The universe of watching YouTuber videos in an ad-free environment will never be the same since YouTube Vanced closed its doors in March 2022. This freeware was a third-party application and it had transformed the consumption of the contents of YouTube that was used by millions of its users with exclusive features, at no subscription fee. Since that time, users have been seeking an effective substitute to the YouTube Vanced that will help them have the same flawless experience brought by it.

In this guide, we are going to discover the best 10 YouTube Vanced Alternative that would be available in 2025 and would have their own characteristic features and abilities. You may be seeking an ad-blocker, background playback, increased privacy settings, etc. Regardless, included in this list is a Vanced alternative covering your needs.

The marketplace of the YouTube Vanced Alternative has been experiencing a titanic explosion since the disappearance of the first version. Those who got used to such features as SponsorBlock, custom themes, advanced playback options are now trying to find a suitable replacement. This article will guide you through the field of the existing choices and assist you in locating the best possible YouTube Vanced substitute accommodating your needs.

What was YouTube Vanced and why was it popular?

YouTube Vanced was the third party based modified alternative version of the original YouTube app on Android. It received massive popularity due to the availability of features that enhanced the level of user experience a lot, but without a subscription to YouTube Premium. The significant features were ad-blocking (in-stream and banner ads), background listening (enabling audio play even when the app was in the background or the screen was turned off) and picture-in-picture (PiP) mode to use the current application and listen to audios at the same time.

It also offered AMOLED dark mode, swipe to control brightness and volume and video resolution overrides. It was basically the best YouTube Alternative with a built-in YouTube Vanced and was free, so it was the premium YouTube Vanced Alternative to a lot of people. For enhanced privacy while streaming, many users also paired it with a VPN for Android to stay secure online.

Why Did YouTube Vanced Shut Down?

The authors of the YouTube Vanced application stated its termination in March 2022. The primary reason cited was “legal reasons” with Google. It is not clear how this happened but most people suppose that the pressure by the law was exerted on Vanced by Google possibly because it was infringing their trademarks and also other reasons which were trying to bypass their method of getting ad revenue. This had created a huge market niche that necessitated the finding of a new alternative to YouTube Vanced.

What to Look For in a YouTube Vanced Alternative

• Ad-Blocking Capabilities: The main cause that most of the users are in need of an alternative to YouTube Vanced is because users dislike advertisements. You need to find an app that provides total ad-blocking, including pre-roll, mid-roll and banner adverts. Some alternatives also include sponsor segment skipping functionality.
• Background Playback: This is a useful characteristic as it enables you to listen to audio even as you leave the app and use other apps or hide your screen. A goo alternative to YouTube Vanced must offer a smooth background playback without hindrances of any kind.
• User Interface and Experience: The application must be familiar and user-friendly near to the same interface, with an added feature of advanced functionality. The top alternatives to the YouTube Vanced versions maintain all the experiences that users have on YouTube and add new features.
• Privacy and Security: As data concerning viewing habits is quite sensitive, select a Vanced alternative that would put more emphasis on user privacy. Identify applications that have clear privacy policy, gather minimum data and use advanced security.
• Regular Updates and Support: Being actively developed, it keeps up with frequent changes by YouTube and adds bug fixes. A good alternative to YouTube Vanced needs to be updated regularly and subsist on a good customer care response.
• Device Compatibility: Make sure that your device and version of the operating system are compatible with the Vanced alternative. A particular app might come with its requirements or limits which might impair functionality.

