When watching YouTube, you have two main options: the website or the mobile app. While both offer access to the same vast library of videos, they deliver different experiences in terms of features, performance, and convenience. Whether streaming on a computer or scrolling through your phone, choosing the right platform can make a big difference. So, which one is better for you? Let’s break down the key differences between the YouTube website and the app to help you decide.
Here are the main differences between the website and the app:
There are several aspects we should evaluate when comparing YouTube on the website or app.
Accessibility
- Website: Runs on any modern web browser on a wide range of devices including computers, tablets, or phones without installation.
- App: You must install it from the Google Play Store, which is unavailable on some devices. Also, the app requires Android 5.0 and higher and consumes 100MB for free storage.
User Interface
- Website: It works well on larger screens like desktops or laptops with a wider layout and better multitasking capabilities, including browsing other websites while watching YouTube and switching tabs.
- App: Designed for touch interaction with smooth navigation, gestures, and a more mobile-friendly interface. The design is minimalistic focusing on video playback and essential controls.
Performance
- Website: Performance depends on the browser and device. It may use more RAM and battery on mobile devices.
- App: Optimized for mobile devices, leading to faster load times and better battery efficiency and mobile data usage.
Features
- Website: It has the full set of YouTube’s features including the ability to use YouTube in incognito mode, access YouTube Studio for managing content, and more detailed control over the account settings.
- App: The app has the full set of YouTube’s features including exclusive features like offline downloads and background play. Those features are available for YouTube Premium users.
Customization
- Website: It has all the basic customization and additional settings including advanced functionality for channel customization, content creation, and playback management. Moreover, you can use browser extensions that offer additional customization.
- App: The app has quick access to the settings, with all the basic customization you need for the playback of videos and accessing your channels and history.
Notifications
- Website: You will have to get browser notifications to stay updated.
- App: The app can send push notifications directly to your device. You get instant updates for live streams, new uploads, and trending content.
Casting
- Website: Allowing casting to supported devices like Chromecast and smart TVs but requires using Google Chrome.
- App: Seamless integration with smart TVs, Chromecast, and other streaming devices for casting.
Showing ads
- Website: Ads can be blocked using browser extensions or ad blocker browsers.
- App: No native ad-blocking, meaning ad interruptions while watching videos. You can subscribe to YouTube Premium to remove the ads,
Which one should you use?
It all depends on your device and requirements. Each option has some advantages and drawbacks.
If you prefer a larger screen, multitasking, ad-blocking, or accessing YouTube without installing an app with full customization, the website will suit you better.
If you prefer a smoother, mobile-optimized experience with gestures and features like offline downloads, better notifications, and easy casting, go for the app.
Alternatively, you can use the excellent YouTube add-on on Kodi.
