io.freetubeapp.FreeTube
FreeTube is an open source desktop YouTube player built with privacy in mind. Use YouTube without advertisements and prevent Google from tracking you with their cookies and JavaScript. Available for Windows, Mac & Linux thanks to Electron.
Please note that FreeTube is currently in Beta. While it should work well for most users, there are still bugs and missing features that need to be addressed.
Latest reviews
Using the dev version, eliminate the annoying stop using adblock messages from YT.
It does what it promises: enables you to use YouTube without ads. I can also add videos to favorites, save and download videos, etc. All without signing in. How much more privacy it gives you vs. going to the YouTube website is up for debate. But it works better than the YT website with my slow internet connection.
Can't Complain! When browsing there dosn't appear to be as much content as on Youtube but everything is there on FreeTube aswell. EG: I do a google video search on a cirtain topic whatever, then when I find a video I like, I copy then paste it into Freetube and they always shown up! (For me so far) Here's a tip: The system installer is HUGE so get FreeTube installer from their homepage, it's tiny by comparison.
As per Cross_Dresser_Mary, "Flatpak" does seem better named "Bloatpak" thanks to the protocol including all manner of support software along with the desired item. I'm not at all expert with GNU/Linux Mint, but via https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-install-and-use-freetube-on-linux-macos/?expand_article=1 I find for "Ubuntu/Debian" (from which "Mint" is derived) the instructions: export VER="0.19.1" ^^^ wget https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/download/v${VER}-beta/FreeTube_${VER}_amd64.deb ^^^ sudo apt install -f ./FreeTube_${VER}_amd64.deb ^^^ where I have introduced ^^^ to mark line splits. Enter these lines one-by-one into a command-line window, and just 65MB will be downloaded instead of 1,000MB. (As I am on what amounts to a metered internet connection, this makes quite a difference) This results in a "FreeTube" icon in the start menu, and the prog. starts - I have yet to test further. To ascertain the latest version number codes, check https://freetubeapp.io/ for the Download FreeTube Release statement.
I tried installing it and it managed to crash the software installer. That's OK though. I had not realised it was such a mass of bloatware. Almost a gigabyte to download and over three to install. I won't be making another attempt.
Working for me on Linux Mint 21.1. To add videos to playlist, look for a star in top right corner; hover over star, it offers to save; when saved, it automatically goes into your playlist.
In the linux mint package only version 16.0 , on the hp from freetube you can get the new 18.0 version. I miss the option to add a playlist.
Der beste YouTube Player, mit dem man Kanälen folgen kann, ohne ein Account bei YouTube verwenden zu müssen. Somit liefert man keine personalisierten Daten an YouTube. Der Player wird von Version zu Version besser. Allerdings nutze ich das DEB Paket direkt von der Website. Das ist nicht so groß wie das Flatpak. Wenn YouTube etwas verändert, kann es temporär passieren, dass der Player nicht funktioniert. Aber das wird in der Regel innerhalb weniger Tage mit einer neuen Version behoben.
I like it, but I can not find any way to use favorites, subscriptions lists or playlists. It says click on something in the corner of the video, but I can't find anything there. I know it is a beta, but it should not pretend that there are functions that are not really there.
Freetube is the best way to watch Youtube videos without being tracked by Google. However, it still lacks some features like having multiple playlists and other minor conveniences. It's getting better with every update, so the app's improvement over time is slow and steady.
FreeTube is awesome! It provides all of the functionality of using YouTube minus your activity being monetized and stored indefinitely. I've used Invidious but it doesn't have all of the functionality that FreeTube does nor the aesthetics. Check it out and if you can, support its developer. He works on FreeTube in his free time and has made quite the impressive app free of charge. If you have any questions, he's very active in the FreeTube Matrix and subreddit, both of which are liked on the website.
Error Message: " Invidious API Error: This server no longer hosts the Invidious API. "
i use alot! able to download every video, occationally it gets frozen and i need to restart app. Downloaded video to my computers filename is random number and letters instead of being named the video title from youtube, kind of tedious when downloading alot of videos. but besides that its great. i use it everyday
The best way to watch YouTube videos from the desktop without a google account.
Great app, plays YouTube content well and allows you to have your own subscription lists locally that are not in google's servers. Respects your privacy.