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Free Plugin by Alec Rust v2.0.4

Protected Video

YouTube/Vimeo player that prevents easy sharing of the video.

Protected Video

The facts

Rating
4.7★ from 15
Active installs
1k+
Price
Free
Last updated
18 Apr 2026
Added
Jun 2021
Requires WP
6.6
Tested up to
WP 6.9.7
Requires PHP
7.2
Downloads
32,330

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Protected Video is a WordPress plugin that allows you to embed YouTube and Vimeo videos with added protection against easy access to the underlying video. It is particularly useful for sites that offer premium content, such as online courses, where you want to restrict access to unlisted videos behind a paywall.

The plugin includes a Gutenberg block and shortcode for embedding videos, along with a custom Plyr player that overlays the default player. It provides options to modify the player and encode video IDs in HTML, although it is noted that this protection is basic and may not deter all technical users.

Best for: This plugin suits website owners looking to protect premium video content.

What it does well

  • Gutenberg block and shortcode for easy embedding
  • Custom Plyr player with modified controls
  • Encodes video ID to enhance privacy
  • Settings page for player theme configuration

Where it falls short

  • Basic level of protection; technical users may still access videos
  • Limited information on additional features

Verdict

Protected Video offers a straightforward solution for embedding videos with some level of protection. It may be suitable for those who need basic privacy for their video content.

From the developer

Alec Rust's own description of Protected Video, lightly tidied.

Gutenberg block and Shortcode for embedding YouTube/Vimeo videos, in a way that prevents users easily accessing the underlying video.

This is useful for example when embedding an “unlisted” video as premium course content behind a paywall on your site.

Features include:

  • Plyr player used to overlay default player with custom controls
  • Player modifications to always prevent clicking the default player
  • Encodes video ID in HTML to prevent finding it via “View Source”
  • Settings page to e.g. configure the player theme to match your site

View Player Demo

Note: This only provides a basic level of protection. Technical users may still be able to access the underlying video.

This plugin is open source and contributions are welcome on GitHub.

Read the full description on the official page →

Tagged as

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