The 10 best YouTube alternatives at a glance

Dailymotion is a video portal from France and is currently one of the best YouTube alternatives, especially in its home country where user numbers are high. It’s the same situation in many other countries, where Dailymotion finds itself in second place, just behind YouTube. The company estimates its worldwide number of users to be over 250 million, with 3.5 billion videos played on Dailymotion each month.

Dailymotion scores with its upload specifications: video files can be up to 2GB in size and up to 60 minutes in length (restrictions do not apply to advanced users). Numerous video and audio formats are supported, so that uploaders can choose between, for example, .mov, .mpeg4, .mp4, .avi, and .wmv files. Users are recommended to use H.264 / AVC as a video codec, and AAC at a frame rate of 25 FPY as an audio codec. A resolution of up to 3,840 x 2,160 (4K) is possible. This makes the portal particularly suitable for demanding uploaders: large files are just as welcome as image quality.

The layout is clear and intuitive. Embedding and sharing videos on external platforms is also very simple: just one click and the HTML code is automatically generated.

In 2016, US company Steemit launched the same-named social media and blogging platform which allows for the decentralised sharing of content of different formats on the basis of blockchain. Video uploads are made via YouTube alternative DTube, which is part of the Steemit network. DTube is based on the IPFS protocol that enables a distributed storage of the uploaded videos on the various computers involved in the blockchain - unlike YouTube which stores all data on Google's servers.

The production of new blocks for the Steem blockchain is the responsibility of the DTube “leaders” (currently 15 parties), who are determined by all users through a voting process. All registered users, who can receive rewards in the form of crypto currency for the video upload and for liking, and commenting, have five votes. A big advantage over YouTube and many other video platforms is that DTube is entirely ad-free.

Vimeo is a US video service that launched in 2004 and specialises in artistically ambitious videos. It’s not surprising then, that the service was founded by filmmakers and directors, who wanted to provide a distribution platform for their work. For example, lots of impressive short videos, documentaries, and even music videos can be found on this platform. If you’re interested in independent production, Vimeo offers one of the highest quality YouTube alternatives. Websites using this platform include marriott.com, gap.com, and thewirecutter.com.

Vimeo claims to be an exchange platform for creative minds, which is reflected on the website: here you can see top stories and curated videos, presented like an interactive gallery. Accordingly, the service offers its users a generous framework for video uploads, which are top-quality. The basic version is free and allows 500 MB to be uploaded per week. With ‘Vimeo Plus’ the amount increases to 5 GB per week, and 20 GB per week with ‘Vimeo Pro’, where you can also publish short films in 4K ultra-HD resolution. When it comes to uploading, there are hardly any limitations, at least not with professional accounts. Only the image data is automatically reduced if a video exceeds 60 FPS during uploading.

The Pro version allows you to add three team members to your account, customise the player, and sell content by video on demand. 90% of transaction costs are paid to the creator. There is also an extensive package with various tools, analysis programs, and a completely advertisement-free user interface. Commercial providers get up to 5 TB (terabytes) of storage space with ‘Vimeo Business’ with no weekly restriction. Up to ten team members can use marketing and workflow tools with this kind of account. A new live-streaming function can be activated in the Pro version (inclusive of 7TB storage space).

A YouTube alternative that is especially popular with gamers is Twitch, a live streaming portal that originally concentrated on video games and e-sports. Twitch.tv went online as a beta version on June 6, 2011 and had already attracted 45 million viewers per month on approximately 6 million channels. In 2014, Amazon acquired the company for USD 970 (GBP 705) million, and since 2016, Amazon Prime customers can make the most of “Twitch Prime”. This service offers free games and subscriptions, game loots, and ad-free streaming. Since 2015, the video portal has organised an annual convention called TwitchCon, which takes place in select US and European cities. San Diego and Amsterdam have been designated for 2022.

In essence, Twitch has a very similar concept to YouTube: the content is free for everyone. By registering free via email or Facebook, users can access additional features, such as adding friends, the chat function, or the following of certain channels – this all adds to the strong social aspect of the service. All registered users can stream all content. For those not playing via PlayStation or Xbox, all you need is the appropriate software such as the Open Broadcaster software. In 2016, the IRL function was unveiled, which allows users to share moments from their own lives and discuss them with other users. An affinity for gaming is not necessary – user-generated content is the main component of Twitch, alongside professional streams of large e-sport events.

Sony and Universal Music, the brands behind Vevo have labelled the video platform the largest music platform worldwide. However, this distinction isn’t technically correct as of 2018. Streaming of music videos via the website or the native Vevo app is no longer supported. Around 26 million monthly Vevo content requests are being made via third-party services such as YouTube, Apple TV, LG Channels or Roku for which Vevo functions as a content distributor. Artists such as Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift or Camila Cabello are using the service.

Travelling back in time to 2008 is impossible? With VidLii, you’ll instantly feel like you've stepped back in time. The video portal is reminiscent of the early days of YouTube, both in terms of functionality and appearance. Visiting VidLii it becomes clear why the site was created: to feature amateur clips and recordings. One won’t find professionally edited videos here. VidLii evokes the playful and experimental spirit of Web 2.0 that made YouTube popular. Almost every conceivable category is represented – from cars to technology, from news to entertainment. There is also a category for music, but it doesn’t feature any current music clips.

Odysee launched globally in September 2020. Much like DTube, this YouTube alternative is based on blockchain technology and includes the use of cryptocurrencies. Content creators and those who recruit other users can earn so-called “LBRY Credits”. LBRY is also the name of the protocol that is used to build the blockchain. If you don’t want to use the content network via the browser, you can install the LBRY apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS.

Instagram is a social media app known for sharing photos, but users can also post videos. Instagram Video is a dedicated area for sharing videos. It combines Instagram’s own TV channel IGTV and feed videos since October 2021. Here, users can upload their video content via the app or on the web and comment or like content shared by other users. The recommended video format is MP4, while video length can be a minimum of fifteen seconds and a maximum of one hour.

One feature that makes Instagram Video stand out from other YouTube alternatives is the option to design or decorate video content with filters and emojis. Furthermore, featured locations and Instagram users can be tagged in a video. Mobile phones rejoice: thanks to mobile optimisation, Instagram Video enables clip views on mobile phones in portrait and full-screen mode.

Wistia is a video hosting platform founded in 2006 that has made it its mission to support companies in the creation and distribution of videos. Video marketing is now an indispensable tool for building and increasing brand awareness. Videos created with the help of Wistia are not only characterised by fast loading times, but are also search engine optimised. It is therefore not surprising that the video platform is used by smaller companies and well-known brands such as Starbucks and Tiffany.

In addition, Wistia publishes its own series and podcasts, some in collaboration with freelancers. These include the documentary “One, Ten, One Hundred,” which won a Webby Award in 2019 that features a video production agency taking on the challenge of creating three commercials, each with a different budget.

US-based software company Brightcove helps organisations publish and optimise broadcast-quality video content. Brightcove’s video communications platform is called Video Cloud. Here users can upload their videos and access API and SDK tools and real-time video analytics. Other offerings, such as the Video Marketing Suite, are designed specifically for customers who wish to use their video content for marketing purposes. Their services range from search engine optimisation to interactive video content.