YouTubeDL

Spec sheet

Purpose

YouTubeDL is a cross-platform desktop application for downloading YouTube videos and playlists.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Intended users

The README describes the app as working fully for standard public YouTube videos and playlists.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Free plan

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

License

The project is licensed under MIT.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Batch downloads

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Batching

The app supports concurrent downloads with 1–6 configurable workers and can download full playlists.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Cookies

Browser cookies and Netscape-format cookies.txt files are supported for bot-gated or age-restricted videos.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Device platforms

Windows,macOS,LinuxRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Formats

It supports video downloads as MP4 and audio-only downloads as MP3 or AAC.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Limitations

The project says DRM-protected media cannot be downloaded and some age-restricted or SABR-only videos may fail.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Maximum video quality

1080pRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Other limitation

The README says some SABR-only videos may not be downloadable because yt-dlp support remains experimental.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Output formats

MP4,MP3,AACRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Playlist downloads

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Quality

Video options are RAW, 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 360p, while audio options range from 128 to 320 kbps.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Quality choices

Video options are RAW (best available), 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 360p; audio options are 320, 256, 192, and 128 kbps.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Queue

The app supports configurable concurrent downloads with 1–6 parallel workers, progress indicators, and duplicate-queue protection.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Queue management

It offers per-item progress, a scrolling log, item deletion, queue clearing, and duplicate-queue protection.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Requirements

The listed requirements include Python 3.10 or later and Node.js 20.19 or later.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Resume

It stores download history in SQLite and skips previously downloaded videos only while their files still exist.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Resume behavior

It can skip previously downloaded videos if their output files still exist on disk, using a SQLite history database.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Supported sources

YouTubeRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

• Video Downloaders#120 of 1357.2