Downie: Your Go-To Tool for Hassle-Free Video Downloads
As content creators, we often need to download or edit videos for offline use. Since we started using Macs, we have been searching for a reliable video downloading tool that works with YouTube and other popular platforms. One day, while sifting through a Reddit thread about macOS apps, we discovered Downie.
Features at a glance
- Downie can download videos from tons of sites (including YouTube in 4K!), convert formats on the fly, and customize everything. Great for Mac users who need control.
- Integrates with browsers and lets you convert downloaded videos in one go. Saves time and keeps things organized.
- It can also convert to MP-4 (for iPad and iPhone use) or do only audio extraction on the fly.
- Supports iCloud synchronization to maintain your download history over different devices.
- The app has muli-language support and the developer offers free licenses to anyone who adds a new language to the support library.
From the developer
Downie is simple to use, yet offers advanced features, it’s frequently updated (on weekly to biweekly basis) and mainly offers easy ways to request support (me). I offer one-on-one support via email, in most cases within 24 hours, I look into the issue and do my best to help the user get the desired results. Read the full story on Charlie Monroe’s discussion of Downie’s journey from vision to reality.
TheSweetBits review
As content creators, we often have to bring other content or edit it for offline use. Since we started using Mac, we have always looked for a reliable video downloading tool that works on YouTube and popular platforms. We saw Downie on a random day while sifting through a Reddit thread on macOS apps.
Someone recommended Downie for its performance and post-processing options, and we thought we would try it. Today, Downie is an essential part of our workflow.
Here’s what we’re going to do in this review.
We will introduce Downie and explore what the latest version of Downie offers. We are testing Downie 4.7.20 at the time of writing.
Our first encounter with Downie
- What exactly is Downie?
Downie is a utility that lets you download videos from the internet, supporting thousands of websites. While you may think of it as a YouTube downloader, it offers much more. This app, developed by Charlie Monroe, is packed with features that a content developer like myself loves and uses regularly.
- Supported video platforms I use frequently
The most significant reason for testing Downie is its extensive support for most of the websites we encountered during my research, a list that spans thousands of sites. Whether we need to download a YouTube video or content from Vimeo, we can rely on this tool, which is incredibly convenient.
We had great expectations from Charlie Monroe, the developer. We have already used some apps from the developer, such as Permute and CMPlayer.
The features that impressed us
We shall now discuss some features that we loved in Downie.
- Comprehensive site support: a must-have for us
As we said, Downie’s compatibility with video hosting websites is impressive. We could easily download videos from local and international websites. You can contact the developers for a resolution if you find a website that does not allow Downie to download videos. We had to use this option only once or twice.
- 4K video support: perfect for quality seekers
Downie lets you download videos at the highest possible quality. In the case of YouTube, 4K video support is excellent. You simply have to paste the YouTube URL, and Downie does the rest. We often use the built-in Post-processing feature to save time.
However, the best part is what you can do after Downie downloads something.
- Automatic conversions: more than just downloads
With most YouTube downloading tools, We have faced issues with format compatibility. We download the video, but it is often in a format designed for maximum compression. If we want to play it on an iPad or our PC, we might need to convert it. Typically, we have to use a secondary tool for this conversion.
However, with Downie, things are much easier due to the built-in post-processing option. Whenever a video is being downloaded, we can select a post-processing option. This includes choosing from various available formats and resolutions or sending it to Permute, a media converter tool developed by Charlie Monroe.
- User-friendly interface: my ease of use
Downie has an intuitive user interface for the most part. For instance, whenever you have a video URL in the clipboard, you can simply press the plus button or add multiple URLs separated by spaces. Downie is smart enough to recognize which links are video URLs and will immediately start the downloading process.
The options for post-processing are arranged through an intuitive design.
- Customizable settings: tailoring to my needs
For the reasons we just told you, customization is an important option when we use a YouTube downloader tool.
Downie has one of the most advanced preference menus we have seen in YouTube downloading apps. You get to control almost every aspect of the app, including the appearance, history, browser extensions, and post-processing options.
You can also view a list of supported sites and explore custom integrations. Additionally, there are options to select which search engine you use via Downie and enable privacy-centric features, such as anonymous data statistics.
We also like the option for browser extensions, which are available for Firefox, Safari, and many Chrome-based apps, including Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
Step-by-step guide to using Downie
Are you wondering how Downie works in real life? Here is a quick overview of our workflow with Downie.
- Step-by-step: downloading my favorite videos
We often come across YouTube or Vimeo videos that we want to download while browsing. With Downie running in the background, the process is seamless. First, we have to copy the video URL to the clipboard.
You can open Downie and press Command + V to start the download. Downie will download the video file immediately, but you can customize the post-processing options anytime.
If you need to convert a file after downloading it, you can also easily use Permute for further conversion.
- User interface: our take
As we already mentioned the simple user interface, we don’t want to be redundant. However, there are some crucial points to keep in mind.
First, Downie is designed to download multiple files simultaneously, offering maximum performance. As a result, the whole process may seem a bit technical initially, and it can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar.
It would be great if the developer included a more straightforward option for pasting the URL. You have to locate the plus button in the bottom left corner of the screen to initiate the download.
Once you get used to the interface, everything will be easy. You can get rid of downloads in a single click or clear all the finished downloads. There are also options to explore history if you download multiple videos simultaneously.
Security issue
A few months back, Charlie Monroe ran into trouble when Downie reportedly accessed and deleted a file on a user’s Mac. However, the developer promptly addressed the problem, released an apology and assured users it was a bug, not malicious code. During our testing, we encountered no similar issues, suggesting the problem has been resolved.
Comparing downie with other downloaders
Downie is not the only YouTube downloader on the market. Even when focusing specifically on Mac apps, there are several alternatives. However, one area where Downie excels is performance.
Downie consistently impressed during our testing on an M1 Mac Mini with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, coupled with a restricted 10Mbps internet connection. The download speeds were consistent, and the post-processing steps were quick.
Overall, we would say that Downie outperforms most other video-downloading apps we’ve encountered.
TheSweetBits verdict
The latest version of Downie has not changed our opinion about its YouTube video downloading capabilities. There are now even more reasons to recommend this app to Mac users.
Previously, we noticed some performance issues while using an Intel processor. However, after testing the app on an Apple Silicon device, the entire experience has improved. The performance is reliable throughout every stage of the process. Plus, the developer keeps adding more websites to the supported list.
Considering all these features, Downie justifies its $20 price tag. While you can save money with additional discounts, you get a great deal with Downie even without them.
Pros
- Wide Site Support
- High-Definition 4K Video Downloads
- Advanced customization options
- Integration with Permute and browsers
- Consistent performance
Cons
- Limited to macOS Users
- The UI could be more straightforward
- Past security concerns (addressed by the developer)
Downie pricing
Downie doesn’t disappoint when it comes to pricing, either. You can download Downie from the official website and take advantage of the free trial option that is included. However, to access all the features, you must purchase a license. There are a few options available:
- You can buy a single license for Downie for $19.99.
- You can subscribe to Setapp, which gives you access to Downie and numerous other apps for a monthly fee of $12.99.
- You can get the Downie+ Permute bundle for $26.99, a saving compared to the individual price of $35.
Additionally, Charlie Monroe Software offers discounts for students, which you can avail of to reduce the cost further.
Downie is a one-time purchase of $19.99 from the developer’s website and a single license is good for all the computers you personally own, although if that is greater than three you need to contact the dev for an accommodation.