YouTube vs Rumble: Which Video Sharing Platform is Better in 2024?
Video sharing platforms like YouTube and Rumble have become integral parts of internet culture and communication. With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube dominates the online video space. However, upstart competitor Rumble aims to challenge YouTube’s supremacy by offering creators more monetization opportunities and freedom of expression.
This article compares the features, benefits, and drawbacks of using YouTube and Rumble in 2023. Read on to decide which platform is better for your video sharing needs.
Overview of YouTube
YouTube launched in 2005 and has grown into the world’s largest online video platform. Owned by Google, YouTube gets over 2 billion logged-in monthly visitors who watch over a billion hours of videos daily.
Here are some key stats about YouTube:
- Over 2 billion monthly logged-in users: This makes YouTube the 2nd most popular social media platform after Facebook.
- Over 1 billion hours of video watched daily: 500 hours of new video content is uploaded to YouTube every minute.
- Localized in over 100 countries and available in 80 languages: YouTube has a global reach, providing localized versions of the platform.
- 70% of YouTube watch time happens on mobile: The YouTube app is extremely popular and optimized for mobile consumption.
- The average viewing session is over 40 minutes: YouTube videos have high watch times compared to other platforms.
- 500 hours of new content uploaded every minute: Over 30 million creators from individuals to media companies publish videos on YouTube.
YouTube allows creators to monetize videos through ads, YouTube Premium revenue sharing, channel memberships, merchandise and more. Top YouTube creators can earn six to seven figures in ad revenue alone.
Overall, YouTube provides unparalleled reach through its massive user base, partnerships with creators and brands, and worldwide scale.
Overview of Rumble
Rumble is a newer video sharing platform launched in 2013. Rumble positions itself as a free speech alternative to YouTube with a more creator-friendly monetization model.
Here are some key details about Rumble:
- Over 200 million monthly active users: Rumble is growing fast but still significantly smaller than YouTube.
- Over 75 million monthly logged-in users: Rumble is focused on growing its community of creators.
- HQ in Toronto, Canada: Rumble is headquartered outside the U.S., unlike YouTube and other Big Tech companies.
- Raised over $500 million in funding: Rumble has significant financial backing to take on YouTube.
- Shares 75% ad revenue with creators: Rumble’s partner program offers higher ad revenue shares compared to YouTube.
- Prioritizes neutral algorithms and free speech: Rumble doesn’t censor legal content and political opinions like some allege YouTube does.
- Creator-focused features: Rumble allows creators to charge subscriptions, sell merchandise, crowdfund projects and more.
Rumble empowers video creators frustrated with YouTube’s guidelines and demonetization policies. The platform continues to see rapid growth, though it still has a long way to catch up to YouTube’s dominance.
Top 14 YouTube Features and Tools
With over 15 years of development, YouTube offers a sophisticated array of features for viewers and creators. Here are 14 of the top tools and capabilities YouTube offers:
1. Video Hosting
YouTube hosts videos uploaded by creators on its global cloud infrastructure. Videos can be up to 15 minutes for normal users or 12 hours for certain creators. Supported formats include .MP4, .MOV, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV and 3GPP.
2. Adaptive Bitrate Streaming
YouTube converts uploaded videos into multiple quality formats like 720p and 1080p. This allows adaptive bitrate streaming which changes quality based on the viewer’s network connection and screen size.
3. Custom Thumbnails
Creators can customize the thumbnail image viewers see when browsing videos. Attractive and descriptive thumbnails improve clickthrough rates.
4. Playlist Creation
Playlists allow creators and viewers to organize videos into collections based on topics like travel, music genres, tutorial series and more. Playlists drive more watch time.
5. Channel Branding
Creators can customize the look of their YouTube channel with banners, trailers, descriptions, watermarks and more. Unique branding builds audience loyalty.
6. Community Captions
Viewers can contribute captions for videos in multiple languages. This expands reach and improves accessibility for different audiences.
7. Video Editor
The YouTube video editor provides basic trimming, filters and audio editing capabilities for creators. However, most YouTubers use third-party editing software.
8. YouTube Analytics
In-depth analytics show views, subscribers, watch time, demographics, traffic sources and other data. Analytics help creators optimize their content.
9. Advertising Tools
Creators can monetize videos by enabling ads through Google AdSense. Advertisers can target YouTube’s massive audience using video and display ads.
10. YouTube Studio
This dashboard lets creators manage uploads, analytics, monetization, subscribers and more. The mobile app allows on-the-go video management.
11. Super Chat & Channel Memberships
Fans can pay to highlight chat comments and get special badges. Channel memberships provide additional perks for a monthly fee.
12. YouTube Premium
This paid subscription removes ads, allows background/offline playback and includes original shows. Premium revenue is shared with creators.
13. YouTube Music
YouTube’s music streaming service features official songs, albums, covers, remixes and more. It competes with Spotify and Apple Music.
14. YouTube TV
This live TV and cloud DVR streaming service provides cable channel alternatives. It competes with Hulu Live TV and other live streamers.
The depth of features above demonstrates why YouTube has maintained its leadership position. But competitors like Rumble aim to beat YouTube at its own game in some areas while innovating unique value in others.
