YouTube is the undisputed leader among video portals and can confidently be described as the top dog in the industry: over one billion users surf YouTube, which is almost a third of all internet users. The platform has long been recognized as an effective marketing tool. Videos can be uploaded with just a few clicks and can easily be embedded on any external website using automatically generated HTML codes. Its range of features and ease of use make it difficult for competing portals to get their foot in the door, but what actually are the alternatives to YouTube?
Here is an overview of eight YouTube alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages. They worth Trying and have your own experience
Dailymotion
Dailymotion is a video portal from France and is currently one of the best YouTube alternatives, especially in its home country where user numbers are high. It’s the same situation in many other countries, where Dailymotion finds itself in second place, just behind YouTube. The company estimates its worldwide number of users to be around 314 million, with 3.5 billion videos played on Dailymotion each month.
Dailymotion scores with its upload specifications: video files can be up to 2GB in size and up to 60 minutes in length but restrictions do not apply to advanced users. Numerous video and audio formats are supported, so that uploaders can choose between, for example, .mov, .mpeg4, .mp4, .avi, and .wmv files. Users are recommended to use H.264 as a video codec, and AAC at a frame rate of 25 FPY as an audio codec. A resolution of up to 3,840 x 2,160 (4K) is possible. This makes the portal particularly suitable for demanding uploaders: large files are just as welcome as image quality.
The layout is clear and intuitive. Embedding and sharing videos on external platforms is also very simple: just one click and the HTML code is automatically generated.
Dailymotion has a well-organized website as well as a section for videos trending right now.
You can also make money with videos on Dailymotion, adjust the player, and oversee revenue with the analysis tool. This makes Dailymotion one of the best alternatives to YouTube, especially for bloggers who want to make their content available on a paid basis or offer separate premium content. If you want to use Dailymotion’s website monetization, you can either activate your site to allow it, or embed a special widget from the provider. Some notable partners already take part in this program, including CNN.
Dailymotion offers an impressive range of apps: the YouTube alternative is used on many smart TVs, set-top boxes, and Sony PlayStation, and can be viewed comfortably from the sofa. The service can also be used via iOS or Android apps.
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DTube
In 2016, US company Steemit launched the same-named social media and blogging platform which allows for the decentralized sharing of content of different formats on the basis of blockchain. Video uploads are made via YouTube alternative DTube, which is part of the Steemit network. DTube is based on the IPFS protocol that enables a distributed storage of the uploaded videos on the various computers involved in the blockchain – unlike YouTube which stores all data on Google’s servers.
The production of new blocks for the Steem blockchain is the responsibility of the DTube “leaders” (currently 10 parties), who are determined by all users through a voting process. All registered users, who can receive rewards in the form of cryptocurrency for the video upload and for liking, and commenting, have five votes. A big advantage over YouTube and many other video platforms are that DTube is entirely ad-free.
DTube is a good YouTube alternative and stands out for its data security features. The design is similar to YouTube.
Because of technologies such as blockchain and the requirement to use individually generated keys to log in to the platform, DTube can take some getting used to at the start. To make things a little easier, the developers of the web application have deliberately chosen a design that emulates YouTube. This creates a more familiar environment. Users have the following three options to upload their content:
Peer-to-peer: The most anonymous option to upload videos, which chooses between the BTFS, Skynet, and IPFS protocols.
Third-party URL: The simplest type of video upload lets users embed video URLs from third-party platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Dailymotion, Instagram, Live leak, Vimeo, or Facebook.
Data upload: The best option for upload of smaller files.
DTube’s concept makes for a pioneering alternative to YouTube. The platform already has 189,000 registered content creators and content curators who share a video on the blockchain every three minutes, on average. However, with two million unique visitors each month, the platform is still in the early stages.
Vimeo
It is a US video service that launched in 2004 and specializes in artistically ambitious videos. It’s not surprising then, that the service was founded by filmmakers and directors, who wanted to provide a distribution platform for their work. For example, lots of impressive short videos, documentaries, and even music videos can be found on this platform. If you’re interested in independent production, Vimeo offers one of the highest quality YouTube alternatives.
