Hi, this post is really long, here are a bunch of section links to skip to:
Jump To:
Youtube Video Front Ends:
Youtube Music Front Ends:
Other Options & Resources:
Ripping music from your local library
Hello, I have been using alternate front ends for youtube and youtube music for a while now. These are apps that have the functionality of youtube (searching for and playing videos hosted on youtube) and youtube music (music streaming) without advertisements and Google's invasive data mining. Some of them also add extra features like; allowing you to alter their layout/theme, choose whether you see 'trending' or 'recommended' tabs, subscribe to channels or import subscriptions, play in background or picture in picture on phones, block entire channels, and more. Usually they are built on top of some free and open source software that accesses youtube servers for you without pulling advertisements or sending telemetry, the most common of these being 'Invidious' and 'Piped'.
This post will provide a brief overview of several of these apps, which require little to no technical knowledge to start using. Most of these I have tested in an android virtual machine, just to see how they look and function, there are a few desktop apps though. All of the apps on android require the use of an alternative app store like F-Droid/derivitives or Accrescent. 'Droid-ify' is based on F-Droid but with an interface that is easier to use/understand, probably the easiest bet for new users, you can just download it onto your phone from their github release page and give it permission to install apps. It will auto update them.
As for actually using these apps, all of them should have a familiar enough interface that anyone can use. You can edit the layout, theme, colour scheme, and your content feed in 'settings'. Most of the website/github links I paste below have photos or videos of how these apps look visually. They all allow you to add subscriptions and create playlists to save videos or songs. The main issue with them is the 'cat and mouse' bugfixing catchup they have to constantly deal with regarding youtube changing it's software in an attempt to render these apps unusable. Every now and then, these apps will not load videos or only load lower quality 480p due to youtube's interventions. In those instances, it is best to check the respective app's GitHub 'issues' page as there may be workarounds listed there, or try other front ends until your chosen one is working again.
Youtube Video Front Ends:
At least one option for every PC platform and numerous for Android. I will make a separate 'iOS' section at the end, because your options are limited and not super simple.
FreeTube
Available for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux) and Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
I use FreeTube on my desktops, it has been very reliable. Has all the basic function of youtube, and the typical extras of these front end apps, including optional SponsorBlock. In my experience, the flatpak version takes a day or more to update with new versions, so I just switched to manually downloading it from their website. The Android version is fine, but it's interface is a little bit clunkier than others on this list. Built on Invidious.
Materialious
Available for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux) and Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
I have only briefly tested this on desktop and android, but it was perfectly functional and easy to use. I will probably keep this around as a backup when FreeTube desktop, or the 'Piped' based android apps break. Has SponsorBlock. Built on Invidious.
NewPipe
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
This has been my main driver on Android for a long time. Very easy to use, comfortable interface, lightweight. Has background play and picture-in-picture play over other apps. NewPipe can also pull content from SoundCloud and Bandcamp, among others. Built on Piped.
Tubular
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
A fork of NewPipe that implements SponsorBlock and ReturnYoutubeDislike. Looks and controls exactly the same as NewPipe, with all the same features and content sources. Because it is a fork, it may be slightly behind NewPipe on bigfixes. Built on Piped.
PipePipe
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
Originally a NewPipe fork, now far enough removed that it is independent. Looks and controls almost exactly like NewPipe, same features and content sources, but with several extra additions. PipePipe adds SponsorBlock, ReturnYoutubeDislike, search filters, content filtering by keywords/channels, and more, also it can pull content from BiliBili and NicoNico. I am actually considering swapping to this after testing it out, I really like content filtering because algorithm-less youtube feeds you A LOT of right-wing garbage. Built on Piped.
LibreTube
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
Tested this out briefly, it is an independent project with a VERY minimal interface. I was taken aback initially, but it is very simple to use and was fully functional while I tested it. Includes SponsorBlock, ReturnYoutubeDislike, background play and a few other useful features. Built on Piped.
SkyTube
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
Tested this out briefly, another very functional independent project with an easy to use interface. Includes a number of features like SponsorBlock and advanced content filering/blocking options. Seems like a really solid choice for daily use, only requiring Android 4.4 or later. It uses Youtube's API directly, instead of Piped or Invidious.
Clipious
*NOTE: may not be functional*
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify & Accrescent)
I tested this a few weeks ago on an actual phone, it was semi-functional then, with some playback issues. Testing today on an android virtual machine (android x86), it was just crashing on open. Could be an issue with the virtual machine, but their github page 'issues' section has a request from the developer looking for other maintainers. So it may be the case they don't have the time to fix bugs currently. Not sure if this will change in the future, or if this is still functional on other android devices. Built on Invidious.
