top 30 best youtube wordpress plugins today – embed,playlist,gallery & popup

This article is about top 30 best YouTube WordPress plugins today. These plugins will help you embed a YouTube channel or video in your WordPress. Many of them come with a dual choice between free and premium, depending on the features you want.

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Top youtube wordpress plugins

In no particular order, we present some of the best YouTube WordPress plugins.

1. Embed Plus for YouTube

Introduction: Embed Plus for YouTube is a feature-rich plugin that enhances your YouTube embedding experience on WordPress. It provides advanced customization options and a user-friendly interface.

Why it’s the best:

Responsive Design: Ensures your embedded videos look great on all devices.
YouTube Playlist Integration: Embed entire playlists with ease.

Advanced Customization: Allows control over video size, playback options, and more.
Live Preview: See changes in real-time before publishing.
GDPR Compliance: Includes an option to enable GDPR consent features.

2. WP YouTube Lyte

Introduction: WP YouTube Lyte is a lightweight and performance-focused plugin designed to optimize YouTube embeds on your WordPress site. It prioritizes speed without compromising functionality.

Why it’s the best:

Lazy Loading: Delays the loading of YouTube players until they are actually needed, improving page speed.

Responsive Embeds: Ensures videos look great on various screen sizes.
Minimalistic: Strips unnecessary YouTube scripts for a cleaner, faster experience.
Customization: Allows basic customization options for player appearance.

3. YouTube Embed Plus

Introduction: YouTube Embed Plus is a versatile plugin that goes beyond basic embedding, offering a comprehensive set of features for managing and enhancing YouTube videos within your WordPress content.

Why it’s the best:

Gallery Layouts: Display videos in gallery format for a visually appealing presentation.

Popup Video Lightbox: Allows users to watch videos without leaving the page.
Automatic Playlists: Dynamically generate playlists based on user-defined criteria.
SEO Friendly: Optimizes embedded videos for search engines.

Accessibility Features: Includes options for accessibility compliance.

4. ARVE Advanced Responsive Video Embedder

Introduction: ARVE, or Advanced Responsive Video Embedder, is a powerful plugin that focuses on responsive design and customization. It offers a wide range of settings for tailoring the appearance and behavior of your embedded YouTube videos.

Why it’s the best:

Responsive Embeds: Ensures your videos adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes.
Lazy Loading: Enhances page loading times by loading videos only when they are visible.
Customization Options: Provides extensive settings for adjusting video size, autoplay, and other display features.

Video Alignment: Control the positioning of your videos within your content.
API Key Support: Allows you to use your YouTube API key for enhanced control and quota management.

5. Video Embed & Thumbnail Generator

Introduction: Video Embed & Thumbnail Generator is a comprehensive solution for managing embedded videos on your WordPress site. It not only simplifies the embedding process but also empowers you with thumbnail generation capabilities.

Why it’s the best:

Thumbnail Generation: Automatically creates video thumbnails for a visually appealing display.
Embedding Options: Supports various video platforms, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

Shortcode Support: Easily embed videos using shortcodes with customizable parameters.
Lightweight: Does not bloat your site with unnecessary features, ensuring optimal performance.
Bulk Processing: Generate thumbnails and embed codes for multiple videos at once.

6. Lazy Load for Videos

Introduction: Lazy Load for Videos is a lightweight plugin designed to improve page loading times by implementing lazy loading for embedded videos. It’s a simple yet effective solution for enhancing your site’s performance.

Why it’s the best:

Lazy Loading: Significantly reduces initial page load times by deferring the loading of video content.

Cross-Browser Compatibility: Ensures compatibility with various browsers for a consistent user experience.
Easy Setup: Simple configuration settings make it accessible for users of all levels.
Automatic Detection: Automatically applies lazy loading to all YouTube video embeds on your site.

7. Simple YouTube Embed

Introduction: As the name suggests, Simple YouTube Embed focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It’s an uncomplicated plugin that streamlines the process of embedding YouTube videos into your WordPress posts and pages.

Why it’s the best:

One-Click Embed: Embed YouTube videos with just one click using a straightforward interface.

Responsive Design: Ensures your videos look great on devices of all sizes.
Customization: Allows basic customization options such as video size and alignment.
No API Key Required: Simplifies the embedding process by not requiring a YouTube API key.

8. YourChannel: YouTube Channel on Your Website

Introduction: YourChannel is a specialized plugin for displaying an entire YouTube channel directly on your WordPress site. It’s a comprehensive solution for content creators who want to showcase their video content seamlessly.

