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mb.YTPlayer for background videos

By pupunzi

Design & Themes / Themes & Templates

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

mb.YTPlayer for background videos Review - In-Depth Analysis

Play any YouTube video as a background on your WordPress page or as a custom player. Supports shortcode for easy integration.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.63/10

User Rating

4.1/5 (based on 28+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

mb.YTPlayer is a Chrome-less YouTube video player that allows you to play any YouTube video as a background for your WordPress page or post. You can activate it for your homepage from the settings panel or use a shortcode for any post or page.

This plugin has been tested successfully on various browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Internet Explorer. You can easily set your homepage background video by going to the mbYTPlayer settings panel and configuring the video URL and other parameters.

With the Plus version, you can enjoy additional features such as removing watermarks, setting video opacity and quality, and tracking video views on Google Analytics. The mb.YTPlayer also works on mobile devices, allowing videos to start playing as soon as the screen is touched.

Comparing to Alternatives

mb.YTPlayer for background videos is a popular choice for adding YouTube video backgrounds, but there are several other plugins offering similar functionality with different features and interfaces.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Supports YouTube video backgrounds that play on mobile devices
Offers a pro version with additional features
Relatively easy to set up and use
Good integration with some themes like Divi
Flexible and stable for many users

Weaknesses

Known JavaScript errors reported by some users
Free version displays developer's email address on every page with no option to hide
Shortcode generator limited to old Classic editor, lacking Gutenberg support
Video looping behavior can be annoying and hard to disable without pro version

User Sentiment Analysis

With a 4.1 average rating from 28 reviews, most users appreciate the plugin's functionality and ease of use, though a notable minority report significant issues.

Positive highlights

"Stable, flexible and easy" - eselsmann
"Great plugin and support!" - Billarga
Pro version considered absolutely worth it by some users
Works well on mobile devices, a rare feature for video backgrounds

Common complaints

JavaScript errors causing the plugin not to work
Developer's email address shown on every page in free version with no option to hide
Shortcode generator only available in old Classic editor, no Gutenberg block support

Weaknesses

Security vulnerabilities with medium risk score and no known fix for one issue
Some users find video looping behavior frustrating and hard to control
Limited modern editor support reduces usability for Gutenberg users

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a straightforward YouTube video background solution that works on mobile devices and are comfortable with classic WordPress editor environments.

Not ideal for

Those who require full Gutenberg block support, want to avoid visible developer contact info on their site, or are concerned about unresolved security vulnerabilities.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version allows adding YouTube video backgrounds with basic features but includes the developer's email address displayed on every page and limited shortcode generation support.

Pro version

Additional customization options, removal of developer contact display, and enhanced control over video playback settings such as disabling looping.

Final Verdict

mb.YTPlayer for background videos offers a solid and flexible solution for adding YouTube video backgrounds, especially for users who prefer classic WordPress editing environments and need mobile compatibility. Its pro version adds valuable features that address some limitations of the free version.

However, the plugin has notable drawbacks including unresolved security vulnerabilities, outdated shortcode generation tools, and intrusive display of developer contact info in the free version. Users should weigh these factors against available alternatives before choosing this plugin.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free mb.YTPlayer for background videos plugin.

YouTube video player

background video

WordPress video plugin

Screenshots

FAQ

Your theme is probably using a wrapper for the content and it probably has a background color or image. You should check the CSS and remove that background to let the video that is behind do display correctly.