YouTube Premium allows users to watch videos without advertisements, but viewers do not necessarily need a paid subscription to enjoy an uninterrupted viewing experience. Several free browsers and third-party applications offer ways to block or avoid YouTube ads across smartphones, computers and smart TVs.
From Brave Browser and Firefox to applications such as NewPipe, FreeTube, TizenTube and SmartTube, users have multiple options to watch YouTube without paying for a Premium subscription.
These alternatives offer different features, including ad-free playback, background listening, video downloads, picture-in-picture viewing and automatic skipping of sponsored segments.
The available options depend on the device and its operating system. Some work through web browsers, while others require installing separate applications.
Here are six ways to enjoy a YouTube ads free premium-like experience without purchasing a subscription.
1. Use Brave Browser to Block YouTube Ads
Brave is one of the simplest ways to watch YouTube without advertisements. The browser comes with a built-in ad blocker called Brave Shields, which blocks many advertisements and online trackers automatically.
Unlike traditional browsers, Brave does not require users to install additional extensions to activate its basic ad-blocking features.
The browser is available for Android phones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, Windows PCs, Macs and Linux computers.
To watch YouTube without ads using Brave:
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Download and install Brave from its official website or your device’s app store.
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Open Brave Browser.
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Visit YouTube.com.
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Start watching your favourite videos.
Brave Shields blocks many advertisements that normally appear before or during YouTube videos. However, its effectiveness may vary as YouTube updates its advertising systems.
The browser also supports background playback and picture-in-picture on supported devices, allowing users to listen to videos while using other applications.
Add YouTube to Your Android Home Screen
Android users can create a YouTube shortcut on their home screen to access the website like a regular application.
Follow these steps:
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Open Brave Browser on your Android phone or tablet.
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Visit YouTube.com.
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Tap the three-dot menu.
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Select Add to Home screen.
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Name the shortcut YouTube and tap Add.
A YouTube icon will appear on the home screen. Opening it launches YouTube through Brave, allowing users to access the website while keeping the browser’s ad-blocking features available.
iPhone and iPad users can also open YouTube through Brave and benefit from its built-in content-blocking features.
2. Use Firefox With uBlock Origin
Firefox offers another option for people looking for a YouTube ads free premium alternative.
The browser supports uBlock Origin, a free, open-source content-blocking extension that can remove many advertisements, trackers, pop-ups and unwanted website elements.
The combination is available on Windows PCs, Macs, Linux computers and supported Android devices.
To get started:
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Download and install Firefox.
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Open its extensions or add-ons section.
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Search for uBlock Origin.
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Install the extension.
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Visit YouTube.com and start watching videos.
Once installed, uBlock Origin blocks many advertisements within the browser, reducing interruptions during video playback.
Android users can also add YouTube to their home screen through Firefox. Open YouTube.com, tap the three-dot menu and select Add to Home Screen.
However, Firefox on iPhones and iPads does not support the same extension system available on desktop and Android versions. Brave is therefore a more suitable browser-based alternative for Apple mobile devices.
3. Use NewPipe as an Android Alternative
NewPipe is a free, open-source Android application that allows users to watch YouTube videos without regular advertisements.
Unlike Brave and Firefox, NewPipe is a dedicated application rather than a web browser. It offers its own interface for searching videos, exploring channels and watching YouTube content.
Some of its main features include:
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Advertisement-free video playback.
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Background audio playback.
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Pop-up video playback.
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Video and audio downloads.
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Local channel subscriptions.
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No requirement to sign in to a Google account.
Users can download NewPipe through its official website or the F-Droid platform.
After installing the application, users can search for YouTube videos and play them directly through NewPipe.
The application is particularly useful for Android users who prefer a dedicated video player rather than opening YouTube through a browser.
However, NewPipe does not offer the same Google account integration or interface as the official YouTube application.
4. Use FreeTube on Windows, Mac or Linux
FreeTube is another free, open-source application for people who want to watch YouTube without advertisements on desktop computers.
It is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Unlike browser-based alternatives, FreeTube provides a dedicated interface for searching videos, browsing channels, managing subscriptions and watching content.
The application retrieves publicly available YouTube information through its extraction system or a compatible Invidious instance rather than relying on the official YouTube API.
FreeTube offers several features, including:
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Ad-free video playback.
