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ClipGrab

clipgrab.org

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit clipgrab.org
Spec score 9.1 #3 of 58 in Download Manager Software

What it is

ClipGrab is a free video downloader and converter for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports downloads from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Facebook, and other online video sites, then converts videos to MPEG4, MP3, WMV, OGG Vorbis, or OGG Theora. Some videos can be kept in their original format. ClipGrab says its recognition system may work on thousands of other sites, and it includes YouTube video search; YouTube downloads are supported up to 1080p. The maker says Facebook videos, including private ones, can be downloaded in HD or standard definition. The Linux version is GPLv3-licensed open-source software and is offered precompiled or as source code. Windows installers are available with or without third-party offers; the installer with offers is operated independently by dotInstaller and TheCassiniLabs. ClipGrab cannot run on iOS devices, though the site suggests downloading on a PC or Mac and transferring the video. Its support FAQ notes that unreliable or unavailable internet can cause download failures and advises updating when video sites change. Email support, a feedback forum, and FAQs are listed.

Spec sheet

What it does
ClipGrab downloads online videos and converts them to other formats.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Purpose
ClipGrab downloads and converts videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and other online video sites.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · clipgrab.org
Privacy
The privacy policy says website connection data is anonymized for statistics and that collected user data is not sold or passed to third parties by ClipGrab.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Support
ClipGrab support is available by email, and the site also links to a customer feedback forum and FAQs.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
License
ClipGrab is described as GPLv3-licensed open-source software.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Headquarters
Seybothenreuth, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · clipgrab.org
Founded
2007Read 28 Sep 2026 · clipgrab.org
Maker
The legal page identifies libre media labs GmbH as responsible for clipgrab.org content and gives its address as Hauptstraße 10, 95517 Seybothenreuth, Germany.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Audio extraction
Selecting MP3 downloads the video's audio track as an audio-only file.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Clipboard workflow
The documented workflow is to copy a video URL, paste it into the Downloads tab, choose quality and format, then start the download.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Company registration
A German commercial-register record lists libre media labs GmbH as formed on 22 August 2025 with €25,000 share capital.Read 14 Oct 2026 · online-handelsregister.de
Compatibility limitation
The official troubleshooting guide says website technical changes can break downloads and recommends updating ClipGrab.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Developer distribution
The roadmap says current source is distributed as a tarball and that a public Git repository is only being evaluated.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Facebook videos
ClipGrab says it can download Facebook videos, including private ones, in HD or standard definition.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
History
The ClipGrab 4 fundraiser page says the first version was released in 2007.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Independent test limitation
A 2026 StreamFab test reported zero completed downloads from ten YouTube URLs, with blank search, stalled analysis and 403 errors.Read 14 Oct 2026 · streamfab.dvdfab.cn
Installer caveat
The standard Windows installer can contain third-party offers operated by dotInstaller and TheCassiniLabs; the site provides a no-offer installer.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
iOS limitation
The site says ClipGrab cannot run on iOS devices and suggests downloading on a PC or Mac and transferring the video.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Legal caution
An ORF/FM4 article described ClipGrab as free and open source while warning that downloading streams can conflict with broadcasters' rights.Read 14 Oct 2026 · fm4v3.orf.at
Limit: installer extras
Softonic reports that anti-malware tools may flag installCore bundled with some installers and recommends the direct installer.Read 14 Oct 2026 · en.softonic.com
Limit: performance
Tom's Hardware calls ClipGrab sluggish in use despite allowing resolution and format selection.Read 14 Oct 2026 · tomshardware.com
Limit: source compatibility
VideoHelp reviewers reported that version 3.9.15 did not work with YouTube while 3.9.14 did.Read 14 Oct 2026 · videohelp.com
Linux and license
ClipGrab is GPLv3-licensed open source software available as a precompiled Linux version or source code.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Linux support
Linux users can download a 64-bit binary or compile the published source code.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Mac compatibility
The site says ClipGrab for macOS works on Macs with macOS 10.12 or newer, including Macs with M1 processors.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
macOS support
The homepage lists macOS 10.12 or newer, including M1 Macs, for version 4.0.0-beta2.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Maker headquarters
The legal address is Hauptstraße 10, 95517 Seybothenreuth, Germany.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Maker legal name
The responsible legal entity is libre media labs GmbH, registered in Bayreuth as HRB 8513, with Philipp Schmieder as managing director.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Original quality
