Hey everyone! Since YouTube Vanced is no longer around, many of us are looking for the best alternatives to enjoy ad-free YouTube on our PCs. Don't worry, I’ve got you covered. In this article, I'll walk you through some fantastic options that will give you a similar, if not better, experience. Let’s dive in!

Why Look for YouTube Vanced Alternatives?

Before we jump into the alternatives, let's quickly recap why YouTube Vanced was so popular in the first place. YouTube Vanced offered a seamless ad-free experience, background playback, and other cool features that the official YouTube app didn't provide. It was a game-changer for those of us who wanted more control over our YouTube viewing. However, due to legal issues, it's no longer available, leaving a void that needs to be filled. So, the quest for the perfect YouTube Vanced alternative begins! We need something that blocks ads, allows background play, and maybe even offers some extra features like themes or picture-in-picture mode. After all, who wants to sit through endless ads when trying to enjoy their favorite content? Finding the right alternative ensures that you can continue to enjoy YouTube the way you want – uninterrupted and full of features.

Top YouTube Vanced Alternatives for PC

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Here are some of the best YouTube Vanced alternatives you can use on your PC right now. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

1. Brave Browser

Brave Browser is a fantastic, privacy-focused browser that comes with a built-in ad blocker. This means you can watch YouTube without any ads right out of the box! No extensions or extra setup required. Simply download Brave, start browsing, and enjoy an ad-free YouTube experience. Plus, Brave offers other great features like enhanced privacy settings and the ability to block trackers, making it a solid all-around browser. One of the standout features of Brave Browser is its Brave Rewards program. You can opt-in to view privacy-respecting ads and earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT), which you can then use to support your favorite content creators. It's a win-win! Another significant advantage is its speed. Brave is built on the Chromium engine, just like Chrome, but it's optimized for performance and speed. This means faster page loading times and a smoother browsing experience overall. Furthermore, Brave is available for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile choice for any PC user. Whether you're a casual browser or a power user, Brave offers a comprehensive solution for ad-free YouTube viewing and enhanced online privacy.

2. FreeTube

FreeTube is an open-source desktop YouTube player that focuses on privacy. It allows you to watch YouTube videos without using the official YouTube website, preventing Google from tracking your viewing habits. It’s like having a private window just for YouTube! FreeTube uses the Invidious API to fetch videos, ensuring that your data stays private. One of the best things about FreeTube is that it's completely free and open-source. This means that the code is publicly available, and anyone can contribute to its development. It's also lightweight, so it won't hog your system resources. Plus, it supports features like subscriptions, playlists, and themes, making it a feature-rich alternative to YouTube Vanced. FreeTube also offers some unique features, such as the ability to download videos directly from the app and the option to block specific channels or videos. This gives you even more control over your viewing experience. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to find and watch your favorite content. If you're concerned about privacy and want a straightforward YouTube player, FreeTube is an excellent choice. Its commitment to open-source development and user privacy makes it a standout alternative to YouTube Vanced. Give it a try and see how it enhances your YouTube experience!

3. NewPipe

While NewPipe is primarily an Android app, you can use it on your PC with an Android emulator like BlueStacks or NoxPlayer. NewPipe is a lightweight and privacy-focused YouTube client that doesn't rely on Google's APIs. This means you can watch YouTube videos without Google tracking your activity. To get NewPipe running on your PC, first, download and install an Android emulator. Once the emulator is set up, you can download the NewPipe APK from the official website and install it within the emulator. It might sound a bit complicated, but it's a one-time setup that's well worth the effort. One of the key benefits of using NewPipe is its ability to download videos and audio directly to your device. You can also play videos in the background and in a pop-up window, similar to YouTube Vanced. Plus, it's completely ad-free! NewPipe is also highly customizable, allowing you to tweak various settings to suit your preferences. You can change the default video quality, enable or disable annotations, and even use an external video player. The interface is simple and straightforward, making it easy to navigate and find your favorite content. While using an emulator might not be the most elegant solution, it's a viable option for those who love NewPipe and want to use it on their PC. It's a great way to enjoy ad-free YouTube while maintaining your privacy. Give it a try and see if it works for you!

4. VLC Media Player

You might know VLC Media Player as a versatile video player, but did you know you can also use it to watch YouTube videos? It's a bit of a workaround, but it gets the job done! VLC can stream YouTube videos directly, and with a few tweaks, you can even block ads. To watch YouTube on VLC, you need to copy the YouTube video URL and paste it into VLC's network stream option. Go to "Media" > "Open Network Stream", paste the URL, and hit play. While this method doesn't block all ads by default, you can use a Lua script to block most of them. You'll need to download a script designed to filter out YouTube ads and place it in VLC's extension directory. This requires a bit of technical know-how, but there are plenty of tutorials online that can guide you through the process. One of the advantages of using VLC is that it's incredibly lightweight and supports a wide range of video formats. It's also available for virtually every operating system, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Plus, it's completely free and open-source. While it might not be the most convenient option for watching YouTube, it's a great alternative if you already have VLC installed and want to avoid installing additional software. It's also a good choice if you're concerned about privacy, as VLC doesn't track your viewing habits. Give it a try and see if it meets your needs!

5. YouTube Premium

Okay, I know what you're thinking: "YouTube Premium isn't free!" But hear me out. YouTube Premium is the official way to get an ad-free YouTube experience, and it comes with a bunch of other perks. With YouTube Premium, you get ad-free access to all YouTube videos, background playback, and the ability to download videos for offline viewing. You also get access to YouTube Music Premium, which lets you listen to music without ads and download songs for offline playback. One of the biggest advantages of YouTube Premium is its convenience. It's seamlessly integrated with the YouTube platform, so you don't have to worry about installing extensions or using third-party apps. It also supports all devices, including your PC, smartphone, and smart TV. While it does come with a monthly fee, it's a great option if you're a heavy YouTube user and want a hassle-free experience. Plus, you're directly supporting the content creators you love. YouTube Premium also offers family plans, which allow you to share your subscription with up to five family members. This can make it a more cost-effective option if multiple people in your household use YouTube regularly. Overall, YouTube Premium is a reliable and convenient way to enjoy ad-free YouTube and support the platform. If you're willing to pay a bit extra, it's definitely worth considering.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – some of the best YouTube Vanced alternatives for PC! Whether you prioritize privacy, ease of use, or extra features, there's an option here for everyone. Give these alternatives a try and find the one that best suits your YouTube-watching needs. Happy viewing, and say goodbye to those pesky ads!