Are you new to PeerTube or looking to join the video hosting platform? What are some exciting things you should know about it?
PeerTube is a platform that uses peer-to-peer technology to allow users to host or stream video files. It is an exciting application many see as an alternative to mainstream giant video hosting platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.
But, like with every new platform, you need to know what you are getting into. Below, we look at PeerTube and answer some of your questions about the service.
1. How does PeerTube work?
PeerTube is a self-hosted, decentralized video hosting platform that uses peer-to-peer technology. But how does this work exactly?
Well, like any video hosting and streaming platform, PeerTube is comprised of two parts:
- A client application side – this is the website interface where users can watch videos or upload new content to the platform.
- The server side – this is where the videos on the platform are hosted.
The PeerTube server side is where things get interesting. Unlike mainstream video hosting and streaming services, which use a centralized server, the platform’s servers are decentralized.
The PeerTube server side comprises several instances (web servers), each independent of the others and featuring different administrators, appearances, and community rules.
Likewise, each of the platform’s instance provides its content and a website for users to stream.
So, how do all these independent web servers make a single video hosting platform?
This works because PeerTube instances are federated. The platform uses the ActivityPub protocol, which allows the instances to be decentralized but compatible and talk to each other, thus providing a unified platform.
Another exciting thing about the instances is that while each can host its video content, it can sync with other instances in the federation. This allows users on one instance to watch videos from other instances on the same web interface.
As already mentioned, PeerTube also uses WebTorrent peer-to-peer technology. Each instance hosts a torrent tracker, which is shared by each of the viewing web browsers.
Therefore, each user connected to an instance helps to share the load and bandwidth between the server and the clients, allowing for the smooth operation of the instance.
2. How to set up a PeerTube account?
You can stream content for free without registering for an account on the platform by simply clicking on the URL of one of the public PeerTube instances.
However, you need an account to experience more features on the platform, for example, subscribing to channels, commenting on videos, accessing your watch history, and uploading your videos.
Setting up an account on the platform is easy. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Go to instances.joinpeertube.org or other public listings of PeerTube instances and choose one instance you like.
- Click on the URL for that instance which will take you to the viewing web interface.
- Click on the “Create an account” button on the left-side panel of the interface. Note: some PeerTube instances have a “Request an account” button, where your account registration request is reviewed and approved or denied.
- Fill in the requested account information (user name, password, email address, etc.)
- Set up your channel name if you want to upload and share your videos on your chosen PeerTube instance. Note: you can create a channel (or several) later in your account settings.
- Go to your email inbox and click the received verification link to verify your account and complete the registration process.
- Go back to your chosen PeerTube instance and log into your account to start watching videos, discovering content, subscribing to channels, uploading content, etc.
You can watch or upload videos on your created PeerTube account, but you will be subject to the rules of the PeerTube instance you are using. For example, the administrators might restrict what you can post, and the amount of content you can upload.
Therefore, if you are looking for more freedom and independence, you can set up your own PeerTube instance—which is like creating your own “homemade YouTube” where you can upload content and allow others to upload and view content.
Setting up a PeerTube instance is a bit technical but not much harder than creating your own website. The requirements are also not complicated, as you can even set up an instance on your computer.
If you want to create your own (self-hosted) PeerTube instance, you can follow the information on this PeerTube documentation. You can also find several video tutorials for setting up an instance.
3. How to find videos to watch on PeerTube?
One of the top questions you might have about PeerTube is how to discover content, given the platform’s decentralized nature and the independence of each PeerTube instance.
However, finding content to watch on PeerTube is very easy.
Simply go to the PeerTube instance of your choice and click on the Discover, Trending, Recently Added, or Local Videos button on the left-side panel of the instance’s interface. You can also use the search feature at the top of your chosen PeerTube instance.
Note: The above features will allow you to watch videos hosted on the instance you have chosen and synced from other instances (your chosen instance must follow another instance for the latter’s videos to be synced).
If you want to watch more videos that are not available on your chosen instance, you have two options:
- Go to another PeerTube instance and discover more videos. Note: some instances use a Global Search feature, allowing you to discover videos from other instances not connected to the one you are using.
- Use Sepia Search – Sepia Search is a dedicated search engine for PeerTube that allows you to search several instances at once.
4. Can you monetize your videos?
If you are a content creator, you might wonder about PeerTube’s monetization policy. Unfortunately, the platform does not have any monetization system in place for content creators.
However, when uploading your videos, you can create a support button and post your links to platforms such as Patreon, PayPal, and others, where users watching your videos can support you.
Since PeerTube is open-source, developers can also create content monetization systems on the PeerTube Plugin API, which content creators can use to monetize their content.
You can find some of these monetization plugins on platforms such as GitHub.
5. What is the streaming experience on PeerTube?
PeerTube offers an excellent user experience, whether you are viewing videos, uploading content for others to view, or hosting your own instance.
As a viewer, the platform is very similar to YouTube in terms of the user interface. You can easily discover videos, subscribe to channels, create custom playlists, etc.
The use of peer-to-peer technology to share the server load makes streaming on the platform even more seamless, and you are unlikely to experience lags or buffering when streaming content.
As a content creator, the platform offers you several features for creating, sharing and managing your content. These include live streaming, video transcoding settings, user management settings, user interface configurations, and more.
Of course, the first time you use PeerTube can seem challenging, but you will have lots of fun discovering several cool features on the platform.
PeerTube pros and cons
As you would expect, every video hosting platform has advantages and drawbacks. Below are some of the top PeerTube pros and cons you should know.
Pros
- It is an open-source platform that is free to everyone.
- It uses a decentralized server system, meaning no individual or entity completely controls the platform.
- It has minimal censorship and is not prone to flawed copyright enforcement policies of mainstream video hosting platforms.
- Peer-to-peer technology helps share the load between several users, thus improving everyone’s streaking experience.
- You can easily host your own PeerTube instance, giving you more freedom and independence on your content.
Cons
- Your use of the platform depends on the distinct rules created by the administrators of an instance.
- The platform is prone to unwanted and extreme content due to its decentralized nature and independence from each instance.
- The platform does not have much content (compared to giant platforms like YouTube). In addition, the decentralized and independent nature of the instances can make discovering content more complicated.