Everyone is suddenly talking about Rumble and I asked the same thing not too long ago.
It’s one of those platforms that kinda flew under the radar for years, and then suddenly, creators started moving their content there. Especially those who felt like YouTube’s content rules were getting a bit too tight.
Rumble promotes itself as a “free speech” alternative, and honestly, that message has gained traction particularly with creators who’ve been demonetized or flagged on other platforms. It’s not just a fringe thing anymore. After going public in 2022 via a SPAC merger, the platform saw a jump in visibility and traffic. Some reports in 2025 show it pulls in over 80 million visits a month now.
So, yeah! the platform’s growing fast. But the important question is: Can it compete with YouTube? Or is it more of a niche space for a specific kind of creator?
Let’s break it down.
What is Rumble?
So first, what exactly is Rumble?
Rumble is a video-sharing platform that launched back in 2013. It was founded by Chris Pavlovski, a Canadian tech entrepreneur, and for the longest time, barely anyone outside niche communities knew it existed. But that changed in a big way over the last few years.
Unlike YouTube, Rumble puts a huge emphasis on “free speech.” That means they’re not as quick to take down content unless it clearly violates laws. They also claim their algorithms don’t push content down just because it’s controversial or goes against mainstream narratives. This approach caught the attention of a lot of creators, especially after high-profile bans started happening on YouTube and X (Twitter).
And the interesting part is that Rumble isn’t just a video host. It also has its own licensing marketplace, where viral videos can be sold or syndicated to media outlets. Plus, creators can earn through ads, subscriptions, and exclusive content deals. It’s not as polished as YouTube, but it’s got the basics covered.
Read more about licensing on Rumble: https://rumble.com/s/licensing-comparison
How Does Rumble Compare with YouTube?
How does Rumble actually stack up against YouTube?
To be honest, they’re not on the same level right now. YouTube is a beast. It has over 2 billion logged-in users every month and is deeply integrated into people’s daily routines, from how-tos and music to livestreams and Shorts.
But that doesn’t mean Rumble isn’t putting up a fight.
Let’s break it down quickly:
| Feature | Rumble | YouTube |
| Monthly Traffic | ~80M visits (Similarweb) | 2B+ logged-in users (Google) |
| Monetization | Ads, subscriptions, licensing deals | AdSense, Super Chats, memberships, Shorts fund, and more |
| Censorship | Very minimal content moderation | Stricter policies, demonetization, community strikes |
| Livestreaming | Available but limited access for some users | Available to all users with more tools and reach |
| Mobile App Quality | Improving, but not as smooth or fast | Polished, feature-rich, and widely adopted |
| Content Algorithm | Claims to show content fairly to all creators | Heavily favors high-engagement content and bigger creators |
So, if we’re talking features and user experience then YouTube clearly wins in most areas. But where Rumble pulls ahead is in creator freedom and less restrictive monetization. Smaller creators sometimes feel like they have a better shot at visibility on Rumble, especially without having to constantly worry about getting flagged.
Plus, Rumble doesn’t bury or suppress videos just because they’re unpopular opinions, at least that’s what many creators say, and Rumble itself claims that in their company FAQ.
But here’s the thing: discoverability and growth are still much easier on YouTube because of its size and algorithm. Rumble doesn’t have that same global reach yet and that’s a real limitation if you’re aiming for mass exposure.
Also, do check out our affordable growth plans for Rumble.
Why Some Creators Prefer Rumble
Now, you might be thinking, if YouTube is bigger and better in so many ways, then why are people even switching to Rumble?
Fair question.
The main reason is freedom, and not in a dramatic internet-war kind of way. It’s just that Rumble doesn’t have all the complicated rules or surprise demonetization issues that creators constantly deal with on YouTube. If you’ve ever seen a YouTuber say, “This video got limited ads for no reason,” then you already know how frustrating that can be.
On Rumble, creators feel like they have more control over what they post. The platform is very clear about what’s allowed, and they are much slower to take videos down just because they’re controversial or go against popular opinion. For example, political commentators and independent journalists who were flagged or restricted on YouTube have found a safer space on Rumble to keep publishing without getting interrupted.
