yt-dlp Free Download
Overview
yt-dlp Free Download – Powerful Command-Line Video Downloader
yt-dlp is a free, open-source command-line program that lets you download videos from YouTube and thousands of other video sites. It is a feature-rich fork of youtube-dl and is actively maintained with frequent updates. This article provides a comprehensive guide to downloading, installing, and using yt-dlp.
What is yt-dlp?
yt-dlp is a command-line video downloader developed by the yt-dlp community. It is based on youtube-dl but includes additional features and fixes, and is distributed under the Unlicense. The latest version is 2026.09.09, released in September 2026.
yt-dlp supports downloading videos from YouTube and over 1,000 other websites. It can download entire playlists, extract audio from videos, embed subtitles, and much more. yt-dlp is cross-platform and works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD.
Key Features of yt-dlp
Extensive Site Support
Supports over 1,000 websites including YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Twitch, and many more. Regular updates ensure new sites are added quickly.
Format Selection
Choose from available video and audio formats. Download in the quality and format you prefer, including 4K and 8K video.
Playlist Download
Download entire playlists or channels. Filter by date, title, or other criteria to selectively download content.
Audio Extraction
Extract audio from videos and convert to MP3 or other audio formats. Perfect for creating music libraries from video content.
Subtitle Support
Download subtitles in multiple languages. Embed subtitles directly into downloaded videos.
Cross-Platform
Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD. Available as a standalone executable or via package managers.
How to Download yt-dlp
yt-dlp can be downloaded from GitHub releases or installed via package managers.
| Platform | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Windows (Executable) | Download yt-dlp.exe |
| macOS (Binary) | Download macOS Binary |
| Linux (Binary) | Download Linux Binary |
| pip (Python) | python -m pip install yt-dlp |
| Homebrew (macOS) | brew install yt-dlp |
| WinGet (Windows) | winget install yt-dlp |
Installation Guide
Windows Installation
- Download
yt-dlp.exefrom GitHub releases - Place it in a folder included in your system PATH
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run
yt-dlp --versionto verify - Download a video:
yt-dlp [video URL]
macOS Installation
- Install via Homebrew:
brew install yt-dlp - Or download the macOS binary from GitHub releases
- Verify installation:
yt-dlp --version
Linux Installation
- Download the Linux binary from GitHub releases
- Make it executable:
chmod +x yt-dlp - Move it to a directory in your PATH:
sudo mv yt-dlp /usr/local/bin/
Why Choose yt-dlp?
yt-dlp is the most powerful command-line video downloader available. It supports over 1,000 websites, offers extensive format selection, and is actively maintained with frequent updates. yt-dlp is completely free and open-source.
For users who need to convert downloaded videos, the Image Compression tool can help optimize video thumbnails. The PDF Converter is useful for converting documentation.
System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 7+, macOS 10.13+, Linux, BSD
- Processor: Any modern processor
- Memory: 256MB RAM minimum
- Disk Space: 20MB for the executable
- Python: Python 3.9+ (for pip installation)
Alternatives to yt-dlp
Other video downloaders include youtube-dl (original project, less actively maintained) and 4K Video Downloader (GUI, freemium). yt-dlp's extensive site support, active development, and command-line efficiency make it the best choice for power users.
Conclusion
yt-dlp is the best free command-line video downloader, supporting over 1,000 websites with extensive format selection. Download yt-dlp today and download videos from anywhere.
