Given that the year is still relatively young, it may be premature to declare one video streaming site as the year’s most popular. Indeed, who am I kidding? No video streaming sites have ever come close to matching YouTube’s popularity – and no video streaming site is likely to ever do so. It’s difficult to overstate the extent to which YouTube is popular and widely used, particularly in comparison to other free video streaming services on the web.
To put things in perspective, the total number of individuals that use YouTube is 1.3 billion as of February 26th, 2020. This means that roughly one-seventh of the world’s population utilizes YouTube on a regular basis. Take a moment to absorb that… Additionally, every minute, 300 hours of video footage are uploaded to YouTube. That means that by the time you finish reading this line, 300 hours of additional content will be available to stream on YouTube that was not available when you began.
Each day, YouTube streams about 5 billion videos. This eclipses virtually other video streaming services, and by a significant margin. Daily Motion is perhaps the second most popular video streaming site; however, they are nowhere near the size of YouTube.
Moreover
This is partly because YouTube gained popularity during a period when many viewed the site as the inventor of free streaming video. That is, in some ways, a reasonable evaluation. Prior to the advent of YouTube in 2005, there were few video streaming websites on the market. Additionally, no other video streaming service had the functionality offered by YouTube. YouTube effectively combined the concept of free video streaming with the finest features of social networking, resulting in a game-changing website that continues to reign supreme in the world of video streaming to this day.
That is not to imply that other websites are not gaining popularity. People have been irritated, I believe, with several of YouTube’s latest policies and business practices. For example, the frequency with which YouTube forces its users to watch advertisements is increasing to insane proportions. Additionally, they are continuously attempting to upsell customers on supplemental services such as YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV, to the point where it has become a parody.
Finally, there is the matter of censorship. YouTube has gained notoriety in recent years for its stringent (some would say Draconian) regulatory policies – many of which benefit only the incredibly affluent, such as their zealous adherence to copyright law. However, the fact that YouTube frequently removes videos and demonetizes channels that do not align with the company’s particular worldview has many free video streaming sites users looking for a new home page. Thus, only time will tell whether YouTube maintains its hegemony over the video streaming sites market. Something tells me that it is only a matter of time until another site takes its place.
What types of videos are available on these websites?
Video streaming services are not normally the places to go if you’re seeking tonnes of free movies and TV series to watch. If such is the case, you have arrived at the incorrect section of streamingsites.com. I do, however, have a lengthy list of reviews dedicated to free movies and free TV streaming sites in their respective areas (have fun hunting!).
Having said that, if you’re searching for an almost infinite source of user-generated material, video streaming websites are your best bet. Users can post creative videos to websites such as YouTube, Daily Motion, and Vimeo. Therefore, if you’re looking for reaction videos, unboxings, viral cat videos, rare music videos, live performances, lectures, and how-to videos, you’ve come to the correct place. Video streaming services frequently provide an enthralling peek into human civilization at a certain point in time, as the content they contain is typically the result of individual people.
However, the type of content you’re likely to find is entirely dependent on the video streaming site you’re on. Of course, YouTube offers virtually anything you could think of, but there are other sites, such as TED, that focus only on education. Indeed, TED is an excellent exception to the norm that video streaming platforms must exclusively feature user-generated material. If you’ve ever seen a TED presentation, you’re aware that not just anyone can upload a TED video – they must be approved and accepted – yet anyone can apply to deliver a TED lecture.
Other sites have their own content constraints as well – choosing the best video streaming service for you will require some research. And, if I may say so, reading my reviews is the ideal place to begin!
How can I access free video streaming?
The majority of video streaming websites allow you to immediately begin watching videos upon accessing their site. While some may require you to register for a free account in order to read the material, the majority may be accessed just by visiting the site and scrolling around. Few streaming sites are as straightforward as these. Sure, you may have to endure the occasional advertisement (or, if you’re on YouTube, you may have to endure multiple advertisements prior to and during the duration of the movie), but aside from that, viewing videos for free is as simple as it gets.
Are there any other video-sharing websites similar to YouTube?
