTube is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is NewPipe, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to YouTube and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to YouTube are LBRY, MediaGoblin, FreeTube and YouPHPTube.

filter to find the best alternatives

YouTube alternatives are mainly Video Streaming Apps, but if you're looking for YouTube Clients or Video Sharing Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android + YouTube Clients. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to YouTube.
YouTube iconYouTube
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A video-sharing platform allowing users to upload, view, and share videos, including clips, music videos, and educational content.

More about YouTube
YouTube alternatives page was last updated Jun 2, 2025
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  1. NewPipe icon
     606 likes
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    Discover and stream videos with a lightweight open-source front-end supporting YouTube, PeerTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and more. Enjoy seamless 4K playback, audio in background, and video downloads without the need for Google Services or an account. Perfect for avid streamers.

    141 NewPipe alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • SoundCloud
    • YouTube Music
    • Flathub
    • Bandcamp
    • YouTube
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • PeerTube

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  YouTube Downloader
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  YouTube background listening
    4.  Video Download
    5.  Background playing
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Convert YouTube videos to Mp3
    8.  Convert YouTube videos to Mp4
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Allows subscriptions
    11.  Background Music
    12.  No Tracking

    NewPipe VS YouTube

     
    Comments about NewPipe as an Alternative to YouTube
    Comment summary: NewPipe is often praised as a privacy-focused, ad-free alternative to the YouTube app, allowing users to download videos and play them in the background. However, it remains a YouTube client rather than an independent video platform. Several users emphasize that while it offers a de-Googled experience, it still relies on YouTube for content. Consequently, it is not considered a full alternative to YouTube itself, but rather a different interface for accessing YouTube's services.
    Top Positive Comment
    Danilo_Venom
    Aug 5, 2019
    11

    NewPipe is an alternative to the Youtube app for Android: it supports background playing of Youtube videos in order to listen the audio only, allows to reduce mobile data usage and to download videos

    Top Negative Comment
    Alexandre ZANNI
    Apr 13, 2023
    9

    NewPipe is not a video platform but a front-end client for Youtube.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Dec 19, 2024
    1

    no ads, can listen while the app is in background for free

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    3 of 38 comments
    YouTube Icon
    NewPipe icon
    • Most users think NewPipe is a great YouTube alternative.

    • NewPipe is the most popular Linux alternative to YouTube.

    • NewPipe is Free and Open SourceYouTube is Freemium and Proprietary
    • NewPipe is Privacy focused and LightweightYouTube is not according to our users
  2. LBRY icon
     154 likes
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    LBRY is the first digital marketplace to be controlled by the market's participants rather than a corporation or other 3rd-party.

    30 LBRY alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Free Speech

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Based on Blockchain
    4.  Share Videos
    5.  Donations
    6.  Desktop Application
    7.  DRM Free
    8.  Video upload
    9.  Anonymous Commenting
    10.  Staking
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  Dark Mode

    LBRY VS YouTube

     
    Comments about LBRY as an Alternative to YouTube
    Comment summary: LBRY is praised as a decentralized, privacy-focused alternative to YouTube that offers open-source features, unlimited video uploads, privacy, and monetization through cryptocurrency rewards. Some users find the platform's interface confusing and express concerns about video visibility and the transition to Odysee. The transition has garnered mixed reactions, with some noting improvements and others highlighting limitations like unclear payment models.
    Top Positive Comment
    Rodney42
    Jan 31, 2020
    2

    It allows you to upload unlimited amounts of video.

    Top Negative Comment
    takitzis
    Dec 1, 2021
    -1

    LBRY video interface has moved to Odyssee, so no more is a Youtube alternative

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive May 8, 2024
    0

    Modern and room for more features and growth.

    Show more comments
    3 of 19 comments
    YouTube Icon
    LBRY icon
    • Almost everyone thinks LBRY is a great YouTube alternative.

    • LBRY is the most popular Windows, Mac, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to YouTube.

