Choosing the right thumbnail can significantly impact your video’s performance on YouTube, and A/B testing lets you compare different thumbnails to see which one performs better.
In this guide, we’ll compare TubeBuddy’s A/B Testing tool with Thumbnail Test. It’ll be an honest and fair comparison, as we want you to use the best tool for your use cases.
Overview: TubeBuddy vs Thumbnail Test
| Feature | TubeBuddy | Thumbnail Test |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Thumbnail Testing | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Title Testing | ✅ | ✅ |
| 3. Analytics | ✅ | ✅ |
| 4. Pricing for A/B Testing | $15.75/mo | $24/mo |
| 5. Setup | ❌ Extension | ✅ Connects with YouTube |
| 6. Old Video Revival | ❌ | ✅ |
| 7. Collaboration | ❌ | ✅ |
| 8. Support | Live Chat, Help Section, Email | Live Chat, Help Section, Email |
| 9. Keyword Explorer | ✅ | ❌ |
TubeBuddy isn’t entirely focused on A/B Testing — it’s more of an analytics tool for your channel.
- Thumbnail Test has all the features you’ll need for A/B Testing.
- Besides, we’ve also got analytics features that you’ll find useful.
Let’s dig deeper and compare them head-to-head.
Features: Detailed Comparison
Each section must have a winner.
By the end of this comparison, you’ll see the leaderboard and see which app is the winner.
1. YouTube Connection
- TubeBuddy: Must install a Thumbnail Extension to start A/B Testing.
- Thumbnail Test: Click once and your YouTube channel is connected to the tool.
Besides, Thumbnail Test has an extension if you really need one! You get the best of both worlds 🤙.
Winner: Thumbnail Test.
Why? Because it’s easier to connect with your channel.
2. What you can test
- TubeBuddy: Can A/B Test thumbnail and titles.
- Thumbnail Test: Same, it works for thumbnails and titles.
Winner: Draw.
Why? Because both tools help you do the same thing with the same amount of effort.
3. Collaboration
- TubeBuddy: Doesn’t have any features that help you work with your team.
- Thumbnail Test: Multiple workspaces where you can invite people to work with you.
Winner: Thumbnail Test.
Why? Because you can invite as many people as you need to work together.
4. Boost old videos
- TubeBuddy: Manually going through every video.
- Thumbnail Test: Has a feature that automatically revives your old videos.
For more, check out this testimonial video:
Winner: Thumbnail Test.
Why? Because it makes it way easier to update your old videos.
5. Pricing
- TubeBuddy: A/B Testing plan starts at almost $16/month.
- Thumbnail Test: Starts at $24/month.
Though, Thumbnail Test offers 40% discounts for channels under 10k subscribers.
Winner: Draw.
Why? Because while TubeBuddy is indeed cheaper, Thumbnail Test offers discounts for small channels.
Ultimately, it really depends on the size of your channel.
6. Reviews
- TubeBuddy: 4.6/5 on GetApp.
- Thumbnail Test: 4.9/5 on ProductHunt.
Winner: Thumbnail Test.
Besides review platforms, Thumbnail Test actually has people making videos about the app — see the one above, for instance.
The final score is: 4 – 2, with Thumbnail Test winning overall.
Pros & Cons: A/B Testing Tools
Let’s look at what makes TubeBuddy and Thumbnail Test special, as well as the downsides of these apps.
1. TubeBuddy
1.1. Pros of TubeBuddy
- Free and Paid Plans: TubeBuddy offers a free tier with useful features, and paid plans with even more functionality to fit your needs and budget.
- SEO Assistance: TubeBuddy helps with SEO for your videos by suggesting relevant keywords and tags.
- Improved Workflow: It offers time-saving features like bulk editing, card templates, and end screen automation.
1.2. Cons of TubeBuddy
- Limited Free Features: The free plan has limitations, and some of the most powerful tools require a paid subscription.
- Multiple Channel Management: You need a separate license for each YouTube channel you manage.
- Performance Issues: Some users report occasional slowness and connection problems.
- Learning Curve: While user-friendly, there are many features, so it might take some time to learn them all.
2. Thumnail Test
2.1. Pros of Thumbnail Test
- A/B Testing Focus: Thumbnail Test is specifically designed for A/B testing YouTube thumbnails, making it a streamlined tool for this crucial aspect.
- Simplicity: Easy to use interface allows for quick setup and testing of different thumbnails.
- Improved Click-Through Rates (CTRs): By finding the best performing thumbnail, you can potentially increase views and engagement on your videos.
- Cost-Effective: Compared to some full video editing suites, Thumbnail Test might be a more affordable option for optimizing thumbnails.
2.2. Cons of Thumbnail Test
- Limited Functionality: Thumbnail Test is focused solely on A/B testing thumbnails and titls, and lacks features for creating or editing thumbnails.
- Subscription Model: There is no free tier, so you’ll need a paid subscription to use Thumbnail Test.
So… What to Choose?
Realistically, choosing between TubeBuddy and Thumbnail Test depends on your specific needs and priorities for your YouTube channel.
Go for TubeBuddy if…
- You want a comprehensive toolkit for YouTube, including SEO, workflow improvements, and analytics (beyond thumbnails).
- You’re comfortable with a free tier to start and might upgrade for more features later.
Go for Thumbnail Test if…
- Your main focus is A/B testing thumbnails to find the best performers.
- You prioritize a simple and easy-to-use tool specifically designed for this purpose.
- You’re on a tight budget and only need a tool for thumbnail testing, not broader YouTube optimization.
FAQs
1. Is TubeBuddy actually worth it?
TubeBuddy isn’t actually worth it if you want to A/B Test your videos. As for the analytics, most of them are already shown in YouTube Studio.
2. Can you test YouTube thumbnails?
Yes, you can easily test YouTube thumbnails with Thumbnail Test: Select a video > Upload 2+ thumbnails > Begin the test.
That easy!
3. Is TubeBuddy AB testing free?
No, TubeBuddy A/B testing is not free — you have to pay $31.50/month at TubeBuddy. Instead, Thumbnail Test gives you more A/B testing features for $29/month.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Thumbnail Test is a good choice for those who specifically need to optimize thumbnails through A/B testing and prioritize a simple, affordable tool.
Thumbnail Test is the #1 choice for people who need to do A/B Testing because… It solely focuses on that, and it’s best at doing it.
Thank you for reading this,
ThumbnailTest
