Open Video Downloader is a cross-platform graphical frontend for yt-dlp that makes downloading media from supported websites accessible without working directly at the command line.
Users can add individual videos or playlists, inspect the available options, choose how the resulting media should be produced, and follow download progress from the desktop interface. The application uses a Vue 3 frontend with a Tauri/Rust backend, which communicates with yt-dlp to obtain media information and perform downloads. Despite retaining the youtube-dl-gui repository name, current versions are built around yt-dlp.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Downloads video, audio, subtitles, and metadata from the large range of websites supported by yt-dlp.
- Handles complete playlists as well as individual media items.
- Lets users select resolution, frame rate, and output formats including MP4 and MKV.
- Supports custom download directories and filename templates.
- Provides smart queue management that balances simultaneous downloads.
- Supports browser cookie files, basic authentication, and passwords for protected videos.
- Automatically updates both the application and its yt-dlp backend.
- Provides light and dark themes that can follow the system setting.
- Offers shortcuts for queueing and starting downloads.
- Uses desktop notifications to keep users informed about download progress.
- Displays progress and errors within the graphical interface.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: github.com/jely2002/youtube-dl-gui
Support:
Developer: Jelle Glebbeek
License: GNU Affero General Public License v3.0

Open Video Downloader is written in Rust and TyepScript. Learn Rust with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn TypeScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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