Looper for YouTube Alternative: 6 Best Options Compared (2026)
For years, "Looper for YouTube" by AlvinHKH was the go-to Chrome extension for repeating YouTube videos. With over 400,000 users and a 4.6-star rating, it earned that reputation through years of solid, reliable performance. It did one job well: looping sections of YouTube videos.
But here is the problem. The extension has not been updated since August 2024. YouTube changes its page structure and video player code regularly, and extensions that are not actively maintained eventually break. Since late 2024, an increasing number of users have reported issues: loop controls not appearing, the extension failing to detect the video player, or looping simply not working after a YouTube update.
If you are one of those users, you are probably searching for a working alternative right now. Maybe you are a musician who relies on A-B looping to practice difficult passages. Maybe you are a language learner who repeats phrases dozens of times per session. Or maybe you are a student reviewing lecture segments and you just need something that works in 2026.
This article compares the six best YouTube looper alternatives available today. We have tested each one, and we will be straightforward about what works, what does not, and which one is the best fit for your use case.
What to Look for in a YouTube Looper Extension
Not all YouTube loopers are created equal. Before we get into the comparison, here are the key features that separate a good looper from a great one:
A-B Section Looping
The most important feature. Full-video looping is built into YouTube already (right-click the video and select "Loop"). What you actually need is the ability to loop a specific section: the guitar solo from 2:14 to 2:47, or the vocabulary phrase from 0:33 to 0:41. Any looper worth installing must have precise A-B point controls.
Saved Loop Points
If you practice the same video across multiple sessions, re-setting your loop points every time is tedious. Saved loops let you store your A-B points per video and instantly recall them when you return. This is a major time-saver for musicians and learners who work on the same material over days or weeks.
Keyboard Shortcuts
When you are playing guitar along with a video, you cannot reach for your mouse to adjust the loop. Good keyboard shortcuts let you toggle the loop, set start and end points, and save your loops without breaking your flow. This is non-negotiable for musicians.
Playback Speed Control
Slowing down a fast passage is essential for practice. YouTube has built-in speed control, but a good looper integrates speed with looping so you can gradually increase tempo as you improve. Look for extensions that offer fine-grained speed adjustments beyond YouTube's default 0.25x increments.
Privacy and Minimal Permissions
A YouTube looper only needs access to youtube.com and storage for your settings. Be cautious of extensions that request broad permissions like reading all your browsing data. Extensions that request more than they need are either poorly designed or doing something they should not be.
Manifest V3 and Active Maintenance
Google has been phasing out Manifest V2 extensions since 2024. Extensions still on V2 may stop working or be removed from the Chrome Web Store at any time. Active maintenance also matters: YouTube changes its code frequently, and an unmaintained extension will eventually break. Check when the extension was last updated before you install it.
Quick Comparison Table
| Extension | A-B Loop | Saved Loops | Speed | Shortcuts | Last Updated | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Looper Pro | ✓ | ✓ | 0.25x–4x | Full | Feb 2026 | Free + Pro |
| Looper for YouTube | ✓ | ✗ | Basic | Yes | Aug 2024 | Free |
| Transpose | ✓ | Pro only | 0.5x–2x | Yes | 2025 | Free + $4/mo |
| Section Repeat | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Full | 2024 | Free |
| YouTube Looper | ✓ | ✓ | Custom | ✗ | 2024 | Free |
| Online Tools | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A | Free + ads |
Table data as of February 2026. Ratings and features may change over time.
The 6 Best Looper for YouTube Alternatives
1. YouTube Looper Pro
star Recommended114+ users · 5.0 stars · Manifest V3 · Last updated February 2026
Full disclosure: this is our extension. That said, we built it specifically because the alternatives were not meeting our own needs, and we think the feature set speaks for itself.
YouTube Looper Pro places a visual A-B range slider directly below the video player. Instead of typing timestamps manually, you drag two handles to set your loop start and end points. This makes it fast and intuitive to dial in exactly the section you want to repeat. The slider snaps to the video timeline, so you get frame-level precision without guessing.
Keyboard shortcuts let you control everything hands-free. Press L to toggle the loop, [ and ] to set start and end points at the current position, and S to save. No mouse needed, which matters when you have a guitar in your hands.
Saved loops are available on the free tier, with up to 5 saved sections per video. If you are learning a song with a tricky intro, a bridge, and a solo, you can save all three and jump between them instantly across sessions. Pro unlocks unlimited saves and extends the speed range from 0.25x to 4x (the free tier offers 0.5x to 2x).
A built-in loop counter lets you set a specific number of repetitions. The interface matches YouTube's dark theme, so it feels native rather than bolted on.
