yt-dlp

yt-dlp is a free, open-source command-line program for downloading audio and video from thousands of online sites. The project began as a fork of youtube-dlc and incorporates substantial work from youtube-dl.

Users can install release binaries, use Python package distribution, or install through third-party package managers. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, and Android through Termux.

yt-dlp is primarily a terminal tool rather than a hosted web application. Its command-line design suits automation, scripting, media archiving, and users who need detailed control over formats and output files.

yt-dlp supports format selection, resolution and codec filters, output templates, playlists, channels, subtitles, thumbnails, metadata, authentication, cookies, proxies, and download archives.

It can extract audio, merge separate audio and video streams, apply post-processing, and send downloaded data to standard output. FFmpeg and ffprobe are strongly recommended for merging and post-processing tasks.

The project includes SponsorBlock options for marking or removing sponsor segments and other categorized sections from YouTube videos. It also supports plugins and multiple release channels, including stable, nightly, and master.

Developers can embed yt-dlp in Python applications through the YoutubeDL class. The project also provides a command-line interface suitable for calling from other programming languages.

yt-dlp has no subscription, license fee, usage quota, or paid tier. The source repository, PyPI distributions, and release binaries are available without charge.

The project uses the Unlicense for its repository and PyPI distributions. Some bundled executables include components with separate licenses, including GPLv3-or-later code, so distributors should review the included third-party license information.

Pros:

• Free to use and available as open-source software.
• Supports thousands of sites and extensive media formats.
• Offers detailed controls for quality, codecs, filenames, subtitles, metadata, and post-processing.
• Works in scripts, batch jobs, Python applications, and automation workflows.
• Provides Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, and Android installation paths.

Cons:

• The command-line interface requires technical familiarity.
• FFmpeg is needed for common tasks such as merging separate streams.
• Full YouTube support can require yt-dlp-ejs and a supported JavaScript runtime.
• Website changes can temporarily break extractors and require updates.
• There is no official hosted interface or guaranteed commercial support plan.

youtube-dl is the closest historical alternative and provides a similar command-line model, although yt-dlp was created as a fork with additional features and ongoing maintenance.

pytube is a Python-focused alternative for developers who want a library-oriented workflow. Cobalt provides a simpler web-oriented downloading experience where an available instance meets the user’s requirements.

Users who prefer graphical interfaces can consider GUI projects that use yt-dlp as an engine, such as Stacher or yt-dlp-interface. These projects are separate from the core yt-dlp project.

Is yt-dlp free?
Yes. The project and its official distributions are available without charge.

Does yt-dlp have an API?
Yes. Python applications can embed the YoutubeDL class. Other programs can call the command-line interface and use structured output options.

Does yt-dlp work on Windows and macOS?
Yes. The project publishes Windows executables and a universal macOS executable. Linux and BSD binaries are also available.

Is FFmpeg required?
Not for every download. It is required for many workflows involving separate audio and video streams, merging, and post-processing.

Does yt-dlp include a graphical interface?
No. The official project is command-line software. Independent third-party graphical interfaces are available.

Does yt-dlp provide a free trial?
A free trial does not apply because the software is distributed as free software rather than as a paid hosted service.

Can yt-dlp download every website?
No. Site support depends on the project’s extractors and changes made by each service. The project documents thousands of supported sites, but support can change.