Why it’s the best:

Channel Integration: Displays your complete YouTube channel content within your WordPress pages.

Playlist Support: Showcases playlists alongside individual videos for a more organized presentation.
Customization: Allows you to tailor the layout and design to match your site’s aesthetics.
Widget and Shortcode Support: Easily embed your YouTube channel using widgets or shortcodes.

9. Featherlight – A Simple jQuery Lightbox

Introduction: Featherlight is not a YouTube-specific plugin but is included here for its utility in creating a responsive and elegant lightbox effect for embedded videos. It adds a layer of sophistication to your video presentations.

Why it’s the best:

Lightweight: Keeps your site fast and nimble without sacrificing functionality.

Customizable Styles: Allows customization of the lightbox appearance to match your site’s design.
Easy Integration: Seamlessly integrates with various content types, including YouTube videos.
Accessibility Features: Ensures a user-friendly experience for all visitors.

10. Vimeography

Introduction: While Vimeography primarily focuses on Vimeo, it’s included here for its excellence in organizing and showcasing Vimeo videos on your WordPress site. It’s a top choice for those who prefer Vimeo over YouTube.

Why it’s the best:

Vimeo Integration: Specialized for Vimeo, offering advanced features for Vimeo video embedding.

Responsive Layouts: Ensures your videos look stunning on all devices.
Gallery Creation: Easily organize and display your Vimeo videos in customizable galleries.
User-Friendly: Provides an intuitive interface for managing and showcasing your video content.

11. WP Video Lightbox

Introduction: WP Video Lightbox is a versatile plugin that not only supports YouTube videos but also works with other video platforms. It adds a sleek lightbox effect to your embedded videos, creating an immersive viewing experience.

Why it’s the best:

Multi-Platform Support: Works with YouTube, Vimeo, and other video hosting platforms.

Lightbox Effect: Enhances user experience with a stylish and responsive lightbox overlay.
Shortcode Integration: Easily embed videos using shortcodes with customizable parameters.
Automatic Thumbnail Generation: Automatically generates thumbnails for your videos.

12. Video Thumbnails

Introduction: Video Thumbnails is a plugin designed to simplify the process of adding video thumbnails to your WordPress site. It’s a handy tool for enhancing the visual appeal of your video content.

Why it’s the best:

Automatic Thumbnail Generation: Streamlines the process by automatically creating thumbnails for embedded videos.

Customization Options: Allows you to adjust the size and appearance of video thumbnails.
Compatible with Multiple Platforms: Works not only with YouTube but also with other video hosting services.
SEO Optimization: Enhances SEO by adding video thumbnails to your posts or pages.

13. Easy FancyBox

Introduction: Easy FancyBox is a versatile lightbox plugin that supports various types of media, including YouTube videos. It’s known for its ease of use and compatibility with different content types.

Why it’s the best:

Multi-Media Support: Besides videos, it supports images, galleries, and other media types.

Responsive Design: Ensures a seamless experience on devices of all sizes.
Customizable Appearance: Allows you to customize the appearance of the lightbox.
Automatic Detection: Automatically applies the lightbox effect to supported content.

14. YouTube Showcase

Introduction: YouTube Showcase is a comprehensive plugin specifically designed for creating video galleries and showcases on your WordPress site. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to highlight a collection of YouTube videos.

Why it’s the best:

Gallery Creation: Enables the easy creation and customization of YouTube video galleries.

Responsive Design: Ensures your video showcases look great on various screen sizes.
Playlist Support: Integrates with YouTube playlists for organized video presentation.
Widget and Shortcode Support: Offers flexibility in embedding video showcases using widgets or shortcodes.

15. All-in-One Video Gallery

Introduction: All-in-One Video Gallery is a feature-rich plugin that goes beyond simple embedding, providing a comprehensive solution for managing and showcasing your video content, including YouTube videos.

Why it’s the best:

Multiple Video Sources: Supports YouTube, Vimeo, and self-hosted videos for diverse content integration.

Gallery Creation: Allows you to create stunning video galleries with ease.
Responsive Layouts: Ensures your videos look great on various devices.
Customization Options: Provides extensive settings for customizing the appearance and behavior of video galleries.

Analytics Integration: Includes options for integrating analytics tools to track video performance.

16. Video Background

Introduction: Video Background is a unique plugin that allows you to set YouTube videos as background elements on your WordPress site. It’s an excellent choice for creating visually stunning and immersive website experiences.

