Exploring the 10 best YouTube alternatives for Mac and iPhone

When I think about watching videos, YouTube is the first thing that comes to my mind. But one day, my curiosity got the better of me, and I started to wonder if there was more out there beyond those recommended videos on the familiar platform. To my surprise, I discovered many alternatives. Some offer a refreshing change in terms of content. Others even transform the way I discover and enjoy videos.

So, in this blog post, I’ll share 10 alternatives to YouTube that opened my eyes to a world of exciting content I never knew existed. Trust me, you’ll want to check these out.

Top 10 YouTube competitors 

Let’s take a quick look at some options you can use for your next video-watching session:

Platform	Best for	Why I like it	Why I don’t like it
Vimeo	Professional and artistic content	No ads, variety of genres, high-quality content	Smaller library limited user-generated content
TED Talks	Educational content	No ads, short talks, renowned speakers	Less entertainment variety
Twitch	Live streaming and gaming	Real-time interaction, diverse content	Focus on live content, overwhelming stream volume
Netflix	Streaming movies and TV shows	Vast library, exclusive originals, offline viewing	Regional content variation
Instagram Reels	Short-form videos	Fun and educational clips	Content hit or miss, repetitive algorithm
TikTok	Short, entertaining videos	Fun, personalized content	Content quality varies, can be time-consuming
Dailymotion	Diverse video content	Unique categories, straightforward interface	Smaller library, some regional restrictions
Vevo	Music	High-quality music videos, focus on official content	Only music, relies on YouTube
Crackle	Free streaming of movies and TV shows	Free access, no account needed	Ads interrupt viewing, limited content
BitChute	Free speech content	Free speech focus, no account needed	Potentially unreliable content, smaller community

Best YouTube alternatives: Full list

In my list, you’ll find some alternatives that look and feel like YouTube, but I think they’re still worth checking out. So don’t jump to conclusions quickly. Look at all the options.

You’ll also discover platforms that are quite different from YouTube. That’s what you’re here for, right? 

The best part! I’ll show you some cool apps I use when I watch something. Believe me, I’m an expert in Mac apps, and I know what I’m talking about. You’ll love them!

Now, to the list.

1. Vimeo: Best for professional and artistic video content

Vimeo is a good option to try if you are looking for music, indie films, and other high-quality video content. As a subscriber-supported service, Vimeo earns money from creators. That’s why they can provide a mostly ad-free experience to viewers. I may have YouTube Premium, but I still can’t stand ads.

Why I like it: 

• No ads
• Variety of genres and creative content
• Super clean interface

• Focus on quality over quantity

Why I don’t like it:

• Much smaller library compared to YouTube
• Not much user-generated content

2. TED Talks: Best for educational content

I discovered TED while searching for inspiring talks on veganism and healthy living. The content was so good that I quickly fell in love with the platform. For me, TED is a place of valuable knowledge. Speakers share their ideas on a wide array of topics, from science to creativity and beyond. What more could a nerd like me want on a Saturday night? 

Why I like it: 

• No ads
• Short duration (Most talks last around 18 minutes)
• Access to world-renowned speakers

Why I don’t like it:

• Not as diverse as other platforms in terms of entertainment
• Sometimes, it can be limited content on certain niche topics

3. Twitch: Best for live streaming and gaming content

Twitch is a platform for live streaming favored by gamers and content creators. Why is it on the list? If you enjoy watching your favorite gamers play in real time, this place is for you. The best part? You can interact with them via chat. Beyond gaming, Twitch features content across a pretty wide range of categories, such as music performances, cooking shows, art streams, and even just casual chatting sessions with creators. Yeah, it’s another time sucker, but it’s so tempting.

Why I like it:

• Live interaction with streamers
• Diverse content beyond just gaming

Why I don’t like it:

• Primarily focused on live content
• The huge amount of streams and their duration can be the way overwhelming

4. Netflix: Best for streaming movies and TV shows

I love Netflix! And so does my mom. And perhaps all of my friends. I always thought everyone knew about it! But one day, I talked with a colleague who had never given it a try. After she finally signed up and tried Netflix, she couldn’t stop raving about how happy she was with all the content she discovered. For me, it was a little surprising to realize there are still people out there who haven’t used Netflix. 

If you want to try Netflix, know that it offers an extensive library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. Whether you’re into binge-worthy series, classic films, or trending documentaries, Netflix certainly has something for everyone.

Why I like it:

• Huge library of movies and TV shows
• Original content exclusive to Netflix
• I can download content for offline viewing
• Easy to navigate with personalized recommendations
• No commercials 

Why I don’t like it:

• Content library may vary by region
• Limited offline capabilities

Check out “How to download Netflix shows on a Mac, iPhone, and iPad.”

5. Instagram Reels: Best for short-form videos

Instagram Reels are definitely one of my guilty pleasures. I know I could spend way too much time scrolling, and yes, some videos can feel a bit pointless. But every now and then, I catch a wave and find myself immersed in a fantastic collection of fun content. One minute, I’m laughing at hilarious animal videos, and the next, I’m diving into useful tips on freelancing or travel hacks.

