Downie - Video Downloader

It's not really true that downloading video from the web is a pain, and you need a different tool for every source. YouTube alone has multiple options--Freetube, Raycast extensions, yt-dlp for CLI diehards--then there's Vimeo, Youku, Bilibili, and a thousand others. Old myths die hard.

The reality is one app handles essentially all of them.

Downie from Charlie Monroe supports 1,000+ sites, with more added biweekly. You can even request support for a site and Charlie will likely add it. That's where real utility lives: one interface, one workflow, no juggling specialized tools.

What It Does

Ultra-broad site support: YouTube, Vimeo, Youku, Bilibili--the list goes on. If a site breaks or you hit a problematic video on a supported platform, email the dev. He actually helps.

4K downloads: Not every downloader handles 4K, but Downie does.

On-the-fly conversion: Extract audio only, or convert to MP4 for iPad and iPhone compatibility. No separate tools required.

iCloud sync: Your download history follows you across devices.

Multi-language support: Add a translation, get a free license. Charlie's incentive structure works.

Legacy OS support: If you're on an older macOS, past versions remain downloadable.

Real-World Use Cases

• Archiving educational content before rights disappear
• Grabbing conference talks for offline viewing on flights
• Building personal media libraries from scattered sources
• Audio-only extraction for podcast-style listening

The workflow is simple: paste a URL or use the browser extension, choose your format if conversion is needed, and it handles the rest. Almost everything I do is triggered by hotkey, and Downie fits that pattern.

Pricing and Licensing

$19.99 one-time purchase from Charlie Monroe's website. One license covers all Macs you personally own--beyond three machines, email for accommodation. Also available on Setapp if you prefer subscription access.

The Controversy, Briefly

Years ago, Charlie left empty threats in his code threatening to delete files from pirates' machines. He apologized, no files were ever deleted, and the code was removed. It was a ham-fisted response to piracy, but it's long gone. The app now exists on its merits--which are substantial.

Bottom Line

Downie quietly removes a whole category of annoyances: the friction of maintaining multiple video downloaders for different platforms. If you regularly archive or watch content offline, it's the tool that just works.

(updated on 2026-05-11)