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Local subscriptions and playlists.
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Local watch history.
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Picture-in-picture viewing.
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Privacy-focused browsing.
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SponsorBlock integration.
SponsorBlock is particularly useful because it can automatically skip sponsored segments included within videos.
These segments are different from regular YouTube advertisements because creators often include them directly in their video content.
To get started, download FreeTube from its official website, install it on your computer and start browsing videos.
Users can manage their subscriptions and viewing history locally without signing in to a Google account.
5. Use TizenTube for Ad-Free YouTube on Smart TVs
TizenTube is a free, open-source application designed to provide an advertisement-free YouTube experience on compatible smart televisions.
It is particularly useful for Samsung smart TVs running Tizen OS, where installing conventional browser extensions such as uBlock Origin is generally not possible.
Unlike some alternative applications that completely redesign the viewing experience, TizenTube retains an interface similar to the official YouTube TV application.
Its features include:
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Ad-free video playback.
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SponsorBlock integration.
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Playback speed controls.
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Interface customisation.
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DeArrow support for alternative video titles and thumbnails.
SponsorBlock can skip sponsored portions of videos, while playback speed controls allow viewers to adjust playback speed up to 4x.
Samsung TV owners can install TizenTube through the TizenBrew installation process.
The official instructions involve installing TizenBrew, selecting the Install From GitHub option and entering the project’s repository, reisxd/TizenTube.
TizenTube also offers a Cobalt version for compatible Android TV, Google TV and Fire TV devices.
For Samsung television owners looking for an alternative to the official YouTube application, TizenTube offers a familiar interface with additional features.
6. Use SmartTube on Android TV and Google TV
SmartTube is another free, open-source application designed for Android-based smart televisions and streaming devices.
It supports Android TV, Google TV and compatible Android-based streaming devices.
Like TizenTube, SmartTube provides ad-free video playback and includes SponsorBlock integration to skip sponsored segments within videos.
Its other features include:
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High-resolution video playback.
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Adjustable playback speeds.
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Background playback on supported devices.
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Additional playback controls.
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Customisable viewing experience.
However, SmartTube uses its own television interface rather than copying the standard YouTube TV layout. Users may notice differences in the home screen, navigation and overall appearance.
The application is designed to work with television remote controls and can be installed through its official website or GitHub project.
Users need to install the APK on a compatible Android TV device.
SmartTube does not run directly on Samsung’s Tizen OS or LG’s webOS. Owners of these televisions therefore need alternatives compatible with their operating systems.
Its developers also recommend downloading the application only from official sources to avoid potentially unsafe modified versions.
Which Method Works Best for Your Device?
Not every YouTube ad-blocking method works across all devices. The following table highlights the available options for different operating systems.
| Device | Available options |
|---|---|
| Android phones and tablets | Brave, Firefox with uBlock Origin, NewPipe |
| iPhones and iPads | Brave |
| Windows laptops and PCs | Brave, Firefox with uBlock Origin, FreeTube |
| Mac computers | Brave, Firefox with uBlock Origin, FreeTube |
| Linux computers | Brave, Firefox with uBlock Origin, FreeTube |
| Samsung Tizen smart TVs | TizenTube |
| Android TV and Google TV | SmartTube, TizenTube Cobalt |
| Compatible Fire TV devices | SmartTube, TizenTube Cobalt |
For most smartphone and computer users, Brave offers the simplest setup because its built-in ad blocker does not require additional extensions.
Firefox with uBlock Origin is another option for Android and desktop users.
Meanwhile, NewPipe and FreeTube are suitable for people who prefer dedicated applications instead of browser-based viewing.
For smart televisions, TizenTube offers an interface closer to the official YouTube experience, while SmartTube provides a different layout with additional customisation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I watch YouTube without ads for free?
Yes. Browsers such as Brave and Firefox with uBlock Origin, along with applications such as NewPipe and FreeTube, offer ways to watch YouTube without regular advertisements.
2. Is there a free alternative to YouTube Premium?
Several free alternatives provide some YouTube Premium-like features, including ad-free playback and background listening. However, they do not activate an official YouTube Premium subscription or provide all its benefits.
3. Which is the best app to watch YouTube without ads on Android?
Brave is a convenient browser-based option, while NewPipe offers a dedicated application with features such as background playback, downloads and local subscriptions.
