Let’s accept the fact that YouTube still runs the world of entertainment and it is the most used streaming platform. However, this doesn't mean that as a creator you have to stick to it even if it doesn't serve your purpose. In the last few years, YouTube has not been very helpful to creators and it has become more and more restrictive.
So if you feel the need to switch and are looking for channels like YouTube, here is our list which is a blend of free and premium platforms. Let’s have a read about them which will assist you in making the decision about choosing an alternative.
A List of the Popular And Most-Rewarding YouTube Alternatives
1. GUDSHO
GUDSHO lets you have your own studio where you can publish films online and videos in the Fitness, Healthcare and Education segment. You can monetize your studio and earn via subscriptions, rentals, and donations which makes it a YouTube alternative without ads. If you are a premium content creator who wants a specific audience as the traffic, GUDSHO can be the best alternative to YouTube.
There are two looks to customize your channel. There is nothing too technical to understand; the platform provides a simple drag-and-drop approach to upload your videos within minutes. So if you are a film creator whether of short films or indie films, GUDSHO provides a safe and secure space to share your creation with the right audience.
Website: https://www.gudsho.com/ Headquarters: Chennai, India Founded: 2019 Pricing: Free Advertising Methods: SVOD, TVOD
Pros:
- Unlimited video upload
- Custom Playlist management
- Stream across many devices
- Powerful Monetization Models
- 4K videos supported
- AES-level security
- In-depth analytics
Cons:
- No live streaming
- No customization available
2. Dailymotion
Dailymotion allows creators to use the platform to upload their content and make money using the same. The alternative monetization platform for YouTubers lets you earn from running ads and liberates you to upload up to 60 minutes long videos. Hence the platform works well for those who want to produce long-form video content for educational or entertainment purposes. Creators can have 4K quality for their videos while enjoying a clean interface and player.
However, you need to accept that the audience size here is smaller as compared to YouTube. This makes Dailymotion a perfect place for new creators who want to be seen instead of getting lost in the crowd of creators.
Website: https://www.dailymotion.com/in Headquarters: Paris, France Founded: 2005 Pricing: Free Advertising Methods: AVOD
Pros:
- Quick fame due to less crowd
- Privacy options
- Live streaming
Video player customization
Cons:
- Limited audience
- Not a clean interface
- Ads disturbance
Slow streaming
3. Vimeo
The name needs no introduction as being one of the most branded YouTube alternatives. The platform is more into collaboration and lead generation where small and big businesses can earn a name for themselves. Here you can host live events, webinars, and similar sessions to teach your audience or your employees.
Those who are course creators can get their courses streamed and generate income via subscriptions and selling the courses. The live streaming lets you connect to your audience in real-time and the customizable embed expands your reach to the target audience. As a creator, you can use their free as well as premium model.
Website: https://vimeo.com/ Headquarters: New York City Founded: 2004 Pricing: Free-Trial, $9 Starter Pack Advertising Methods: Video subscriptions, Branded apps, Live events
Pros:
- Live streaming option
- Download availability
- Video content privacy
- No ad in videos
- Clean interface
Cons:
- No subtitles
- Basic plan has limitations
- Wrinkled integration
4. Wistia
Wistia is one of the top-performing streaming platforms that let you host professional videos. Creators who are serious about their work and who crave detailed analytics will find Wistia a right fit. Additionally, there are automation tools, CRM, and optimizing tools for your marketing campaigns.
This premium YouTube alternative lets you upload 4K videos and offers customization for embedding. The video player features the ability to fetch the user data while they stream your content. The CTA option lets you generate more leads; it can be placed at the beginning or end of your videos. Overall, Wistia works best when you want to collaborate, embed, customize, live stream, and have deep analytics.
Website: https://wistia.com/ Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts Founded: 2006 Pricing: Free Plan and $19 Plus Plan Advertising Methods: Partner Program
Pros:
- Integration options with CRM, Google Ads, and more
- CTA placement option
- Marketing tools to reach more leads
- In-depth analytics
- Player customization
Cons:
- Limitations on free plan
5. DTube
Have you ever thought of earning cryptocurrency from your videos? If yes, then DTube serves you with the opportunity to earn the decentralized currency. Not so much for the user interface, DTube presents a simple homepage where you find some popular videos uploaded by creators who are interested in cryptocurrency. To share a file here, you do not have to upload it separately; a video hosted elsewhere can be uploaded on this platform.
