pyLoad
pyLoad is a free, pure-Python download manager with a browser interface and a plugin ecosystem.
What pyLoad is
pyLoad is a free, pure-Python download manager with a browser interface and a plugin ecosystem. It automates downloads from one-click hosters, cloud drives and other sources, and supports premium accounts, captcha-solving services and link decryption. The project describes hundreds of hosters, decrypters and add-ons, including notifications, schedulers and extractors. Downloads can be managed through a local web interface, served on port 8000 by default, or through a REST API with an OpenAPI specification for generating client applications. pyLoad can run headless on servers, NAS devices or desktops, and Docker deployment is documented. The listed operating systems are Linux, macOS and Windows, with Python 3.9 or newer required; Android and API are also listed as platforms. The project has no stable release yet and is in pre-release. Its security guidance recommends changing the default web-interface username and password at first start. The security policy says pyLoad Next releases receive vulnerability patches, while older Python 2 versions receive plugin updates only.
Good
- Plugin ecosystem covers hosters and add-ons.
- Supports scheduling and notifications.
- Can run headless on servers and NAS devices.
- Offers a REST API with OpenAPI specification.
- Free and open-source.
Watch out
- There is no stable release yet.
- Python 3.9 or newer is required.
- Old Python 2 versions receive plugin updates only.
- Default web-interface credentials should be changed at first start.
Who it suits
It suits users who want to automate downloads from supported hosters and manage them through a browser or API. It can run on desktops, servers and NAS devices, but users should be comfortable with pre-release software.
Verdict
pyLoad offers browser and API control, plugin-based source support and headless deployment options. Its pre-release status and Python requirement are important considerations before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From pyLoad's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open-source | Free | No price or usage limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from pyLoad's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API
- pyLoad provides a REST API with an OpenAPI specification that can be used to generate client applications.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The project says it can run headless on servers, NAS devices, or desktops and documents Docker deployment.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Download sources
- It automates downloads from one-click hosters, cloud drives, and other sources.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- The project describes hundreds of hosters, decrypters, and add-ons, including notifications, schedulers, and extractors.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Premium accounts
- The software supports premium accounts, captcha-solving services, and link decryption.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- pyLoad is a lightweight, pure-Python download manager with a web interface and plugin ecosystem.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The README says there is no stable release yet and that pyLoad is in pre-release phase.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The project recommends changing the default web-interface username and password on first start.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security updates
- The security policy says pyLoad Next releases receive vulnerability patches, while old Python 2 versions receive plugin updates only.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The repository lists Linux, macOS, and Windows support with Python 3.9 or newer.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Vulnerability reporting
- The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities by email to [email protected] and says confirmed issues will be patched as soon as possible depending on complexity.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Web access
- Users can manage downloads through a browser-based interface served locally at port 8000 by default.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to pyLoad
- 1

ClipGrab
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows7.9€10 one-time - 2

4K Video Downloader+
Free planAndroidLinuxmacOSWindows7.8Free plan - 3

AB Download Manager
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSAPIExtension7.8Free plan - 4

JDownloader
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI7.8Free plan - 5

Gopeed
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI7.7Free plan - 6

BitComet
Free planAndroidWebAPIExtension7.5Free plan