Comparison Table

Features / Tools	Ad-Free Viewing	SponsorBlock	Background Play	Offline Downloads	Open Source	Cross-Platform
YouTube ReVanced	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (limited)	Yes	Android
NewPipe	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Android
LibreTube	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Android
SmartTubeNext	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Android TV
Brave Browser	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	All Platforms
YouTube Premium	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	All Platforms
AdGuard	Yes	No	No	No	No (partially)	All Platforms
FreeTube	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Desktop only
PureTuber	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Android

Top 10 YouTube Vanced Alternative in 2025

1. YouTube ReVanced

YouTube ReVanced is the spiritual successor of the original Vanced project and is the most complete alternative of YouTube Vanced today. This app was created by the ReVanced team and keeps the tradition of offering the best YouTube functionality with no subscription fees. Features This Vanced alternative is providing a comprehensive patching system which enables the user to create their own experience according to their preferences. Modular design also implies that you will be able to choose what features to activate, making it literally a personal viewing space. The app still has a similar interface with YouTube but offers great improvements to become one of the best alternatives to YouTube Vanced.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive ad-blocking including video ads and banners
• SponsorBlock integration for automatic sponsor segment skipping
• Customizable patches for personalized functionality

Pros:

• Regular updates and active development community
• Extensive customization options through patch system
• Full Google account integration with MicroG support

Cons:

• Complex installation process requiring technical knowledge
• Potential compatibility issues with frequent YouTube updates
• Requires separate MicroG installation for full functionality

Pricing: Free and open-source

Website: https://revanced.app/ 

2. NewPipe

NewPipe has already taken its position as the most privacy-oriented Vanced Alternative. This open-source app is user-centered in privacy aspects since it does not access Google APIs and does not use Google Play Services features, which makes it a great solution in the case when people want to watch YouTube Vanced but somewhere other than Google.

NewPipe is simply a privacy focused lightweight YouTube player and alternative to Vanced and ReVanced featuring ad-free playback and additional features. Not only does the app not track you through Google, it also does not track any data with the user and instead uses its own independent ecosystem.This alternative to YouTube Vanced has a clean material design interface that is not only practical but also good-looking.

Key Features:

• Complete privacy protection with no data collection
• Multi-platform support including YouTube and SoundCloud
• Download functionality for offline video and audio consumption

Pros:

• No Google account required for full functionality
• Completely free and open-source with no ads
• Regular updates with active community support

Cons:

• Cannot sync with existing YouTube account data
• Limited customization options compared to other alternatives
• Some features may be less polished than account-based alternatives

Pricing: Free and open-source

Website: https://newpipe.net/ 

3. LibreTube

LibreTube is the new breed of Vanced Alternative where privacy and freedom are more put at the equation. It was created on the Piped API, which gives it a new stance on consuming YouTube but, at the same, time has the features users are used to seeing in a good YouTube Vanced substitute. This Vanced alternative prioritizes giving a clean interface without advertisements without affecting the privacy of users. The proxies allow LibreTube to download content without the Google monitor catching wind of your IP address nor your browsing tendencies. The interface of the app is modern and has Material You applied, making it look pleasant and has understandable UX.

Key Features:

• Piped API integration for enhanced privacy protection
• Instance selection for optimal performance and accessibility
• Modern Material You design with intuitive navigation

Pros:

• Strong privacy protection through proxy-based architecture
• Cross-device synchronization without Google account requirement
• Active development with regular feature additions

Cons:

• Dependency on Piped instances may affect reliability
• Newer app with potentially undiscovered stability issues
• Limited customization compared to more established alternatives

Pricing: Free and open-source

Website:https://libretube.dev/ 

4. SmartTubeNext

SmartTubeNext is an Android TV (and TV Box) dedicated YouTube player. It offers a commercial-free watching experience on the large screen at reasonably priced and that too with different features etched on the TV interfaces. That is why it always becomes a critical Vanced Alternative in case one has a television/streaming unit with an Android-based platform.

SmartTubeNext has an intuitive and responsive design without pre-roll and in-stream ads, which may be highly obnoxious on a TV. It also offers such features as SponsorBlock compatibility, variable speed playback, and the ability to play high resolutions, such as 8K, which provide an ultimate viewing experience on big screens.

