Best Open-Source YouTube Clients for Android TV in 2026 (SmartTube, Grayjay & More)

The official YouTube app for Android TV gets the job done — until it doesn’t. Sluggish menus, limited codec options, no picture-in-picture on certain devices, and an interface clearly optimised for ad impressions rather than viewer experience have pushed many Android TV users to explore open-source alternatives. In 2026, those alternatives have matured considerably: SmartTube Next, Grayjay, and NewPipe each offer genuine technical advantages around codec support, accessibility, and content control — without the subscription cost of YouTube Premium.

This guide covers the best third-party YouTube clients available for Android TV today, explains what makes each one technically distinct, and walks through how to install them safely. A quick note before we begin: all apps discussed here are third-party clients that require sideloading on Android TV. Using them may conflict with YouTube’s Terms of Service — always review Google’s current terms and use these tools at your own discretion.

Why Android TV Users Look for YouTube Alternatives

Before jumping to the apps themselves, it is worth understanding the specific pain points that drive people to look beyond the official YouTube client.

1. Codec Limitations and Video Quality

The official YouTube Android TV app does not always default to the most efficient modern codecs. AV1 — Google’s own royalty-free codec — offers roughly 30% better compression than VP9 at equivalent visual quality, which matters enormously on a 4K television where bandwidth constraints are real. Many Android TV boxes and smart TVs (especially those running Android TV 9 or 10 with a compatible SoC such as the Amlogic S905X4 or Realtek RTD1619BPD) support hardware-accelerated AV1 decoding, yet the official app does not consistently take advantage of it. HDR10 and HDR10+ passthrough can also be inconsistent, particularly on devices that use the Widevine L3 security level.

2. Accessibility and Interface Friction

The official app’s ten-foot UI has improved over the years but still lacks features that matter to many users: granular playback speed controls accessible from the remote, the ability to skip sponsor segments in long-form content, robust subtitle customisation, and picture-in-picture (PiP) support that actually works across the full Android TV system (Android 8.0+). Users who rely on subtitles for accessibility reasons frequently report that the official client’s subtitle rendering lags behind what third-party clients offer.

3. Offline and Local Playback Needs

YouTube Premium’s offline download feature is useful but locked to the official app and the Premium subscription tier. Open-source clients that expose the underlying stream URLs allow users to route playback through local media players like VLC or Kodi, integrate with download managers for offline storage, or simply pass streams to a preferred renderer — workflows that are impossible within the official YouTube walled garden.

4. Performance on Lower-End Hardware

Entry-level Android TV sticks — popular in India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa — often struggle with the official app’s memory footprint. A TV stick running on 1 GB or 2 GB of RAM can find the official YouTube client occupying 300–400 MB of RAM at idle, leaving little headroom for concurrent background tasks. Lightweight open-source clients with leaner UI frameworks can meaningfully improve the experience on these devices.

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SmartTube Next — The Feature-Rich Open-Source Client

SmartTube Next is an open-source (MIT-licensed) YouTube client for Android TV and Fire TV developed by Yuriy Bragimov and an active community of contributors on GitHub. It is not available on the Google Play Store — it is distributed directly through GitHub releases and via the developer’s own update server. As of early 2026, the project has accumulated over 18,000 GitHub stars, reflecting a substantial and active user base.

AV1, VP9, and HDR10 Codec Support

SmartTube Next’s most significant technical differentiator is granular codec control. Within the app’s settings, users can explicitly select their preferred video codec from a list that includes AV1, VP9, H.264 (AVC), and H.265 (HEVC). On a device with hardware AV1 decoding — such as a Chromecast with Google TV HD (2022), an NVIDIA Shield TV Pro, or any box running on a Rockchip RK3566/RK3588 SoC — selecting AV1 as the preferred codec can noticeably reduce bandwidth consumption while maintaining or improving visual quality at 4K.

HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) support is handled through Android’s MediaCodec API, so passthrough fidelity depends on the device’s display pipeline. That said, SmartTube Next exposes HDR format selection explicitly — something the official app does not — allowing users on OLED or QLED televisions to verify that HDR metadata is being passed correctly.

