Downie review
A focused Mac download manager for video capture, queues, scheduling, and extraction.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Downie is a native macOS application for downloading video from YouTube, Vimeo, and more than 1,000 other sites. It is aimed primarily at individual Mac users who want more control than a basic browser download flow provides. Links can be added through Safari, Chrome, or Firefox extensions, drag and drop, pasted URLs, or the built-in browser. The product also has an iOS/iPadOS version, with iCloud synchronization connecting download history across supported devices.
Its strongest area is video extraction and download control. User-Guided Extraction is designed for embedded or complex video links, while quality selection covers 4K and HD downloads. Users can process audio only, download subtitles with format options, generate JSON metadata files, and organize work through a queue with priorities and concurrent-download settings. Scheduled downloads add another useful control for larger or recurring tasks. Integration with Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, Permute, Setapp, and iCloud gives Downie a clear fit within an Apple-centered software setup.
Pricing is straightforward by route. The Downie plan costs $19.99 as a one-time purchase and includes a permanent license, the macOS application, and a free trial. The alternative is Setapp at $14.99 per month, which includes access to Downie and 300+ other Mac apps. The vendor states that its base currency is EUR and that VAT or sales tax may be added at checkout. Downie suits Mac users who regularly download online video and value extraction options, scheduling, subtitles, or metadata. Users seeking remote control, a free plan, or a broader non-Apple platform focus should consider a different download manager.
Downie pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports video downloads from YouTube, Vimeo, and 1,000+ other sites
- Includes browser extensions, complex-link extraction, queues, and scheduling
- Offers 4K and HD downloads, subtitles, metadata, and iCloud synchronization
- Where it doesn't
- No free plan; ongoing access through Setapp requires a monthly subscription
- Remote control is not included
- The iOS/iPadOS version is distributed through a third-party marketplace in the EU
Downie fact sheet, pricing and score →
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