ClipBucket

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted video sharing platform

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Overview

ClipBucket is an open-source self-hosted video streaming and sharing platform built for individuals or organizations to host, manage, and distribute multimedia content. It supports video uploads, automatic transcoding (via FFmpeg to multiple resolutions), user profiles with playlists/favorites, comments, ratings, and monetization tools like ad integration. Deployable on servers running PHP 7.x+, MySQL/MariaDB, it offers customizable themes and plugin support, enabling users to create private or public video portals tailored to their needs.

Key Features

  • Video upload & multi-resolution transcoding
  • User accounts with profiles, playlists & favorites
  • Comment, rating & social sharing functionality
  • Customizable themes and plugin ecosystem
  • Monetization options (ads, pay-per-view)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is ClipBucket hard to install?

ClipBucket requires setting up a server with PHP 7.x+, MySQL/MariaDB, and FFmpeg (for transcoding). Manual installation involves uploading files, configuring databases, and setting permissions. Community-maintained Docker images are available to simplify deployment for users familiar with containerization.

? Is it a good alternative to YouTube?

Yes—ClipBucket offers core video sharing features like uploads, transcoding, and user engagement tools, making it an excellent self-hosted alternative for those wanting to avoid YouTube’s restrictions and retain full control over their content. It lacks YouTube’s global reach and advanced recommendation algorithms, though.

? Is it completely free?

ClipBucket is 100% open-source and free to download, use, and modify. There are no licensing fees, but you will incur costs for server hosting, storage, and bandwidth based on your content volume and audience size.

Top Alternatives

YouTube Search Google
Vimeo Search Google
Dailymotion Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source
Category Media Streaming - Multimedia Streaming
Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

  • ⊕ Full control over content and user data
  • ⊕ No subscription fees or vendor lock-in
  • ⊕ Flexible to adapt for private or public use cases

Cons

  • ⊖ Requires technical setup (PHP/MySQL server + FFmpeg)
  • ⊖ Transcoding demands significant server resources
  • ⊖ Limited official support compared to SaaS platforms

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