Top 10 Rumble Features and Tools
As the upstart alternative to YouTube, Rumble offers a smaller but competitive set of capabilities with a creator-first focus:
1. Video Hosting
Like YouTube, Rumble allows creators to upload videos up to 20GB in size and 12 hours in length. Videos are encoded for optimized streaming.
2. Adaptive Bitrate Streaming
Rumble videos are converted into multiple resolutions and streamed using MPEG-DASH technology for smoother mobile playback.
3. Custom Thumbnails
Upload custom thumbnail images to showcase videos and drive clickthroughs from the Rumble homepage and search.
4. Clean Design
Rumble’s website and apps feature a clean, minimalist design optimized for speed and ease of use.
5. Rumble Reels
This TikTok-like vertical video feature allows short-form vlogging and commentary targeted at younger audiences.
6. Member Subscriptions
Fans can subscribe to channels for $4.99/month to get exclusives, livestreams, badges and more. Creators keep 100% of subscription revenue.
7. Super Chats & Tipping
Viewers can tip creators during livestreams with highlighted chat comments. This provides a revenue stream besides ads.
8. 75% Ad Revenue Share
Rumble’s partner program gives creators a higher 75% revenue share compared to YouTube’s 55% standard program rate.
9. Crowdfunding
Creators can raise funds for projects from their audience by setting contribution goals and offering perks.
10. Merchandise Sales
Partners can create and sell branded merchandise like t-shirts from their Rumble channel and keep the profits.
Rumble provides creators the essential features required for building an audience and generating revenue through ads, subscriptions, tipping and merchandise. The focus is on simplicity, speed, and putting earnings in the hands of creators.
4 Key Differences Between YouTube and Rumble
YouTube pioneered the online video sharing model adopted by every platform since. But as a subsidiary of Google, YouTube reflects the values and interests of its parent company.
Rumble positions itself as the independent, creator-first alternative to YouTube built for the social media era.
Here are 4 major differences between the two platforms:
1. Size of Audience
With over 2 billion monthly users, YouTube’s audience dwarfs Rumble’s currently estimated 200 million monthly active users. YouTube’s massive reach is its greatest asset.
Rumble is growing exponentially but still lacks the mainstream cultural ubiquity of YouTube. For creators focused on maximizing views and brand exposure, YouTube remains the default choice.
However, Rumble’s audience, while smaller, skews more engaged – especially on controversial political topics. An anti-establishment creator with a heavily young, male fanbase may thrive on Rumble.
2. Content Moderation and Free Speech Principles
YouTube relies on a mix of automated filters and human reviewers to enforce its community guidelines prohibiting cyberbullying, hate speech, nudity and more. Channels are often demonetized or banned for violating policies.
Critics argue YouTube censors right-leaning political voices and content it deems advertiser-unfriendly. YouTube denies allegations of political bias.
Rumble takes a near absolutist free speech position, interfering only when content violates laws. The platform refuses to demonetize, ban or remove videos solely for being controversial.
Rumble’s minimal moderation and neutral algorithms are selling points for creators who believe YouTube censors legal but provocative opinions. However, Rumble’s hands-off approach also means more objectionable content stays up compared to YouTube.
3. Creator Monetization and Tools
YouTube offers a rich array of monetization options like ads, Super Chats, channel memberships and YouTube Premium revenue. But YouTube has also been quicker to demonetize channels deemed unsuitable for ads, angering creators.
Rumble lures YouTube creators with promises of higher ad revenue shares, subscriber-only features, and unrestricted monetization regardless of content. The platform is betting creators will go where they are treated best financially.
However, Rumble currently provides fewer tools to creators compared to seasoned veteran YouTube. Key creator features like analytics, editing, and content management are still playing catch-up on Rumble.
4. Advertiser Preferences
YouTube’s massive reach delivers unparalleled access to a global audience for advertisers. Google’s targeting capabilities allow granular ad customization based on keywords, demographics, interests and more.
However, brand safety remains a persistent concern on YouTube. Marketers sometimes find ads paired with extreme or objectionable videos, forcing YouTube to offer assurances it is fixing the issue.
Rumble pitches advertisers on brand safety, positioning itself as a family-friendly YouTube alternative. Rumble has also partnered with conservative media brands like Dan Bongino and Ben Shapiro. This appeals to marketers aligned with right-leaning audiences.
For most major brands, YouTube remains the default video advertising platform due to its dominance. But Rumble offers opportunities to micro-target lucrative niche conservative audiences.
5 Pros of Choosing YouTube as Your Video Platform
With all the complaints some creators have about YouTube, there are still many advantages to sticking with the world’s largest video platform. Here are 5 major pros of using YouTube over upstart competitors:
1. Unmatched Size of Audience
YouTube’s 2 billion+ monthly users represent an unparalleled audience pool for creators to build viewership. Smaller competitors can’t match YouTube’s sheer scale and reach.
2. Advertising Revenue Opportunity
The YouTube Partner Program provides access to expansive monetization through Google AdSense. Top creators easily make 5 to 6 figures annually from YouTube ads alone.
