Hey guys! Are you missing YouTube Vanced? It was a fantastic way to block ads and get extra features on your phone. But what if you want that same experience on your PC in 2024? Sadly, Vanced is no longer around, but don't worry! We've got some awesome alternatives and workarounds to help you enjoy ad-free YouTube and more on your computer.

What Happened to YouTube Vanced?

First, let's have a quick history lesson. YouTube Vanced was incredibly popular because it offered a premium YouTube experience without the premium price tag. It blocked ads, allowed background playback, and had a sleek, customizable interface. However, Google wasn't too happy about this unofficial app mimicking YouTube Premium features for free. In 2022, the developers of Vanced announced they had to shut down the project due to legal pressure. This left many of us searching for a replacement. The good news is the internet is resourceful, and several options have popped up to fill the void. We will explore the best ways to get an enhanced YouTube experience on your PC, so stick around!

Why Replicate YouTube Vanced on PC?

Okay, so why even bother trying to replicate the Vanced experience on your PC? Well, there are several compelling reasons. First and foremost, ads. Nobody likes being interrupted by annoying ads when you're trying to binge-watch your favorite videos or listen to music. Ad blockers are a must-have for a seamless viewing experience. Secondly, background playback is a game-changer. Imagine listening to a podcast or a live stream while working on other tasks. With background playback, you can keep the audio going even when YouTube isn't the active window. Finally, features like themes and customizations allow you to personalize your YouTube experience to match your preferences. Who wouldn't want a dark mode that's easy on the eyes or a custom theme that reflects their style? Replicating these features on your PC can significantly enhance your overall YouTube enjoyment.

Top Alternatives for YouTube Vanced on PC

Since YouTube Vanced is no longer an option, let’s dive into some of the best alternatives you can use on your PC to get a similar, or even better, experience:

1. Using Ad Blockers with Your Browser

The simplest and most common method is to use ad-blocking extensions in your web browser. Ad blockers like AdBlock, Adblock Plus, and uBlock Origin are widely available for Chrome, Firefox, and other popular browsers. These extensions automatically block most ads on YouTube, giving you an uninterrupted viewing experience. Setting them up is usually a breeze: just head to your browser's extension store, search for your preferred ad blocker, and click “Add to Browser.” Once installed, the ad blocker works in the background, removing ads from YouTube videos and other websites. For optimal performance, make sure your ad blocker is always up to date. Some ad blockers also allow you to whitelist specific channels if you want to support content creators by allowing ads on their videos. This is a great way to strike a balance between an ad-free experience and supporting the channels you love.

2. Brave Browser

Brave Browser is a privacy-focused browser that comes with a built-in ad blocker. It blocks ads and trackers by default, providing a clean and fast browsing experience. To use Brave for ad-free YouTube, simply download and install the browser. Once installed, Brave automatically blocks ads on YouTube without requiring any additional extensions or configuration. Brave also offers other privacy features like tracker blocking, script blocking, and a built-in VPN, making it a great choice for users who value privacy and security. Additionally, Brave has a unique feature called Brave Rewards, which allows you to earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) for viewing privacy-respecting ads. You can then use these tokens to support your favorite content creators or redeem them for other rewards. Brave Browser is an excellent all-in-one solution for ad-free browsing and enhanced privacy.

3. YouTube Premium

If you want a legitimate and seamless way to enjoy ad-free YouTube, consider subscribing to YouTube Premium. YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience across all devices, including your PC, smartphone, and smart TV. In addition to ad-free viewing, YouTube Premium includes background playback, allowing you to listen to videos while using other apps or when your screen is off. It also gives you access to YouTube Music Premium, which lets you listen to music ad-free and download songs for offline playback. While YouTube Premium comes with a monthly fee, it’s a great way to support YouTube and its creators while enjoying an enhanced viewing experience. Plus, your subscription helps fund the platform and allows creators to continue making awesome content. If you're already paying for other streaming services, adding YouTube Premium might be a worthwhile investment for the ad-free convenience and additional features it provides.

