Netflix and Youtube: which one is a better streaming platform?

There no doubt that Netflix and YouTube are one of the most powerful online video streaming platforms. They have achieved some rampant success across the world but which one will pull the plug and emerge out as the front runner up.

When we come to a point where we feel the need to know which online video streaming platform has the most number of subscribers worldwide and the number of original content, then we need to look at what they have to offer.

Netflix

Netflix emerged in 1997, boasts with 167 million subscribers worldwide as of Jan 2020. This online video streaming platform offers movies and TV shows with some of the most-watched ad liked hit titles such as FRIENDS, Pitch Perfect and much more. Netflix has a huge collection of titles that can be accessed by taking up its subscription.

Netflix has grown incredibly since 1997 and now has introduced the world with Netflix originals which consist of movies and TV shows as well but it has gained a lot of fame. The company generates about 2015.6 crores USD of revenue and hosts around 5,400 employees. I can go on telling you about the success Netflix gained over the years and trust me, it’s not going to end.

YouTube

When we talk about YouTube, it has gained attention worldwide since 2005. YouTube is a video sharing platform where hundreds of people make money by sharing unique content and monetizing them through the AdSense system. It is doing great but YouTube’s insecurity made them launch the YouTube premium which allows the users to download videos, watch offline and access music too. Well, overall it attempted to step up its game in the market by introducing the subscription method just like Netflix.

YouTube even entered the market of providing the subscribers with serial program’s which will be long enough and not the usual short video content. The company generates about 1500 crores USD of revenue and hosts around 1,121 employees. But, we should not forget that YouTube is one of the successful online video streaming platforms in the emerging platforms since it is more mobile-centric as compared to Netflix.

As told by the company, YouTube reaches around 85 percent of all internet users in India and most of the traffic comes from outside the country’s six major cities. While in Indonesia, YouTube reaches about 74 million active users each month and 92 percent of rural users and 93 percent of urban users in Thailand.

The biggest advantage that YouTube has over Netflix has it offers its content to the subscribers at no cost. There is a lot available in YouTube’s catalog which is easier to find and access at no cost. And not to forget that even Netflix looks forward to counting on YouTube to find a larger audience. You must have had seen ads on YouTube if you YouTube often.

Is YouTube mimicking to be just like Netflix?

But, is YouTube trying to be like Netflix? The answer to this question is a big NO. YouTube does not see itself trying to be like Netflix. It sees its content platform to be doing much stronger business than any subscription streaming market.

It did try the economics of subscription streaming but it was too tough for YouTube. YouTube soon realized that user-generated content is more favorable and defensible since it’s unique and cost less. The user-generated content puts YouTube in a much better position since they can have more dollars from traditional TV ads.

With all the introductions and information listed above, let’s dive into knowing the pros and cons of both the online video streaming platforms.

Netflix and YouTube

Advantages of using YouTube

• YouTube has a lot to offer to its subscribers.
• The biggest advantage that YouTube serves is that it is entirely free of cost. If you want to binge on YouTube then you can without paying a single penny. All you require to access YouTube is a good internet connection.
• YouTube allows you to download content and you can watch it without an internet connection that is in Offline mode.
• Apart from providing you the unique content from different curators, and music, YouTube also helps you to boost your business. Yes, you can use YouTube for promoting your business as well. When you use YouTube for marketing purposes, it shows you the people who search for such related content.
• Through YouTube, you can share videos that will help you content with people around the world. You just need to share the content and interested people or users will binge on it. Moreover, you can also make money by sharing videos that are unique and not copied.