To be satiated with DTube, one must accept that the user base is not that vast. It is particularly popular for blockchain enthusiasts and hence can be considered the best YouTube alternative.
Website: https://d.tube/ Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York Founded: 2022 Pricing: Free Advertising Methods: Steem blockchain
Pros:
- Ability to earn cryptocurrency
- Allows multiple activities to earn money
- No thousand subscribers needed to monetize
- Earn money from Day 1
Cons:
- Less content and fewer audience
- No content removal possible once uploaded
- No editing after 7th day of posting
6. Brightcove
Brightcove plays the role of a premium streaming platform that lets you publish content in niches like Healthcare, Marketing, Finances, Arts, and more. The platform is well-known for its clients that come under the category of Fortune 500. You can use Brightcove as an OTT; it also enables you to display your content on smartphones and TV apps.
The best alternative for Youtubers, Brightcove lets you earn via running ads that you can offer ad spaces to clients. It offers real-time analytics and lets you analyze your audience deeply.
The 8K resolution is mind-boggling for those who want to publish their video content in the finest quality possible. The interface however might not seem so updated and the platform contains enterprise pricing that you need to pay in order to use it.
Website: https://www.brightcove.com/en/ Headquarters: Boston Founded: 2004 Pricing: 30 Days Free Trial, $199/month Basic Plan Advertising Methods: AVOD, AuthVOD, SVOD, VOD
Pros:
- Easy and clean user interface
- Smooth embedding available
- Tagging and organizing options
- Responsive with most devices
- Live streaming
Cons:
- No organic traffic
- No online community
- Support is limited with free plan
- Requires coding knowledge
7. SproutVideo
SproutVideo is one of the websites like YouTube that you should choose if you earn from launching your products and impressing your clients. The platform lets you showcase your products in real-time while having many customization options for the playback. People having all sizes of businesses can opt for SproutVideo and bloom your launch videos with more chances of getting the lead.
Here you can pay as per the bandwidth that you are going to use. To become familiar with their platform, they let you have a free-trial period in every plan. Not just with the advanced features, but they are ahead in the game because of their security measures as well.
Website: https://sproutvideo.com/ Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York Founded: 2010 Pricing: 30 Days Free Trial, $10/month Seed Plan Advertising Methods: SVOD, PPV, Referral
Pros:
- Reasonable pricing
- Innovative security measures
- More control on videos and analytics
- Admirable customer support
Cons:
- Deletes hosted videos if subscription not paid
- More price to pay for more streaming capacity
- Not enough customization options
8. Spotlightr
Many of you might have known it as vooPlayer, it is now known as Spotlightr. The platform works well for course creators where you can create and sell while getting marketing assistance as well. With HLS encryption, they keep your videos fully secure and make sure you do not fall victim to piracy.
Their bandwidth goes up to 4K which means you can give your learners the best experience ever without interruptions and downtime. They provide integration ability with LearnDash and WordPress while giving you deep analytics options to track your learners and know the demographics. Their trial plan is available for 14 days during which you can make yourself aware of their features and functionality before making a decision.
Website: https://spotlightr.com/ Headquarters: Tampa, Florida Founded: 2011 Pricing: 14 Days Free Trial, $7/month Spark Plan Advertising Methods: Affiliate Program
Pros:
- Player customization options
- Video embedding feature
- Pocket-friendly prices
- HLS encryption to keep your content from unwanted downloading
Cons:
- Improvements needed with UI
- Takes time to buffer
- Glitches during playback
Time To Wrap Up
Not all great ideas and high-quality videos are on YouTube. Surely the platform has been popular for years, but there are many other video websites like YouTube to experiment with. This is especially true for new creators who do not have thousands of subscribers and who want to show their work to the world.
We discussed some of the platforms that are worthy to consider and that will help broaden your horizon. So if you want to be a creator, why not choose a platform similar to YouTube that offers a long list of features, better privacy, and does not demonetize your platform randomly?
Now, it's your turn to showcase the best content and let the world become aware of your creativity.