Youtube Music Front Ends:
Far less of these available, mostly Android and Linux. On desktop, you might be better off using one of the youtube video app alternatives and just playing music videos from a playlist if you really want to stream music for free from Youtube. iOS users should skip to the 'iOS' section
Harmony Music
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
I have been using this for a few months, since RiMusic stopped development. It has been working well, with the occasional stutter or playback stoppage. Unsure if this is due to internet issues while on mobile data, or if just certain songs were not working. I don't really like the app layout on phones, it is a little unintuitive at times, but the app is very functional.
Kreate
Available for Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
I have just tested this out on my android virtual machine, and now on my phone. This is a fork of RiMusic, which shut down development early this year. It looks and controls exactly like RiMusic did, very intuitive design that is simple to navigate. I think I will actually switch to this from now on, it was fully functional during my testing and it looks really good visually too.
AudioTube
Available for Linux
I have used AudioTube on my desktop for a while now. It has it's issues with playback from time to time, like it can be a bit slow changing songs, and have the occasional random stoppage. The themeing/design is kinda odd, it is designed specifically for KDE Plasma desktop and it's minimalist transparent windows design style. I do not like that personally, I use XFCE for... reasons, but I think it would fit in and function better in a Plasma desktop. There doesn't seem to be any settings either, so you can't change how it looks, or the fact it always starts playing at 100% volume every time you open the app again. But at the end of the day, it is free software, and you get what you pay for. I obviously don't know how to make software like this, I assume it is hard work, especially countering youtube's constant interventions to your detriment. AudioTube is available as a Flatpak or Snap.
SpMp
*NOTE: this app is 'currently mostly non-functional' according to their github*
Available for PC (Windows, Linux) and Android (F-Droid/Droid-ify)
Tried testing this out on android virtual machine, it has a nice design but it was not functional. I then came across the notice on their GitHub that recent changes to YouTube API software has made audio streaming from third party applications more difficult. They are still developing the app, and it may become functional again at some point.
Spotube
*NOTE: Currently not available due to a cease and desist from Spotify*
Available for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux) and Android
The developers say they are working on a new version of the app that removes Spotify code and will still function for accessing Youtube Music without ads, for free. Maybe check in with it another time, especially Windows and Mac users who have no other functional options.
Other Options & Resources:
Some other options that will require more work, and some resources to explore further at the end.
iOS & iPhones
You're choices are limited and not as beginner friendly as Android, Apple keeps your devices pretty locked down. Any advice I could give would be theoretical too, I do not have access to any Apple hardware. Apparently you are able to 'sideload' some apps without jailbreaking, or you could jailbreak your device. Otherwise if you just want background play, some browsers like firefox or brave allow youtube videos to play in the background/audio only. Here are some resource links you can explore:
Reddit post about Youtube alternative apps for iOS, 3 yrs old.
YTMusicUltimate GitHub, a Youtube Music front end for iOS (needs sideloading or jailbreaking)
Reddit post with a 'sideloading guide'
'Sideloadly' Website, a sideloading tool
'How to easily sideload apps on any iPhone using AltStore' article by XDA-Developers.com
Internet Radio
Internet Radio is provided by thousands of websites and apps across all devices. I would suggest just searching your relevant app store, or on your browser via whatever search engine you use. Typically internet radio gives you numerous options to choose from with regards to music genre or theme (spa, relaxation and romantic piano were a few I came across). It is possible to find streams of very niche genres not available on over-the-air FM Radio, with little to no advertisements, that are curated by a human as opposed to an algorithm. This can be a solid option if you just want to listen to a specific style of music, and maybe hear some new stuff. If you use a browser with privacy protecting extensions and an adblocker, this is an easy way to access music without giving up all of your data. I am listening to a 90s R&B radio on accuradio.com while writing this part, and I am actually preferring it to what I was listening to before, lmao. I probably would not have thought of this if I didn't see this video by 'Veronica Explains' about 'Shortwave', a decent internet radio app for Linux, available as a Flatpak.
Piracy
Free, but requires a bit of knowledge and awareness to safely do these days. Also typically more time consuming that the other streaming options. You should follow the advice on r/Piracy's Piracy megathread, it is quite solid and provides an extensive overview of the dos and don'ts. Also this piracy guide from 'easy USSR' on neocities is much more succinct and easy to read :)
Ripping music from your local library
Probably not an option for everyone, depending on your access to a public library, and it's quality/funding. But it is something that is often overlooked, a lot of public libraries have large CD collections. You can just go in, max out the amount of items you can borrow, and rip the music to your computer or hard drive. I haven't done this in a while, but this method BUILT my music collection circa 2008. Just check the CD case for any mentions of DRM that can harm your computer, I have never come across a music CD with that though.
Further Resources
Overview of alternative open source front-ends for popular internet platforms (e.g. YouTube, Twitter, etc.) - mendel5 on GitHub (2 yrs old)
YT Music RVX Alternatives (Open Source YT Music Clients) - r/AfterVanced Reddit post