Feature comparison
ChannelFence vs. BlockTube
ChannelFence is a focused persistent creator block list. BlockTube is a broader YouTube filtering toolkit with keyword, regular expression, runtime, and advanced JavaScript rules.
| Feature | ChannelFence 0.2.1 | BlockTube 0.4.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | A simple, explicit creator block list | Broad rules for filtering YouTube content |
| Creator blocking | Inline controls, supported video and compact Shorts menus, Shorts viewer, or manual handle/channel URL | Channel name or ID, plus integrated YouTube context menus |
| Video filters | Filters videos belonging to blocked creators | Video title, video ID, runtime, keywords, and regular expressions |
| Shorts controls | Block individual Shorts creators or optionally hide supported Shorts shelves and cards from feeds | Provides an option to block YouTube Shorts |
| Comment controls | Hide comments from blocked creators | Block comments by user or comment-content keywords |
| Advanced custom rules | No custom JavaScript or regular expression editor | Regular expressions and an advanced JavaScript blocking function |
| Browsers documented by the project | Chrome | Chrome and Firefox |
| Privacy claims | Local extension storage, no account, extension analytics, ads, or developer-controlled server | Official listing states no analytics/tracking, no requests to a "3rd party server," and local settings storage |
| Source availability | Open source under the MIT License | Open source on GitHub |
Choose ChannelFence if...
- You mainly want to name a creator once and keep that creator on a visible block list.
- You prefer controls that appear directly beside supported creator names, video menus, and the Shorts viewer.
- You want a small settings surface without keyword, regular expression, or custom-code rules.
Choose BlockTube if...
- You need to filter video titles, runtime, keywords, video IDs, or comments by content.
- You want regular expressions or custom JavaScript-based blocking rules.
- You need the project's documented Firefox version.
Neither choice is universally better
BlockTube has a wider rule set. ChannelFence deliberately focuses on a persistent creator list and direct YouTube controls. The better fit depends on whether you want a focused workflow or advanced filtering.
Try the focused creator-blocking option.
ChannelFence is free, open source, and local-only.