Growth · alternatives · 2026

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Play YouTube in the background for free. No ads launched in 2021; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Sling▲97

   Play YouTube video in the background, for free and no ads

   2021 · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Turn your favorite YouTube channels into a streaming experience▲6

   A minimalist way to watch YouTube with cinematic previews, an immersive interface, and zero distractions. Free, no accounts or subscription needed.

   Apr 2026 · minitube.tv · its alternatives →

3. 3
   ListenYo!▲140

   Listen to YouTube without loading videos

   2017 · listenyo.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   YTMP▲104

   Play YouTube videos as audio in background without ads

   2021 · ytmp.itsvg.in · its alternatives →

5. 5CA
   Create and share YouTube playlists, without a Google account▲7

   2021 · youlist.tv · its alternatives →

6. 6
   SkipVids.com▲72

   100% ad-free YouTube videos

   2024 · skipvids.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   I built a cleaner YouTube – no ads, sponsors, or doomscrolling▲22

   Hi HN! I built SkipCut it’s like an ad-free, distraction-free YouTube with useful extras: background play, SponsorBlock, dark mode, playlist support, local history, download/share buttons… and it works on any device. No install. No login. Here’s the best part: It works just by replacing "youtube" with "skipcut" in the video link. You skip all the boring stuff — ads, sponsors, intros, silence, filler and just watch what matters. Why it’s different: No comments. No suggested videos. No clickbait. I made this for my kid, I create a playlist and just send a SkipCut link like:…

   2025 · skipcut.com · its alternatives →

8. 8YD
   yt – distraction-free YouTube▲7

   2018 · yt.dudzik.co · its alternatives →

9. 9
   YouTube Music Loop▲121

   Play & listen your favorite music in loop without ads

   2023 · m.fausto.me · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Utube Ad Skipper▲84

    Skip non skippable ads on your desktop YouTube for free

    2023 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Tubeats▲134

    Spotify meets YouTube, for free

    2016 · tubeats.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    YouTube Ultra Focus Mode▲130

    Distraction free YouTube learning

    2024 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

13. 13SM
    Simple Minimal YouTube Alternative Player (no ads...with powers)▲61

    2016 · beta.echotu.be · its alternatives →

14. 14
    YouTube, yes, but without ads▲12

    YouTube videos in background and without ads

    2025 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    boozle▲68

    Watch youtube with other people simultaneously

    2021 · boozle.io · its alternatives →

16. 16MM
    Minimal music player, uses YouTube as source▲9

    2020 · music.reaper.im · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Tubereplay▲3

    Play a YouTube video over and over without pressing replay

    2015 · its alternatives →

18. 18
    SkipVids.com - SKIP THE F**KING Ads! ▲14

    Ad-Free YouTube | Picture-in-Picture | Background Playback

    2024 · skipvids.com · its alternatives →

19. 19RE
    Relevant – Explore the depths of YouTube without the algorithm▲5

    2024 · relevant.watch · its alternatives →

20. 20
    No Ads Please▲7

    Watch YouTube videos without annoying ads

    2019 · noadsplease.com · its alternatives →

21. 21PW
    Play with Couchbase in the Cloud for Free▲7

    2020 · blog.couchbase.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    DF Tube Free Ultra▲6

    Make YouTube more focused and distraction-free.

    Jun 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Cratestream▲9

    Background beats without any ads.

    2014 · its alternatives →

24. 24YC
    You Can Just Filter YouTube Playlists in the 'Save to Playlist' Dialog▲2

    3h ago · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →