YouTubeDL

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What YouTubeDL is

YouTubeDL is a free desktop application for downloading standard public YouTube videos and playlists on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It saves video as MP4 and audio as MP3 or AAC, with video choices from RAW through 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 360p. Audio options range from 128 to 320 kbps. Playlist and batch downloads are supported, with one to six configurable parallel workers. Each item shows progress, and queue controls include a scrolling log, deletion, clearing, and duplicate protection. Download history uses SQLite; previously downloaded items are skipped only while their output files still exist. Browser cookies and Netscape cookies.txt files can support sign-in-required videos. Listed requirements include Python 3.10 or later and Node.js 20.19 or later. The stack uses yt-dlp, FFmpeg, Deno, Node.js, and a local PO Token provider. DRM media cannot be downloaded; age-restricted or SABR-only videos may fail, and heavy use can trigger rate limits or bot detection.

Who it suits

YouTubeDL suits desktop users who download public YouTube videos or playlists in common video and audio formats. It is useful for batch queues and configurable parallel downloads.

What it does well

Free on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Downloads playlists and batches
Supports MP4, MP3, and AAC
Offers one to six parallel workers
Provides progress and duplicate protection

What to know first

Only YouTube is listed as a source
DRM-protected media cannot download
Age-restricted videos may fail
Heavy use may trigger rate limits

Verdict

YouTubeDL focuses on queued YouTube downloads with selectable quality and formats across three desktop systems. Its content restrictions, requirements, and possible rate limits matter for larger or restricted downloads.

Facts from YouTubeDL's own pages

Batch downloads: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Batching: The app supports concurrent downloads with 1–6 configurable workers and can download full playlists. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Cookies: Browser cookies and Netscape-format cookies.txt files are supported for bot-gated or age-restricted videos. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Dependencies: The download stack uses yt-dlp, FFmpeg, Deno, Node.js, and a local PO Token provider; deployment scripts install or set up these components. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Device platforms: Windows,macOS,Linux · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Formats: It supports video downloads as MP4 and audio-only downloads as MP3 or AAC. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Intended users: The README describes the app as working fully for standard public YouTube videos and playlists. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: The project is licensed under MIT. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Limitations: The project says DRM-protected media cannot be downloaded and some age-restricted or SABR-only videos may fail. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Maximum video quality: 1080p · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Other limitation: The README says some SABR-only videos may not be downloadable because yt-dlp support remains experimental. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Output formats: MP4,MP3,AAC · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Playlist downloads: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Purpose: YouTubeDL is a cross-platform desktop application for downloading YouTube videos and playlists. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Quality: Video options are RAW, 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 360p, while audio options range from 128 to 320 kbps. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Quality choices: Video options are RAW (best available), 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 360p; audio options are 320, 256, 192, and 128 kbps. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Queue: The app supports configurable concurrent downloads with 1–6 parallel workers, progress indicators, and duplicate-queue protection. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Queue management: It offers per-item progress, a scrolling log, item deletion, queue clearing, and duplicate-queue protection. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Rate limits: The README says heavy use can trigger YouTube IP rate-limiting or bot detection, which may clear after a few hours or overnight. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Requirements: The listed requirements include Python 3.10 or later and Node.js 20.19 or later. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Resume: It stores download history in SQLite and skips previously downloaded videos only while their files still exist. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Resume behavior: It can skip previously downloaded videos if their output files still exist on disk, using a SQLite history database. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Security and content limits: The README states that DRM-protected media cannot be downloaded and that age-restricted videos may fail even with account cookies. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026

Where YouTubeDL stands on Freedom251

Video Downloaders#102 of 135