I’m building OpenWatch, an open-source self-hosted video platform as an alternative to YouTube. It’s designed for content creators who want to back up their content on their own infrastructure (in case of strikes) or for anyone who wants a personal video hosting solution.
The project is in early stages, but I’ve built out some core features:
- Home feed
- Video player with adaptive streaming
- Playlists
- Interactions (likes, comments, subscriptions)
- Creator Studio (dashboard, content management, channel customization)
Tech stack:
- Next.js 16
- Tailwind CSS v4
- Drizzle ORM (PostgreSQL)
- FFmpeg
- HLS.js
- Zustand
- Docker
GitHub: https://github.com/openwatch-app/openwatch
Feedback would be helpful, especially around self-hosting considerations and features you’d find useful.
Not federated, seemingly vibecoded, MIT. Peertube exists, not sure this makes a ton of sense as an alternative but good luck otherwise.
Update 02/07:
- Changed license to MIT
- Made first steps for implementing Federation, now you can search and view videos and channels from other platforms, more features in this direction coming in the future
Thank you for all the feedback received!
Mit license allows the use for commercial purposes without funding, which if it becomes popular and adopted you would have to support it without any kick backs. Please look into GPLv3
Doesn’t matter there we’ll never be a replacement for YouTube the cost is to great. Think of the storage they barely remove videos they just stay up there.
Decentralized video streaming? Like torrenting but encrypted traffic from disparate nodes like Storj? Not that tech, but something in that vein.
Also how Tor works but that would be slow af.
🤔💭
That’s how peertube works for streaming (not storage), with P2P
Yea someone argued that “it’s not impossible to replace YouTube, [x] also stores massive amounts of videos” where I don’t remember what x was, but I’m fairly sure their massive amounts of videos is less than what gets uploaded to YouTube in a day, maybe an hour.
I’m working on this
deleted by creator
It’s not. Have you red the project description?
I stand corrected, apologies.
Why would anyone use this non FOSS vibe coded thing instead of PeerTube? Copying YouTube’s UX is not a good enough reason when better FOSS alternatives already exist.
Wdym non FOSS? It’s MIT. That’s still FOSS even if it’s not the flavor of FOSS you prefer
I don’t care if AI was used in its creation. I do care if it’s FOSS/libre.
And also, it’s a bit weird to me that copying YouTube’s UI is considered good. I havent used YouTube in a long time, but I recall there being some good aspects and some bad. Why not create your own vesion of a UI?
And also, it’s a bit weird to me that copying YouTube’s UI is considered good. I havent used YouTube in a long time, but I recall there being some good aspects and some bad. Why not create your own vesion of a UI?
I completely understand your point of view. But I want to make something that’s easier for YouTube users to migrate to.
Ah.
Makes it easier for people to move over, and more willing to.
Why would anyone use this non FOSS vibe coded thing instead of PeerTube? Copying YouTube’s UX is not a good enough reason when better FOSS alternatives already exist.
It’s an open source world bro, you can choose what you want, chill :))
put ActivityPub in it :)
But seriously, a PeerTube compatible software with a different approach than PeerTube could be good for the federated video ecosystem.
Thanks for the feedback :)
While many in fedi will say the above, a simple federated search model could increase adoption. I.E. don’t bother going crazy with it, just add a discovery platform where you can search “your own” or “the network”.
I’m already working on this, thank you very much for the feedback
For sure, an ActivityPub video platform that is not TikTok like (i.e Loops) would be amazing.
So what is the difference between this and PeerTube?
Hey, thanks for the question. I want to build an experience much more similar to YouTube, with a more similar design and flow.
Do you think you could work towards ActivityPub integration so it would be able to talk to PeerTube instances? IMO diversity is strength but cooperation is a factor in success. Hope this project goes well and is fun 😁
Do you think you could work towards ActivityPub integration so it would be able to talk to PeerTube instances? IMO diversity is strength but cooperation is a factor in success. Hope this project goes well and is fun 😁
Sure, I’ll add that to the list. Thanks for the feedback :)
It would be a killer feature for us in the fedi. :)
Peertube is awesome, but more alternatives in the space would be welcome.
Thanks for the feedback :)
How is the design and flow of Peertube different from YT, can you give e few examples? For me they are super similar (there’s a video feed, I click on one, I get a page with videos that has comments and related videos).
Absolute best of luck to you! :) We need more diversity in software!
I hope AcitivityPub or some federation mechanism is being supported. :)
If you ever want to come on a podcast, Fireside Fedi, let me know. :)
Also if/when you’re ever needing someone to test the software I’m starting another show called Works On My Machine Live where I install the software and talk to the dev during it.
Thanks for the feedback :)
I agree that more options is a good thing, and that activitypub would be a plus. But FYI, I wont be using it because of the license. I use only FOSS whenevr possible.
Good catch, that licence does not look very Libre =\
Good catch, that licence does not look very Libre =\
Thanks for the feedback, it was already changed it
That repo looks like someone vibe coded a YouTube clone
I use AI but not entirely. Thanks for the feedback though, I’ll try to improve
Thank you for the warning.
You’re welcome :)
An alternative approach to PeerTube would be very welcome. ActivityPub-integration is a must for me, though.
Thanks. It’s already on the list.
This looks cool. Good luck with it
Thanks :)
Okay, why this over peertube?
Okay, why this over peertube?
I’d say because it feels more like YouTube. But everyone uses what they like :)
I wonder if you have plans to implement YouTube mirroring like with Odysee. I’m sure my producer, Neigsendoig, would love that.
This is being done on a service using the Nostr protocol from what I’ve heard.
I wonder if you have plans to implement YouTube mirroring like with Odysee. I’m sure my producer, Neigsendoig, would love that.
Sure, I’ll put that on the list.
Fantastic. Please, feel free to take your time on that, but we do appreciate that regardless.
Fantastic. Please, feel free to take your time on that, but we do appreciate that regardless.
Thank you very much
Very cool.
Thanks :)