Key Features:

• Ad-free experience for Android TVs
• SponsorBlock integration
• 8K resolution support

Pros:

• Optimized for TV interfaces
• No ads on TV
• Offers advanced playback controls

Cons:

• Exclusively for Android TV/Boxes, not mobile
• Not officially available on Google Play Store
• Installation requires sideloading

Pricing: Free 

Website: https://smarttubenext.com/ 

5. Brave Browser

Although it is not a modified apk YouTube Vanced variant, Brave Browser stands out as a different brand of ad-free YouTube consumption through its native ad-blocking system. This browser is privacy-oriented and offers extensive protection against ads on any sites and, therefore, is also a good alternative to the YouTube Vanced-like tool. The ad-blocking technology offered by Brave is one of the most efficient technologies in place, as it does not only prevent access to standard advertisements but also to tracking scripts and malware.

Brave can be used to view YouTube similarly as with premium YouTube without the need to download and install an app and have complicated procedures to set up. This makes it a perfect substitute to YouTube Vanced to the users who enjoy using browser-based ones.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive ad and tracker blocking across all websites
• Background audio playback for YouTube videos
• Built-in privacy protections including fingerprint blocking

Pros:

• Works on all platforms including desktop and mobile
• No installation of third-party YouTube apps required
• Comprehensive privacy protection beyond YouTube

Cons:

• Limited to browser-based viewing without native app features
• No advanced YouTube-specific features like SponsorBlock
• Battery usage may be higher than dedicated YouTube apps

Pricing: Free with optional BAT rewards system

Website: https://brave.com/ 

6. SnapTube

SnapTube provides high-powered multimedia downloading capability that goes beyond what is being offered by the YouTube itself. The app supports different video resolutions, has an in-built ad-blocker, and it can play background audio tracks, which makes it appeasing to a very diversified customer base. This is very easy because of its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to download both video and audio material on the various platforms.

Although SnapTube is not to be found on the list of the Google Play Store, it still remains popular with the users who prefer an in-between approach and option-rich downloader. It can support various file formats as well as resolutions to meet various needs. Nevertheless, the aspect of it accessing contents through the third parties can rather bring along some privacy issues. The major advantage of SnapTube is that it makes media downloading easy and adjusts according to the design.

Key Features:

• Video and audio downloading
• Multiple resolution choices
• Background audio support

Pros:

• Simple and intuitive interface
• Compatible with many platforms
• Built-in ad blocker

Cons:

• May still display in-app advertisements
• Potential privacy issues from third-party content fetching
• Not officially on Google Play

Pricing: Free

Website: https://www.snaptube.media/en/ 

7. YouTube Premium

Although not technically Google third-party YouTube Vanced alternative, YouTube Premium is as such the official offering of Google that provides the features that made Vanced popular. It will become a choice among those who need a legal alternative to YouTube Vanced due to ad-free and background playback and exclusive content in this subscription service. The YouTube Premium comes with YouTube Music, which makes it an overall entertainment bundle that is not limited to video involvements.

It will provide an offline download, special original contents and first-hand customer care. When it comes to competition, Premium is a valid document, an authorized YouTube Vanced replacement, which has secure and assured support to its users who watch a lot of YouTube material and enjoy the professional fixes.

Key Features:

• Official ad-free YouTube experience with guaranteed compatibility
• YouTube Music included with comprehensive music streaming features
• Offline downloads with quality selection and smart downloads

Pros:

• Legitimate service with no legal or compatibility concerns
• Includes YouTube Music providing additional entertainment value
• Family plans available for household sharing

Cons:

• Recurring subscription cost versus free alternatives
• Limited customization compared to third-party applications
• Geographic availability restrictions in some regions

Pricing: $11.99/month for individual plans, family plans available

Website: https://www.youtube.com/premium 

8. AdGuard

AdGuard is similar to a Vanced Alternative app, but it is not a direct analog. AdGuard is a system-wide ad blocker that has decent chances to block all advertising inside of the official YouTube app. It works as a VPN or local HTTP proxy to aid in traffic filtering so that there is no advertisement. In case you should want to use the official YouTube app, but only despise the advertisements, then the AdGuard would be a great YouTube Vanced Alternative, as it can also block ads. It gives additional safety against different kinds of advertisement and trackers and bad places on the Internet, making it cleaner and safer online.