SponsorBlock Integration

SmartTube Next natively integrates SponsorBlock, the crowdsourced database of sponsor segment timestamps. SponsorBlock classifies segments into categories: Sponsor, Unpaid/Self-Promotion, Interaction Reminder, Intro, Outro, Preview, Filler, and Music Off-Topic. Users can configure per-category behaviour — auto-skip, show notification, or ignore — directly from the SmartTube settings menu. This is an accessibility and usability feature for viewers who find repeated mid-roll call-to-actions disorienting or who have attention-related considerations.

Other Notable Features

• Picture-in-Picture (PiP): Fully functional PiP that respects Android TV’s system-level PiP API, allowing video to continue in a floating window while navigating menus or other apps.
• Playback Speed Control: 0.25× to 2× speed in 0.05× increments, controllable from the remote.
• Background Playback: Audio continues playing when the screen is off or when the user navigates away — useful for music and podcast-style content.
• Return YouTube Dislike: Optional integration with the Return YouTube Dislike API, restoring dislike counts on videos.
• Google Sign-In: Supports signing in with a Google account to sync subscriptions, watch history, and playlists — a feature absent from most other open-source alternatives.
• Subtitle Customisation: Font size, colour, background opacity, and edge style are all configurable — meaningfully better than the official app’s subtitle settings.
• Sections/Feed Filtering: Ability to hide Shorts from the home feed and subscriptions, reducing visual clutter for users who prefer long-form content.

How to Install SmartTube Next via the Downloader App

SmartTube Next requires sideloading since it is not on the Play Store. The simplest method on Android TV uses the Downloader app by AFTVnews — a free utility available on the Google Play Store for Android TV.

1. On your Android TV, open the Google Play Store and install Downloader by AFTVnews.
2. Go to Settings → Device Preferences → Security & Restrictions and enable Unknown Sources for the Downloader app.
3. Open Downloader and enter the SmartTube Next direct download URL. The developer’s official URL as of 2026 is: https://kutt.it/stn_stable (this redirects to the latest stable APK on GitHub). Always verify this URL against the official SmartTube GitHub page before downloading.
4. Downloader will fetch and install the APK. Follow the on-screen prompts.
5. Once installed, you can delete the APK file through the Downloader prompt to free up storage.
6. Launch SmartTube Next. If you want to sign in with Google, navigate to Settings → Account and follow the device code flow.

For a detailed walkthrough of enabling Unknown Sources and sideloading in general, see our guide on how to sideload apps on Android TV.

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Grayjay — The Multi-Platform Content Aggregator

Grayjay, developed by FUTO (a technology organisation founded by Louis Rossmann with a focus on user freedom), takes a fundamentally different philosophy from SmartTube Next. Rather than being a dedicated YouTube client, Grayjay is a multi-platform content aggregator. It supports YouTube, Rumble, Odysee, Nebula, Patreon, Twitch, SoundCloud, and several other platforms through a plugin system, all within a single app. Its Android TV build has matured significantly through 2025 and into 2026.

Local-First Philosophy and Subscription Sync

Grayjay’s guiding principle is “follow the creator, not the platform.” Subscriptions are stored locally on the device in an open SQLite database, exported as plain JSON, and synced between devices via Grayjay’s own peer-to-peer sync mechanism (no cloud account required). If a creator moves from YouTube to Nebula or Odysee, Grayjay can surface their content across both platforms simultaneously in a unified feed. For viewers who follow creators who publish on multiple platforms, this aggregation removes the need to maintain separate app subscriptions.

Key Features

• Unified cross-platform feed: Subscriptions from YouTube, Nebula, Odysee, and others appear in a single chronological feed.
• Offline downloads: Built-in download manager supporting MP4 and audio-only downloads for offline playback.
• Polycentric protocol support: Experimental integration with Fediverse-compatible video platforms.
• No sign-in required: YouTube content can be browsed and subscribed to without a Google account — Grayjay extracts content via platform APIs and open-web endpoints.
• Plugin extensibility: Community-developed plugins extend support to additional platforms without requiring an app update.
• Source code available: Grayjay’s source is available on FUTO’s GitLab, though FUTO uses a source-available licence rather than a traditional OSI open-source licence — a distinction worth noting.

How to Install Grayjay on Android TV

1. On your Android TV, install Downloader by AFTVnews from the Play Store if you have not already done so.
2. Enable Unknown Sources for Downloader in Settings → Device Preferences → Security & Restrictions.
3. Open Downloader and navigate to https://grayjay.app/android — this is FUTO’s official download page. The site includes a QR code and a direct APK download link; use the direct link within Downloader.
4. Install the APK and launch Grayjay. On first launch, tap Sources to enable the YouTube plugin (and any other platform plugins you want).
5. Import your existing YouTube subscriptions by exporting a Google Takeout subscription CSV from your Google account and importing it into Grayjay via Settings → Import.