Strengths
- + Visual A-B slider (no manual timestamps)
- + Saved loops persist across sessions
- + Full keyboard shortcut support
- + Loop counter for structured practice
- + Actively maintained, Manifest V3
- + Clean UI that matches YouTube
Weaknesses
- - Smaller user base (newer extension)
- - No pitch shifting (not a music tool)
- - Pro required for unlimited saves
Best for:
Musicians, language learners, dancers, and students who need reliable A-B looping with saved points and keyboard shortcuts. The best all-around YouTube looper extension in 2026.
2. Looper for YouTube (by AlvinHKH)
star 4.6400,000+ users · Last updated August 2024
It would be unfair to talk about YouTube looper alternatives without giving proper credit to the extension that started it all for most people. Looper for YouTube by AlvinHKH was genuinely excellent for years. It offered clean A-B section looping, a straightforward interface, and the kind of reliability you stop thinking about because it just works every time you open a video.
The interface is minimal: a small panel below the video with fields for start and end timestamps, a loop count input, and a toggle. Keyboard shortcuts are available for the core actions. At its peak, the extension was everything most users needed.
The concern is maintenance. The last update was August 2024, and YouTube has pushed several major player updates since then. User reviews from late 2024 and 2025 increasingly mention the extension failing to load, controls disappearing, or loops not triggering properly. This is not a knock on the developer; maintaining a free extension for 400,000 users is a massive commitment. But the reality is that if you are experiencing issues today, they are unlikely to be fixed.
There are also no saved loops: every time you return to a video, you need to set your A-B points from scratch. For casual use this is fine, but for daily practice sessions it adds up.
Strengths
- + Huge, proven user base
- + Clean, minimal interface
- + Years of established track record
- + Completely free
Weaknesses
- - Not updated since August 2024
- - Growing reports of broken functionality
- - No saved loop points
- - Manual timestamp entry only
Best for:
Users who already have it installed and it still works for them. If it is not broken in your Chrome version, there is no urgent reason to switch. But if you are experiencing issues, it is time to look elsewhere.
3. Transpose — Pitch, Speed, Loops
star 4.71,000,000+ users · Last updated 2025
Transpose is not strictly a YouTube looper. It is a music practice tool that happens to include looping as one of its features. Its primary selling point is pitch shifting: you can change the key of any YouTube video in real time, which is incredibly useful for musicians who need to play along in a different key without retuning.
The A-B looping works but is not the main focus. The interface is built around pitch and speed controls, so setting loop points requires a few more clicks than a dedicated looper. The free version includes basic speed control and pitch shifting; saving loops requires Pro at around $4 per month. The extension is actively maintained with a large user community.
Strengths
- + Pitch shifting (unique feature)
- + Large, active user community
- + Actively maintained
- + Good speed control range
Weaknesses
- - Looping is not the primary focus
- - More complex UI for simple looping
- - Saved loops require Pro ($4/mo)
- - Heavier resource usage
Best for:
Musicians who need pitch shifting in addition to looping. If you regularly need to change the key of a song to match your instrument or vocal range, Transpose is the only extension on this list that does it. For pure looping without pitch needs, a dedicated looper is a better fit.
4. Section Repeat for YouTube
star 4.4Niche user base · Privacy-focused · Last updated 2024
Section Repeat takes a keyboard-first approach to YouTube looping. The entire workflow is designed around hotkeys, with minimal visual UI. You press a key to mark the start, another to mark the end, and a third to toggle the loop. There is almost nothing visible on the page until you activate it. For musicians, this means nothing distracts you from the video and you never need to take your hands off your instrument.
The privacy story is strong: minimal permissions, no user tracking, completely free with no upsells. The tradeoffs are no saved loops, no speed control, and no visual indicators on the progress bar. You rely entirely on your ears to know when the loop resets.
Strengths
- + Excellent keyboard-driven workflow
- + Minimal, distraction-free design
- + Privacy-first, minimal permissions
- + Completely free, no upsells
Weaknesses
- - No saved loop points
- - No speed control
- - No visual loop range indicator
- - Maintenance status unclear
Best for:
Keyboard-centric users who value simplicity and privacy above all else. If you want the most lightweight, no-nonsense looping experience with zero visual clutter, Section Repeat delivers exactly that.
5. YouTube Looper (Various Developers)
star ~4.310,000+ users · Multiple versions by different developers · Last updated 2024
Searching for "YouTube Looper" on the Chrome Web Store returns several extensions with similar names by different developers. The most established versions offer A-B looping with saved loop points and custom playback speeds, which sets them apart from many competitors. The interfaces vary but tend to be functional if not particularly polished.
