Pulltube vs Downie: Which Mac Video Downloader Should You Buy

Pulltube and Downie are two names you’d eventually come across while searching for a video downloader app for Mac. Even when you know for sure you need a downloader utility, choosing one of the two can be daunting.

It’s not like everyone can (or wants to) own both. We’ve got you covered, though.

Here, you’ll find a hands-on comparison between Pulltube and Downie, which shall help you pick the right Mac video downloader in 2026.

For this comparison, we ran both apps on a MacBook Air M2 over a couple of weeks, pulling the same set of links across YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, and a handful of lesser-known sites. We paid attention to download speed, the quality and format options on offer, and how often each app simply worked without a fuss. We tested Pulltube 1.8.6.34 and Downie 4.12.11 (build 5218) in this comparison, last checked in July 2026.

At a glance

Feature	Pulltube	Downie
Platform	macOS	macOS
Supported Websites	Major platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, TikTok, and more	1,200+ supported websites
Maximum Video Quality	Up to 8K (where available)	Up to 8K (where available)
Audio Extraction	Built-in MP3 and M4A extraction	Built-in audio extraction with format conversion
Browser Integration	Safari, Chrome, and Firefox browser extensions	Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other browser extensions
Post-processing	Basic conversion and trimming	Audio extraction, format conversion, proxy support, and automation
Advanced Features	Video trimming, queue management	User-Guided Extraction, proxy support, automation, advanced extraction options
Learning Curve	Very easy	Moderate
Free Trial	Yes	Yes
License	One-time purchase	One-time purchase
Available on Setapp	Yes	Yes
Overall Strength	Simplicity, polished workflow, and ease of use	Broad website compatibility, advanced controls, and flexibility

Buy Pulltube if…

Pulltube is a minimal app that lets you download videos from YouTube and 1000+ other websites. Compared to other video download utilities we have come across, Pulltube focuses on simplicity and ensures a straightforward media download experience.

Based on our testing experience, you should buy Pulltube if you relate to the points given below:

You want a smooth, minimal way to download YouTube videos

Something we love about Pulltube is its ease of use, evident from setup to regular downloads. From the moment you install Pulltube on your Mac, you get probably the quickest way to download videos from sites like YouTube. Now, this didn’t come at the cost of other features, either.

Pulltube takes only a few seconds to fetch the video data after you paste the URL. In our testing, a 20-minute 4K clip had its details ready in about 3 seconds, which was quicker than other downloaders. You can then pick the required quality (up to 8K) and format (video or audio-only). It also lets us configure subtitle settings and additional format settings in a few clicks. Then, you can start downloading the video with a single click.

The interface doesn’t confuse you either. Even while a download is in progress, you can use large buttons to perform actions such as adding a new link, opening the file in a browser, or skipping the file.

You want smart extensions for seamless browser integration

Web browser extensions are another aspect that makes Pulltube a great option for seamless downloads. If you must download multiple videos for research, a one-click download workflow is better than the slow, laborious copying and pasting. Pulltube extensions are available for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.

Setting them up is simple enough. The Safari extension comes bundled with the app, so you only need to enable it under Preferences > Extensions, while the Chrome and Firefox versions are added from that same tab. Since these extensions are not standalone tools, they require Pulltube to be installed and running to work.

Using them is where the convenience shows. When you come across a video you want, you can click the extension button in the toolbar or press Control+Shift+P to send the current page straight to Pulltube. From there, the app fetches the data, and you simply pick the resolution or audio format you need.

In testing, sending a page from Safari took a single click, and Pulltube formatted the list before we switched back to the browser.

You want audio extraction, subtitles, and format conversion in one app

Audio extraction is another area where Pulltube keeps things simple. You can pick the audio-only format before the download begins, and Pulltube saves it as an MP3 or M4A without a separate conversion step. If the source video has them, Pulltube fetches subtitles also, so you don’t have to look for a caption file elsewhere.

The built-in trimming and format conversion are basic, and Pulltube isn’t meant to be a full editor. Still, for tasks like clipping the intro of a lecture or turning a talk into an audio file, it handles everything in the app. We were excited to find the Settings pane, which offers more customization options than we first thought.

The Codecs section of the app lets you decide what happens when you download videos from websites and get a WebM or FLV file. You can set up Pulltube to automatically convert everything to MP4. So, as far as keeping everything accessible goes, Pulltube offers ample options.

Buy Downie if…

Downie takes a slightly different approach to the same task. While Pulltube focuses on a minimal experience, Downie offers a wider range of supported sites, more control over downloads, and greater overall flexibility. In return, it asks for a little more patience, as the learning curve is moderate rather than instant.

Based on our testing experience, you should buy Downie if you relate to the points given below:

You pull video from more than YouTube, and Downie covers 1,200+ sites

Website compatibility is where Downie clearly stands out. Pulltube covers the major platforms well, but Downie supports a much larger list of sites, which becomes useful the moment you move beyond YouTube. Whether it is a niche video host, a university portal, or a regional site, Downie is more likely to recognize the link.