4. 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. FreeTube blocks ads, prevents tracking, and allows you to subscribe to channels without an account. To use FreeTube, simply download and install the application. Once installed, you can search for videos, subscribe to channels, and watch content without ads or tracking. FreeTube also supports features like background playback, themes, and keyboard shortcuts, making it a great alternative to the official YouTube website. Since it’s open-source, FreeTube is constantly being improved by a community of developers, ensuring it remains a reliable and privacy-focused option for YouTube enthusiasts.

5. NewPipe

While NewPipe is primarily an Android app, you can use it on your PC with an Android emulator. NewPipe is a lightweight YouTube client that doesn't rely on the official YouTube API or Google Play Services. It blocks ads, allows background playback, and lets you download videos for offline viewing. To use NewPipe on your PC, you'll need to install an Android emulator like BlueStacks or NoxPlayer. Once the emulator is set up, you can download and install NewPipe from its official website or a trusted app store. NewPipe offers a clean and simple interface, making it easy to find and watch videos without ads or tracking. It's a great option for users who want a lightweight and privacy-focused YouTube experience on their PC.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Ad-Free YouTube on PC

Let's walk through setting up one of these alternatives, using AdBlock with Chrome as an example:

1. Open Chrome Web Store: Launch Google Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for AdBlock: In the search bar, type "AdBlock" and press Enter.
3. Select AdBlock: Find the official AdBlock extension (or your preferred ad blocker) in the search results and click on it.
4. Add to Chrome: Click the "Add to Chrome" button.
5. Confirm Installation: A pop-up will appear asking if you want to add AdBlock. Click "Add extension."
6. AdBlock Installed: Once installed, you'll see the AdBlock icon in your browser's toolbar.
7. Enjoy Ad-Free YouTube: Now, go to YouTube and start watching videos without any ads! AdBlock will automatically block most ads, giving you a seamless viewing experience. You can customize AdBlock's settings by clicking on the icon in the toolbar and adjusting your preferences. For example, you can whitelist specific channels or disable certain types of ads. Remember to keep AdBlock updated to ensure it continues to block the latest ads effectively.

Tips for Enhancing Your YouTube Experience on PC

Here are a few extra tips to take your YouTube experience on PC to the next level:

• Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Learn the YouTube keyboard shortcuts to control playback, volume, and navigation without using your mouse. For example, pressing the spacebar pauses or plays the video, while the arrow keys skip forward or backward. Knowing these shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow and make watching videos more efficient.
• Create Playlists: Organize your favorite videos into playlists for easy access and continuous playback. You can create playlists for different topics, moods, or genres, making it easy to find and watch the content you love. Playlists are also great for background listening, as they automatically play through a series of videos without requiring you to manually select each one.
• Customize Video Quality: Adjust the video quality settings to match your internet speed and screen resolution. If you have a fast internet connection, you can watch videos in high definition for a crisp and clear picture. If your internet connection is slower, you can lower the video quality to prevent buffering and ensure smooth playback. YouTube automatically adjusts the video quality based on your internet speed, but you can also manually adjust it in the video settings.
• Explore Browser Extensions: Discover other browser extensions that enhance your YouTube experience, such as those for downloading videos, taking screenshots, or adding custom themes. There are many extensions available in the Chrome Web Store and Firefox Add-ons marketplace that can add extra functionality to YouTube. Experiment with different extensions to find the ones that best suit your needs.

Conclusion

While YouTube Vanced might be gone, the spirit of ad-free and enhanced viewing lives on through these alternatives. Whether you choose to use an ad blocker, switch to Brave Browser, subscribe to YouTube Premium, or try FreeTube or NewPipe, there are plenty of ways to enjoy YouTube on your PC without interruptions. So go ahead, try out these options, and create the perfect YouTube experience for yourself in 2024! Happy watching!