Learn how Vidownloader downloads videos from supported public websites and embedded players, plus details about cookies, privacy, and troubleshooting.
Vidownloader is a free online tool that lets you download videos from any supported public website, including pages with embedded iframe players. It also supports photos and audio from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X, Reddit, and many more sites.
Yes — Vidownloader is completely free, with no signup, no subscription, and no usage limits. The site is supported by non-intrusive ads, which lets us keep the service open to everyone at no cost.
No. Vidownloader runs entirely in your browser at vidownloader.net. You don't need to install software, browser extensions, or mobile apps. Works on any device with a modern browser — Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS.
Vidownloader accepts any public website URL and tries to detect its video or embedded iframe player automatically. It also has dedicated support for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, Reddit, Vimeo, Twitch, SoundCloud, Facebook, and many more. DRM-protected, private, paywalled, or blocked videos are not supported.
Yes. Vidownloader can inspect public pages, follow supported nested iframe players, and detect public HLS or MP4 video streams. Paste the page URL that contains the video.
Whatever the source provides. YouTube and Vimeo often expose 4K (2160p) or even 8K when available. TikTok and Instagram typically max out at 1080p. Vidownloader automatically picks the best available quality.
Yes. Vidownloader handles multi-item Instagram posts (carousels with mixed photos and videos) — every item displays in a grid, and you select which ones to download. Videos save as MP4, photos as their original JPG.
Instagram blocks anonymous access to almost all posts — even public ones — by redirecting non-logged-in requests to a login page. This is Instagram's policy, not a Vidownloader limitation. Supplying your browser cookies once authenticates the request so Vidownloader can fetch the post.
1) Install the "Get cookies.txt LOCALLY" extension in Chrome or Firefox. 2) Log into instagram.com in that browser. 3) Click the extension while on an Instagram page → Export. 4) On Vidownloader, click the Cookies button (top-right), drop the file or paste its contents, then Save. Cookies persist until you clear them or until Instagram's session expires.
Vidownloader encrypts Instagram cookies in MySQL and uses them only to authenticate requests to Instagram's CDN. They're never shared or sold, and the administrator can replace them at any time.
Typically 30 to 90 days, depending on Instagram's session policy. When they expire, downloads start returning "auth required" — re-export from a freshly-logged-in browser and re-paste into the Cookies modal.
TikTok's video streams sometimes ship without audio. Vidownloader detects this and automatically picks the version of the video that includes sound. If you're getting silent files, try again — and contact support if it persists.
Yes. Vidownloader handles short-form video from every major platform — YouTube Shorts, TikTok feed videos, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Reels all work the same way as regular videos.
No. Vidownloader keeps YouTube downloads anonymous and does not use YouTube cookies or logged-in Google sessions.
No. The version of TikTok videos that includes audio also includes TikTok's watermark — they're served together. Vidownloader chooses audio over no-watermark when forced to pick one.
No. Downloaded files are processed on our server only long enough for you to download them — they're auto-deleted 10 minutes after completion. We don't keep a copy.
The URL you paste is processed in memory to extract the media. It's not written to a database or shared with third parties. Vidownloader uses Google Analytics for aggregate usage measurement (anonymised IP) and AdSense for ads, both standard for free ad-supported services.
No. Vidownloader has no user accounts, no email signup, no password. Open the page, paste a link, download.
Whether downloading a specific piece of content is legal depends on your local copyright law and the source site's terms of service. Most jurisdictions allow downloading content you have rights to (your own uploads, Creative Commons material, personal-use copies) but not redistributing copyrighted material. You're responsible for using the tool within the law that applies to you.
Still have questions? See the How it works guide for a full walkthrough, or try a download with a URL from one of the supported public websites.