What I’ve learned is that the algorithm plays a big role in what I see. If you engage with certain types of content — like liking or commenting on pet videos or travel tips — the algorithm starts showing you more of that. So, if you want to fine-tune your feed, interact with the content you actually love.

Why I like it:

• Easy access to cool videos directly within Instagram
• A mix of fun and educational content tailored to your interests
• Short-form videos that are perfect for quick entertainment

• Personalized content based on your interactions

Why I don’t like it:

• Content can be hit or miss; some videos feel pointless
• The algorithm can sometimes oversaturate your feed with similar content

6. TikTok: Best for short, entertaining videos

Everyone knows TikTok. Oh, all these funny videos with pets. I usually share them with my mom. So, for me, TikTok is a perfect place for quick breaks and, sometimes, creative content. My mom also enjoys DIY hacks. So, if you want something easy to unwind and have a break, TikTok is a great option. Plus, its addictive algorithm serves up videos tailored to your interests.

Just a heads up, if you're in the USA, you should know that TikTok might get banned forever, so keep that in mind.

Why I like it:

• Short, fun videos, perfect for quick breaks
• Algorithm curates content based on what you like
• Endless trends and challenges to explore

Why I don’t like it:

• Content quality can vary
• Easy to lose track of time scrolling (oops)

7. Dailymotion: Best for diverse video content

Founded in France, Dailymotion sits comfortably in the second spot after YouTube in its home country. For me, the platform is a refreshing alternative packed with a ton of interesting content. You can dive into everything from music videos and indie films to news clips and sports highlights. 

The layout is pretty straightforward. So you can easily explore trending topics and channels you might not find on bigger platforms. Check it out. Maybe you’ll come across hidden gems that really surprise you.

Why I like it:

• A wide variety of video categories (music, news, fun clips, etc.)
• Simple, user-friendly interface
• Unique content that you won’t see everywhere else
• Definitely less clutter than on other video platforms
• Great for discovering new music and creators

Why I don’t like it:

• A smaller library compared to YouTube
• Some videos can be region-locked
• Not as many mainstream trends

8. Vevo: Best for music

As one Quora user called it, Vevo is like Hulu for Music. It was launched by major music record companies like Universal Music Group and has grown into the world’s largest all-premium music video provider. Vevo actually partners with YouTube, which is the largest music channel network. But in contrast to YouTube, Vevo is limited to music and doesn’t have endless copies of videos, which makes it more user-friendly.

Why I like it:

• High-quality, official music videos
• Focused solely on music (can be considered a disadvantage for some)
• Offers exclusive artist content

Why I don’t like it:

• Only music content, no variety
• Relies on YouTube’s platform
• Some videos are region-restricted

9. Crackle: Best for free streaming of movies and TV shows

Crackle is a streaming service created by Sony that offers on-demand entertainment video for free. You’ll find lots of familiar titles here, as well as some lesser known TV shows and movies. 

The great thing about Crackle is you don’t have to create an account to start watching. But if you do, you’ll be able to curate watchlists and keep track of what you’ve watched. 

Why I like it:

• Free access to a variety of movies and TV shows
• No account required for immediate streaming
• Offers both popular and underrated titles

Why I don’t like it:

• Limited content compared to larger streaming platforms
• Contains ads that can interrupt the viewing
• Somewhat dated interface could use an update

Check out “The top 5 tools to watch movies with friends online.”

10. BitChute: Best for free speech content

BitChute is a video platform that’s all about supporting free speech. I see it as a place where creators can share videos without the tight moderation you see elsewhere. So if you’re looking for different viewpoints, you may like BitChute. 

The best part? You don’t even need an account to start watching — just dive right in and explore what’s available.

Why I like it:

• Focus on free speech, minimal moderation
• Easy access, no account needed
• Offers unique perspectives and content

Why I don’t like it:

• Content can be controversial or unreliable
• Design isn’t as sleek
• Smaller community, fewer creators than on big platforms

Best YouTube alternatives: Final thoughts 

Google acquired YouTube a long time ago and made it into a video and music mammoth — which is both a blessing and a curse. While anyone can upload and promote videos on YouTube, the platform is too huge to cater to your interests. So it’s fair to say that if you know what type of video content you want to focus on, anything that’s not YouTube is better than YouTube. 

If you love music playlists on YouTube, Vevo will give you a better choice of official music videos and live concerts. If you want trending movies and TV shows, many streaming services have ad-free offers for you. And if you want to watch videos offline on your computer, you can simply download them with an app like Downie. In this article, I’ve also mentioned apps like Elmedia Player, ClearVPN, and Boom 3D. All of them are free with a Setapp membership for 7 days. 

Whatever you choose, if you watch videos on a Mac, Setapp is a must-have toolkit. It has 250+ apps that can optimize your Wi-Fi for uninterrupted streaming, download content from YouTube, or free up space for new movies. Any job is easy to solve.