Why it’s the best:

Background Video Effects: Adds a dynamic and engaging element to your site’s design.
Customization: Provides options for adjusting video opacity, overlay color, and other visual settings.
SEO-Friendly: Ensures that your background videos don’t compromise SEO by providing fallback images.

Autoplay and Loop Options: Control whether the background video automatically plays and loops.

17. YouTube Widget Responsive

Introduction: YouTube Widget Responsive is a simple yet effective plugin for adding YouTube videos to your WordPress sidebar or widgetized areas. It’s a convenient way to showcase videos without taking up much space.

Why it’s the best:

Widget Integration: Easily embed YouTube videos in your site’s sidebar or widget areas.
Responsive Design: Ensures the widget adapts to different screen sizes.
Customization Options: Allows you to customize the widget’s appearance and behavior.

Playlists and Channels: Supports embedding entire playlists or channels in the widget.

18. Envira Gallery

Introduction: While Envira Gallery is primarily known for its image gallery capabilities, it also offers robust support for embedding YouTube videos within your galleries. It’s a versatile solution for those who want a unified gallery experience.

Why it’s the best:

Drag-and-Drop Builder: Makes gallery creation and organization a breeze.
Responsive Design: Ensures that both images and embedded videos look great on all devices.
Video Lightbox: Adds a lightbox effect to embedded videos for a polished presentation.

Social Sharing: Facilitates easy sharing of your gallery content, including embedded videos.

19. AccessPress Social Share

Introduction: AccessPress Social Share is a social media sharing plugin that includes support for YouTube videos. It’s a handy tool for promoting your video content across various social platforms.

Why it’s the best:

Social Media Integration: Allows visitors to easily share your embedded YouTube videos on popular social media platforms.
Customizable Buttons: Choose from various social media icons and customize their appearance.
Responsive Design: Ensures that social share buttons look great on different devices.

Positioning Options: Control the placement of social share buttons around your embedded videos.

20. Ultimate Video Player

Introduction: Ultimate Video Player is a powerful plugin that not only supports YouTube videos but also provides an integrated video player for self-hosted videos. It’s an all-in-one solution for video playback and management.

Why it’s the best:

Multi-Source Support: Allows embedding of YouTube, Vimeo, and self-hosted videos in a unified player.
Advanced Features: Offers features like video annotations, chapters, and playback speed control.
Playlist Support: Create and showcase video playlists with ease.

Customization Options: Provides extensive settings for customizing the video player’s appearance and functionality.

21. Responsive Video Embeds

Introduction: Responsive Video Embeds is a lightweight plugin that ensures your embedded YouTube videos are fully responsive across different devices. It’s a straightforward solution for maintaining a consistent viewing experience.

Why it’s the best:

Mobile-Friendly: Guarantees that your videos adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes, including mobile devices.
Cross-Browser Compatibility: Ensures a consistent experience across different web browsers.
No Configuration Required: Works out of the box without the need for extensive setup.

Fast Loading: Keeps your site performance optimized by loading videos efficiently.

22. Popup anything on click

Introduction: Popup anything on click is a versatile plugin that extends beyond video embedding. It allows you to create popups for various content types, making it an excellent choice for those who want interactive YouTube video popups.

Why it’s the best:

Versatility: Supports popups for videos, images, forms, and more.
YouTube Video Embeds: Easily embed YouTube videos within popups triggered by user clicks.
Customization: Provides options for customizing the appearance and behavior of popups.

User Engagement: Enhances user engagement by presenting content in an interactive way.

23. Zoom Gallery

Introduction: Zoom Gallery is a feature-rich plugin designed for creating interactive galleries with zoom-in functionality. While primarily focused on images, it also supports the inclusion of YouTube videos in your galleries.

Why it’s the best:

Zoom-In Effect: Enhances the viewing experience with a zoom-in feature for images.
YouTube Video Integration: Allows seamless integration of YouTube videos within the gallery.
Customization Options: Provides settings for customizing the gallery layout and behavior.

Lightweight: Maintains optimal site performance while offering advanced gallery features.

24. YouTube Channel

Introduction: YouTube Channel is a specialized plugin designed explicitly for showcasing your YouTube channel on your WordPress site. It provides an easy and efficient way to display your channel content.

Why it’s the best:

Channel Integration: Displays your complete YouTube channel, including videos and playlists.
Responsive Design: Ensures your channel content looks great on various devices.
Widget Support: Easily embed your YouTube channel using widgets.

