The 15 Biggest YouTube Channels Right Now
YouTube has provided us with some amazing videos over the years, and new viral clips and music videos blow up on the platform every day. But what does it take to maintain constant domination? To see what types of web-only entertainment attract loyal fanbases, we asked the site to compile a list of its most-subscribed-to indie content creators—meaning no VEVO-esque, professional, or in-house channels. So with apologies to T-Series—the Bollywood channel that’s surpassed controversial YouTube gamer PewDiePie for top spot in the overall YouTube subscriber race—and the insanely popular children’s channel Cocomelon, here are the site’s top 15.
Subscriber counts are estimates from July 2021. We’ll update this post as totals and ranks change over time.
Luisito Comunica/YouTube
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15. Luisito Comunica
Subscribers: 36.8 million
What to know: Luisito Comunica is the channel hosted by Mexican vlogger Luis Arturo Villar Sudek. Luis’ videos largely focus on his world travels, from Central America to Europe, documenting his adventures in whatever major or small city he visits. As he immerses himself in a new culture, Luis compares price points on food, activities, and attractions on his stops to show first-hand how you can make your global vacationing as worthwhile and cost-effective as possible.
Most popular video: Probando COMIDA CALLEJERA EN CHINA!
14. Like Nastya Show
Subscribers: 38.3 million
What to know: One of the most popular spaces in the world of YouTube is shows for children, hosted by children (and produced by their parents, obviously). Nastya, a 7-year-old Russian-American girl, is one of those teeny YouTubers, and she has a massive vlogging empire. This is just one of her many channels (and first of hers on this list), which features her and frequently her dad making scripted adventure stories or playing with different toys.
Most popular video: Nastya and Baby go to the zoo
elrubiusOMG/YouTube
13. elrubiusOMG
Subscribers: 39.9 million
What to know: Though Rubén Doblas Gundersen, 31, primarily streams gameplay, the Spanish star also sprinkles the occasional interview and Chatroulette adventure into his feed. His secret to success? Maybe his love for Pikachu and big beat drops? Maybe not.
Most popular video: Minecraft – “Miner” ft StarkinDJ
Você Sabia?/YouTube
12. Você Sabia?
Subscribers: 40.8 million
What to know: Você Sabia belongs to not one, but two YouTubers—the Brazilian duo Daniel Mologni and Lukas Marques. The two have been producing content together for awhile, dating back to 2013 when they ran a news blog, which naturally evolved into their channel as they know it that explores a wide range of conspiracy theories and curiosities (you know, everything from murder mysteries to urban legends). Like many of their YouTuber peers, that’s not without a bit of controversy—offensive tweets from Marques have surfaced in the past—but that hasn’t stopped them publishing books based on their web show.
Most popular video:10 PEOPLE WHO DIED TAKING SELFIES
Fernanfloo/YouTube
11. Fernanfloo
Subscribers: 42.4 million
What to know: Luis Fernando Flores is the kind of gamer who’s known for his wacky commentary and love of indie titles. Hailing from El Salvador, the 28-year-old also loves wearing the color green, doing the moonwalk, and sharing the spotlight with man’s best friend.
Most popular video: The Fernanfloo Rap
10. Felipe Neto
Subscribers: 42.5 million
What to know: Felipe Neto is in many ways the epitome of YouTube’s nonsensical popularity contest. The Brazilian vlogger reacts to celebrity news and cultural events, makes comedic videos, and generally talks to the camera at 60 frames per second, all in front of an amateur home set. And 42.5 million fans are here for all of it. There’s no amount of explanation that can account for the strange alchemy of YouTube stardom.
Most popular video: REBULIÇO – Paródia DESPACITO
whinderssonnunes/YouTube
9. whinderssonnunes
Subscribers: 42.6 million
What to know: Brazil’s most beloved and shirtless YouTuber, Whindersson Nunes, 26, keeps viewers sated with a steady stream of rant-y vlogs. If those don’t win you over, his portfolio of pop parodies—including The Weeknd’s “Starboy” (above), Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself,” and Adele’s “Hello”—might.
