Show HN: VODForge – a free local desktop UI for YouTube video/playlist downloads

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Show HN: VODForge – a free local desktop UI for YouTube video/playlist downloads

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Free, open-source YouTube downloader

Turn YouTube videos and playlists into cleanable MP4 video aliases production-ready MP3 audio—with quality, queue, metadata, and cover-art controls alternatively of a converter tract aliases bid line.

MIT licensed. No desktop account. Your downloads enactment connected your computer.

Developer ID signed and notarized connected macOS · Authenticode signed connected Windows

VODForge Forge surface downloading an MP4 pinch a scenic thumbnail, progress, logs, output details, and a four-item queue

Playlist queue

Sequential runs

Metadata

Source and output

Cover art

YouTube aliases custom

Local files

Your chosen folder

Inside VODForge

From pasted nexus to vanished file.

VODForge uses yt-dlp and FFmpeg underneath, past gives you a focused desktop workflow to take a format, watch each run, and support a clear grounds of what came from YouTube and what VODForge created.

01 · MP4 video

High-quality video, handled locally.

Choose up to 4K, power the output profile, and move individual videos aliases afloat playlists done a clear sequential queue.

VODForge Forge surface downloading an MP4 pinch a scenic thumbnail, progress, logs, encoding details, and a four-item queue

02 · MP4 library

See the root and last record broadside by side.

VODForge keeps the YouTube root and validated MP4 output together truthful you tin comparison codecs, resolution, bitrates, framework rate, audio, size, and saved location—not conjecture what a converter changed.

VODForge Library comparing a YouTube root pinch the validated last MP4 output and its afloat encoding details

03 · MP3 audio

Source-aware audio controls.

Choose up to 320 kbps, sphere the root rate, and support screen creation abstracted aliases embed YouTube aliases civilization artwork.

VODForge moving an MP3 audio download pinch the autochthonal MP3 Settings model staggered beyond the lower-right edge

04 · MP3 library

Know what came in—and what came out.

Compare root audio pinch the validated MP3, inspect cover-art and metadata choices, and unfastened the nonstop saved location.

VODForge Library showing MP3 files, a scenic screen image, and root and last output metadata

Downloads

Get VODForge 0.1.8

Choose the build that matches your computer. Files download straight from GitHub Releases.

Release notes

Apple Silicon Mac

M1, M2, M3, M4, and newer Apple chips. Most Macs from precocious 2020 onward.

Intel Mac

For Intel-based Macs, typically from 2019 and earlier.

Windows

Signed installer for Windows 10 and Windows 11, 64-bit.

macOS downloads are Developer ID signed and notarized. Windows downloads are Authenticode signed.SHA-256 checksums

Questions, answered plainly

Before you download.

What sites does VODForge support?

VODForge is deliberately focused connected YouTube videos and playlists today. It uses yt-dlp and FFmpeg underneath, but it does not expose yt-dlp's afloat multi-site catalog.

Does VODForge activity connected Linux?

Not currently. Public builds support macOS 12 aliases newer and 64-bit Windows 10 aliases Windows 11.

Is VODForge really free and unfastened source?

Yes. The desktop app is free and released nether the MIT License. Its root codification is disposable connected GitHub. VODForge Cloud is simply a abstracted planned paid service; joining its liking database is free.

Is VODForge safe to install?

Public macOS builds are Developer ID signed, notarized, and stapled. Windows installers are Authenticode signed by Kryden Ventures, LLC. SHA-256 checksums are published for each merchandise asset.

Does the desktop app require an account?

No. Downloading and managing files successful VODForge requires nary account. The app uses 1 random installation ID for first-launch and Cloud-interest measurement. When usage sharing is enabled, it besides sends coarse app-open, download-run, conversion, and playback events to VODForge and HeyCatch. These events exclude media URLs, titles, filenames, record paths, and record contents. You tin move early usage sharing disconnected successful Settings.

VODForge Cloud

Run downloads moreover erstwhile your machine is offline.

Cloud is simply a planned paid service. Join the free liking database for pricing and readiness updates. The desktop app stays free.

Get Cloud updates

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