Naturally, there are! As I have stated, I believe that YouTube will soon lose its position as the leading video streaming site. And there are a plethora of alternative sites that would gladly grab that spot if given the chance. Daily Motion, Vimeo, D Tube, 9 Gag, and Meta Café are all sites that are theoretically comparable to YouTube. Where they diverge is in the type of content they supply and the number of videos available.
That being said, there is currently no website that is identical to YouTube. YouTube’s variety of material, the quality of its videos, and its monetization structure (and capabilities) are unmatched at the moment.
Is it possible for me to create and publish my own videos?
You most assuredly can. Indeed, it is the entire objective of the majority of these free video streaming websites! Not only are you able to create and post your own movies on many of these sites, but the majority of them will compensate you for doing so (if your videos create a certain level of engagement on the sites). While we are all aware of YouTube’s monetization strategy, other websites such as Daily Motion, 9 Gag, and Vimeo all compensate users who submit popular videos. There has never been a more exciting time to pursue a career as a cameraman.
Having said that, the majority of video streaming sites (aside from YouTube) impose limits on the amount of content you can post. And this is undoubtedly a significant factor in their failure to achieve the same heights as YouTube. Each site has its own limitations on the amount of content that can be uploaded (at least as a free member). Certain websites even impose limits on the amount of content that can be viewed. Therefore, make sure to read my reviews to see whether the limits on a particular site will satisfy your needs.
Is it necessary for me to pay to see and upload films on these sites?
Nope! As I mentioned previously, some will charge you if you wish to upload more content than the usual user. Others provide ad-free premium viewer experiences for which you must pay a monthly subscription cost. Each site has its own paywall (or, at the very least, the majority of them do)… However, casual video users and uploaders will likely be unaffected.
1. YouTube
YouTube sprang out of nowhere, offering us not just a new way to watch videos, but also a new means to share our own, as well as a deluge of previously unattainable content. I believe that YouTube does not receive nearly enough credit for bringing video streaming to the forefront and demonstrating that a video streaming site could be viable, scalable, and profitable.
Someone is always required to clear the way for the remainder. Without YouTube, it is plausible to assert that Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, and Amazon Prime Video would not exist. YouTube needed to establish the technical framework… which they duly did. Because it paved the way for the proliferation of streaming services that we now know, love, and enjoy on a daily basis. It is one of the best video streaming sites.
Pros
- Site design that is both practical and iconic
- Countless hours of streaming video
- Numerous original and fresh pieces of material are 100% free to use
- Components of social media
- Compatible with mobile devices (app)
Cons
- Constant advertisements Concerns about Copywrite and censorship
Website URL: https://www.youtube.com/
2. Daily Motion
Daily Motion, on the other hand, has had a spectacular climb to recognition and appreciation. Perhaps you’ve heard of it or even encountered it while web browsing previously. Although it hasn’t yet reached the same level of popularity as YouTube, it has managed to outperform Vimeo. With 300 million monthly active users, Daily Motion is far from a fleeting craze. Daily Motion’s material feels more constructive and helpful to view than the majority of video streaming sites. Additionally, it is often of a higher caliber. This is likely because the majority of videos on Daily Motion come from verified content producers — companies, record labels, well-known websites, and established musicians, among others.
Pros
- More professional than the majority of video platforms
- It’s an excellent way to stay updated on current events.
- The website appears to be well-maintained and professional.
- Appropriate application
Cons
- Video playback and page loading are sluggish.
- Could include a greater selection of videos
Website URL: https://www.dailymotion.com/
3. Niconico
It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan. It’s called niconico, and it boasts one of the world’s greatest libraries of recorded and live videos. Even if you’ve never heard of Niconico, it’s easily one of the top five video streaming services. It’s an excellent source for news, live television, anime, manga, and other entertaining, humorous, and fascinating video stuff.
Are the videos themselves of comparable quality to those seen on, say, YouTube? To be honest, this largely depends on the type of stuff you enjoy streaming. If you’re a fan of manga, anime, or gaming videos, for example, there’s a strong chance you’ll enjoy anything on niconico. On niconico, you may also enjoy a wonderful live video experience, which adds an original and unique touch to the site. Take a virtual cruise ship, for example, or keep up with live Japanese news. It is one of the best video streaming sites.