Customization Options: Allows you to customize the layout and appearance of your channel display.

25. Highlight and Share

Introduction: Highlight and Share is a unique plugin that enables users to highlight text on your website and share it on social media. It’s an innovative way to encourage social sharing, including sharing YouTube video links within highlighted text.

Why it’s the best:

Text Highlighting: Allows visitors to highlight text on your site, including YouTube video URLs.
Social Sharing Integration: Facilitates easy sharing of highlighted content on social media.
User Engagement: Encourages interaction and sharing, increasing overall site engagement.

Customizable Styles: Provides options for customizing the appearance of highlighted text and share buttons.

26. VidAnalytic: YouTube Analytics Plugin

Introduction: VidAnalytic is a plugin that provides in-depth analytics for your embedded YouTube videos. It’s an essential tool for content creators who want to track the performance of their videos directly within their WordPress dashboard.

Why it’s the best:

YouTube Analytics Integration: Displays important metrics such as views, likes, and comments directly in your WordPress admin.
Video Performance Dashboard: Offers a centralized view of how your embedded videos are performing.
User Engagement Metrics: Tracks user engagement, helping you understand viewer behavior.
Time-Stamped Analytics: Provides insights into when viewers are most engaged with your content.

27. Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg

Introduction: Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg is an expansive plugin that extends the functionality of the Gutenberg editor. Among its many features, it includes a block specifically for embedding YouTube videos seamlessly into your Gutenberg-powered content.

Why it’s the best:

Gutenberg Integration: Seamlessly integrates with the Gutenberg editor for a smooth user experience.
Advanced Blocks: Offers additional blocks beyond YouTube embedding, enhancing content creation possibilities.
Responsive Embeds: Ensures that your embedded YouTube videos look great on all screen sizes.
Wide Compatibility: Works well with various themes and plugins, providing flexibility in design.

28. Video SEO for WordPress by Yoast

Introduction: Video SEO for WordPress by Yoast is an extension of the popular Yoast SEO plugin, specifically focused on optimizing video content. It’s a must-have for those who prioritize video SEO to improve search engine rankings.

Why it’s the best:

XML Video Sitemap: Automatically generates a video sitemap for improved search engine indexing.
Snippet Preview: Allows you to see how your video will appear in search results and adjust accordingly.
Open Graph Integration: Enhances social media sharing by optimizing video metadata.
Schema.org Markup: Provides structured data markup for better visibility in search engines.

29. Easy Video Player

Introduction: Easy Video Player is a user-friendly plugin that simplifies the process of embedding and managing videos on your WordPress site. It’s designed for ease of use without compromising essential features.

Why it’s the best:

Simple Setup: Streamlines the process of embedding videos with minimal configuration.
Customizable Player: Allows basic customization of the video player’s appearance.
Multiple Source Support: Embed YouTube, Vimeo, and self-hosted videos in a unified player.
Autoplay and Loop Options: Provides control over autoplay and video loop settings.

30. Popup Maker

Introduction: Popup Maker is a versatile plugin that enables you to create various types of popups on your WordPress site. While not specifically designed for videos, it can be utilized for creating interactive video popups with ease.

Why it’s the best:

Popup Creation: Allows you to create popups for different content types, including YouTube videos.
Trigger Options: Choose from various triggers such as click, scroll, or timed delays for popup activation.
Customization Features: Offers extensive customization options for popup appearance and behavior.
Analytics Integration: Provides analytics to track the performance of your popups.

