YouTube's loop option vs an A–B looper: what's the difference?
Quick answer
YouTube's loop option repeats a whole video from start to finish, while an A–B looper repeats only the part between two points you choose. For listening to a song on repeat, YouTube's own loop is enough. For practising one riff, eight-count or sentence, an A–B looper with speed steps, pauses and a counter saves time.
How do they compare, feature by feature?
| Feature | YouTube's own player | RepeatWatch |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat the whole video | YesRight-click → Loop, or Loop video in the app | Yes |
| Loop just one part (A–B) | No | YesDrag handles, press A/B or type times |
| 0.1 s fine-tuning of the loop points | No | Yes |
| Speed 0.25× to 2× without changing pitch | Yes | YesUses the same YouTube player |
| Speed trainer (speeds up every few loops) | No | Yes |
| Pause between loops, stop after N loops | No | Yes |
| Loop counter | No | YesAlso shown in the tab title |
| Named sections and timestamp import | PartlyChapters to jump to, not to loop | Yes |
| Loop playlists with repeats per item | PartlyLoops a whole playlist | Yes |
| Share link with exact section and speed | PartlyStart time only | Yes |
| Works inside the YouTube app | Yes | NoRuns in a web browser |
| Background play with the screen off | PartlyWith YouTube Premium | No |
| Comments, likes and your watch history | Yes | No |
Feature comparison of YouTube's own player and RepeatWatch, checked October 2026.
When is YouTube's own loop enough?
Use YouTube's own loop when you want the whole video again and again: a song on repeat, a sleep sound, a short Short. It works in the app you already have, keeps your history and needs nothing else.
- You want the entire video, not one part of it
- Normal speed, or a fixed speed you set once, is fine
- You want comments, likes or background play with Premium
When do you need an A–B looper?
Use an A–B looper when the useful part is a few seconds inside a longer video. Looping only that part, slowing it and speeding it back up in small steps turns watching into practice.
- Learning a riff, solo or chord change from a lesson
- Drilling one eight-count of choreography
- Shadowing or transcribing one sentence in a language
- Replaying one tricky moment of a lecture or tutorial
Does an A–B looper replace YouTube?
No. RepeatWatch plays the video in YouTube's official embedded player, so the video, its ads and its view counting stay on YouTube. It adds looping controls around the player; it doesn't copy or download anything.
Try it now: paste a YouTube link and set an A–B loop.
Frequently asked questions
Can YouTube loop part of a video?
Not on its own. YouTube's loop option repeats the whole video, and chapters only let you jump to a point. To loop one part, use an A–B looper that plays the video through YouTube's player.
How do I turn on the loop option on YouTube?
On a computer, right-click the video and choose Loop. In the mobile app, tap the gear icon, then Additional settings, and turn on Loop video. Menu names can change between app versions.
Do both keep the pitch when I slow a video down?
Yes. YouTube's player keeps the pitch when you change speed, and RepeatWatch uses that same player, so a slowed song sounds slower but not lower in both.
Is RepeatWatch free?
Yes. Repeat, A–B loops, speed, the speed trainer, sections, timestamp import, playlists and share links are free with no account. Any ads you see come from YouTube's own player.
Sources
- Speed up or slow down YouTube videos (YouTube Help)
- Use your YouTube Premium benefits (YouTube Help)
- YouTube IFrame Player API reference (Google for Developers)
- Loop (music) (Wikipedia)