Minitube – desktop YouTube client

Minitube is a desktop application for watching YouTube videos without relying on the standard YouTube website. It provides a conventional media player interface, combining search results, video playback, and playlist navigation in a single window.

The application emphasises continuous viewing. Users can search for a subject or channel and begin watching a sequence of related videos rather than selecting every item individually. This approach is useful for browsing music, tutorials, and other content that benefits from uninterrupted playback.

Minitube also provides channel subscriptions without requiring a YouTube account. A compact window mode allows videos to remain visible while working with other applications, while fullscreen playback offers a less distracting viewing experience. Playback uses an external media engine rather than the browser’s player.

This is free and open source software.

Key Features

• Search YouTube by keyword, channel name, or video URL.
• Provide search suggestions and spelling corrections.
• Play a continuous sequence of videos based on search results.
• Subscribe to channels without a YouTube account.
• Display recently used search terms and channels.
• Sort results by relevance, publication date, views, and rating.
• Filter results according to duration, quality, and publication date.
• Browse related videos and YouTube content categories.
• Organise playback using an editable playlist.
• Reorder playlist items using drag and drop.
• Select the preferred video quality.
• Capture snapshots from videos at their original resolution.
• Use compact, always-on-top, and fullscreen viewing modes.
• Stop playback automatically after the current video.
• Copy video links for sharing through other applications.
• Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Website: flavio.tordini.org/minitube
Support:
Developer: Flavio Tordini
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

Minitube is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

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