Vinegar is a Safari extension for iOS and macOS that replaces the YouTube player with a minimal HTML5 video tag.
Product velocity
Unknown
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#33
▼3Utilities · paid
Sentiment
4.3
745 reviews
Nemesis
Adblock Plus for Safari & Apps
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Users hire Vinegar to bypass YouTube's native playback restrictions, specifically to enable background audio and system-level Picture-in-Picture without a subscription.
For Safari users on iOS and macOS seeking ad-free YouTube playback with native iOS video features.
What does it look like?
Key features
Replaces YouTube's proprietary player with a standard HTML5 tag to enable native iOS video controls.
Strips in-video advertisements from YouTube content.
Enables audio-only streaming when the browser is in the background.
How much does it cost?
The $1.99 upfront model targets users seeking a permanent, subscription-free alternative to YouTube Premium.
Velocity
Steady developmentShow more...
Who built it?
And a Dinosaur
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Lucky for Safari
Doomscroll NewsUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Not enough recent reviews to extract reliable themes yet.
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Vinegar - Tube Cleaner
How's the Utilities market?
Vinegar holds a stable position in the Safari Utilities category, with a 4.27 rating across 745 reviews. Its $1.99 price point positions it as a premium utility compared to the free, ad-supported alternatives that dominate the category volume.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By Eyeo GmbH
Both apps target Safari users seeking ad removal. Vinegar focuses specifically on replacing the YouTube player, while Adblock Plus provides general web content filtering.
- Vinegar replaces the YouTube player with HTML5; Adblock Plus filters trackers across Safari and third-party apps.
- Vinegar requires a $1.99 upfront payment; Adblock Plus provides a free entry point via freemium pricing.
- Adblock Plus removes cookie banners; Vinegar focuses on restoring picture-in-picture and background audio for video.
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Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Vinegar - Tube Cleaner
Where is it heading?
The Safari extension market for video utilities is consolidating around free, high-rating alternatives. Vinegar's paid model provides a stable, ad-free experience, but the lack of feature parity with free rivals suggests a slow erosion of market share unless the feature set expands.
- The latest update addressed iPad loading issues, indicating active maintenance rather than feature expansion.
- Free competitors with higher ratings continue to capture casual users, creating long-term pressure on the $1.99 price point.
The SWOT
- HTML5 player replacement restores native iOS Picture-in-Picture
- One-time purchase model avoids subscription fatigue
- Safari extension architecture ensures browser-native privacy
- Develop companion extensions for other video platforms
- Integrate custom playback speed controls to match rivals
Next best moves
Ship custom playback speed controls because rivals like Adblocker For YouTube offer this feature → increase feature parity.
The counter-intuitive read
Vinegar's paid model is its primary defense: by avoiding the ad-supported revenue stream…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
Custom playback speed controls (available in Adblocker For YouTube) +1
Since the last report: The report reflects a strategic pivot toward feature parity to defend the app's paid model against free, feature-rich competitors.
Bottom line
Vinegar wins on stability and native integration, but the lack of advanced playback features like speed control invites churn to free rivals, so the PM should prioritize feature parity to defend the $1.99 price point.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 2 market threats and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Vinegar worth paying for if I can use free ad blockers?
Does Vinegar work on all websites?
Is Vinegar safe for my privacy?
Sources
Report last updated