The main concern is stability. User reviews mention intermittent issues: loops not triggering correctly, the UI overlapping YouTube controls, or the extension conflicting with other YouTube extensions. Keyboard shortcuts are generally not available.
Strengths
- + Saved loop points
- + Custom speed options
- + Free to use
Weaknesses
- - Stability issues reported
- - No keyboard shortcuts
- - Interface can feel dated
- - Multiple versions cause confusion
Best for:
Users who prioritize saved loops and custom speeds but do not need keyboard shortcuts. Worth trying if the other options do not meet your needs, but test it with your setup first.
6. Online Tools (LoopTube, InfiniteLooper)
language Web-basedNo installation required · Works on any browser
If you do not want to install any extension at all, web-based tools like LoopTube and InfiniteLooper let you loop YouTube videos through their own websites. Paste a YouTube URL, set your A and B points, and the embedded player loops the section. This is useful for public computers or quick one-off loops.
The disadvantages are significant for regular use. You need to leave YouTube, copy the URL, and navigate to a separate site. Your watch history, playlists, and subscriptions are not available. Most sites show ads, there are no keyboard shortcuts or saved loops, and the playback experience is generally worse.
Strengths
- + No installation needed
- + Works on any browser or device
- + Good for one-off use
Weaknesses
- - Requires leaving YouTube
- - Ads on most sites
- - No saved loops or shortcuts
- - Worse playback experience
- - No speed control or loop counter
Best for:
Quick, one-off looping when you cannot or do not want to install a Chrome extension. Not practical for regular practice sessions.
Which YouTube Looper Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on what you actually need. Here is a straightforward breakdown by use case:
music_note Musicians Practicing Instruments
You need A-B looping, keyboard shortcuts (your hands are on your instrument), saved loops, and speed control. If you also need pitch shifting, consider Transpose.
Recommendation: YouTube Looper Pro, or Transpose if you need pitch shifting.
translate Language Learners
You need precise A-B looping for short phrases, saved loops for vocabulary you return to, and speed control to slow down native speakers. A visual slider helps target very short phrases.
Recommendation: YouTube Looper Pro.
school Students & Dancers
You need A-B looping for key segments, saved loops for review sessions, speed control, and a loop counter for structured repetition. Keyboard shortcuts matter if you are away from the screen.
Recommendation: YouTube Looper Pro or Section Repeat (for zero visual clutter).
coffee Casual Users
You just want to repeat a song or clip. If Looper for YouTube by AlvinHKH still works for you, it is fine. If it does not, YouTube Looper Pro's free tier has you covered.
Recommendation: Looper for YouTube (if it works) or YouTube Looper Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Looper for YouTube by AlvinHKH stop working?
The extension was last updated in August 2024. YouTube frequently changes its page structure and video player code, which can break extensions that are not actively maintained. Many users have reported issues with the extension not detecting the video player, loop controls not appearing, or the extension failing entirely after YouTube updates in late 2024 and 2025. The developer may have moved on to other projects, which is understandable for a free extension.
What is the best free YouTube loop extension in 2026?
YouTube Looper Pro offers the most complete free tier: A-B section looping with a visual slider, keyboard shortcuts, playback speed control from 0.5x to 2x, up to 5 saved loops per video, and a loop counter. It is built on Manifest V3 and actively maintained. Section Repeat is also a strong free option if you prefer a minimal, keyboard-only experience.
Do I need Manifest V3 for a YouTube looper extension?
Yes. Google has been phasing out Manifest V2 extensions since 2024. Extensions still on Manifest V2 may stop working or be removed from the Chrome Web Store. When choosing a YouTube looper, check the extension's details page for Manifest V3 support to ensure long-term compatibility with Chrome, Edge, Brave, and other Chromium-based browsers.
Can I use online YouTube looper tools instead of an extension?
Yes, tools like LoopTube and InfiniteLooper let you loop YouTube videos without installing anything. However, they require you to leave YouTube and paste your video URL into a separate website. This adds friction, you lose your watch history and playlists, and the playback experience is generally worse. For regular practice, a Chrome extension is significantly more convenient.
The Bottom Line
Looper for YouTube by AlvinHKH served the community well for years, and it deserves respect for that. But the YouTube looper landscape in 2026 has moved forward, and there are now alternatives that offer more features, better reliability, and active maintenance.
For most users, YouTube Looper Pro is the best overall choice. It combines the most complete feature set with a clean interface and active development. If you need pitch shifting, Transpose is the way to go. If you want the absolute simplest, most private option, Section Repeat is hard to beat.
Whichever you choose, the key things to look for are A-B section looping, active maintenance, and Manifest V3 support. Everything else is a bonus.
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