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An Honest TubeBuddy Review: Is it Worth It?

Updated: Jun 24

YouTubers are constantly on the lookout for tools to turbocharge their YouTube channel's growth and streamline their video management processes. As a YouTuber yourself, you've probably heard of TubeBuddy.


But, with so many tools on the market, you might be asking yourself, "Is TubeBuddy worth it?" That's the question I'll aim to answer in this comprehensive and honest TubeBuddy review.


What is TubeBuddy?

TubeBuddy is a browser extension and mobile app that integrates directly with your YouTube dashboard, enhancing it with a plethora of powerful features. These functions range from SEO tools and bulk processing capabilities to advanced analytics and promotional features, all designed to maximize the potential of your YouTube channel.



TubeBuddy at a Glance

TubeBuddy is legit. Here are some high-level points to ease your mind about downloading it.

  • Ease of Use: User-friendly and accessible, TubeBuddy is straightforward to install and navigate.

  • YouTube Certification: TubeBuddy is a certified YouTube Partner, adhering strictly to YouTube's API terms of service.

  • Pricing: TubeBuddy offers a functional free version, while its paid plans range from $9 to $49 per month.

  • Features: TubeBuddy's extensive suite of over 65 features includes SEO tools, bulk video processing, video A/B testing, copyright-free music and much more.

TubeBuddy Pricing

TubeBuddy's pricing structure caters to different needs and budgets. The base price for TubeBuddy's paid plans ranges from $9 to $49 per month, but discounts are available for channels with less than 1,000 subscribers, making it an affordable solution for beginners.


The Free Plan: This is a risk-free way to try TubeBuddy. This is a surprisingly helpful plan for Creators wanting to get their feet wet.

The Pro Plan ($9/month): Offers an extended feature set, focusing on productivity tools and video optimization.

The Star Plan ($19/month): Includes all Pro features plus various time-saving tools, including bulk video processing.

The Legend Plan ($49/month): TubeBuddy's premium offering includes all available features, with A/B testing being a key highlight.


TubeBuddy offers a 30-day free trial of the Legend plan for users keen to explore its full capabilities before committing to a subscription.


TubeBuddy's Key Features

TubeBuddy is packed with features designed to optimize your YouTube channel's performance, streamline your workflow, and skyrocket your channel's growth. For my first channel, I didn't hit 100,000 subscribers until I downloaded TubeBuddy and got serious.


Now, let's look into some of my favorite tools and features on TubeBuddy.


Keyword Explorer

The Keyword Explorer tool is a boon for mastering YouTube SEO. It helps you discover the best tags for your videos, maximizing your exposure. Just input your main keywords, and TubeBuddy will do the heavy lifting, suggesting relevant tags to enhance your video's visibility.


Thumbnail Generator

The Thumbnail Generator tool helps you create professional, eye-catching thumbnails for your videos. Consistent, high-quality thumbnails can significantly improve your video's click-through rate, contributing to higher rankings.


Video A/B Testing

A standout feature available in the Legend plan, Video A/B testing allows you to compare the performance of different video titles, tags, and thumbnails. This tool provides valuable insights to optimize your video's metadata for maximum engagement and views.


Best Time to Publish

This feature uses TubeBuddy's advanced algorithm to determine the optimal time to publish your videos for the best engagement from your audience. Scheduling your uploads strategically can significantly improve your video views.


Comment Filter

As your channel grows and the number of comments increases, managing them can become challenging. TubeBuddy's Comment Filter tool helps you sort through comments, enabling you to respond to important ones quickly and maintain a high level of audience interaction.


Channel Access

If you're working with a team or sharing your YouTube channel's management with others, the Channel Access feature is invaluable. It allows you to grant secure access to your YouTube account to other individuals, facilitating smooth team collaboration.


Channel Valuation

In partnership with SocialBluebook.com, TubeBuddy provides a Channel Valuation feature. This tool gives you an accurate estimate of your channel's worth, helping you gauge how much to charge for brand collaborations and sponsorships.


Competitor Scorecard

Keeping an eye on your competition is crucial for staying ahead in the YouTube game. The Competitor Scorecard feature allows you to compare your channel's performance against your competitors, providing valuable insights to help you improve.


TubeBuddy Mobile App

TubeBuddy's mobile app lets you manage your YouTube channel on the go. The app provides access to many of TubeBuddy's features, allowing you to keep track of your channel's performance and make necessary adjustments from anywhere, anytime.



TubeBuddy: Pros and Cons

As with any tool, TubeBuddy has its strengths and weaknesses. I've focused on the things I like during the majority of this article but here are some high-level pros and cons.


Pros:

  • Comprehensive suite of features for YouTube channel optimization

  • Easy to use with a user-friendly interface

  • Offers a functional free version

  • YouTube certified, ensuring it complies with YouTube's terms of service

Cons:

  • Only one license per channel, requiring multiple accounts for managing several channels

  • Some advanced features, such as bulk editing, are only available in higher-priced plans

  • Sometimes their customer service can be slow


A TubeBuddy Alternative

While TubeBuddy is a robust tool, it's not the only player in the YouTube optimization game. VidIQ is a notable alternative, offering a range of SEO tools, analytics features, and more.


However, many users prefer TubeBuddy for its comprehensive feature set and user-friendly interface.


Is TubeBuddy Worth It?

After a thorough evaluation, the verdict for me is clear: Yes, TubeBuddy is worth it.


This comprehensive tool provides a wealth of features designed to streamline your YouTube management processes, optimize your videos, and boost your channel's growth. Whether you're a newbie YouTuber or a seasoned creator, TubeBuddy can be a valuable ally in your YouTube journey.

However, remember that TubeBuddy is a tool, not a magic wand. It can certainly make your work easier and more productive, but your content's quality is still the key to your YouTube success. So, focus on creating exceptional content and let TubeBuddy handle the optimization.


Download TubeBuddy for Free


I've personally seen TubeBuddy help grow each of my YouTube channels. It may be worth a shot for yours.




Frequently Asked Questions


Can TubeBuddy help grow my YouTube channel?

Yes, TubeBuddy provides a suite of tools designed to optimize your videos, streamline your workflow, and ultimately help grow your YouTube channel. It has helped grow each of my channels!


Is TubeBuddy easy to use?

Yes, TubeBuddy is user-friendly and integrates directly with your YouTube dashboard, making it easy to navigate and use. It may take some practice to fully understand its capabilities but should prove easy to get the hang of.


Is TubeBuddy free?

TubeBuddy offers a free version that includes basic features. You can download the free version risk-free here.


Can TubeBuddy help with YouTube SEO?

Absolutely. TubeBuddy offers several SEO tools, including a Keyword Explorer, Tag Suggestions, and Video A/B Testing, which can significantly improve your YouTube SEO.


 

Written by Rob Miller

Founder, Creator Essentials


Rob has been on YouTube since 2016 and has worked on dozens of channels and websites, including his own, amassing hundreds of millions of views and hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

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