Downie is one of the best-known video downloaders for Mac because it turns a messy category into a simple Mac app: paste a link, use the browser extension, pick a quality, and save videos from YouTube, Vimeo, and many other sites. Its current version supports macOS 11 or later, 4K downloads, postprocessing, iCloud history sync, user-guided extraction, and a permanent direct license.

But Downie is not the only sensible choice. 4K Video Downloader Plus is stronger if you want cross-platform support, free limits, playlist and channel workflows, 8K downloads, subtitles, Smart Mode, an in-app browser, and paid lifetime tiers. Pulltube is the most Mac-like alternative for users who care about trimming, built-in conversion, browser extensions, subtitles, thumbnails, gestures, and Setapp access. yt-dlp is the free command-line powerhouse for technical users who want the broadest control and do not need a polished GUI.

This guide compares Downie alternatives for Mac across site support, download quality, playlists, subtitles, conversion, trimming, automation, privacy, setup friction, and current pricing.

Quick Verdict

Choose Downie if you want the best all-around Mac video downloader for most people. It is polished, simple, frequently updated, supports over 1,000 sites, includes browser extensions, handles 4K video, can extract audio, and is available as a one-time license or through Setapp.

Choose 4K Video Downloader Plus if you want the strongest playlist, channel, subtitle, and cross-platform option. It is better for users who download batches, want Windows or Linux support too, need a permanent free tier, or want paid Lite, Personal, and Pro plans.

Choose Pulltube if you want a Mac-first alternative with trimming and conversion built in. It is especially good for creators, students, and researchers who often need just part of a video, subtitles, thumbnails, MP3 or M4A audio, browser extensions, and a tidy native app.

Choose yt-dlp if you are comfortable with Terminal and want maximum flexibility for free. It is the best choice for scripts, custom output templates, advanced format selection, nightly updates, and users who care more about control than interface polish.

Feature Comparison

Downie

Downie is the reference point for this comparison because it gives Mac users a direct, friendly answer to a common problem: saving online videos without wrestling with command-line flags or suspicious web downloaders. The current product page describes Downie as a Mac video downloader for YouTube, Vimeo, and thousands of other sites, with a single-click workflow.

The app's strength is balance. Downie supports over 1,000 sites, 4K video, browser extensions for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, user-guided extraction through a built-in browser, iCloud history sync, frequent updates, and postprocessing that can convert downloads to MP4 or extract audio. It is approachable enough for casual users but still capable enough for people who archive talks, lectures, product demos, reference material, or personal media they are allowed to save.

Downie is also one of the cleaner purchase models in this category. The current direct price is $19.99 for a permanent license, excluding VAT or sales tax, with a free trial included in the full version. The same product page lists Setapp as a subscription option, while Setapp's Downie page lists membership from $8.99/month and Downie app-only access from $4.99/month, each with a 7-day trial.

The limitation is that Downie is intentionally Mac-focused. If you also need Windows or Linux, 4K Video Downloader Plus is easier to standardize across machines. If you need trimming before download, Pulltube is more convenient. If you want advanced scripting, output templates, custom archive tracking, and precise format filters, yt-dlp is more powerful.

Choose Downie when you want the best mix of Mac polish, simple downloading, browser integration, broad site support, and fair one-time pricing.

4K Video Downloader Plus

4K Video Downloader Plus is the strongest Downie alternative if your workflow is less "save this one video" and more "save this playlist, channel, private item, subtitle track, or recurring source." It is also the obvious choice if you want one app that works across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Its official page highlights YouTube playlists, channels, search results, Watch Later, liked videos, private playlists, 4K and 8K video, subtitles in SRT, multi-language audio, YouTube Shorts, Gaming, Kids, an in-app browser, Smart Mode, proxy support, 3D and 360-degree video, download management, and automatic downloads for new videos from favorite creators or playlists.

That breadth makes 4K Video Downloader Plus useful for heavier downloaders. If you routinely save lectures, research material, public-domain videos, your own uploaded media, creator archives, or private videos you have access to, its batch and channel features can save time. Downie is simpler and more Mac-native; 4K Video Downloader Plus is more structured around repeatable media capture.

The pricing ladder is also flexible. The current page lists a permanent Starter plan for free with basic features and quantity limits, Lite at $15/year, Personal at $25/lifetime, and Pro currently shown at $45/lifetime during a sale, with Pro normally listed at $60. It also lists macOS 12 or newer compatibility.

The tradeoff is interface and focus. 4K Video Downloader Plus feels more like a cross-platform product than a native Mac utility. If you mostly download one-off videos and prefer a quiet Mac app, Downie or Pulltube will feel better. If you are comfortable in Terminal, yt-dlp gives you even more control for free.

Choose 4K Video Downloader Plus when playlists, channels, subtitles, cross-platform support, and a free-to-start plan matter more than a native Mac feel.

Pulltube

Pulltube is the most natural Downie alternative for Mac users who want a GUI but care about editing the download before saving it. The current official page lists support for video, audio, playlists, and subtitles from over 1,000 websites, with macOS 11 or higher support, one license covering two Macs, Tahoe compatibility, and a latest app version in the 1.8.6 line.

