NewPipe: YouTube client without vertical videos and algorithmic feed

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall Impressions of NewPipe

  • Many long-time users praise NewPipe as a lightweight, ad-free, non-tracking YouTube client that helps reduce time spent on the platform and avoid engagement-bait features.
  • Some use it primarily on Android TV/Shield, or as a YouTube downloader and background audio player.
  • Occasional breakage is widely acknowledged but often accepted as a “small price” or even a forced break from YouTube.

Key Features and UX Benefits

  • Native Android app: lighter and smoother than the mobile web UI, especially on low-end phones.
  • No Google account required for subscriptions, playlists, and history.
  • Chronological feed of subscriptions instead of recommendation-driven home feed; fewer on-screen distractions.
  • Background playback (including with screen off), offline downloads (e.g., for flights), and wide playback speed range (0.1×–5×).
  • Gesture controls for brightness, volume, and speed; supports Bandcamp (with some navigation bugs reported).
  • Considered “more pleasant” than YouTube-in-browser even with uBlock.

Stability, Breakage, and Alternatives

  • Experiences differ: some say NewPipe breaks every few weeks; others report only a couple times a year, with quick fixes.
  • Some users note specific issues (e.g., downloads breaking more often, livestream quality locked too high, recent sign-in prompts).
  • Alternatives mentioned:
    • Forks: Tubular and PipePipe (add SponsorBlock, Return YouTube Dislike; some find PipePipe more feature-rich).
    • Other clients/frontends: ReVanced (more complete but “legally dicey” and harder to set up), LibreTube, Grayjay, FreeTube, Invidious + Materialious, Cloudtube, SwizzTube (iOS).
    • Reports that changing YouTube’s IP sometimes “fixes” breakage; rate limiting is suspected.

“Vertical Videos” and Algorithmic Feed

  • The submission title is called out as editorialized; NewPipe’s site does not mention “no vertical videos.”
  • Consensus: NewPipe does play Shorts/vertical videos but does not push them via an infinite algorithmic feed.
  • Some want to keep recommendations but hide Shorts; others prefer tools that block Shorts or the home feed entirely (e.g., browser extensions, StayFree).

Creator Support and Ethics

  • Debate over using third-party clients vs. paying for YouTube Premium.
  • Some argue Premium is the fairest way to support creators; others distrust Google and prefer direct support via merch/Patreon.
  • Concern that views from third-party clients may be undercounted, pushing creators toward more mid-roll ads.