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yt-dlp is a command-line program for downloading audio and video from supported websites. It began as a fork of youtube-dl, based on the now-inactive youtube-dlc project. The yt-dlp project describes it as supporting “thousands of sites,” a project characterization rather than an independently verified count. [Official yt-dlp README]
What does “fork of youtube-dl” mean?
A fork is a separate project developed from an existing codebase. yt-dlp shares its lineage with youtube-dl, but it is maintained as its own project; it is not simply another name for youtube-dl. The yt-dlp README says it is a fork of youtube-dl based on youtube-dlc, which is now inactive. [Official yt-dlp README]
That relationship matters in practice: installation instructions, release channels, dependencies, and supported-site behavior should be checked in yt-dlp’s own documentation rather than assumed to match youtube-dl.
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yt-dlp is command-line software. Its basic form is yt-dlp [OPTIONS] [--] URL [URL...]: you provide options if needed, followed by one or more URLs. The project describes support for thousands of sites, but site support and whether a particular URL currently works can change. Consult its current documentation and FAQ when checking a specific site. [README and usage] [Official FAQ]
#1 Best Overall
- NEW: Now with integrated video search
- NEW: Playlist Download with one click - NEW: Customize the audio quality
- NEW: Direct download as MP3
- NEW: Support for multiple audio tracks
- High-speed downloads in up to 4K and 8K quality
Using yt-dlp does not by itself establish that downloading particular material is permitted. That depends on the content, applicable law, platform terms, and the circumstances of the download.
How do you install yt-dlp?
The project documents several routes, including release binaries, pip, and third-party package managers. Its recommended release artifacts include a platform-independent zipimport binary, a Windows standalone executable, and a universal macOS executable. Which option is appropriate depends on your operating system and how you prefer to manage software, so follow the current instructions in the official README. [Official yt-dlp installation instructions]
Rank #2
- Download files by entering their URL or Short Code.
- Built-in Web Browser with support for file downloads.
- On Fire TVs, navigate websites using just your remote. (No mouse/keyboard needed.)
- The browser features full-screen mode, zooming, text resizing, and quick access to favorites/bookmarks.
- Favorites allow you to easily save and open frequently visited URLs.
For Python-based installations, the README lists CPython 3.10 or later and PyPy 3.11 or later as supported. Those requirements and available release artifacts can change; check the live documentation before installing.
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Which extra dependencies may be needed?
FFmpeg and ffprobe
The project strongly recommends ffmpeg and ffprobe. They are needed for workflows such as merging separate audio and video streams and performing other post-processing. Install the ffmpeg program itself; a Python package also named “ffmpeg” is not a substitute for the binary. [Official yt-dlp dependencies documentation]
Rank #3
YouTube support and JavaScript
The README says yt-dlp-ejs and a supported JavaScript runtime are required for full YouTube support. It recommends Deno and also names Node.js, Bun, and QuickJS. Check the current documentation for compatible versions and setup details, since these can change. [Official yt-dlp dependencies documentation]
How are yt-dlp updates handled?
yt-dlp documents three update channels. Stable generally follows a mostly monthly release cadence, but may take longer to incorporate fixes for site changes. The project recommends nightly for regular users. Master contains very recent changes and may be more prone to regressions. These are project guidance and release-channel characteristics, not a guarantee that a particular site will work. [Official yt-dlp update documentation]
Rank #4
- Easy and fast conversion without a loss of quality
- Support of all the common video and audio formats
- Including a variety of helpful editing tools
- Support of more than 130 file formats, more than 40 presets for various devices (Smartphones, Smart TVs)
- Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7
- Release binary: binary users can update with
yt-dlp -U. - pip installation: repeat the pip installation command you used, following the README’s instructions for the desired channel.
Because site behavior can change, keeping yt-dlp current may help when an extractor stops working, but updates cannot guarantee support for every URL.
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The project states that yt-dlp is licensed under the Unlicense, but warns that release artifacts may include third-party code under other licenses. In particular, its README identifies PyInstaller-bundled executables as GPLv3-or-later combined works and notes ISC- and MIT-licensed code in the zipimport Unix executable and source tarball. Check the license information included with the specific artifact you use rather than assuming every distributed file has identical licensing. [Official yt-dlp licensing information]
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Where can you troubleshoot common questions?
The official FAQ addresses issues such as handling a URL that begins with a hyphen, passing cookies, and checking whether a URL is supported. Use the FAQ’s current instructions for the exact command and situation; quoting, shell behavior, and authentication requirements can depend on your environment. [Official yt-dlp FAQ]
Quick Recap
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