    • LBRY is Free and Open SourceYouTube is Freemium and Proprietary
    • LBRY is Decentralized and Privacy focusedYouTube is not according to our users
  3. MediaGoblin icon
     99 likes
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    MediaGoblin is a free software media publishing platform that anyone can run. You can think of it as a decentralized alternative to Flickr, YouTube, SoundCloud, etc.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Sandstorm

    MediaGoblin Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    3.  GNU/linux-libre
    4.  Audio Sharing

    MediaGoblin VS YouTube

     
    Comments about MediaGoblin as an Alternative to YouTube
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Oct 8, 2017
    12

    It is a free/libre software that respects your freedom and the freedom of your personal data.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Jun 29, 2017
    -1

    Poor in content, unused, not immediately clear, important structural difference that are not obvious.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Dec 14, 2017
    -10

    Clueless how it works and it would not upload my video when I tried the demo so there was no way to figure it out.

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    3 of 5 comments
    YouTube Icon
    MediaGoblin icon
    • Most users think MediaGoblin is a great YouTube alternative.

    • MediaGoblin is Free and Open SourceYouTube is Freemium and Proprietary
    • MediaGoblin is DecentralizedYouTube is not according to our users
  4. FreeTube icon
     222 likes
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    FreeTube is an open source desktop YouTube player that lets you watch videos without ads and protects privacy by preventing Google tracking through cookies and JavaScript. Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, it stores data locally, recommends VPN/Tor for anonymity, and supports feature-rich viewing.

    77 FreeTube alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  YouTube Downloader
    3.  Import subscriptions
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Watch blocked videos
    6.  Watch later
    7.  Desktop Application
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  User Profiles
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Picture in Picture
    12.  Floating windows

    FreeTube VS YouTube

     
    Comments about FreeTube as an Alternative to YouTube
    Top Positive Comment
    BorisF
    Jun 2, 2025
    0

    Best YouTube third party client.

    Top Negative Comment
    energy1
    Jun 6, 2019
    1

    FreeTube is a Youtube player. It directly relies on YouTube and so is not an alternative.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Nov 13, 2024
    0

    It is incredibly easy to set up, has great responsiveness, an incredibly easy UI to customize, and no tracking.

    Although one problem there is that videos YouTube marks as inappropriate for young audiences are not able to be viewed on FreeTube

    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    YouTube Icon
    FreeTube icon
    • Most users think FreeTube is a great YouTube alternative.

    • FreeTube is Free and Open SourceYouTube is Freemium and Proprietary
    • FreeTube is Privacy focusedYouTube is not according to our users
  5. YouPHPTube icon
     18 likes
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    It is an open source solution that is freely available to everyone. It's written in PHP and with YouPHPTube you can create your own video sharing site and Stream Live videos for free.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • BR flagBrazil

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Chromecast

    YouPHPTube Features

    1.  Streaming
    2.  Media Streaming
    3.  Video upload
    4.  Convert YouTube videos to Mp4

    YouPHPTube VS YouTube

     
    Comments about YouPHPTube as an Alternative to YouTube
    danielneto1
    Positive Apr 14, 2017
    0

    Very clear layout and help

    Guest
    Negative May 22, 2019
    -8

    YouPHPTube is primarily for downloading videos from a url.

    YouTube Icon
    YouPHPTube icon
    • Most users think YouPHPTube is a great YouTube alternative.

    • YouPHPTube is Free and Open SourceYouTube is Freemium and Proprietary
  6. Pipeline icon
     4 likes
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    Pipeline lets you watch and download videos from YouTube and PeerTube, all without needing to navigate through different websites.

    67 Pipeline alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Import subscriptions

    Pipeline VS YouTube

     
  7. Minitube icon
     52 likes
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    Minitube is a YouTube desktop application. With it you can watch YouTube videos in a new way: you type a keyword, Minitube gives you an endless video stream. Minitube is not about cloning the original YouTube web interface, it aims to create a new TV-like experience.

    70 Minitube alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • IT flagItaly
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  MP3 Downloader

    Minitube VS YouTube

     
7 of 22 YouTube alternatives