YouTube has been blocked in China since March 2009. The Chinese Government restricts access through the Great Firewall, making the platform completely inaccessible without VPN technology. This restriction created opportunities for domestic video platforms to flourish.
Chinese users rely on local alternatives that offer similar video content. These platforms range from long-form streaming services to short-video apps, and each has carved out its own niche in the Chinese social media market.
Top 7 video platform alternatives to YouTube in China
A variety of domestic platforms have emerged as the Chinese version of YouTube, offering diverse video content for millions of users.
1. Youku
Youku parent company: Alibaba Group
Youku is one of China's oldest and largest long-form video platforms and is often referred to as a leading Chinese YouTube app. It hosts professional television programs, films, documentaries, and user-generated content. The platform operates as a premium video destination with a strong content library spanning entertainment, education, and lifestyle categories.
Key statistics of Youku:
- Monthly active users: Approximately 450 million
- Content format: Long-form videos (TV programs, films, documentaries) and user-generated content
- Monetisation: Advertising and Premium subscriptions
User base: Youku attracts users interested in professional-quality video content and entertainment. The platform integrates with Alibaba's e-commerce ecosystem, enabling direct shopping opportunities within videos.
2. iQiyi
iQiyi parent company: Baidu
iQiyi is a leading streaming entertainment platform specialising in original series, variety shows, dramas, and documentaries. It functions as China's Premium video service, similar to Netflix, with substantial investments in original content production.
Key statistics of iQiyi:
- Monthly active users: Approximately 500 million
- Daily active users: 115 million
- Paid subscribers: 98.3 million (as of 2022)
User base: iQiyi targets Premium content consumers willing to pay for ad-free, exclusive programming. The platform is particularly popular among viewers aged 25-40 seeking high-quality drama series and variety content.
3. Tencent Video
Tencent parent company: Tencent Holdings
Tencent Video is the largest long-form video streaming platform in China, with the most monthly active users, as a subsidiary of Tencent, China's dominant tech conglomerate, the platform benefits from deep integration with WeChat, QQ, and other Tencent services.
Key statistics of Tencent Video:
- Monthly Active Users: 597 million
- VIP Subscribers: Over 120 million
User demographics: 50% of Tencent Video users are aged 25-34, representing China's most affluent and digitally engaged demographic.
4. Bilibili
Bilibili parent company: Bilibili Inc.
Bilibili is often called "China's YouTube" due to its user-generated content model and young audience. The platform is known for anime, gaming, technology, and creative content. Bilibili introduced "bullet comments" (danmaku)—a unique feature in which viewer comments scroll across videos in real time, creating a communal viewing experience.
Key statistics of Bilibili:
- Monthly active users: 365.2 million
- Daily active users: 109.4 million (Q2 2025, up 7% YoY)
- Tech-Interested Users: Over 200 million
Content ecosystem: Bilibili's total views for tech content exceeded 24 billion in 2024, cementing its role as the platform of choice for technology enthusiasts.
5. Douyin / TikTok
Douyin parent company: ByteDance
Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok and dominates China's short-form video market by an enormous margin. It has evolved far beyond entertainment into a comprehensive digital ecosystem encompassing e-commerce, education, live streaming, and social commerce.
Key statistics of Douyin:
- Monthly active users: 766.5 million
- Internet penetration: 83% of China's internet users are active on Douyin
- User preference: 29.3% of social media users prefer Douyin as their favourite platform
- Total consumer spend: Ranked 1st among all Chinese mobile apps
Market dominance: Douyin commands an overwhelming market share. Its closest competitor, Kuaishou, has only 711.7 million MAU—significantly fewer than Douyin's reach.
6. Kuaishou
Kuaishou parent company: Publicly traded
Kuaishou is China's second-largest short-form video platform, competing directly with Douyin. The platform has differentiated itself by targeting lower-tier cities and rural areas where it commands significant user loyalty.
Key atatistics of Kuaishou:
- Monthly active users: 711.7 million
- Daily active users: 408 million (Q1 2025), a record high and 3.6% YoY increase
- Geographic focus: Approximately two-thirds of users live in third-tier cities and below
Market position: While trailing Douyin significantly, Kuaishou maintains strong engagement in specific geographic markets and has developed a loyal user base among rural and lower-income demographics.
7. WeChat Channels
WeChat parent company: Tencent Holdings
WeChat Channels is Tencent's short-form video feature integrated directly into WeChat. Launched in 2020, it represents Tencent's answer to Douyin and Kuaishou, leveraging WeChat's massive user base.
Key statistics of WeChat:
- WeChat total MAU: 1.4 billion
- WeChat Mini Programs MAU: 945 million (includes Channels and other mini-apps)
- WeChat Mini Programs DAU: 764 million expected in 2025
Audience demographics: WeChat Channels lean toward older audiences and professionals, while Douyin's audience is younger. The platform is ideal for B2B marketing, professional networking, brand awareness, and e-commerce targeting established consumers.
Technical barriers when using China-based video services
YouTube remains blocked in China under the Great Firewall, inaccessible to users without VPNs or roaming services. This creates an entirely separate digital ecosystem where Chinese platforms operate under different content regulations and technical standards. Foreign creators must navigate China's unique internet infrastructure, which includes different video codecs, CDN requirements, and data localisation laws. Content must comply with strict censorship guidelines enforced through automated systems and human moderation teams across all major platforms.
How to make your video content accessible across China
Success in China's video landscape requires platform-specific optimisation rather than direct YouTube replication. Each platform has distinct audience demographics, content preferences, and algorithmic behaviours. Creators should localise content culturally rather than simply translating Western formats. Building relationships with platform representatives and understanding each service's monetisation systems is crucial. For international brands, partnering with local creators often yields better results than direct platform entry. Data sovereignty requirements mean all user data must remain within China's borders, necessitating local hosting solutions and compliance with evolving digital regulations.
