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Guide · Open source

How to use YoutubeDownloader: save videos and playlists

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

YoutubeDownloader is an open-source program from the Tyrrrz project that saves YouTube videos and whole playlists to your computer. This guide explains what it is good for, how to get it, the basic workflow, and the limits of what the project documents. Because the project README was not available when this page was prepared, the steps below are general and the exact interface should be checked on the project's releases page.

YoutubeDownloaderTyrrrz/YoutubeDownloader · ★ 16.6k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Open the releases page. Go to the project's releases page on GitHub and find the build for your operating system.
  2. 2Install or run the app. Download the package and start the program. No extra prerequisites are listed in the source.
  3. 3Copy the YouTube link. Copy the URL of the video or the playlist you want to save from YouTube.
  4. 4Paste the link into the app. Enter the link in the app and let it read the content.
  5. 5Choose a format. Pick MP4, WebM or MP3 depending on whether you need video or audio only.
  6. 6Start the download. Run the download and check the saved files once it completes.

What YoutubeDownloader does

YoutubeDownloader is a program for keeping local copies of YouTube content. Its description and topics mention MP4, WebM and MP3 output and the use of FFmpeg.

The project is written in C# and released under the MIT license, which is a permissive open-source licence.

  • Saves individual videos and whole playlists
  • Output formats mentioned: MP4, WebM and MP3 (audio only)
  • Uses FFmpeg, according to the project description and topics
  • Licensed under MIT

Get YoutubeDownloader for your system

The project is distributed as a downloadable app rather than a command line tool. The homepage link points to the releases page, so start there and pick the build for Windows, macOS or Linux.

The README was not available for this review, so the project's own install instructions could not be confirmed. The only install command noted from the README is a git clone of the repository, which is useful if you want the source code rather than the app. No other prerequisites are listed.

  • Open https://github.com/Tyrrrz/YoutubeDownloader/releases
  • Download the app package that matches your operating system
  • Keep the source clone only if you want to read or build the code
git clone https://github.com/Tyrrrz/YoutubeDownloader

Download a video or playlist

Once the app is running, the general workflow is to give it a YouTube link and choose what to save. For a playlist, use the playlist link so that all of its entries can be downloaded.

The exact on-screen controls could not be verified from the source, so check the app's own labels when you first open it.

  • Copy the URL of the video or playlist from YouTube
  • Paste it into the app
  • Choose the output format, such as MP4, WebM or MP3
  • Start the download and wait for it to finish

Save audio only as MP3

If you only need the sound, the project lists MP3 among its output formats. This is the option to pick for music, podcasts or lectures where the picture does not matter.

Check the file quality and format settings in the app before a long batch, since the source does not describe them.

  • Select MP3 as the output format
  • Confirm the file plays in your usual audio player

Know the limits before you rely on it

The README could not be checked, so the project's support channels and documented behaviour are unconfirmed. Downloading content from YouTube may conflict with YouTube's terms of service, and the source gives no guidance on this.

If you need a scripted or command line workflow, this app is not the right fit, because its release assets point to a packaged app.

  • Review YouTube's terms of service before downloading
  • Only save content you have the right to keep
  • Expect no documented stability guarantees until you read the project's own docs

What people use it for

  • Keeping a local archive of a YouTube playlist for offline viewing
  • Saving lectures or talks as audio-only MP3 files
  • Keeping a WebM or MP4 copy of a video you have permission to store

Frequently asked questions

Is YoutubeDownloader free?

The project is released under the MIT license, which is an open-source licence. The source does not mention any price, so the MIT licence is the licensing information to rely on.

Does YoutubeDownloader need FFmpeg?

The project description and topics mention the use of FFmpeg. The README was not available, so check the project's own documentation for how FFmpeg is installed or bundled.

Can YoutubeDownloader download playlists?

Yes. The project description says it downloads videos and playlists from YouTube.

Can I save only the audio?

The project mentions MP3 output, which is audio only. Pick MP3 as the format in the app.

What are the alternatives to YoutubeDownloader?

Comparable projects named in the analysis are yt-dlp, youtube-dl and pytube. These are generally command line tools, so they suit scripting better than YoutubeDownloader does.

Is YoutubeDownloader legal to use?

The source does not settle this. Downloading may conflict with YouTube's terms of service, so read those terms and only save content you have the right to keep.

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Our verdict

YoutubeDownloader suits people who want a downloadable app to keep local copies of YouTube videos or playlists, including MP3 audio, on Windows, macOS or Linux. Pick a different tool if you need strict terms-of-service compliance, documented stable behaviour, or a scripting-friendly command line workflow, such as yt-dlp.

Install options & downloads