Grayjay charges a one-time fee of approximately ₹899 (~$10) USD for the app, though the APK can also be built from source for free. FUTO’s reasoning for the fee is to sustain development without advertising revenue — which aligns with its user-freedom mission.

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NewPipe — Lightweight, Privacy-Focused, Open-Source

NewPipe is the longest-established open-source YouTube client for Android, with active development since 2015. It is maintained by the NewPipe community and licensed under the GNU General Public License v3. NewPipe does not use the YouTube Data API — instead, it scrapes YouTube’s internal endpoints directly (a technique called “extraction”), which means it requires no Google account and sends no data to Google during browsing or playback.

Features and Limitations on Android TV

NewPipe is primarily designed for smartphones, and while it functions on Android TV, its UI is not optimised for ten-foot viewing. Navigation with a TV remote works but is less intuitive than SmartTube Next or Grayjay. Despite this, NewPipe offers several compelling features:

• Background and popup playback: Audio continues in the background; a floating popup player is available for multitasking.
• Download manager: Download video and audio in multiple quality levels for offline use.
• No tracking or telemetry: Zero data sent to YouTube or Google during app use.
• Multi-service support: Also supports PeerTube and SoundCloud out of the box.
• NewPipe x SponsorBlock: A community fork called NewPipe x SponsorBlock x Return YouTube Dislike adds SponsorBlock and Return YouTube Dislike integration to the base NewPipe experience.
• Import/export subscriptions: Subscriptions are stored as a local JSON file, importable across devices.

NewPipe is available via the F-Droid repository, which is itself a free and open-source Android app store. Installing F-Droid first provides automatic update notifications for NewPipe without relying on GitHub releases directly.

LibreTube — The NewPipe Alternative via Piped API

LibreTube deserves a mention here as a close cousin of NewPipe. Rather than scraping YouTube directly, LibreTube routes all requests through the Piped open-source YouTube proxy network. This further reduces direct connections to Google’s infrastructure. LibreTube also supports account creation on Piped instances for subscription sync — without a Google account. Its Android TV support is experimental as of early 2026, but the project is actively developing a TV-optimised interface.

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YouTube Premium — The Official Alternative Worth Considering

No honest comparison would be complete without acknowledging YouTube Premium. At ₹189/month in India (or approximately ₹1,199 (~$13.99)/month in the US), YouTube Premium provides a fully licensed, Terms of Service-compliant experience that includes background playback, offline downloads, and YouTube Music. It is the only option on this list that is fully legal, fully supported by Google, and immune to the API-breakage risks that periodically affect all third-party clients.

For users who rely heavily on YouTube and want a stable, worry-free experience, Premium is a legitimate choice. The open-source alternatives are best suited for technically inclined users comfortable with sideloading and the inherent maintenance overhead of unofficial clients.

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Comparison Table: SmartTube vs Grayjay vs NewPipe vs YouTube Premium

Feature	SmartTube Next	Grayjay	NewPipe	YouTube Premium
Price	Free	~₹899 (~$10) one-time	Free	₹189/mo (India)
Licence	MIT (open-source)	Source-available (FUTO)	GPL v3 (open-source)	Proprietary
TV-Optimised UI	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⚠️ Partial	✅ Yes
AV1 / VP9 Codec Selection	✅ Explicit	⚠️ Automatic	⚠️ Automatic	⚠️ Automatic
SponsorBlock	✅ Native	✅ Native	⚠️ Fork only	❌ No
Google Account Sign-In	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Offline Downloads	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Premium only)
Multi-Platform Support	❌ YouTube only	✅ Yes (10+ platforms)	⚠️ YouTube + PeerTube	❌ YouTube only
Background Audio Playback	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Premium only)
Picture-in-Picture	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
ToS Compliant	⚠️ Likely not	⚠️ Likely not	⚠️ Likely not	✅ Yes
Play Store Available	❌ Sideload only	❌ Sideload only	❌ Sideload only	✅ Yes
Subscription Sync	✅ Via Google account	✅ P2P sync	⚠️ JSON export/import	✅ Via Google account

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How to Install These Apps via Sideloading

All three open-source apps require sideloading since they are not distributed through the Google Play Store for Android TV. The general process is consistent across apps:

1. Install Downloader by AFTVnews from the Play Store — this is the most reliable sideloading utility for Android TV.
2. Enable Unknown Sources for the Downloader app in your device’s security settings.
3. Enter the APK URL for your chosen app in Downloader’s URL field.
4. Install and launch the app.

