When it comes to online video platforms, it's hard to see far beyond YouTube. After all, Google's ubiquitous site is THE place to go for online video, unless you're seeking out the fun, fast, and frenetic content offered up by short-form video platforms such as TikTok.
However, there are plenty of good YouTube alternatives available online. And in this article, we list the best video sites other than YouTube. Giving you a wider range of sources for user-generated content to watch when you need to be entertained, informed, or both.
1. Dailymotion
Dailymotion has been around almost as long as YouTube, having started life in Paris, France in 2005. Since then, it has changed hands several times, and the nature of its homepage (and the videos on it) have changed as well.
At the time of writing, Dailymotion offers videos sourced from elsewhere, such as Newsy, Sports Illustrated, and Genius. So, think less user-generated content, and more videos made by brands and other media outlets.
This doesn't mean it isn't worth checking out though. By scrolling down the homepage or switching between the tabs, you're bound to find some videos that interest you. And it's certainly an interesting alternative to YouTube.
2. VideosHub (Formerly Metacafe)
VideosHub isn't a big name in online video. In fact, its biggest claim to fame is that anyone attempting to visit Metacafe will now be redirected to the VideosHub homepage.
Metacafe was one of the oldest (and biggest) online video platforms around until it disappeared in August 2021. Now, VideosHub has risen from its ashes, and it hosts a similar mix of popular, funny, and seemingly random videos.
VideosHub is certainly an alternative to YouTube, but it's no competition. Therefore, we woudn't recommend it unless you have an in-built aversion to YouTube or want to browse the categories on VideosHub---including Wheels & Wings---in the hopes of finding a hidden gem.
3. Vimeo
Vimeo, which is literally the word "video" with "me" stuffed in the middle, is a US-based website launched in late 2004. It's not really a direct competitor to YouTube, having taken a more subtle approach that puts the onus on quality over quantity.
Vimeo isn't the place to go if you want to see cats acting crazy or dogs running on treadmills. They may be there if you look hard enough but Vimeo is more about classy short films, experimental music videos, and snapshots of interesting people's interesting lives.
The best thing about Vimeo is the player, which places the video front and center, keeping all of the extraneous menus to a minimum. There are enough options to keep you clicking, but this is the one site that shows online videos to their full potential.
4. DTube
DTube is a particularly interesting YouTube alternative because of the way its creators earn money from their uploads. While YouTube pays out cold, hard cash based on how many views a video racks up, DTube pays out in crypto. Hence the name DTube, which stands for "Decentralized Tube".
As for the content itself, DTube features a heady mix of videos designed to inform and entertain. There's a high number of crypto-based videos, which is no surprise given the users it's likely to attract. However,if you dig deep enough, you'll also find politics, gaming, and recipes covered in the same way they would be on YouTube.
5. TED Talks
You have probably heard of TED Talks, but you may not necessarily know what it is and what it does.
In a nutshell, TED is a not-for-profit organization committed to spreading ideas. The TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, with the titular Talks emerging from the conference first held in 1984.
TED Talks are short lectures covering a wide range of topics. And you're bound to learn something from watching them, making TED Talks a more educational and informative alternative to YouTube. So the best thing to do is visit the homepage and find a talk on a subject that interests you. You'll then find yourself disappearing down a rabbithole of interesting content.
6. 9GAG
9GAG is a site packed full of viral videos. Whether they've already gone viral, or are just about to do so. And the freshest, funniest videos are presented vertically on the homepage in a similar vein to TikTok. Making 9GAG perfect for viewing on your smartphone. Especially when you can't sleep.
Don't expect anything high brow here. These are silly videos designed to entertain rather than educate. But we all need a little silliness in our lives from time to time, right?
Sections include Funny, Random, Awesome, and Savage. You can also browse videos by what's Hot, Trending, Fresh, and Top, enabling you to tune into what types of video interest you. Be warned that some videos featured on 9GAG are consided NSFW.
7. The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is, as its name suggests, an archive packed full of all kinds of content, including video.
Navigating to the Video tab opens up a vast collection videos, including old movies and TV shows, short films and social media clips, and lots more besides. The collection of videos available on The Internet Archive is so vast that you should be sure to use the filters and search tool to narrow down your selections.
While we're focused on the videos here, the rest of the content deserves a mention too. There's a vast selection of books to read, games to play, music to listen to, and more. And it's all free to access in this non-profit digital library.
Proof That Good YouTube Alternatives Do Exist
Due to the sheer size and scale of YouTube, it's easy to forget that there are plenty of alternatives available. And we've listed a selection of them in this article.
To be honest, these YouTube alternatives are a mixed bag. Some we would recommend, while others are somewhat lacking in features or finesse. However, we hope this has provided some inspiration for other video sites to visit the next time you want to sit back and be entertained.