What TubeBuddy does well
TubeBuddy works inside YouTube through a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Its Keyword Explorer helps you find search terms, and its bulk tools change cards, end screens and descriptions across many videos at once, which saves real time on a large channel.
Its best-known feature is A/B testing: after a video is published, TubeBuddy can test thumbnails or titles with real viewers and report which did better. That is part of its Legend plan. TubeBuddy also has a free plan with basic tools.
Where GetButlr is different
GetButlr starts from your finished video. It reads your captions or makes a transcript, looks at frames from the video, and writes the title, description, tags and posts from what actually happens in it.
- A free thumbnail tester that compares two to four thumbnails with your title before you publish
- Titles written from your video, ranked by an independent judge with your own title included
- Descriptions that keep your usual links and disclaimers, with chapters only when timestamps are real
- Thumbnail ideas from real moments in your footage
- Long videos cut into Shorts, and TikTok captions sent to your drafts
Which one should you use?
Choose TubeBuddy if you need to test thumbnails with real viewers after publishing, or edit many existing videos in bulk.
Choose GetButlr if you need help before you publish: a title, description, thumbnail, Shorts and TikTok post that match the video you made. The two work well together. Narrow your thumbnails with GetButlr, then test the finalists with real viewers in TubeBuddy or in YouTube's own Test & Compare.
GetButlr's Free plan costs nothing, and paid plans are $9, $29 and $49 a month. Check tubebuddy.com for TubeBuddy's current plans. TubeBuddy is a trademark of its owner, and GetButlr is not affiliated with it. The details here come from TubeBuddy's own website as of October 2026.
Questions creators ask
Is there a free alternative to TubeBuddy?
Yes. GetButlr's free plan includes three thumbnail comparisons a month, two full title, description and tags sessions a month, and a small keyword research allowance. For free real-viewer thumbnail tests, YouTube's own Test & Compare is available to eligible channels in YouTube Studio.
Does GetButlr do thumbnail A/B testing?
Not with real viewers. GetButlr compares your thumbnails before you publish and explains its order. For a test with real viewers, use YouTube's Test & Compare or TubeBuddy's A/B tests after publishing.
Is TubeBuddy free?
TubeBuddy has a free plan with basic tools. Its thumbnail A/B tests are part of the Legend plan. Check tubebuddy.com for current plans and prices.
Can GetButlr bulk edit my old videos?
No. GetButlr works one video at a time, and can update a live video's title, description and tags. For bulk changes across many videos, TubeBuddy's bulk tools are built for that.
Is GetButlr a browser extension like TubeBuddy?
GetButlr's main tools run as a web app, so you do not need to install anything to use them.