About Invidious
Invidious is an open source alternative front end for watching YouTube videos. It shows video pages in a simpler interface without ads and without tracking.
What it does
Invidious loads YouTube content through its own server and presents it in a lighter, more focused layout. You can subscribe to channels and make playlists without signing in to a YouTube account. It supports SponsorBlock, which skips sponsored segments in videos that have been marked by viewers. A documented REST API lets developers use the same data in their own tools. Because the software is free to host, anyone can run an instance for themselves or for a small group.
Key features
- Watch videos without ads
- Subscribe to channels without an account
- Create playlists
- SponsorBlock segment skipping
- REST API for developers
Who it's for
People who want a lighter and more private way to watch YouTube, and developers who need a video data API. It suits those who can run a server or who trust an instance run by someone else.
Pricing and good to know
Invidious is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 licence. Hosting an instance costs server time and bandwidth. The project is community supported and accepts donations. Video availability depends on YouTube, so some content may fail to load or may lag behind on newer uploads. Instances are run independently, so their uptime and policies differ.
Highlights
- Watch videos without ads
- Subscribe to channels without an account
- Create playlists
- Skip sponsored segments with SponsorBlock
- REST API for developers
