Downloading videos from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook is rarely a smooth experience. Most online download sites are overloaded with ads, force multiple redirects, or hide the download button behind deceptive pop-ups. On the other end of the spectrum, many desktop solutions are proprietary, paid, or unnecessarily complex.
VidBee aims to fix all of that. It’s a free, open-source video downloader built on top of yt-dlp, wrapped in a modern graphical interface powered by Electron. The result is a cross-platform application that supports over 1,000 websites, works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and lets you download videos, audio-only files, or entire playlists with ease.
Built on yt-dlp: Reliability at Its Core
VidBee doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, it relies on yt-dlp, a well-known and actively maintained fork of youtube-dl that has become the gold standard for command-line video downloading.
Because yt-dlp is constantly updated to keep up with platform changes, VidBee automatically benefits from:
- High compatibility with major and niche platforms
- Frequent fixes when websites change their video delivery methods
- Stable and battle-tested downloading logic
Electron is used purely to provide a user-friendly graphical interface, meaning you get all the power of yt-dlp without touching the terminal.
That said, Electron comes with a trade-off. Since it bundles a Chromium environment, VidBee is not lightweight. Expect a disk footprint of roughly 500 MB and higher memory usage compared to native apps.
Over 1,000 Supported Websites
Thanks to yt-dlp, VidBee supports an enormous range of platforms. While the full list is available on the yt-dlp GitHub repository, some of the most popular supported services include:
- YouTube & YouTube Music
- TikTok
- X (formerly Twitter)
- SoundCloud
- Vimeo & Dailymotion
- Twitch & Kick
- Pinterest & Tumblr
- Bandcamp, Mixcloud, Niconico, and many more
Whether it’s short-form clips, long videos, livestream replays, or full playlists—if yt-dlp supports the site, VidBee will work with it.
Download Video or Audio Only
VidBee isn’t limited to full video downloads. You can also extract audio only, which is ideal for:
- Music tracks
- Podcasts
- Lectures
- Interviews
Supported audio formats include MP3, M4A, Opus, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and OGG (Vorbis), with adjustable quality settings.
Playlist support is also built-in. Simply paste a playlist URL, and VidBee will handle the rest—no need to download each item one by one.
Up to 10 Simultaneous Downloads
If you’re archiving content or downloading multiple playlists, VidBee won’t slow you down. The software supports up to 10 parallel downloads, allowing you to queue multiple tasks and significantly reduce waiting time.
This is especially useful for creators, researchers, or users managing large video libraries.
Automatic Downloads via RSS Subscriptions
One of VidBee’s more advanced features is RSS-based automation. By combining VidBee with tools like RSSHub, you can subscribe to channels and automatically download new videos as soon as they’re published.
Once configured, VidBee can run quietly in the background, fetching new content without manual intervention. It’s a powerful option for users who want to archive channels or follow creators consistently.
Cross-Platform Availability
VidBee is fully cross-platform and works on:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
You can download it directly from the official website at vidbee.org, and since it’s open source, the full codebase is available on GitHub for transparency, auditing, or custom builds.
How to Use VidBee
Getting started with VidBee is straightforward:
1- Download and install VidBee from the official website.
2- Launch the application after installation.
3- Switch the interface language to English using the globe icon in the left sidebar.
4- Go to the Download section.
5- Choose Single Video or Playlist Download.
6- Copy the video or playlist URL from YouTube, TikTok, or another supported platform.
7- Paste the link into VidBee and click Fetch.
Next, choose what you want to download:
- Video: Select the format (MP4 or WebM) and resolution (360p up to 4K/2160p).
- Audio only: Select the audio format and quality, then extract it.
Once started, simply wait for the download to complete.
By default, files are saved to:
C:\Users\Your_Username\Downloads\VidBee
This location can be changed at any time in the settings.
Conclusion
VidBee is an excellent solution for anyone looking for a clean, ad-free, and open-source video downloader. By combining the raw power of yt-dlp with a modern graphical interface, it delivers a rare balance of simplicity and advanced functionality.
While its Electron foundation makes it heavier than command-line tools, the trade-off is worth it for users who want reliability, broad platform support, playlist handling, RSS automation, and audio extraction—all without dealing with shady websites or paid software.
If you regularly download online videos or audio, VidBee is absolutely worth trying.
And if you'd like to go a step further in supporting us, you can treat us to a virtual coffee ☕️. Thank you for your support ❤️!
We do not support or promote any form of piracy, copyright infringement, or illegal use of software, video content, or digital resources.
Any mention of third-party sites, tools, or platforms is purely for informational purposes. It is the responsibility of each reader to comply with the laws in their country, as well as the terms of use of the services mentioned.
We strongly encourage the use of legal, open-source, or official solutions in a responsible manner.
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