Pros
- Numerous videos, members, and activities
- Videos en direct
- Streaming in high definition
- Construct playlists
- Free
Cons
- The app is only available in Japanese.
- And the desktop version of the site might be improved.
Website URL: https://www.nicovideo.jp/
4. Vimeo
Vimeo is a subscription-based video streaming service that is completely ad-free. However, there are some critical distinctions between Vimeo and YouTube in terms of how the site operates (the most significant being that it is subscription-based), as well as the types of video creators that the service attracts (more on that in a bit).
It has a user base of only 170 million. This may not appear to be a modest number at first glance. Until you compare it to YouTube, which has an astounding 2 billion monthly active users. Thus, Vimeo is a little sliver of the size of YouTube. And, sadly, the substance reflects this.
Pros
- Excellent website design
- Numerous options to pick from
- Rapid streaming Affluent community
Cons
- There are fewer videos than I would like. The application may be enhanced.
Website URL: https://vimeo.com/
5. 9GAG
When I think of sites that are hotbeds of gifs and memes on social media, the first thing that springs to me is 9GAG (after Reddit and possibly Instagram, of course). To be clear, 9GAG is neither a social media site nor a video/gif sharing service. To put it simply, 9GAG is a hybrid site that combines elements of social media with the opportunity to share user-generated content. Simply said, the majority of the content uploaded on 9GAG falls under the category of “meme” or “gif” culture. It is a relatively new content hosting/social media platform that has exploded in popularity.
Pros
- Numerous pieces of constantly updated user-generated content
- Voting method inspired by Reddit Components of social media
- Excellent application
Cons
- Ads on the in-browser site want improvement
Website URL: https://9gag.com/
6. Meta Café
If you’re unfamiliar with Meta Café, now is the time to familiarise yourself with the free website. It features a plethora of potentially viral videos, allows users to contribute their own content, and even includes image galleries – all of which can be readily shared on social media, ensuring that you and your friends never miss a laugh or a gasp.
Along with thousands of viral films, you’ll find shareable image galleries that are meme-worthy and/or otherwise intriguing or controversial. The videos are typically quite brief and, due to their user-generated nature (and absence of commercialization), are of rather low quality.
Pros
- Numerous articles
- Videos and galleries of images
- Quick snippets that are easily shareable
- Mobile-friendly
Cons
- Far too many advertisements
- There is no app. Videos are quite brief and of poor quality.
- And there is no commercialization.
- There is little substance (clickbaity)
Website URL: https://www.metacafe.com/
7. Veoh
Veoh is an online video streaming service that allows users to post short videos, films, and television series. It is not a novel application or concept that we have not yet heard of. The concept of users uploading random footage is not new. However, there is no disputing that this site has a plethora of videos. You can post videos to a variety of platforms without regard for resolution, length, or file size constraints. This platform categorizes content according to its duration, and you can view it divided into numerous categories.
Pros
- Appropriate User Interface for the Content Library
- Permits downloading
Cons
- Streaming is average; thumbnails are inadequate, and there are no English titles.
Website URL: https://www.veoh.com/
8. D Tube
D Tube is, first and foremost, a truly decentralized video hosting, streaming, and sharing network. Secondly, it relies on Blockchain and peer-to-peer technologies to retain its independence. Thirdly, D Tube compensates its contributors (as well as users who provide positive comments) in cryptocurrencies such as BitCoin.
This is one area where D Tube, in my opinion, falls short of YouTube. YouTube, due to its size and longevity, offers by far the finest assortment of the content of any free video hosting service. D Tube, on the other hand, has some content limitations. There will be a good deal of video gaming stuff — playthroughs, commentary, and so on – as well as vlogs and some pop-culture material.
Pros
- A well-crafted design
- Uploads and comments are monetized on a decentralized, peer-to-peer basis.
- The site is mobile-friendly and ad-free.
Cons
- There is no application.
- However, it is not yet popular enough to be effective.
- A little piece of content is missing.
Website URL: https://d.tube/
Conclusion:
Here our list of the best video streaming services comes to an end. Many users like to stream videos using different apps and sites. All these platforms contain huge library of videos for you to enjoy. Keep visiting us for other interesting articles. Until the next time, Goodbye!