Watching a video on a video service is very normal these days. Unfortunately, you do need an internet connection, most video platforms do not have the option to save a video locally. Downie is a video downloader app for macOS that allows users to download videos from over a thousand different websites.
Videos can be downloaded from platforms like YTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, etc. The app is designed to make the process of downloading videos as simple as possible, even for non-technical users. Downie is part of the software service Setapp.
The main functions of Downie
Downie’s user interface is super simple, you can drag the URL of the website where the video is shown into the app’s window. The app will automatically detect the video and start downloading it. If you want to download videos even more easily, you can activate the Downie browser extension for Safari. Once activated, you can download a video with the press of a button in Safari.
Before downloading, the app will look for the best available quality of the video via the URL. If this is available, the video will be downloaded in the highest resolution (up to 4K). Once a video has been downloaded you have the option to automatically convert the video to MP4 or keep just the audio. The app works with the Permute app to convert files to different formats.
Thanks to the built-in search function of the Downie app, you can also search for and download a specific video directly from the app.
From which websites can you download videos?
The app currently supports over 1000 different video downloading websites. This number is still growing, with regular updates adding new sites.
Almost all major video platforms from the big names are supported by the app. If you come across a website that is not yet supported, you can contact the developers. Often, support for requested sites is added in a subsequent update.
No support for streaming services
Downie cannot download videos from paid streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. This restriction is due to the fact that Netflix and Amazon Prime use DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection to protect their content from unauthorized downloading. The app is intended to allow you to download publicly accessible videos on the Internet.
Buy Downie
A license for Downie costs €18.99, which is a very reasonable price for such an app. You can try the app for free for the first few days. More information can be found on the developer’s website Charlie Monroe.
Downie also available in Setapp
A cheaper alternative to using Downie is via Setapp, a software subscription service where you have access to more than 230 macOS apps for a fixed amount per month. You can also try this service for free.