Disadvantages of YouTube

• Where there is an advantage, there lies one or more than one disadvantage as well.
• If you are one of the content curators and like to or want to be the one, then you must know that YouTube does allow people to comment on your videos either they are good or not. Even if your content is amazing, there will always be haters around the globe who will not appreciate your work.
• YouTube has uncensored videos as well in its library. However, YouTube does not show uncensored videos to users below 18 years but they can always be fooled.
• Controversial programs are just another added disadvantage. Controversial programs turn out to hurt people’s feelings and beliefs.
• Since YouTube does not charge its users for the content hence it makes money by showing ads to the users. Ads might turn by between the video for maximum 5 times depending upon the length of the video. Well, commercials are quite annoying when you are wanting to watch a video without any interruption.
• YouTube recently launched YouTube originals and to watch and enjoy YouTube originals you are required to subscribe to YouTube Red.

YouTube is accessible in almost all countries but it has been banned or blocked from some countries. 

Which countries has YouTube blocked?

Even though millions of users love to binge on YouTube and watch its content from videos to music videos but due to many censorship reasons, some countries have YouTube blocked in their country. These countries blocked or banned YouTube in their country because in the past their country or any government officials has been criticized and insulted.

Some banned YouTube because their religion was targeted directly in different ways. Some countries follow some strict guidelines which do not allow any direct or indirect content that may affect their countries’ government, individual, or growth.

These are many of few reasons why YouTube has been banned or blocked by many countries whether it be permanently or temporarily.

Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam, North Korea, and China are the countries where YouTube has been banned.

Advantages of using Netflix

• The most important thing why Netflix has got so many subscribers is because it has got very interesting shows. It launches programs and series every so often that keeps users addicted to Netflix and entertained too.
• No ads. You can watch whichever show you love the most without an ad popping up.
• You can download the shows and watch anytime anywhere without the internet connection.
• Netflix, apart from being known for providing shows that interest its users the most, it is also known for providing high-quality content.
• If you are looking forward to getting Netflix subscription, then this may interest you. Netflix offers different payment plans for different users. That is, you can choose a program where multiple users can enjoy watching Netflix at the same time. It all depends on the plan you choose. You might also consider reviewing or browsing for some of the best VPN for Netflix to prevent any region locks.

Disadvantages of Netflix

• But, Netflix had so many advantages, how do they even have cons? Shocking! Just like YouTube, Netflix also has some cons to its list.
• To have access to the content Netflix has, you need to pay and get a subscription.
• If you choose a plan which cost less, then you will get the fewer screen to work at the same time.
• For example, if you are someone living outside the USA and there are shows which are exclusively available for users in the USA, then you might need to download a really good VPN to access the shows available exclusively on Netflix US. To know some of the best VPNs, I have mentioned it below.
• Netflix does not offer any such feature to support and promote your business.
• Netflix does provide content in high quality but the newer content takes time to be uploaded which makes it quite boring and old.

How to access Netflix at a place where it is not available?

It happens most of the time when you travel to a place where Netflix is not available that you are unable to access Netflix. Whenever you find yourself in such a situation, it best to download a VPN. VPN is nothing but a virtual private network that will help you in selecting a server.

With VPN you will be able to access Netflix since the server you choose from the VPN will view your IP address to be from another location and hence you will be able to access Netflix.

There are several VPN’s that you can choose to stream Netflix with security. Some of the best 5 VPNs are listed below.

• ExpressVPN
• PureVPN
• NordVPN
• IPVanish
• SurfShark

Netflix and Youtube: which one is a better streaming platform?

YouTube wins the race of being the top runner up. The type of service that YouTube offers cannot be matched with any other online video streaming platform. You might get some shows that are available on Netflix, but if you do your search properly, you might find the same show on YouTube as well.

On the other hand, Netflix offers some pretty amazing shows and movies. You can always pay for a Netflix subscription if you are willing to pay but you can always binge on YouTube for free content.

Final Take

Netflix and YouTube, both are some of the most powerful online video streaming platforms. It is difficult to choose any one of them. I use both online video streaming platform daily. You just need to choose the one which suits you the most.

You can always go for Netflix subscription if you are someone who loves to watch new shows and movies. But, if you don’t watch enough of them, it good to not waste your money. But, both the platforms are amazing. They are equally good and equally bad too.

Comment down below, which online video streaming platform you like the most. Is it Netflix or YouTube?

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