Must-Try YouTube Clients for Desktop and Android Devices

(Image credit: HSWAR)

As concerns about privacy and data tracking continue to grow, many users are exploring alternatives to the official YouTube app. These clients give you access to your favorite videos while bypassing some of the tracking and ad-related issues associated with the mainstream service. In this article, we recommend popular YouTube front-ends which deliver a variety of features tailored to different platforms and user needs.

1. NewPipe

Platforms: Android Linux

NewPipe is a lightweight, open-source YouTube client for Android that doesn’t require a YouTube account. It provides core functionality through parsing YouTube pages directly and does not rely on the YouTube API or Google Play Services. This means you can use it on devices where Google Services aren’t installed.

Key Features:

• Video Search and Playback: Quickly search for and display general information about videos. Watch videos in resolutions up to 4K
• Background Audio Playback: Listen to the audio stream in the background to save data.
• Popup Mode (Floating Player): Enjoy a picture-in-picture experience.
• Live Streams and Subtitles: Watch live streams and toggle subtitles/closed captions on and off.
• Playlist Management: Enqueue videos, create local playlists, and get notifications about new uploads from your subscribed channels.
• Download Capabilities: Download videos, audios, and subtitles (closed captions).
• Content Providers: Besides YouTube, NewPipe also supports other services like PeerTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and media.ccc.de.
• Privacy and Open Source: It is FLOSS, meaning it’s completely open source and community-driven.

NewPipe also offers a legacy version for older Android devices (Android 4.1+) available on its website.

2. FreeTube

Platforms: Windows Mac Linux

FreeTube is an open-source desktop client for YouTube built with privacy as its priority. Aimed at providing a Google-free and ad-free YouTube experience on desktop platforms (Windows, Mac, and Linux), FreeTube leverages Electron for a consistent experience across different operating systems.

Key Features:

• Ad-Free Viewing: Watch YouTube videos without the distraction of advertisements.
• Enhanced Privacy: By preventing Google from using cookies or JavaScript to track your activity, FreeTube helps keep your data private.
• API Access Through Tor: Make YouTube API calls over the Tor network for an added layer of anonymity.
• Local Storage: Your subscriptions, watch history, and saved videos are stored solely on your computer and never sent to external servers.
• User Experience Choices: FreeTube supports a mini player, as well as light and dark theme modes.
• Beta Stage: While still in beta, FreeTube is steadily improving over time with new features and refinements.

Using FreeTube alongside privacy tools such as VPNs or Tor is advisable to enhance your identity protection.

Additional YouTube Clients to Consider

While NewPipe, and FreeTube are excellent options, there are a few other clients worth mentioning, such as Piped and Invidious. However, it's important to note that these services may experience occasional downtime or reliability issues.

Piped

Platforms: Online

Piped is an online frontend for YouTube that allows users to view content without connecting requests to Google. It offers a clean interface and various features to enhance the viewing experience, but users should be aware that it may not always be accessible.

Invidious

Platforms: Online

Invidious is another alternative that provides a privacy-focused way to watch YouTube videos without ads or tracking. Like Piped, it can sometimes face availability challenges, so users may need to try different instances or alternatives if they encounter issues.

Whether you prioritize privacy, ad-free viewing, or a lightweight interface, NewPipe, FreeTube, Piped, or Invidious offer excellent alternatives to the standard YouTube experience. Each client has its unique strengths, making them worth exploring for anyone looking to enhance their video consumption habits.

However, it's important to note that using these apps does not contribute to the views or watch time of the videos you watch. To support content creators and help them grow their channels, you will need to use the official YouTube app or website, or consider engaging with their content through other platforms they may provide.

Additionally, many content creators offer merchandise related to their channels, such as apparel, accessories, or digital products. Purchasing this merchandise is another great way to support your favorite creators while enjoying unique items that reflect their brand.