You-Get review
A flexible, free media downloader for technical users comfortable with command-line tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
You-Get is an open-source command-line utility for downloading videos, audio, images, and other web content. It is aimed at technical users who want a free tool they can run on Windows through WSL, macOS, or Linux. The published feature set covers a large list of media websites, including YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook, Dailymotion, niconico, Bilibili, and Youku. Deployment is available for desktop and self-hosted use, with solo and small teams as the clearest fit.
Its strongest advantage is control over media retrieval. You-Get can inspect available streams, quality levels, codecs, and formats before downloading, and it supports webm, mp4, and 3gp output. Available YouTube closed captions can be saved as SubRip subtitles. Resume support helps with interrupted transfers, while output directory and filename selection provide practical control over saved files. HTTP proxies, site-specific extractor proxies, and browser cookies extend its usefulness for private or login-required videos. JSON and extracted-resource URL output options also make it more suitable for scripted workflows than a basic downloader.
The ecosystem fit is another clear strength. You-Get can work with FFmpeg and stream video to external players such as VLC, mpv, or Chromium. Batch downloads are supported, and the Python package can be installed from source or package managers. The trade-off is a command-line-centered workflow, backed by documentation as the listed support channel rather than a broader support offering. Documentation also includes an older Python-version notice, so environment compatibility deserves attention. Choose You-Get for flexible, inspectable downloads and automation; choose an alternative if you need a polished graphical interface or clearly documented playlist handling.
You-Get pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Broad coverage across video, audio, image, and media websites
- Stream inspection, subtitles, resume support, cookies, and proxies
- Works with FFmpeg, VLC, mpv, and Chromium
- Where it doesn't
- Command-line workflow may not suit users seeking a graphical interface
- Documentation includes an older Python-version notice
- Playlist downloads and maximum supported quality are not explicitly documented
You-Get fact sheet, pricing and score →
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