Tube Archivist

Self-Hosted

Self-hosted YouTube video archive and organizer

Overview

Tube Archivist is a self-hosted tool to download, archive, and organize YouTube videos, playlists, and channels. It builds a searchable library with full metadata (titles, thumbnails, descriptions) and tracks watch progress. Features include subscription sync, tag management, and direct streaming from your server. Deployed via Docker Compose, it needs a Docker-enabled host, storage for videos, and internet access for downloads. Ideal for users wanting full control over their YouTube content without relying on third-party platforms.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  tube_archivist:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: tube-archivist
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Download YouTube videos, playlists, and channels with metadata
Searchable library with tag and category management
Track watch progress and sync YouTube subscriptions
Stream archived videos directly from the self-hosted instance

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Tube Archivist hard to install?

Tube Archivist uses Docker Compose for deployment—setup is straightforward with a pre-configured docker-compose.yml file. You’ll need to configure storage volumes and environment variables, but detailed guides are available. Basic Docker knowledge helps, but even beginners can follow the documentation.

? Is it a good alternative to YouTube Premium?

Yes, for users wanting permanent content control—it provides ad-free viewing and offline access like Premium, but focuses on archiving rather than live streaming or recommendations. Perfect for keeping videos forever independent of YouTube’s platform.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely! Tube Archivist is open-source under the MIT License. There are no costs to download, self-host, or modify the software—you only pay for your server and storage resources.

Top Alternatives

YouTube Premium Search Google

4K Video Downloader Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Media Streaming - Video Streaming

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no third-party tracking or ads)
⊕ Full control over your video library and data
⊕ Open-source with active community development

Cons

⊖ Requires server resources (storage, CPU/RAM for downloads)
⊖ Initial setup needs basic Docker Compose knowledge
⊖ No live streaming support (focused on archived content)