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How to Host a YouTube Watch Party

Short Answer

Hosting a YouTube watch party means creating the AniDachi room, sharing the invite, and owning the start time — guests can stay on Free. YouTube itself has no host button. Start from /pricing.

Start a Watchroom

Install AniDachi in Chrome. Join friends for free, or host with Plus or Pro on Crunchyroll, YouTube, and Netflix.

Start a Watchroom

Who Pays (Hosts)

Only the host needs Plus or Pro, including during a trial. Friends join on Free accounts, and the host's plan sets the room limits. Recording and editing personal watch progress require each viewer’s own Plus or Pro access. Saved history and Resume remain available on Free. Crunchyroll, YouTube, and Netflix are supported.

Host Steps

  1. Confirm everyone can open the video: Pick a public or shared YouTube video on a full watch page — not Shorts or embeds.
  2. Choose your AniDachi host plan: Hosting requires your own Plus or Pro access, including an active trial. Friends can join your active room on Free accounts.
  3. Open the exact YouTube URL: Load youtube.com/watch so the extension can pin the watchroom to that video.
  4. Create the watchroom as host: Create the room from the overlay and agree on a shared start time before sending invites.
  5. Share the invite with host notes: Paste the link plus start time and spoiler rules into Discord or chat.
  6. Start playback and moderate: Start together and use live chat. Ask late joiners to open the same video and join the current playback position.

Related Guides

Published July 26, 2026 · Updated October 1, 2026 · By AniDachi · Editorial policy

Start a Watchroom

Install AniDachi in Chrome. Join friends for free, or host with Plus or Pro on Crunchyroll, YouTube, and Netflix.

Start a Watchroom

Frequently asked questions

Who pays to host a YouTube watch party on AniDachi?

Only the host needs Plus or Pro, including during a trial. Friends join on Free accounts, and the host's plan sets the room limits. Recording and editing personal watch progress require each viewer’s own Plus or Pro access. Saved history and Resume remain available on Free. Crunchyroll, YouTube, and Netflix are supported. See /pricing for Plus ($7.99/mo) and Pro ($14.99/mo).

Do guests need paid AniDachi accounts?

No. Only the host needs Plus or Pro, including during a trial. Friends join on Free accounts, and the host's plan sets the room limits. Recording and editing personal watch progress require each viewer’s own Plus or Pro access. Saved history and Resume remain available on Free. Crunchyroll, YouTube, and Netflix are supported. Each person opens the same full YouTube watch page in their own browser — AniDachi syncs the room; it does not re-stream the video.

Plus or Pro for club hosts?

Plus supports one host and up to 5 friends, with 4 cameras and 6 microphones. Pro supports one host and up to 14 friends, with 4 cameras, 8 microphones and priority support. Friends join for free. Both plans include hosting without a daily time limit and personal watch history on Crunchyroll, YouTube, and Netflix. Monthly and yearly billing are available. Eligible Free accounts can try Plus or Pro free for 3 days, once per account. See the plan cards for your available offer. If your offer says “No card required”, your trial ends without a charge unless you choose to enable renewal. Trials started with a card keep the terms confirmed at checkout. Changing plans or billing periods does not restart the trial.

How is this different from how to watch YouTube with friends?

The general how-to covers joining and watching. This page is host-specific: entitlements, plan limits, and invite hygiene before party night.