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PeerTube vs YouTube

PeerTube scores 22 out of 30 and YouTube scores 16. PeerTube is ahead on footprint, self-direction, power and longevity. YouTube is ahead on delivery.

PeerTube

The small tool

22/30 · Leaning convivial

Video sharing on servers run by many people, built by a French non-profit.

YouTube

The giant

16/30 · Mixed

The biggest video site, paid for by advertising and subscriptions.

Footprint
3
2
Lock-in
3
3
Self-direction
4
2
Power
5
1
Longevity
4
3
Delivery
3
5
Price
Free
Free with ads, or paid
Source
Open source
Closed source
Runs on
Web
Web, iOS, Android, TV
Maker
M · Medium
XL · Extra large

What you give up by switching

PeerTube is a network of servers run by different people, so finding videos and earning from them is harder than on YouTube, and playback depends on the server a video lives on.

How to move

Start by following a few channels you already like, many of which also post to PeerTube, and upload new work to an instance that suits you.

Scores are our opinion on six questions from Ivan Illich, based on public sources and dated October 2026. Read the full reviews of PeerTube and YouTube, or see how we score.

Visit PeerTube More tools for “share and follow without being hooked”