yt-dlp

yt-dlp is a command-line downloader for audio and video, best suited to people comfortable working without a graphical interface. Its breadth of sources and fine-grained download controls make it a strong choice for flexible, repeatable jobs; the trade-off is a more involved setup, including an extra dependency for full YouTube support.

Overview

Based on the inactive youtube-dlc and descended from youtube-dl, yt-dlp supports thousands of sites, including YouTube, Bilibili, Dailymotion, Facebook, Vimeo, TikTok, and Twitch. The project is distributed through a public GitHub repository under the Unlicense, although some bundled release binaries include third-party code under other licenses.

The command-line design gives users control over downloads, but makes yt-dlp a poor fit for anyone who wants to manage the process through a conventional desktop interface. The project offers stable, nightly, and master binary channels. Stable releases generally arrive about monthly; versions older than 90 days show an update warning. Nightly is recommended for regular users, while master may contain bugs or regressions.

Key features

Playlist, batch, and subtitle downloads make yt-dlp useful for collecting and organizing more than one clip at a time. Configurable templates and output paths help keep files organized, while format selection lets users choose and sort the available video and audio options. Supported outputs include AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4, WebM, AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4A, MKA, MP3, OGG, Opus, Vorbis, and WAV.

Downloads can be limited to timestamps or chapters, and chapter-based splitting can produce separate files. SponsorBlock integration can mark or remove sponsor and other segments in YouTube videos. These controls are useful for users who want more than a basic save operation, but they also reward familiarity with command-line options.

yt-dlp can extract cookies from supported browsers such as Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. It also supports external extractor and postprocessor plugins, but plugin code is unchecked; users should install it only when they trust its author. Developers can embed the program in Python applications through its YoutubeDL interface.

Full YouTube support requires yt-dlp-ejs, and the project recommends ffmpeg, ffprobe, and a supported JavaScript runtime. That dependency stack is a meaningful setup cost for users seeking a simple one-off download. Release files include SHA-256 and SHA-512 checksums with GPG signatures and a public key for verification, a useful integrity check for software commonly installed outside an app store.

Pricing

Free software: free. yt-dlp has no paid plans or stated usage limits, so it suits users who want the full command-line tool without a subscription. There is no free trial because the software is free to use.

Platforms

Standalone binaries are available for Windows 8 or later (x64, x86, and ARM64) and macOS 10.15 or later. Linux binaries cover glibc and musl, with x86_64, aarch64, and armv7l variants. A platform-independent binary requires Python; the project supports CPython 3.10+ and PyPy 3.11+.

Who it's for

yt-dlp is best for technically comfortable users who need broad source coverage, batch or playlist jobs, detailed format selection, or chapter-level control. Developers may also value its documented Python interface. It is less suitable for users who prioritize a graphical workflow or want full YouTube support without installing the required companion components.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Thousands of supported sites and a wide range of audio and video formats make it adaptable to varied download needs.
• Pro: Playlist, batch, subtitle, timestamp, and chapter options provide control over both what gets downloaded and how it is saved.
• Pro: Free software with no stated usage limits avoids recurring costs or plan-based caps.
• Con: A command-line interface puts it out of reach for users who want a standard graphical app.
• Con: Full YouTube support requires yt-dlp-ejs, with additional recommended media and JavaScript components to account for during setup.
• Con: External plugin code is unchecked, so adding plugins requires trust in their authors.

Alternatives

Video Downloaders is a useful starting point for comparing options across the category.

• 4K Video Downloader+ is worth considering for readers who prefer a freemium option with a permanent basic tier and a free trial.
• MeTube is a free, self-hosted alternative with no paid plans.
• NeoDLP is another free option, described as fully free and open source.
• Freemake Video Downloader may suit Windows and macOS users seeking a free downloader for personal, private, non-commercial use.
• Youwee is a free, open-source option for users who want support across browser extension and desktop platforms.
• yt-dlp app offers a desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with no telemetry or tracking.
• DownKingo is a free alternative for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• OmniGet is a free alternative with no ads, account, or paid plan.

Verdict

Choose yt-dlp if you are comfortable with commands and want a free downloader with unusually broad source support and precise control over formats, playlists, and partial downloads. Its main drawback is the technical setup, especially the extra requirement for full YouTube support; users who want a straightforward graphical experience should choose a desktop app instead.