Key Features:

• System-wide ad blocking
• Blocks ads within the official YouTube app
• Protects against trackers and malware

Pros:

• Works across all apps, not just YouTube
• Highly effective ad blocking
• Offers additional privacy and security features

Cons:

• Can sometimes interfere with other network-dependent apps
• Requires a paid subscription for full features
• Does not offer other Vanced-specific features like background playback within the YouTube app itself.

Pricing: Free version with basic features; Premium plans start at ~$2.49/month or $79.99/lifetime. 

Website: https://adguard.com/

9. FreeTube 

FreeTube offers a complete Vanced alternative to desktop users with a heavy focus on privacy and functionality. The application is based on electron and allows a native desktop experience when consuming YouTube and does not rely in any way on Google tracking systems. This app relies on the Invidious API to access the YouTube content independently of Google servers and grants access to the entire YouTube library with preserving the privacy of the user.

FreeTube can handle subscriptions, create playlists and download videos, and is as comprehensive an alternative to YouTube Vanced as it can get on the desktop. The design of FreeTube is meant to be used on a desktop computer, as it uses a desktop-specific interface with larger screens, features like window management and shortcuts.

Key Features:

• Complete privacy protection through Invidious API integration
• Native desktop interface optimized for larger screens
• Comprehensive download functionality with format selection

Pros:

• No Google account required for full functionality
• Desktop-optimized interface with keyboard shortcut support
• Strong privacy protection with transparent data handling

Cons:

• Limited to desktop platforms without mobile versions
• Dependency on Invidious instances may affect reliability
• Electron-based architecture may consume more system resources

Pricing: Free and open-source

Website: https://freetubeapp.io/ 

10. PureTuber

PureTuber is an additional choice on our list that is straightforward as it is inexpensive, but efficient and well-stocked with features. This application offers the key elements of enhancing YouTube features, differentiating itself from having features that are not intuitive to those who are less technically savvy. The app is well-rounded with ad-blocking and background play and simple customization with a smooth installation and configuration.

The solution developed by PureTuber is attractive to clients that like to have a better YouTube experience but exempt themselves of multiple and confusing settings or rather complicated setup processes. PureTuber has a variety of features such as video playback with popup, gesture controls and a theme customizer at the same time being compatible with Android accessibility.

Key Features:

• Simple installation process with straightforward setup
• Essential YouTube enhancements including ad-blocking and background play
• Popup video playback with resizable and movable windows

Pros:

• User-friendly installation and configuration process
• Stable performance with minimal technical issues
• Good compatibility across different Android versions

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to more comprehensive alternatives
• Basic customization options may not satisfy power users
• Smaller development community with less frequent updates

Pricing: Free with premium upgrade options

Website: https://www.puretuber.com/ 

Are These Alternatives Safe to Use?

The safety of YouTube Vanced Alternative varies. As a rule, those projects are open source (such as ReVanced, NewPipe, LibreTube, SmartTubeNext, yt-dlp, and FreeTube), which might be regarded as safer, as their code can be examined publicly, and the community can detect and eliminate vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, the installation procedure of others (such as ReVanced) includes that of patch official APKs, and that is why they need to be downloaded via not official resources.

There is a very strong reason to only download these alternatives from their official GitHub repositories, or official app stores equivalent to F-Droid to reduce the risk of malware. Brave Browser, Firefox using uBlock Origin, and AdGuard are, in general, quite safe to use because they are long-established and under continuous maintenance. Always be cautious when installing software from unofficial sources.

How to Install ReVanced or Other Alternatives

The process of fixing (installing) Vanced Alternative varies with regard to application and platform. The part will contain general advice on the most frequent procedure of installation and focus on the necessity to use official documentation of each of the alternatives of YouTube Vanced.

