yt-dlp

yt-dlp is a command-line downloader for audio and video, best suited to people who want broad source coverage and control over download formats. It is a strong choice for flexible batch and playlist work, provided a command-line workflow and the extra requirement for full YouTube support are acceptable.

Overview

yt-dlp grew from youtube-dl, drawing on the now-inactive youtube-dlc project. Its extractors cover thousands of sites, including YouTube, Bilibili, Dailymotion, Facebook, Vimeo, TikTok and Twitch. That range makes it useful when a single downloader needs to handle varied sources; its command-line design is a meaningful barrier for people who prefer a graphical app.

The project is free, with no paid plans or usage limits stated. Its public repository is marked Unlicense, although some bundled release binaries contain third-party code under other licenses. The project has stable, nightly and master release channels: stable releases generally come about monthly, nightly is recommended for regular users, and master may introduce bugs or regressions. Versions older than 90 days display an update warning.

Key features

Playlist, batch and subtitle downloads extend yt-dlp beyond one-off clips. Configurable output templates and paths help organize saved files, while format selection lets users choose and sort available audio and video formats. Supported outputs include AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4 and WebM video, alongside AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4A, MKA, MP3, OGG, Opus, Vorbis and WAV audio.

For YouTube, yt-dlp can mark or remove sponsor and other segments through the SponsorBlock API. Users can also download selected timestamps or chapters, split videos into chapter files, and retrieve cookies from supported browsers including Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge. These controls make it capable of handling more deliberate archiving tasks, but they also reward familiarity with command options.

Extractor and postprocessor plugins can be loaded from external files, and yt-dlp can be embedded in Python programs through its YoutubeDL interface. The project warns that plugin code is unchecked, so users should install it only when they trust its author. Full YouTube support requires yt-dlp-ejs; ffmpeg, ffprobe and a supported JavaScript runtime are also recommended. The extra setup is a trade-off for users who want the broadest functionality.

Pricing

The Free software plan costs nothing and includes yt-dlp without stated usage limits or paid tiers. There is no free trial because the software is free to use. This suits users comfortable managing a command-line tool; there is no lower paid tier to weigh against a premium plan, but people seeking a supported graphical workflow should consider a different interface.

Platforms

yt-dlp supports Windows, macOS, Linux and self-hosted use. Standalone Windows binaries support Windows 8 or later in x64, x86 and ARM64 variants; macOS executables support 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+.

Binary releases include stable, nightly and master channels. Release checksums are provided for SHA-256 and SHA-512 with GPG signature files and a public key, giving technically inclined users a way to verify downloads.

Who it's for

Choose yt-dlp if you are comfortable with commands and want one free tool for diverse sites, format selection, playlists, subtitles or batch jobs. Its Python interface also makes it a fit for developers embedding downloads in programs. Look elsewhere if you need a graphical desktop workflow without command-line setup, or if you want full YouTube support without installing yt-dlp-ejs.

Pros and cons

Pro: Broad extractor coverage and a wide range of output formats make it adaptable across sources and media types.

Pro: Playlist, batch, subtitle, chapter and partial-download support gives users control over larger or more selective jobs.

Pro: Free software with no stated usage caps and binaries for major desktop platforms keeps the cost and platform choice straightforward.

Con: The command-line workflow is a poor fit for users who expect a point-and-click downloader.

Con: Full YouTube support depends on yt-dlp-ejs, with ffmpeg, ffprobe and a supported JavaScript runtime recommended for setup.

Con: External plugin code is unchecked, so adding plugins brings a trust decision users must make themselves.

Alternatives

For a graphical desktop app built around yt-dlp, consider yt-dlp app, which is free on Windows, macOS and Linux and says it includes no telemetry or tracking. If a self-hosted downloader with web and mobile platform support is a better fit, MeTube is free and has no paid plans listed.

4K Video Downloader+ is worth considering for readers who want a freemium option with a free trial, a permanent basic-feature tier and support for Android as well as desktop platforms. DownSnap may suit readers who want a free option with no download limits and no sign-up, across web, mobile and desktop platforms. For a free browser extension option, compare OmniGet, which has no ads, account or paid plan.

Other options include SSvid, NeoDLP and Yalla Video.

Browse the video downloaders directory for more choices.

Verdict

yt-dlp is the right pick for command-line users who want broad site support, detailed format control and capable playlist or batch downloads without paying. Choose another tool if a graphical workflow is essential, or if you want full YouTube support without handling its required yt-dlp-ejs dependency.