Most popular video: WHINDERSSON NUNES em PROPAROXÍTONA
HolaSoyGerman./YouTube
8. HolaSoyGerman.
Subscribers: 42.7 million
What to know: Chilean comedian and musician Germán Garmendia is a mega-popular YouTuber. HolaSoyGerman is his OG channel, and even though it’s sustained quite a following, he actually doesn’t even upload new videos to it anymore. At one point, though, it was home to his comedic clips and rants about unusual topics. He’s moved elsewhere on YouTube (see below) and in the fame stratosphere, now selling books, playing in a band, and collaborating on campaigns with Greenpeace. Dude’s everywhere, just bein’ himself.
Most popular video: Brothers
JuegaGerman/YouTube
7. JuegaGerman
Subscribers: 43.9 million
What to know: Here he is again! Contrary to its name, Germán Garmendia’s game channel isn’t just video games (because, as he says, he’s bad at playing them). When the 31-year-old isn’t mashing his keyboard, you’ll find him riffing on everyday topics and exploring the internet.
Most popular video: Singing comments
Dude Perfect/YouTube
6. Dude Perfect
Subscribers: 56.4 million
What to know: This endlessly entertaining channel startedin 2009 with a sandwich, a camera, and 20 “I can do better than you” buckets. Since then, with jaw-dropping skills and a message of faith, Tyler Toney and his band of Texas A&M alums have sought to impact the lives of trick-shot devotees everywhere. “Our ultimate goal is to glorify Jesus Christ in everything that we do,” say the dudes. “We want to use this platform for something much bigger than us.”
Most popular video: Water Bottle Flip 2
MrBeast/YouTube
5. MrBeast
Subscribers: 64.8 million
What to know: Jimmy Donaldson, best known as MrBeast, is like a philanthropic foil to fellow YouTube prankster Jake Paul. While many of the 23-year-old’s videos are absurd stunts, like him counting to 10,000 in one day or punking his friends, he’s actually made a name for himself by giving most of his uploads a charitable leaning or coming up with challenges to give back. Largely through brand donations, he’s been able to give money to various homeless shelters, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, and other organizations.
Most popular video: I Put 100 Million Orbeez In My Friend’s Backyard
Vlad and Nikita/YouTube
4. Vlad and Nikita
Subscribers: 69.8 million
What to know: Vlad and Nikita are brothers who have a children’s channel similar to Nastya of Like Nastya Show. These two make vlogs with their mom about their day, including anything from their morning routine to pretend play. They largely focus on themes of togetherness and sharing since, you know, there are two of them.
Most popular video: New funny stories about Toys for children
Like Nastya Vlog/YouTube
3. Like Nastya
Subscribers: 75.2 million
What to know: This kid may as well be the princess of YouTube. Among her insanely popular offshoot channels, this is the one that started her reign in the first place and remains one of the most subscribed in the land. There isn’t a whole lot of difference between Like Nastya and Like Nastya Show, but on this channel you’ll find their vids with a bit more imaginative, fantastical scripts. Expect souped-up play castles and princess costumes galore.
Most popular video: Nastya and papa sleeping at farm sheep Family fun trip
Kids Diana Show/YouTube
2. Kids Diana Show
Subscribers: 80.9 million
What to know: The toy-verse of unboxings and simulated play with a variety of new toys on YouTube is alive and well, because, for whatever reason, kids can’t get enough of watching other people play with toys they want. It’s this trend that has contributed to the fame of Kids Diana Show that mainly focuses on the titular Diana and her pretend play brought about by a new toy—think mini carriages and giant building blocks. Sometimes her brother Roma appears, too, but he’s got his own channel (that pales in comparison to Diana’s having only 13.3 million subscribers).
Most popular video: Diana – LIKE IT – Kids Song (Official Video)
PewDiePie/YouTube
1. PewDiePie
Subscribers: 110 million
What to know: Chances are you already know all about Felix Kjellberg, the long-reigning, problematic Swedish king of YouTube. The 31-year-old loves to review memes and make vlogs that play like more manic versions of Conan’s “Clueless Gamer” segments, but he’s landed himself in hot water multiple times now for dropping racial slurs, anti-Semitic videos, sympathizing with Nazis, and a whole bunch of other gaffes that reveal what he really thinks about the world that probably should have disqualified him from being a celebrity, but alas; the fans are loyal to a fault. Though Disney broke off their relationship, YouTube canceled one of his series, and Google took him off its Preferred Premium Ad Tier Status, he made it clear in half-baked apology videos that he’s still sticking around.
Most popular video: bitch lasagna
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