For a comprehensive step-by-step guide with screenshots, refer to our detailed article on how to sideload apps on Android TV. If you want to go further and clean up pre-installed system apps that slow down your device, our guide on how to debloat your Android TV walks you through that process safely.

Once you have these apps installed, you may also want to revisit your launcher to make them easier to access. Dedicated launchers with customisable grids make a real difference — see our roundup of the best Android TV launchers for 2026 to find one that suits your setup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is SmartTube Next safe to install?

SmartTube Next is an open-source project with its full source code publicly auditable on GitHub. The APK distributed via the developer’s official GitHub Releases page is built from that source. As with any sideloaded application, the risk lies in downloading from unofficial mirrors or unverified sources — always download directly from the official GitHub repository or the developer’s official shortened URL (kutt.it/stn_stable). The app requests Google account access only if you choose to sign in; it can be used entirely without a Google account.

Will these apps break if YouTube updates its API?

Yes — this is the most significant operational risk of using third-party clients. YouTube periodically updates its internal API, client authentication, or stream extraction methods, which can temporarily break third-party clients. SmartTube Next and NewPipe both have update mechanisms that push fixes quickly (SmartTube often within 24–48 hours of a YouTube-side change), but there will be periods of breakage. YouTube Premium’s official client is not subject to this risk.

Does SmartTube Next support 4K HDR?

SmartTube Next supports 4K resolution and HDR10/HLG content on devices that have the necessary hardware capabilities — a display pipeline that supports HDR, a SoC with hardware-accelerated 4K decoding, and a Widevine security level appropriate for the content’s DRM requirements. Keep in mind that most 4K YouTube content uses Widevine DRM at the L1 level for protected streams, while unofficial clients that do not implement full DRM may be limited to L3 (which typically caps at 1080p for DRM-protected streams). For non-DRM 4K content, SmartTube performs well.

Can I use my YouTube subscriptions in SmartTube Next?

Yes. SmartTube Next supports Google account sign-in via the standard device code flow. Once signed in, your existing YouTube subscriptions, watch history, playlists, and liked videos are all accessible within the app. This is one of SmartTube Next’s key advantages over NewPipe and Grayjay, which do not support Google account authentication.

Are these apps legal to use?

The apps themselves are legal software — open-source code is not inherently illegal. However, using them to access YouTube content likely violates YouTube’s Terms of Service, specifically sections that prohibit accessing the service through means other than the YouTube interface and APIs provided by Google. This is a civil matter between you and Google, not a criminal one. Google has the right to terminate your account for ToS violations. We recommend reviewing YouTube’s current Terms of Service before deciding which approach is right for you.

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Final Recommendation

For most Android TV users who want an enhanced YouTube experience with better codec support, SponsorBlock integration, and a polished ten-foot interface, SmartTube Next is the standout choice in 2026. It is free, actively maintained, supports Google account sign-in, and delivers genuine technical improvements — particularly around AV1/VP9 codec selection and subtitle accessibility — that the official app does not match.

If you follow creators across multiple platforms (YouTube, Nebula, Odysee, Rumble) and want a unified subscription feed with built-in download capability, Grayjay is worth the ₹899 (~$10) one-time cost for its aggregation capabilities and local-first subscription model.

NewPipe remains the best option for users who prioritise privacy and want zero connection to Google’s infrastructure, though its TV-optimised interface limitations are a real consideration on a large screen.

And if you value simplicity, full legal compliance, and seamless integration with the broader YouTube ecosystem — including YouTube Music — YouTube Premium remains the right choice. At ₹189/month in India, it is a reasonable price for what it delivers without the maintenance overhead of unofficial clients.

Whichever path you choose, make sure your Android TV setup is optimised from the ground up. A good launcher makes navigation significantly better — see our picks for the best Android TV launchers — and removing unnecessary pre-installed apps through our Android TV debloat guide can free up RAM and storage for a smoother overall experience.

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