Category
Free, open-source desktop video and audio downloader for everyday archiving and batch download workflows.
About VidBee
VidBee is a free, open-source desktop video downloader
VidBee is a free, open-source desktop video and audio downloader for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It is built on yt-dlp and helps users queue, organize, and archive media from supported sources while keeping desktop app libraries local.
Quick facts
Platforms
Official desktop builds for macOS, Windows 10 and later, AppImage, and Debian / Ubuntu packages.
Built on
Electron desktop app powered by the yt-dlp extractor system, with bundled FFmpeg for media processing.
Experience
Supports queue management, history, RSS subscriptions, and automatic post-download organization.
Source coverage
VidBee mirrors the yt-dlp supported-sites list; the site snapshot lists 1,843 extractors as of 2025-12-09 UTC.
License
MIT-licensed source code in the public nexmoe/VidBee GitHub repository.
Data boundary
Desktop downloads, queues, RSS feeds, and media libraries stay on the user's device unless shared; the website still uses limited analytics.
What VidBee does
- Downloads video and audio from supported sites through the yt-dlp extractor system.
- Runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux with official installers.
- Handles playlists, channels, batches, and search-result downloads for supported sources.
- Supports RSS subscriptions and can auto-queue new feed items in the background.
- Exports subtitles and SRT files where the source provides subtitles.
- Offers quality options up to 4K and 8K when the source provides those formats.
- Includes a Docker-ready web/API setup for NAS, home server, or cloud VM use.
What VidBee does not do
- VidBee does not support downloading DRM-protected content.
- VidBee is not affiliated with or endorsed by content platforms.
- VidBee does not host, upload, or distribute third-party content.
- Some sites may fail when platforms change pages, rate limits, login checks, age gates, or region rules.
- Use VidBee only for content you have the right to access and save.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
What is VidBee?
VidBee is a free, open-source desktop video and audio downloader for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It is built on yt-dlp and helps users queue, organize, and archive media from supported sources while keeping desktop libraries local.
Is VidBee free and open source?
Yes. The desktop app is free, and its source code is published under the MIT License in the public nexmoe/VidBee GitHub repository.
Which platforms does VidBee support?
VidBee ships official desktop builds for macOS, Windows 10 and later, AppImage, and Debian or Ubuntu packages. A Docker-ready web/API setup is also available for self-hosting.
Can VidBee download DRM-protected content?
No. VidBee does not support downloading DRM-protected content, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by content platforms. Use it only for content you have the right to access and save.