Also, Rumble actually offers better ad revenue for smaller creators. While YouTube typically takes around 45% of your ad income, Rumble gives creators up to 60% or more, depending on your setup or licensing deal (source). On top of that, there’s also an option to go exclusive, and in some cases, Rumble might even offer guaranteed payments to bring creators on board.
Another reason people like it is because the platform doesn’t bury your video just for being risky or unfiltered. Your content gets seen based on how it performs, not on how “safe” it is for advertisers.
So even though Rumble is still growing, a lot of creators who are tired of playing by YouTube’s constantly changing rules end up giving it a try. And for some of them, it’s actually a better fit.
Limitations of Rumble
Alright, now let’s be real for a second. Rumble has its appeal, but it’s not perfect. And if you’re thinking of jumping in as a creator or viewer, it’s important to know where things fall short.
First, the audience size is still pretty limited compared to YouTube. YouTube brings in over 2 billion logged-in users every month, while Rumble sits somewhere around 80 to 100 million monthly visits, based on Similarweb. So if your goal is to reach a massive audience or go viral quickly, YouTube still gives you a much wider reach.
Then there’s the user interface and overall experience. It has been getting better, but if you’re used to how smooth and polished YouTube feels, Rumble might seem a little basic. Things like video discovery, personalized recommendations, and even the mobile app could use more work.
Another thing worth mentioning is the type of content and audience. A lot of Rumble’s current community leans toward political, commentary, and news-style videos. So if you’re making lifestyle, food, music, or general entertainment content, it might take more time to build a following there. The platform just doesn’t have the same variety of viewers yet.
Rumble also lacks a strong international presence. While YouTube is a global platform with localized content and creators from every corner of the world, Rumble is still mostly focused on a U.S.-based audience. That can feel limiting if your content is meant for a wider or multilingual audience.
Lastly, the creator tools are not super advanced. There’s no deep analytics dashboard, no real Shorts-style format that’s taken off, and fewer features for things like collabs or channel growth. These things don’t make it unusable, but they definitely slow down how quickly creators can scale.
Can Rumble Actually Compete with YouTube?
So, let’s answer the big question, can Rumble really compete with YouTube?
Right now, the short answer is not quite, at least not in the traditional sense. YouTube is still miles ahead when it comes to user base, global reach, feature set, and content diversity. It’s deeply integrated into how people consume video content online. Whether it’s tutorials, music, or entertainment, YouTube is the go-to platform for almost everything.
But that doesn’t mean Rumble doesn’t have a shot at growing into something more. What Rumble is doing well is creating a space for creators who feel ignored, restricted, or limited by YouTube’s strict policies. And that space is getting bigger. Some well-known voices have already made the switch, and more creators are now using Rumble as a second platform to diversify where their content lives.
Also, the company is investing in original content and partnerships, which shows it’s not just trying to be a YouTube clone. It’s trying to build a platform with its own identity. And while Rumble might not pull in the same numbers right now, it’s attracting a loyal audience that cares less about polish and more about openness.
So, can Rumble replace YouTube? Probably not anytime soon. But can it co-exist and keep growing as a serious alternative? Absolutely. Especially if it keeps building out its features, supports more types of content, and expands beyond just one type of audience.
Conclusion
So, after looking at everything, here’s what I think.
Rumble is not a YouTube replacement, and it probably won’t be for a long time. But it’s definitely not a joke either. It’s growing, it has a clear audience, and it gives creators more flexibility with how they share and monetize their content. For some people, especially those frustrated with YouTube’s constant policy changes, Rumble feels like a breath of fresh air.
At the same time, YouTube is still the king when it comes to size, features, and global influence. If you’re a creator trying to reach the biggest audience possible, you probably can’t skip YouTube. But using both platforms together might actually be the smarter move. You get the reach of YouTube and the freedom of Rumble and that combo can work really well.