Android APK Installation:

Majority of Android Vanced Alternative are deployed using APK and are sideloaded. On Android, you have to switch on the Unknown Sources option, get the Apk into your device via official sites and install it manually. Others such as YouTube ReVanced need such additional modules as MicroG to be used fully.

iOS Sideloading: 

iOS based Vanced alternatives such as uYouPlus need sideloading technologies like AltStore or other apps of the kind. This can be done by installing the sideloading app, getting IPA file through official supply channels and installing the Vanced alternative with the help of the tool. This procedure potential can require a periodical renewal because of iOS restrictions.

Browser-Based Solutions:

youtube vanced similar to the brave browser or the Kiwi browser are installed in the usual browser systems. Such solutions might need more extension installation to provide complete functionality of enhancing YouTube, but this process usually runs through well known extension installation patterns in browsers.

Desktop Applications:

Desktop YouTuber similar to FreeTube are installed as standard desktop applications, with packages on offer in Windows, macOS and Linux. Such installations are generally in the form of the traditional desktop software installations that are carried out with the suitable security requirements.

It is always recommended to ensure the authenticity of the company offering the alternative to YouTube Vanced by downloading only it through the official sites, and when it can be checked, by comparing checksums and reviews post throughout the community. In order to protect its device and information, attentions should be paid to the verification of the sources used and the official installation process respected.

Conclusion

The Vanced Alternative industry 2025 landscape has a variety of options to choose involving various solutions to the users in need of better experiences with the YouTube application. Whether it is a privacy-centered app such as NewPipe and LibreTube or a fully replacement such as YouTube ReVanced, every YouTube Vanced alternative offers its benefits depending on the interests of the user and their technical comfort level.

The selection of the most suitable alternative to YouTube Vanced varies based on personal priorities such as privacy issues, preferred features, knowledge of technology-related aspects or platform preference. NewPipe or LibreTube are the most suitable applications to be considered by users who value their privacy, and uYouPlus or YouTube ReVanced are welcome to be used in their respective systems due to the popularity of features.

The future of the Vanced Alternative is still in a state of motion, and continuously developing communities keep updating the existing solutions and find new alternatives. These Vanced Alternatives keep up with the changes and developments that take place on Youtube in terms of policies, technical structure and framework so that there functions are not lost and innovativeness is added as time goes on.

FAQs

Is it legal to use YouTube Vanced Alternative?

Using Vanced Alternative is in legally questionable gray area and depends on the location. Although most of these applications often do not contain a breach of criminal laws when downloading and using them, they may constitute a breach of the Terms of Service of YouTube. Majority of the Vanced Alternative programs dictate their operations with altering or circumventing the Advertisement systems of YouTube; an aspect that is in conflict with the business model of the platform.

Will Google be able to restrict me by using Vanced Alternative?

However, theoretically it is probable that Google bans accounts only on the basis of using Vanced Alternative, but such blocks are not reported. The detection mechanisms of Google are aimed on the prohibition of the abuse more than the identification of the users of the third-party clients. Nonetheless, users are advised to note that any form of contravening YouTube Terms of service may land them in trouble with respect to the restriction of their accounts.

Which Vanced alternative is best for beginners?

NewPipe or Brave Browser, in turn, are the most available Vanced Alternative to beginners. NewPipe is easy to install and does not even need log in to the Google account; the much-needed features such as ad-block and background playing need no complicated configurations.

Do YouTube Vanced Alternative work on iOS devices?

There are a few Vanced Alternative that work with iOS, although with more cumbersome installation processes, thanks to Apple which does not allow such applications to be distributed on the iOS store. uYouPlus is the best example of a Vanced alternative iPhone with varying features just as those on Android, which come through sideload installation. Solutions that are browser based such as Brave Browser perform perfectly on iOS without the need to sideload.

Do Vanced Alternative contain malware and security threats?

Vanced Alternative safety is different, a lot depends on the source, and type of the application. Open-source apps such as NewPipe, LibreTube, and FreeTube provide maximum transparency on security by having code that can be publicly audited and the code is regularly reviewed by the community. Never download YouTube Vanced Alternative unofficially, be careful and check file integrity where it is possible, and never use modified copies that you find out there somewhere.