All about YouTube Revanced

It takes very little for an ad to appear in the middle of a key video, just when something important is being explained or the best moment of a vlog is approaching. That's why so many people look for alternatives like YouTube ReVanced to watch videos without interruptions, with more control over the app, and without paying a monthly subscription.

At the same time, YouTube has become a machine for advertising revenue and paid subscriptions, with $36.1 billion in advertising during 2024 and paid services generating $14.5 billion that same year. YouTube Premium and YouTube Music already have over 125 million paying subscribers as of March 2025, after surpassing 100 million in early 2024.

This tension between user convenience, platform business, and creator sustainability is precisely the context where ReVanced fits in.

What is YouTube ReVanced

YouTube ReVanced is a community project that modifies the official YouTube app to add advanced features and, above all, remove ads without the need for a paid subscription. It is not an official Google app and is not distributed on the Play Store; instead, it is installed through modified files or "patches" applied to the original app. Unlike simple ad blockers, ReVanced operates at the interface and experience level, allowing changes to the app's behavior in many details.

The team developing it maintains an active update pace and has presented a roadmap highlighting features like AI-assisted ad blocking and cross-platform synchronization, designed to ensure a consistent experience on mobile, tablet, or other devices. This shows that ReVanced is no longer just "an app without ads," but a parallel ecosystem with its own priorities, focused on giving users maximum control even when YouTube changes its design or algorithm.

Benefits of YouTube ReVanced

The first appeal of ReVanced is evident: videos without preroll, midroll, or invasive banner ads. For those who watch a lot of content, the absence of interruptions completely changes the user experience. This is often complemented by background playback, "picture in picture" mode even on devices or in countries where the official app restricts it, and the ability to download videos for offline viewing. These are precisely the star features of YouTube Premium, but replicated without direct cost to the user.

ReVanced also adds options highly valued by advanced users: always remembering playback quality, hiding annoying interface elements (shorts, tabs of no interest, comments), or integrating modules like sponsored segment blocking within videos. In an environment where YouTube constantly adjusts its algorithm and has made changes that have significantly altered views and the relationship between views, "likes," and revenue per thousand impressions for many creators, having more control over what is seen and how it is seen is very attractive to part of the audience.

Another benefit many users highlight is the feeling of "mental cleanliness": fewer distractions, fewer insistent recommendations, and, if configured that way, less entry into content loops. Studies show that YouTube's consumption pattern can lead, over time, to some users moving from moderate content to more extreme content. Being able to adjust the feed, hide sections, or limit certain suggestions with third-party tools can be seen as a way to distance oneself from that constant algorithmic pressure.

Risks of Using YouTube ReVanced

The flip side is the risks. The first is obvious: it is unofficial software that modifies a proprietary app. This usually goes against the platform's terms of service, and although many users use it for years without consequences, there is always the possibility of account blocks, failures after an update, or sudden incompatibilities. Additionally, downloading APKs or patches from unverified sites adds a real security risk: malware, credential theft, or malicious code insertion are scenarios that cannot be ruled out.

There are also ethical and ecosystem implications. YouTube largely lives off advertising, and creators monetize thanks to those ads. It is known that the platform generates tens of billions of dollars annually in advertising revenue and that its ad sales grew from about $9.2 to $10.5 billion from one year to the next in the last analyzed quarter. When a significant mass of users blocks ads, that source is reduced, and creators rely more on direct sponsorships, memberships, or their own products. A study on factors influencing YouTube revenue also shows that views are closely related to the number of subscribers and the frequency of video uploads; if part of those views do not generate advertising revenue due to the massive use of blockers, the model becomes even more strained.

In parallel, there is the issue of the type of content consumed. Recent research indicates that, although "disinformation bubbles" do not always form, when they do, it is possible to break them by consuming videos that actively debunk hoaxes and problematic content. It has also been found that the quality of health information on YouTube is highly variable and that a critical analysis is needed before trusting any video on medical or health topics. The use of modified apps does not fix these underlying problems: if recommendations are blocked or what is hidden is too automated, the user may end up viewing uncritically just what confirms their biases, without being exposed to verification or nuanced content.

YouTube Premium vs YouTube ReVanced

Comparing YouTube Premium with ReVanced is comparing an official, paid, and supported service with a free, community modification outside Google's ecosystem. Premium offers ad-free viewing, background playback, downloads, and access to YouTube Music; in return, it fully respects the terms of service and ensures compatibility with all devices, from Smart TVs to consoles. The growth of this model is clear: the combined subscriptions of YouTube Premium and Music exceed 125 million paying users and generate around $14.5 billion annually, according to recent estimates. This momentum makes it clear that Google is strongly committed to the subscription model.

ReVanced, on the other hand, provides access to many of these advantages without direct cost but implies a more fragile relationship with the platform. Any internal change in the YouTube app or its algorithm can break functions or cause it to stop working temporarily. Recently, creators have noticed significant changes in visit metrics, interaction, and RPM after unannounced adjustments to YouTube's algorithm. When using a modified app, diagnosing which part of the problem is due to YouTube itself and which to the mod is even more difficult.

There are also differences in how sensitive content is managed. The platform has been refining its moderation policies and, in fact, has given internal instructions for some videos that border on rule violations to remain if considered to provide public interest value, which is a somewhat more flexible approach than in the past. Using the official app ensures that all these decisions, from warnings to age restrictions or context labels, are displayed as intended. A modified app can alter notifications, banners, or indicators, thereby changing how the user perceives the risk or reliability of what they are watching.

How to Save with YouTube Premium Using Sharingful

For those who value the advantages of Premium but want to minimize costs, an interesting option is platforms that help legally share family or group plans among several people, like Sharingful. The idea is simple: if a service offers a plan designed for multiple accounts under a single subscription, it facilitates compatible users to find each other, organize, and share the cost clearly and securely. This allows enjoying the official experience—ad-free, with downloads, and with full access to all features and devices—without resorting to modified apps or assuming security risks.

When using these types of solutions, it is essential to always verify the terms of use of YouTube itself and any other service to ensure that the sharing method complies with current rules. Once that is done, the approach changes: ReVanced ceases to be the only way to escape advertising and becomes just another alternative, with its pros and cons, compared to a more affordable Premium thanks to cost-sharing among several people. For many users, this combination—adjusted price, legality, stability, and direct support to creators—ends up being the most comfortable balance in the medium and long term.