yt-dlp

yt-dlp is a command-line downloader for audio and video, best suited to users who want detailed control over downloads and are comfortable with command-based tools. Its wide site and format support makes it a strong utility for managing downloads in bulk, but it asks more of users than a graphical app.

Overview

yt-dlp supports thousands of sites, including YouTube, Bilibili, Dailymotion, Facebook, Vimeo, TikTok and Twitch. It began as a fork of youtube-dl based on the inactive youtube-dlc, and is now distributed through a public GitHub repository under the Unlicense. Some bundled release binaries contain third-party code under other licenses.

There is a choice of stable, nightly and master release channels. Stable releases generally arrive about monthly, while versions older than 90 days display an update warning. Nightly is recommended for regular users; master may bring bugs or regressions. SHA-256 and SHA-512 checksums with GPG signatures offer a way to verify release files.

Key features

Playlist, subtitle and batch downloads make yt-dlp useful for more than saving a clip at a time. Users can choose and sort available audio and video formats, and configure output templates and paths to organize saved files. Supported formats include AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4 and WebM for video, and AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4A, MKA, MP3, OGG, Opus, Vorbis and WAV for audio.

For YouTube videos, the SponsorBlock API can identify sponsor and other segments so they can be marked or removed. Downloads can also be limited by timestamps or chapters, or split into separate files by chapter. These controls are valuable for users building a specific library or extracting sections, though they are less immediately accessible than equivalent choices in a graphical interface.

yt-dlp can read cookies from supported browsers including Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge. It also documents embedding its YoutubeDL interface in Python programs. Extractor and postprocessor plugins extend the tool, but the project warns that plugin code is unchecked; users should load it only when they trust its author. Full YouTube support requires yt-dlp-ejs, and the project recommends ffmpeg, ffprobe and a supported JavaScript runtime as well.

Pricing

yt-dlp is free software: its Free software plan costs nothing. No paid plans or usage limits are stated. There is no free trial because the software is already available at no charge.

Platforms

Standalone binaries are available for Windows 8 or later in x64, x86 and ARM64 variants, and for macOS 10.15 or later. Linux binaries cover glibc and musl systems, with x86_64, aarch64 and armv7l variants. A platform-independent binary requires Python; the project supports CPython 3.10+ and PyPy 3.11+. This range serves desktop and self-hosted setups, but installation still requires more technical comfort than a typical desktop app.

Who it's for

Choose yt-dlp if you are comfortable using a command line and want broad site coverage, batch and playlist handling, or control over formats and chapter-level downloads. It can also suit Python developers who want to embed its downloader interface. If you want a graphical workflow, or do not want to manage dependencies such as yt-dlp-ejs for full YouTube support, a desktop or web-based alternative is a better fit.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Support for thousands of sites and a wide range of audio and video formats gives users substantial choice across download sources and outputs.
• Pros: Playlist, subtitle, batch, timestamp and chapter controls support both larger collections and more selective downloads.
• Pros: Free use, multiple platform binaries, and release checksum and signature files make it adaptable across systems and easier to verify.
• Cons: Its command-line design is a poor fit for people who want a point-and-click download workflow.
• Cons: Full YouTube support depends on yt-dlp-ejs, and the recommended supporting tools add setup work.
• Cons: External plugin code is unchecked, so extending the tool carries a trust decision.

Alternatives

Browse video downloaders if you want to compare tools by category. 4K Video Downloader+ is an option for users seeking a freemium alternative with a free trial and Windows, macOS, Linux and Android support; its Starter plan is free for permanent access to basic features. MeTube suits users who prefer a free self-hosted option with web and mobile platform support.

Freemake Video Downloader is a free alternative for personal, private, non-commercial use on Windows or macOS. Youwee is another free, open-source choice for users who want an extension or Linux, macOS or Windows support. NeoDLP is presented as fully free and open source, using free and open-source software components.

yt-dlp app is worth considering if you want a Windows, macOS or Linux desktop app built around yt-dlp, with no telemetry or tracking. DownKingo is a free alternative whose source, releases and public roadmap are on GitHub under the MIT license. OmniGet is a free GPL-3.0 option for users who want an extension or desktop-platform support, with no ads, account or paid plan.

Verdict

yt-dlp is a strong choice for command-line users who value wide source coverage, precise format selection and flexible batch, playlist and chapter downloads. Its main trade-off is the technical overhead: a command-line workflow, supporting dependencies for full YouTube coverage, and caution around external plugins. Choose it for control and breadth; look elsewhere for a graphical downloader that needs less setup.