Vinegar review
A focused Safari extension for ad-free YouTube playback, picture-in-picture and background listening.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Vinegar replaces YouTube’s player in Safari with a minimal HTML video player. It is aimed at people who watch YouTube on iPhone, iPad or Mac and want playback features that are less tied to the standard YouTube player. The developer says the extension removes in-video ads, restores picture-in-picture and allows a video to continue playing when the viewer switches browser tabs. Audio-only playback supports background listening, and the replacement player also works with embedded YouTube videos on other websites.
The feature set is deliberately centered on playback rather than general browsing. Picture-in-picture and tab switching address video viewing, while audio-only mode is useful for listening when Safari is in the background. Support for embedded videos extends the player replacement beyond youtube.com pages. This focus makes Vinegar a fit for Safari users seeking these specific YouTube behaviors; it is less suitable for someone looking for a broader content blocker or a collection of Safari utilities.
According to the published plan, Vinegar costs $1.99 USD as a one-time purchase, with a universal purchase for iPhone, iPad and Mac. There is no free plan, so buyers pay upfront rather than choosing a subscription. App Store prices can vary by region. The extension is listed for iOS and macOS, with email as its support channel. Choose it if YouTube playback features in Safari are the priority and the one-time price suits you; choose another option if you need tools beyond video playback or use a different platform.
Vinegar pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Removes in-video ads by replacing YouTube’s player
- Supports picture-in-picture and playback while switching tabs
- One-time purchase works across iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on YouTube playback rather than broader Safari tools
- Paid app with no free plan
- Available for iOS and macOS only
Vinegar fact sheet, pricing and score →
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