Our verdict: Grayjay is a good choice if you follow creators on several platforms and want one feed without a platform account. Sources come from plugins, so a site change can break playback until the plugin is updated. The app is free to use; FUTO asks for an optional one-time payment.
About Grayjay
Grayjay is made by FUTO. It combines videos from platforms such as YouTube, PeerTube and Twitch in one app through source plugins, and shows a single feed of all your subscriptions. Watch history is stored locally on your device rather than in a platform account.
The source code is public, but the license is FUTO's own source-available license rather than an open-source one. FUTO says the app works identically without paying; buying a license is a voluntary one-time payment. You can import subscriptions and playlists from supported platforms and download videos for offline viewing.
What it does well
- Plugin-based sources. Enable plugins for YouTube, PeerTube, Twitch and other platforms.
- Universal subscription feed. New videos from all followed creators in one reverse-chronological list.
- Local history. Watch history and subscriptions are stored on your device.
- Import. Imports subscriptions and playlists from supported platforms or a Grayjay backup.
- Downloads. Saves videos for offline viewing and exports them to files.
Who it is for
Good fit
Viewers who follow creators on several video platforms and want one feed without signing in everywhere.
Look elsewhere
Users who need the official apps' features such as comments posting, memberships, or guaranteed reliable playback.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One feed for many platforms
- No account needed
- History kept locally
- Free to use
Cons
- Playback can break when a platform changes until the plugin is fixed
- Not open source under an OSI license
- Prompts to buy an optional license
How to install Grayjay
The download button gets the Windows x64 installer from grayjay.app; a portable ZIP is on the same page. After installing, open Sources and enable the plugins you need. Logging in to a platform is optional and only needed for personalized recommendations or importing subscriptions.
Questions about Grayjay
Is Grayjay free?
Yes. FUTO says the app functions identically without paying. You can buy a one-time license to support development, but it is optional.
Is Grayjay open source?
The source code is public, but it uses FUTO's source-available license, which is not an OSI-approved open-source license.
Do I need a YouTube account?
No. Without logging in you get a generic home feed; logging in to a platform is only needed for personalized recommendations or importing subscriptions.