what to consider when choosing youtube wordpress plugin

Ease of Use:
- Look for plugins with intuitive interfaces that make embedding and managing YouTube videos straightforward, even for users with limited technical knowledge.
Compatibility:
- Ensure the plugin is compatible with your WordPress version. Check user reviews and the plugin’s update history to confirm ongoing development and compatibility efforts.
Responsive Design:
- Opt for plugins that create responsive video embeds, ensuring your videos look good on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.
Customization Options:
- Consider the level of customization the plugin provides. Look for features like video size adjustment, color schemes, and other styling options to match your site’s design.
Performance:
- Choose plugins that are optimized for performance to prevent slow page loading times. Features like lazy loading and efficient code contribute to a better user experience.
Support for Multiple Platforms:
- If you use or plan to use videos from various platforms, ensure the plugin supports not only YouTube but also other services like Vimeo or self-hosted videos.
SEO Features:
- Look for plugins that offer SEO-friendly features, such as automatic generation of video sitemaps, metadata optimization, and schema.org markup.
Security:
- Prioritize plugins that follow best security practices. Regular updates and adherence to WordPress coding standards contribute to a more secure integration.
GDPR Compliance:
- If your site caters to European audiences, check if the plugin offers GDPR compliance features, especially regarding user consent for embedding and tracking.
Analytics Integration:
- Consider plugins that integrate with analytics tools or provide built-in analytics. This can help you track the performance of your embedded videos and understand user engagement.
Widget and Shortcode Support:
- Ensure the plugin supports embedding videos through widgets and shortcodes. This provides flexibility in placing videos within your content and sidebars.
Social Sharing:
- If social media sharing is a priority, consider plugins that facilitate easy sharing of embedded videos on popular social platforms.
Updates and Active Development:
- Check the plugin’s update history and user reviews to ensure it is actively developed and supported. Regular updates indicate ongoing compatibility and security improvements.
Community and Reviews:
- Look for plugins with positive reviews and a supportive community. User feedback can provide insights into potential issues and the overall user experience.
Cost and Licensing:
- Determine if the plugin is free or has a premium version. Assess the value of premium features and whether they align with your specific requirements. Check the licensing terms and whether it suits your needs.

faqs about top youtube wordpress plugins

What is a YouTube WordPress plugin?
- A YouTube WordPress plugin is a tool that allows users to easily embed, manage, and customize YouTube videos within their WordPress websites. These plugins often come with additional features such as responsive design, customization options, and analytics integration.
Why do I need a YouTube WordPress plugin?
- WordPress plugins for YouTube simplify the process of embedding videos, provide customization options for appearance and behavior, enhance performance, and often offer additional features like analytics and SEO optimization.
Are YouTube WordPress plugins free?
- Many YouTube WordPress plugins offer free versions with basic functionality. However, some plugins have premium versions that provide advanced features and support. Users can choose based on their specific needs and budget.
How do I embed a YouTube video in WordPress without a plugin?
- While you can manually embed YouTube videos in WordPress using the provided embed code, plugins streamline the process and offer additional features. To manually embed, copy the YouTube video URL and paste it into the WordPress editor. WordPress will automatically embed the video.
Are YouTube WordPress plugins compatible with the new Gutenberg editor?
- Yes, many YouTube WordPress plugins are compatible with the Gutenberg editor. Some plugins even offer dedicated Gutenberg blocks for easy embedding and customization.
Do YouTube WordPress plugins support responsive design?
- Yes, most YouTube WordPress plugins are designed to create responsive video embeds. This ensures that the videos adapt to different screen sizes for an optimal viewing experience on various devices.
Can I use YouTube WordPress plugins with other video platforms?
- It depends on the plugin. While many are designed specifically for YouTube, some plugins support multiple video platforms like Vimeo, Dailymotion, or self-hosted videos. Check the plugin documentation for compatibility details.
How do YouTube WordPress plugins impact site performance?
- Well-optimized YouTube WordPress plugins contribute positively to site performance. Features like lazy loading and efficient code help prevent slow loading times. It’s crucial to choose plugins that follow best practices for performance.
Do YouTube WordPress plugins impact SEO?
- Yes, many YouTube WordPress plugins include SEO-friendly features. This may include automatic generation of video sitemaps, metadata optimization, and schema.org markup to improve the visibility of your videos in search engines.
Are YouTube WordPress plugins GDPR compliant?
- Some YouTube WordPress plugins offer GDPR compliance features, such as options for user consent before embedding videos or tracking user interactions. Check the plugin documentation for details on GDPR compliance.
Can I track the performance of embedded videos with YouTube WordPress plugins?
- Yes, many plugins offer analytics integration or built-in analytics features to help you track the performance of your embedded YouTube videos. This includes metrics such as views, likes, and user engagement.
Are there any security concerns with YouTube WordPress plugins?
- Well-established and regularly updated plugins are less likely to pose security concerns. It’s essential to choose plugins from reputable sources, ensure they follow WordPress coding standards, and keep them up to date to minimize security risks.
How do I choose the right YouTube WordPress plugin for my site?
- Consider factors such as ease of use, compatibility with your WordPress version, responsive design, customization options, performance optimization, analytics integration, community support, and user reviews when choosing a YouTube WordPress plugin. Select one that aligns with your specific requirements and goals for embedding videos on your site.