3. Wealth of Video Production Resources
YouTube has birthed an entire ecosystem of education on how to create videos optimized for the platform. No other video site has as many how-to guides and courses.
4. YouTube Brand Value
There is unmatched cachet in being a popular “YouTuber.” The platform has become part of the cultural vocabulary. Other sites lack the gravitas and brand recognition.
5. Google Integration
YouTube synergies seamlessly with other Google products. Uploading to YouTube also feeds Google Search results, expanding reach further.
For creators focused purely on getting the most views, subscribers and ad revenue, YouTube remains the single best video platform thanks to its user base, infrastructure, and monetization capabilities. Rumble and others have a steep mountain to climb to dethrone the king.
5 Pros of Choosing Rumble as Your Video Platform
Rumble may lack YouTube’s audience size, but the upstart platform offers compelling advantages for creators fed up with YouTube’s rules and restrictions:
1. Higher Ad Revenue Share
Rumble’s 75% ad revenue share trounces the 55% YouTube offers creators in its standard program. Rumble’s greater earnings potential is attractive.
2. Freedom of Expression
Creators banned or demonetized on YouTube for controversial opinions can express themselves fully on Rumble without censorship.
3. Focus on Creators First
Rumble’s creator-centric policies, features and community distinguish it from YouTube’s increasing corporatization. YouTube is accused of squeezing creators.
4. Growing Brand Recognition
Rumble is rapidly gaining brand awareness. As YouTube alternatives proliferate, joining Rumble offers a first-mover advantage in a viable YouTube competitor.
5. Early Monetization Access
Rumble lets creators start monetizing videos almost immediately after signing up instead of waiting for approval like some other platforms.
For individual creators fed up with YouTube’s limitations, the grass may look greener on Rumble. Its incentives appeal to YouTubers seeking higher revenue, fewer rules, and a fresh start.
However, exclusively using Rumble brings the disadvantage of a much smaller audience. Successful creators adopt a platform-agnostic strategy, syndicating content across multiple sites including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. This maximizes reach while mitigating the risk of relying on any single platform.
3 Major Risk Factors to Consider on YouTube
Despite its advantages, YouTube comes with hazards and frustrations for creators seeking to maximize their audience and earnings. Here are 3 major YouTube risk factors to evaluate:
1. Demonetization / Account Termination
YouTube routinely demonetizes channels and videos or suspends accounts for policy violations, both alleged and legitimate. This results in lost income creators depend on.
2. Algorithm Changes
YouTube tweaks its algorithms with little warning, sometimes hurting views and traffic channels rely on. Playing algorithm games is necessary to stay viable.
3. Advertiser Boycotts
Controversies around inappropriate content have led to some advertisers boycotting YouTube. This reduces potential ad earnings across the platform.
While YouTube offers unparalleled scale, its rules make creators feel one strike or policy shift away from losing their livelihoods. This keeps creators in a perpetual state of uncertainty and anxiety.
3 Major Risk Factors to Consider on Rumble
As the underdog alternative, Rumble comes with its own hazards creators should carefully weigh:
1. Much Smaller Audience
While growing rapidly, Rumble’s audience remains dwarfed by YouTube’s billion+ users. It may lack the monetization scale creators require.
2. Brand Safety Concerns
Rumble’s anything-goes policies mean ads may appear next to extreme content. Advertisers could boycott the platform, reducing income potential.
3. Long Term Viability
Rumble must keep rapidly growing and improving its creator tools to avoid flaming out like other failed “YouTube alternatives.” Its staying power remains unproven.
Rumble promises creators refuge from YouTube’s headaches. But succeeding long term in a hyper-competitive industry dominated by Google is an immense challenge. Rumble must execute flawlessly to offer a viable YouTube alternative brand creators can bet their futures on.
The Verdict: YouTube Vs Rumble
YouTube Still Reigns Superior Overall
When weighing all the pros, cons and risks, YouTube remains the most attractive option for most video creators in 2023. Rumble offers impressive creator-first benefits, but likely works better as a supplementary platform due to its far smaller audience.
Here is the case for YouTube’s continued superiority:
- YouTube’s 2 billion+ monthly users offer unrivaled audience reach potential. This drives more views, subscribers and revenue.
- Top YouTubers earn well into 6 figures from ad revenue alone. Rumble’s smaller user base can’t yet compete on income.
- YouTube has far more infrastructure, resources and tools to help creators produce high-quality content.
- The YouTube brand remains dominant in culture. It is synonymous with online video stardom in a way no rival matches.
- YouTube’s troves of audience data allow creators to optimize content for maximum engagement and earnings.
Rumble may one day rival YouTube, but it isn’t there yet. The smart play for creators in 2024 is using YouTube as your primary platform for audience growth and ad revenue while also expanding to competitors.
Maximizing distribution across multiple platforms mitigates the risk of relying solely on YouTube while leveraging its unparalleled scale. Rumble is best treated as a supplementary income source and not a full-time alternative for most creators.
The internet video landscape will remain dynamic. But for 2024, YouTube retains its crown as the king of online video thanks to its unmatched user base, revenue potential, tools and global brand appeal.