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FreeTube

With FreeTube, watch YouTube videos in a desktop app and save your subscriptions and viewing data locally, without Google account.

Developer FreeTube contributors

Version 0.25.3 Beta · Open source · Windows · macOS · Linux

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FreeTube is an alternative desktop player for YouTube. You're looking for videos, tracking channels and tracking subscriptions without signing in to Google. The app stores your data locally, so your channel collection doesn't have to depend on a YouTube account.

Video footage is still from external services. Locally saved subscriptions do not mean that your connection is invisible. Depending on the settings, FreeTube retrieves information directly or uses an intermediate service. Choose which route you are using and save an export of subscriptions that you do not want to lose.

FreeTube is available as beta. Changes to YouTube may temporarily interfere with playback or loading of comments. The app cannot always prevent this in advance. Therefore, keep in mind updates and don't immediately see an error message as a problem with your own computer. To publish or manage a YouTube channel, use other tools.

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Differences between FreeTube and VLC Media Player
SoftwareWhat can it do?Platform and licence
FreeTubeYou are viewing this app With FreeTube, watch YouTube videos in a desktop app and save your subscriptions and viewing data locally, without Google account. Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source
VLC Media PlayerView this alternative You especially want to play your own videos and separate streams. Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-2.0-only

Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.

Who is it for?

You want to watch YouTube video footage and track channels without a Google account, from a separate desktop app.

Getting started

On the official download page, choose the package for your system and processor. First add some channels and try playing before importing your full subscription collection.

Privacy

Subscriptions and viewing data are stored locally. YouTube or a selected intermediate service will still receive network requests. Looking without an account is not the same as looking anonymously.

Good to know

YouTube changes can disrupt functions. No guarantee of looking anonymously. Beta requires regular updating

Please note

The app has beta status and depends on changes in YouTube. Captcha performance errors and playback errors can also occur with the latest version.

Advantages

  • Track Channels without Google Account Save subscriptions locally Official Windows portable available

Things to consider

  • YouTube changes can disrupt functions No guarantee of looking anonymously Beta requires regular updating

Download FreeTube

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Official download page

Provider’s website · freetubeapp.io

Download FreeTube (opens in a new tab)

Version history

0.25.3 Beta

Playing and falling back on other video formats has been improved.

  • Playing and falling back on other video formats has been improved.
  • Reload comments with support for the modified thread structure of YouTube.
  • Double responses to repeated loading and a problem with SABR redirections have been corrected.
Report a new version

Is there a newer version of FreeTube? Send the version number and a link to the official announcement. Our editors will check it. No login is required.

Our verdict

FreeTube is useful if you want to watch and prefer to keep your channel collection outside of a Google account. That gives control of local data, but does not remove the dependence on YouTube. Make an export of your subscriptions and keep the app updated. If you are looking for maximum predictability or channel management functions, the regular website will be better connected. For accountless viewing, FreeTube is a targeted addition.

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