Want to follow YouTube channels without Google keeping a record of everything you watch? FreeTube keeps your viewing setup on your own computer. It provides a desktop YouTube client with ad-free playback and locally stored subscriptions, playlists, and history.
How does FreeTube keep subscriptions private?
FreeTube lets you subscribe to channels without signing in to a YouTube account. Subscriptions, playlists, and viewing history are stored locally on the computer; FreeTube does not send or publish that user data.
For an existing channel list, import subscriptions from YouTube to build a feed in FreeTube. The app also retrieves YouTube information through its own local methods or, optionally, the Invidious API.
What can you watch and manage in the app?
FreeTube provides a YouTube-style interface for finding and watching videos and following creators. Playback is ad-free, and the app says it does not track viewing habits.
- Browse a feed built from subscribed channels.
- Import YouTube subscriptions instead of rebuilding the list channel by channel.
- Keep playlists and viewing history on the computer.
Does FreeTube sync subscriptions across devices?
No. Because everything is stored locally, each installation keeps its own subscriptions and playlists.
Pros
- Subscribe to channels without a YouTube account
- Import YouTube subscriptions to populate a feed
- Keep subscriptions, playlists, and history stored locally
- Choose local data retrieval or the Invidious API
Cons
- Subscriptions do not sync between devices on their own
System requirements: Windows 10, Windows 11
Do you need a YouTube account to subscribe to channels?
No. FreeTube supports channel subscriptions without a YouTube account.
Can existing YouTube subscriptions be brought into FreeTube?
Yes. Import your YouTube subscriptions to create a feed in FreeTube.
Where are playlists and viewing history stored?
FreeTube stores playlists, history, and subscriptions locally on the computer.