Vimeo claims to be an exchange platform for creative minds, which is reflected on the website: here you can see top stories and curated videos, presented like an interactive gallery. Accordingly, the service offers its users a generous framework for video uploads, which are top-quality. The basic version is free and allows 500 MB to be uploaded per week. With “Vimeo Plus” the amount increases to 5 GB per week, and 20 GB per week with “Vimeo Pro”, where you can also publish short films in 4K ultra-HD resolution. When it comes to uploading, there are hardly any limitations, at least not with professional accounts. Only the image data is automatically reduced if a video exceeds 60 FPS during uploading.
The Pro version allows you to add three team members to your account, customize the player, and sell content by video on demand. 90% of transaction costs are paid to the creator. There is also an extensive package with various tools, analysis programs, and a completely advertisement-free user interface. Commercial providers get up to 5 TB (terabytes) of storage space with “Vimeo Business” with no weekly restriction. Up to ten team members can use marketing and workflow tools with this kind of account. A new live-streaming function can be activated in the Pro version (inclusive of 7TB storage space).
Vimeo offers different usage models: free registration or paid registration with advertising-free packages for different needs.
In addition, there are many video tutorials located in the help center that provide support for using the platform. Vimeo speaks primarily to professional filmmakers, marketing managers, and artists. In turn, this means that many of this YouTube alternative’s main features have to be paid for.
Users can profit from the innovative content in the free version and make the most of numerous apps: Vimeo is also available on mobile operating systems such as Android, iOS, and Windows smartphones. In addition, the service can be used on various devices in your own living room, e.g. on Chromecast, Apple TV, Xbox 360, or Smart TVs from manufacturers such as Panasonic, Philips, and Samsung. Vimeo’s competent community is there to provide useful help and valuable feedback on uploads.
Twitch
A YouTube alternative that is especially popular with gamers is twitch, a live streaming portal that originally concentrated on video games and e-sports. Twitch.tv went online as a beta version on 6th June 2011 and had already attracted 45 million viewers per month on approximately 6 million channels. In 2014, Amazon acquired the company for USD 970 million, and since 2016, Amazon Prime customers can make the most of “Twitch Prime”. This service offers free games and subscriptions, game loots, and ad-free streaming. Since 2015, the video portal has organized an annual convention called TwitchCon, which takes place in several US cities during the fall season.
In essence, Twitch has a very similar concept to YouTube: the content is free for everyone. By registering free via email or Facebook, users can access additional features, such as adding friends, the chat function, or the following of certain channels – this all adds to the strong social aspect of the service. All registered users can stream all content. For those not playing via PlayStation or Xbox, all you need is the appropriate software such as the Open Broadcaster software. In 2016, the IRL function was unveiled, which allows users to share moments from their own lives and discuss them with other users. An affinity for gaming is not necessary – user-generated content is the main component of Twitch, alongside professional streams of large e-sport events.
Additionally, professional and larger channels have the opportunity to earn money through Twitch’s partner or affiliate program. To be invited, streamers must meet certain conditions: for example, the user’s streaming activity must be regular and there must be a fixed audience. In return, as a streamer in the affiliate program, you have the option of offering different subscription packages for a fee or participating in the cheering program. Cheering allows users to buy so-called bits to support their favorite channel. The affiliate program offers a chance to embed ads, making Twitch a profitable platform for gamers with professional content and ambitions.
The main difference between Twitch and YouTube comes down to the fact that there are only live videos on Twitch as opposed to recorded videos. If required, short snippets of streams can be saved as highlight videos which users are able to access again in the future.
Vevo
Sony and Universal Music, the brands behind Vevo have labeled the video platform the largest music platform worldwide. However, this distinction isn’t technically correct as of 2018. Streaming music videos via the website or the native Vevo app is no longer supported.
Aside from official music videos of supported artists, Vevo also provides various formats such as live studio performances, concert clips, “Behind the Scenes” features, and interviews. The “DSCVR” category is a platform for emerging artists.
Only available via third party providers
In short, Dailymotion is still the closest to YouTube’s principle, Vimeo distances itself from its competitors with its high-quality and artistically ambitious content.. Vevo is a great platform for music artists –even if the service no longer offers its own platform. Twitch has become a streaming provider for gaming and e-sports. Hope you have enjoyed the review of the best alternative to YouTube.
