Where yt-dlp itself runs from a command line, Open Video Downloader puts a graphical window on top of it. Jelle Glebbeek built it with Tauri and Vue 3, and the Windows build is version 3.2.1, a 4.3 MB download.
Who wants a window instead of a terminal
The app suits people who already trust yt-dlp or youtube-dl but do not want to type commands. It is tagged for YouTube downloading, and the project also lists Rust among its tools.
If you prefer scripting, plain yt-dlp, the first alternative, stays the more direct choice.
What the app does in practice
It is a cross-platform GUI for yt-dlp, so it handles downloads by driving that engine.
The listed alternatives include Stacher, Nickvision Parabolic and 4K Video Downloader.
Cost, licence and gaps
It is free and uses the AGPL-3.0-only licence, with source code on GitHub. Check the project page before relying on a specific feature or platform.
What's new in 3.2.1
Version 3.2.1 was released and updated on July 5, 2026.
Open Video Downloader pros and cons
Pros
- Free, with price listed as 0
- Open source under AGPL-3.0-only
- Small 4.3 MB package
- Graphical front end for yt-dlp and youtube-dl
- Built with Tauri and Vue 3
Cons
- Few details on interface and features
- Version 3.2.1 has no published release notes
- Feature list is limited to one line
Is Open Video Downloader safe?
Open Video Downloader comes from Jelle Glebbeek, and its source code is open to read on the project's GitHub page under the AGPL-3.0-only license. The Windows build, version 3.2.1, is about 4.3 MB and puts a Tauri and Vue 3 interface on top of yt-dlp, so what it does can be checked against the public code.
How to install Open Video Downloader
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Open Video Downloader from the Start menu.