During our testing, we encountered links that Pulltube could not process, while Downie handled them without issue. Out of a dozen or so awkward links we tried, Downie managed all but one. This happened with not-so-popular websites that don’t always use a recommended video player. If your downloads often go beyond the common platforms, this alone can be reason enough to pick Downie.

We also noticed that regular updates from the developer make Downie capable of this. If you know anything about video-sharing websites, you know they don’t like downloaders and always try to stop them. It means tools like Downie have to develop new technology to circumvent those restrictions.

You’d rather download the full video first and trim later in an app you already trust

Downie is built to download the complete video at full quality and then step out of the way. It does not try to act as a video editor, and we see that as a strength. You get the entire file, up to 8K where the source allows, and you can then trim, cut, or convert it in an app you already use. In practice, we pulled a full lecture at 8K and trimmed just the section we needed in QuickTime, with no extra tools and nothing new to learn.

For someone who edits in Final Cut or even QuickTime, this is far more comfortable than relying on the limited trimming tools a downloader, say Pulltube, may offer. The only trade-off is that, even for a short clip, you will still have to download the full video first. So, an option to set a download time frame would be nicer.

On a related note, Downie works great with Permute, which comes from the same developer. Permute allows you to convert and post-process your video into multiple formats, and it is a blessing for most people. Or, you’d be able to use the built-in post-processing features.

You want an automated media pipeline with room for integration

This is the area that power users will appreciate the most. Downie supports proxies, offers User-Guided Extraction for stubborn sites that hide their media behind logins or scripts, and works well with automation. You can connect it to an AppleScript or a larger workflow so that downloads run without constant supervision.

Pulltube does not go this far. If you regularly pull footage for research or maintain a media pipeline that runs on its own, Downie gives you the tools to build it. It does require some initial setup, and you may not need any of this for occasional downloads, but the overall flexibility here is much higher.

Among these features, user-guided extraction offers significant value because it lets you show Downie how to download a video. If you come across a website that Downie cannot recognize on its own and pull the video, you can let it do it without losing control. We pointed it at a site it did not recognize, walked it through the video once, and it captured the file on the second try. This is a great feature when you want to work within specific pipelines.

A Quick Word on Pricing

On price, the two are closer than you might expect. Both are one-time purchases of $19.99 bought directly, and both come with a free trial. Pulltube’s license covers up to two devices on the Setapp Marketplace, while Downie stays at $19.99 only from the developer, Charlie Monroe Software, and sets to $4.99/month on the Setapp too. Either app is also included in a Setapp membership at around $9.99 a month, alongside a few hundred other Mac apps.

Downie has one small edge for anyone who also wants a converter: it’s bundled with Permute and costs $26.99 instead of the $35 you would pay separately, and there are student discounts, too. But bought separately, both land at $19.99, so price alone is unlikely to decide this. It comes down to the extras, and those are minor enough that you are better off choosing based on features rather than cost.

Pulltube vs Downie: TheSweetBits’ Choice

So which one would we buy? After living with both apps for a couple of weeks, the answer became clearer than we expected.

We found ourselves using Pulltube more often—not because Downie lacked features, but because PullTube made everyday downloads feel effortless. Paste a link, choose a quality, and you’re done. For everyday downloads, that streamlined experience was hard to beat.

That doesn’t make Downie the lesser app. In fact, once we started downloading from niche websites or needed more control over the download process, Downie quickly reminded us why it’s so highly regarded among Mac power users. Its broader compatibility and advanced tools make it the better fit for more demanding workflows.

Our recommendation is simple: if you want the fastest, easiest downloader for everyday use, choose Pulltube. If downloading video is part of a larger workflow and flexibility matters more than simplicity, Downie is the better fit.

In the end, neither app is a wrong choice, as both are built for different downloading needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to download videos with these apps?
The apps themselves are legal, but downloading is only fine for content you own that is licensed for reuse, such as Creative Commons licenses, or for content the site lets you download. Saving copyrighted videos without permission violates the terms of platforms like YouTube, even for personal use.

Do Pulltube and Downie run on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. Both are native Mac apps, and in our testing, Downie ran noticeably smoother on an Apple Silicon Mac than it did on an Intel Mac.

Do I need a Setapp subscription to use them?
No. Both are available as one-time purchases directly from their developers. Setapp is simply an alternative if you would rather pay monthly and get a wider library of apps.

Can they download entire playlists?
Yes, both handle playlists. Pulltube offers to grab the rest of a playlist once it detects one, and Downie can pull batches of links as well.

Learning More…

• Our Full Downie Review
• Our Full Pulltube Review
• Guide to The Best YouTube Downloaders for Mac
• From Vision to Reality: Charlie Monroe Discusses Downie’s Journey

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