The standout feature is trimming. Pulltube lets you save a selected part of a video or audio file, so you do not have to download a full lecture, stream, or interview just to keep one segment. It also includes a built-in media converter, MP3 and M4A audio extraction, MP4 conversion, 8K, 4K, HD and 60fps support, subtitles, thumbnails, HEVC, VP9/8 and AV1 codec support, playlist recognition, proxy support, browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, download history, and keyboard or gesture controls.

Pulltube is a good fit for creators and researchers because it combines downloading, clipping, subtitles, and conversion in one Mac app. Downie can postprocess and pairs well with Permute, but Pulltube's trim-first workflow is more direct when you know you only need a clip.

Pricing is a little less transparent on the static official page than Downie's direct listing, but Pulltube offers a 7-day trial and direct purchase. Setapp's Pulltube page lists the app on Setapp, with Setapp membership from $8.99/month and Pulltube app-only access starting at $19.99, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee for the app-only option.

The tradeoff is that Pulltube is not as universally known as Downie and does not have 4K Video Downloader Plus's cross-platform story. It is best when you specifically value trimming, conversion, subtitles, and a native Mac workflow.

Choose Pulltube when you want a Mac GUI with better clip selection and conversion tools than the average video downloader.

yt-dlp

yt-dlp is not a traditional Mac app, but it absolutely belongs in this comparison. It is the free, open-source, command-line option that many technical users reach for when GUI downloaders fail, when a workflow must be automated, or when precise control matters more than convenience.

The project describes itself as a feature-rich command-line audio and video downloader with support for thousands of sites. It is a fork of youtube-dl and provides release files for macOS, including a universal macOS executable for macOS 10.15 or later. Its documentation covers installation, update channels, configuration files, output templates, format selection, metadata changes, subtitles, thumbnails, postprocessing, plugins, embedding, and many advanced options.

The biggest benefit is flexibility. You can choose exact formats, cap resolutions, extract audio, keep archives, write repeatable commands, run nightly builds when sites change, integrate FFmpeg, automate with shell scripts, and process many URLs without clicking through an app. It is also free.

The cost is usability. yt-dlp is powerful because it exposes details. That also means setup, updates, dependencies, and failures are less friendly. The project recommends optional tools such as FFmpeg and related dependencies for merging, postprocessing, and full site support. For non-technical users, Downie, Pulltube, or 4K Video Downloader Plus will be easier.

Choose yt-dlp when you are comfortable with Terminal, want the most control, or need downloads to become part of a repeatable workflow.

Which Downie Alternative Should You Use?

Use 4K Video Downloader Plus if your main issue with Downie is batch downloading. It is the best alternative here for playlists, channels, subtitle-heavy workflows, private media you can access, recurring creator downloads, and cross-platform use.

Use Pulltube if your main issue with Downie is editing before saving. It is the strongest Mac GUI here for trimming clips, converting media, extracting audio, saving subtitles, and working quickly through browser extensions.

Use yt-dlp if your main issue with Downie is control. It is the best choice for technical users, scripts, advanced formats, repeatable archives, and free open-source workflows.

Stick with Downie if you want the cleanest everyday Mac experience. It is simple, polished, frequently updated, reasonably priced, and broad enough for most people who just need a reliable way to save online video or audio they have the right to download.

One practical note: use any downloader responsibly. These apps are useful for your own uploads, public-domain material, licensed media, research clips, offline access where allowed, and content you have permission to save. Always respect copyright, platform terms, and creator rights.

Final Verdict

Downie is still the best overall video downloader for most Mac users. It has the clearest balance of native Mac design, broad site support, browser extensions, 4K downloads, audio extraction, postprocessing, and one-time pricing.

4K Video Downloader Plus is the best Downie alternative for batch workflows. It is better when playlists, channels, subtitles, Smart Mode, cross-platform support, and a free starter plan matter.

Pulltube is the best Downie alternative for trimming and conversion. It feels Mac-native, supports high-quality downloads, and is especially useful when you want a clip or audio file rather than the entire original video.

yt-dlp is the best free power-user alternative. It is not friendly in the same way as a Mac app, but it is unmatched for advanced control, automation, and open-source flexibility.

My practical recommendation: start with Downie if you want the least friction, choose Pulltube if trimming matters, use 4K Video Downloader Plus for playlist-heavy jobs, and keep yt-dlp around if you are technical enough to benefit from Terminal-level control.

Note: Features and prices are current as of July 2026. Site support, download behavior, platform rules, Setapp availability, app-only subscriptions, lifetime-license prices, sale pricing, macOS requirements, and downloader reliability can change quickly because video sites change often. Verify current details on each developer's official product, pricing, Setapp, or repository page before installing or buying a video downloader.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for Setapp as a Downie and Pulltube distribution option. Apps.Deals may earn a commission if you subscribe through them, at no additional cost to you.