When it comes to watching videos or movies online, YouTube is the first app that comes to my mind. I thought it was only for short clips or music videos. But it had more than that. What made me choose this app was its massive library and easy access. You don’t need a premium subscription or complete the signup process. Simply, open the YouTube app on your device and start watching. In this article, I have shared my personal experience of using YouTube. I have also included my thoughts on ads, safety, and customer support based on my real usage.
Why I Use YouTube for Streaming Movies
When people think of YouTube, they often imagine short videos, music, or tutorials. But for me, it is the platform to stream full-length movies for free. I started using YouTube for movie watching during the pandemic when I came to know that some old classics are available free of cost. Over time, it became a habit. Whenever I want to watch a film, I check YouTube before opening any other streaming app.
The biggest reason I use YouTube for movies is its huge collection. Whether it is timeless Hollywood films, international indie movies, or even documentaries that never made it to Netflix, YouTube had it all. A lot of production houses and independent creators officially upload their content, which means you can stream legally and for free. I also found that some old movies are uploaded with subtitles, which makes watching foreign films easier to watch. In addition, YouTube also offers rentals and purchases of movies and shows at reasonable prices. I have rented a few newer releases on YouTube Movies, and the playback quality was top-notch with no buffering. YouTube also saves your purchases in your library, so you can rewatch them anytime.
I don’t need to sign in every time, and there is no complicated interface to navigate. You can also access YouTube without an account, too. These are some of the main factors that made me choose this app. While it may not replace platforms like Netflix or Prime Video completely, YouTube is an underrated option for movie lovers. You will find content here that even premium streaming apps don’t offer.
What I Love About YouTube – My Favorite Features
There are so many reasons for choosing YouTube. Some of the major ones are discussed below.
- I have come across independent films and documentaries on YouTube that I have not seen on apps like Netflix, Prime Video, etc.
- As I am someone who enjoys regional cinema and classics, YouTube has covered all of it.
- Whenever I want to learn something, YouTube has been my go-to app. It covers everything from productivity to cooking.
- Whether it is a music concert, a tech product launch, or a cricket commentary, I have watched a ton of live events on YouTube.
- When I just want to take a short break, I scroll through YouTube Shorts. It is entertaining and engaging.
- I enjoy commenting on videos or joining live chats. That kind of connection with creators isn’t something I have found on any premium app.
- YouTube’s recommendation engine is one of the best I have experienced. Within minutes of opening the app, I get curated suggestions based on what I generally watch.
- One underrated feature I love is the ability to create playlists. You can create your own playlists, name them whatever you like, and organize videos.
- One more feature that has been helpful is the ability to change playback speed. I watch educational or explainer videos at 1.25x or 1.5x speed, and it saves me so much time. In addition, there are plenty of playback options, such as video quality adjuster, subtitles, lock screen, autoplay, loop video, cast, ambient mode, stable volume, and sleep timer.
Is YouTube Ad-Free?
YouTube displays ads in the free version. Most of the ads are unskippable ones, and they are shown at the start or middle of the content. Sometimes, the ads are annoying. To experience the content without ads, you need to subscribe to the YouTube Premium, which costs $13.99/month. I actually tried the premium version. To be honest, it was worth the price. The videos loaded instantly and played without any interruptions, and I could finally enjoy background play and downloads.
If you think the costs of the YouTube Premium are high and can withstand unskippable ads, you can go on with the free version. I have noticed that this app places fewer ads on lesser-viewed content. It means if you watch videos of less popular creators, you can stream the content with minimal ads. Finally, YouTube is not ad-free by default, but it gives you a choice to choose between the ad version and the ad-free version.
YouTube on Different Devices – What Works Best for Me
One of the best things about YouTube is how seamlessly it works across different devices. I have personally used it on smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs, laptops, streaming devices, and even a gaming console. The experience streaming on these devices is smooth. For normal streaming, my phone is perfect. The app is highly responsive, easy to navigate, and packed with more features. Whenever I want to watch a movie, I use YouTube on my Smart TV. In addition, it has a web version, which can be accessed through the browser on your device. Both the app and the website of YouTube work well on all devices.
Is YouTube Safe and Reliable?
From my experience, this app is safe and reliable. The app takes a lot of steps to protect users. Content filters, restricted mode, age gating, and community guidelines all help keep harmful content out of reach, especially for younger viewers. I have noticed that most offensive or inappropriate videos are quickly taken down once they are flagged. Plus, for children, there is a separate YouTube Kids app. If you have kids at home, you can use this app.
As for personal data, it does track a lot, search history, watch time, interactions, etc. But it uses that data mainly to improve recommendations. I have personally never had an issue with security breaches or account access. YouTube is one of the safest apps I have used so far.
YouTube’s Customer Support
When I subscribed to YouTube Premium, I had an problem where the PIP mode was not working properly. I contacted through the in-app help section. I got a response within 24 hours via email. They guided me through a few troubleshooting steps, and it resolved the issue. In that case, I would say that the support was good. YouTube’s Help Center has all the answers to your questions. Most of the time, I find answers just by searching there. Whether it is related to account recovery, monetization queries, or playback issues, the help articles are well-written and easy to follow.
Is YouTube Still the King of Free Video Content?
This app stands out from other streaming platforms for its easy use and the excessive content it offers. From movies and tech reviews to cooking tutorials and academic lectures, it has all you need. What makes it better is that you don’t need a subscription or an account to use it. It is not alone a video platform, it is a space where I learn, laugh, and explore new interests every day. That’s why, for me, YouTube continues to be one of the best and most underrated apps out there.