Original-format downloads remain unconverted and may be MPEG4, FLV or WebM depending on the source.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Output formats
Supported conversion targets include MPEG4, MP3, WMV, OGG Vorbis and OGG Theora.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Praise: ease of use
Softpedia rated the application very good and highlighted its simple interface and easy installation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Praise: interface and search
TechRadar praised clipboard monitoring, built-in YouTube search and a clear interface, but noted search results were limited to twelve items.Read 14 Oct 2026 · techradar.com
Praise: speed and reliability
VideoHelp reviewers described ClipGrab as fast, reliable and effective for downloading YouTube videos.Read 14 Oct 2026 · videohelp.com
Privacy statement
The legal page says technically necessary website data is anonymized, deleted after statistical evaluation and not sold or passed to third parties.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Project origin
The fundraiser says the first ClipGrab version was released in 2007.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Rating on Google Play
4.2 out of 5 from 204 reviews; the listing identifies itself as an independent app not affiliated with the ClipGrab desktop project.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rating on Trustpilot
3.0 out of 5 from 3 reviews.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on Trustpilot (clipgrab.de profile)
2.9 out of 5 from 8 reviews.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Reliability limits
The support FAQ says downloads can fail when the internet connection is unreliable or offline and recommends updating ClipGrab when video sites change.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Roadmap architecture
The planned major rewrite uses Qt 6, while ClipGrab 3 uses Qt 5.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Roadmap batch downloads
The ClipGrab 4 roadmap includes playlist and multi-video batch downloading.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Roadmap browser integration
ClipGrab 4 planning includes browser authentication for video platforms and social-media sites.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Roadmap subtitles
The roadmap proposes downloading embedded subtitles when available.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Roadmap system requirements
The planned ClipGrab 4 requirements are macOS 13 or newer, Windows 10 or newer, or a reasonably modern Linux distribution.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Support channels
Support is offered by email, and feature suggestions are collected through a UserVoice forum.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Supported services
The official site names YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Dailymotion, while saying recognition may work on thousands of additional sites.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Supported sites
The site lists YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and Facebook, and says its video recognition system may work on thousands of other sites.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Video formats
It converts videos to MPEG4, MP3, WMV, OGG Vorbis, or OGG Theora, and can save some videos in their original format.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Windows compatibility
The site says ClipGrab works on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Windows installer
The Windows installer with third-party offers is powered by dotInstaller and TheCassiniLabs, which operates that installer independently; the site offers a Windows installer without third-party offers.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Windows support
The homepage lists Windows 11, Windows 10 and Windows 8 compatibility and version 3.9.15.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
YouTube quality
YouTube downloads are offered in 1080p, 720p, 480p, 360p and 240p when available.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
YouTube quality and search
ClipGrab supports YouTube downloads up to 1080p and includes an integrated YouTube video search function.Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
YouTube search
The desktop application includes an integrated YouTube search function.Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org

Plans and prices

Free Free Video downloading · Video conversion · GPLv3 open-source software Read 20 Sep 2026 · clipgrab.org
ClipGrab Free Free downloader and converter; donations are optional Read 5 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
ClipGrab Free desktop downloader/converter · Windows, macOS and Linux Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Donation €10 €10, paid once voluntary contribution Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Donation €20 €20, paid once voluntary contribution Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org
Donation €50 €50, paid once voluntary contribution Read 14 Oct 2026 · clipgrab.org

Every ClipGrab plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free to use on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Converts videos to several listed audio and video formats.
  • YouTube search is integrated.
  • Linux version is GPLv3-licensed open-source software.
  • Windows installer is available without third-party offers.

Limits

  • Cannot run on iOS devices.
  • Downloads may fail with unreliable or offline internet.
  • Video-site changes may require updating ClipGrab.
  • No browser integration is listed.

Who it suits

ClipGrab suits people who want to download and convert online videos on Windows, macOS, or Linux. It is not an option for running directly on an iOS device.

Verdict

ClipGrab combines video downloads with format conversion and names several supported sites and formats. Its platform limits and the possibility of failures when connections are unreliable or sites change are worth noting.

Where Specifiction places it

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