GitHub - openwatch-app/openwatch: An open-source alternative to YouTube.
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An open-source alternative to YouTube. Contribute to openwatch-app/openwatch development by creating an account on GitHub.

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.

  • fum@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    10 分钟前

    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.

  • ozoned@piefed.socialEnglish
    11·
    2 小时前

    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.

  • Mike Wooskey@lemmy.thewooskeys.comEnglish
    2·
    1 小时前

    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.

  • squirrel@piefed.kobel.fyiEnglish
    59·
    5 小时前

    put ActivityPub in it :)

    But seriously, a PeerTube compatible software with a different approach than PeerTube could be good for the federated video ecosystem.

    • ge0rg3e@thelemmy.clubOPEnglish
      16·
      5 小时前

      Hey, thanks for the question. I want to build an experience much more similar to YouTube, with a more similar design and flow.

      • jlow (he / him)@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        1·
        5 分钟前

        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).

      • PM_ME_VINTAGE_30S [he/him]@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        23·
        4 小时前

        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 😁

        • ge0rg3e@thelemmy.clubOPEnglish
          13·
          4 小时前

          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 :)

  • Mugita Sokio@feddit.onlineEnglish
    1·
    2 小时前

    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.

    • ge0rg3e@thelemmy.clubOPEnglish
      4·
      4 小时前

      Okay, why this over peertube?

      I’d say because it feels more like YouTube. But everyone uses what they like :)