We all love to watch YouTube videos, and we even have our own YouTube channel. But no one like watching ads. It would be a great way to YouTube without ads.
There are many ways to view YouTube without ads. Each has its own pros and cons.
YouTube Ad Situation
Before we go into the details of how you can have an ad-free YouTube experience it is worth briefly defining what type of ads you will encounter in YouTube content.
- Skippable ads in-stream
- Non-skippable in-stream ads
- Video ads in-feed
- Bumper ads
- Outstream ads
- Masthead ads
Some ad-blocking solutions won’t block all types of YouTube ads. We are most concerned about ads that you have the option to manually skip or interrupt your viewing.
There is no way to stop sponsored content that has adverts embedded in the video.
Top 5 Ways to Watch YouTube Without Ads
1. Pay for YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is the simplest and most effective way to watch YouTube without ads. You can purchase a YouTube Premium plan for your family or individual. This will ensure that you have ad-free videos unless an advert is placed by the video creator.
The ads will disappear, but you’ll have access to premium video content as well as YouTube Music. A family plan is especially great. This plan is perfect for any device that you use to watch YouTube.
This option has the best advantage in that YouTube content creators as well as YouTube get revenue for providing the content and service that you enjoy. You won’t be subject to the tracking practices associated with advertising.
YouTube Premium is our top recommendation for getting rid of ads. However, the main restriction is that you must pay for this privilege. It’s the only method to remove ads from the native YouTube app for iPhone and iPad.
Also read: Top 10 Free Ad Blockers for Mac
2. Ad-Blocking Apps
An ad-blocking app is a great way to block YouTube ads from a mobile device. Although there are many options, they are only available as side-loaded Android apps. App sideloading cannot be done unless you jailbreak your iOS device.
It may seem strange, but third-party apps can be used to view YouTube. Google does not endorse this practice so these apps will not be available on the Play Store.
YouTube Vanced, the most popular app among these, was already shut down by Google. It offered all the functionality of YouTube Premium, including an integrated ad blocker as well as background play support.
While other apps offering similar features may still exist, they could also be subject to legal action. The best chance of remaining functional is for open-source apps to not use YouTube’s APIs or frameworks.
NewPipe
NewPipe is a third-party app designed to provide the original YouTube experience before advertising became prominent. It doesn’t ask you for permissions that aren’t necessary and doesn’t display any ads.
This app does not contain any proprietary YouTube code. YouTube accounts and Gmail addresses are not required to access certain YouTube features. You can access all data necessary to drive features like your view history and subscriptions from your local device.
This solution is great for people who have devices that are blocked from Google’s mobile services such as Huawei phones.
SkyTube
Open-source YouTube alternative lets you manage what you see, and block videos that have fewer than a certain number of views or many dislikes. You can also blacklist and whitelist channels and filter videos according to language preferences. This app lets you customize your YouTube experience in a way that the official app does not offer.
SkyTube is not like NewPipe and doesn’t depend on any Google APIs. You can use it even without a Google account. And, of course, there are no ads.
3. Use an Ad-Blocking Web Browser Extension
If you don’t want to pay for a YouTube Premium subscription, an adblocker will do the trick. Many people use adblockers to block annoying ads from the internet. Similar principles apply to YouTube ad blockers.
To block YouTube ads, you will need to install a browser extension that blocks them. Then you can watch your favorite videos without interruption. It can block ads from loading on YouTube channels that are accessed through your browser. However, its effectiveness could vary.
uBlock Origin
uBlock Origin is another popular option. However, it is significantly different from AdBlock. uBlock Origin is not an ad blocker but a broad content blocker that includes ads.
uBlock Origin is an open-source extension that is supported by the community and relies on several blocklists. It does more than block ads. It also blocks malicious sites. This plugin is a great choice, regardless of whether or not you are looking to block ads.
These are the top browser extensions to block YouTube ads
- Adblock Plus
- AdGuard
- Ghostery
4. Use a VPN to Block Ads
VPN (Virtual Private Network), services provide an encrypted tunnel between your computer’s remote server and your computer. This can be used to hide your location and protect your ISP from knowing what you are doing online. It can also block advertisements.
It is not worth paying for a premium VPN service to block ads. You have many more options. A VPN is a great option if you want to hide your IP address and protect your privacy.
A VPN can hide your location and spending habits, making it very difficult for advertising algorithms to work with. This is sufficient to stop adverts from targeting you accurately in most cases.
These VPNs have good adblocking abilities:
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
Also read: Top 10 StreamEast Live Alternatives For Free Sports Streaming
5. Use a YouTube Downloader App or Website
YouTube ads can be avoided by avoiding YouTube videos. Multiple websites and apps on the internet can “rip YouTube video streams” and then download them to their local storage. These videos can be viewed at your convenience without any advertising.
Some apps, like 4K Vid Downloader can automatically download audio and videos from YouTube channels that you subscribe to. They also allow you to batch-download playlists and channel content. This is against YouTube’s terms and conditions.
Is it worth the Hassle?
You can avoid ads by using many different methods, but is it worth it? YouTube is working hard to stop ad-blocking software from getting in the way of YouTube’s mission.
It takes energy and time to change or update your ad-blocking methods. You may also need to have a different solution for each device or be at risk of malware from third-party apps. VPNs are expensive. If you are only looking for a VPN to block YouTube ads it is more economical to purchase a YouTube Premium subscription.
What is the best way to watch YouTube without ads?
A premium subscription is the best way to block YouTube ads for most users. YouTube Premium is very affordable. You also have ad-free access to YouTube Music, the music streaming platform.
If you’re looking for an alternative to ads, browser plugins or adblock extensions are available free of charge.
Although VPNs can be a little more reliable than others, they are priced to protect privacy and not block ads.
