Downie vs Vidnip: Which Mac Video Downloader Fits You?
The short version of each app
Downie (by Charlie Monroe Software) has been the reference Mac video downloader for years. It supports a huge number of sites, integrates with browsers via an extension, and pairs with a companion app for converting and post-processing downloads. It costs about US$20 standalone and is also part of the Setapp subscription.
Vidnip (by MY ARCS CO., LTD.) is a newer, deliberately smaller take on the same problem: a native Apple Silicon app that watches the page's network traffic, catches mp4 / HLS-m3u8 / DASH streams, downloads all segments and merges them into one playable MP4 with ffmpeg. One-time US$6.99 (CN¥49 / JP¥980), one license for 3 Macs.
Side by side
| Downie | Vidnip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ≈ US$20 one-time (or Setapp) | US$6.99 / CN¥49 / JP¥980 one-time |
| License | Per user | 1 key · up to 3 Macs |
| Trial | Time-limited trial | 3 free downloads, no time limit |
| Core workflow | Paste / extension → download | Paste / bookmarklet → sniff → download → merge |
| m3u8 / HLS → MP4 | Yes | Yes (parallel segments + ffmpeg merge) |
| Batch / playlists | Yes | Yes |
| Login-gated sites | Yes | Yes (built-in preview window to sign in) |
| Post-processing | Extensive (via companion app) | Basic (merge to MP4, named after page) |
| App size | Larger | 59 MB, everything bundled |
| Updates | Regular | Automatic in-place, ~tens of KB delta patches |
| Interface languages | Many | English · 简体中文 · 日本語 |
| DRM content (Netflix etc.) | Not supported | Not supported — detected and stated honestly |
| Payment | Cards etc. | Cards · Apple Pay · Alipay · WeChat Pay |
Where Downie is the better choice
- You post-process a lot. Downie's companion-app pipeline (format conversion, extraction presets) goes far beyond Vidnip's merge-to-MP4.
- You want maximum site coverage confidence. Downie has years of accumulated site-specific handling and a large user base reporting breakage fast.
- You already pay for Setapp. Then Downie is effectively included — hard to argue with.
Where Vidnip is the better choice
- You want the job done for a third of the price. US$6.99 once, 3 Macs, all future updates included.
- You download occasionally, not daily. Vidnip's trial is 3 free downloads with no clock — it's still there next month when you actually need it. Time-limited trials tend to expire before your next real use.
- You want something small and quiet. One 59 MB app, no account, no subscription, notarized, updates itself with kilobyte-sized delta patches.
- You pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay — supported at checkout, with the license key delivered and activated in one click right after payment.
What they have in common
Both are legitimate, notarized Mac apps that ship everything they need. Both handle the modern messy web: JavaScript players, iframes, chunked HLS streams, login-gated pages, batch queues. And both refuse DRM content — anyone claiming to download Netflix is selling something else entirely.
FAQ
Is Vidnip a Downie alternative?
Yes, in the core sense: both download web videos on macOS, handle m3u8/HLS and batch downloads. Downie is more mature with broader post-processing; Vidnip is lighter and cheaper, focused on detect-download-merge.
Which is cheaper?
Vidnip: one-time US$6.99 (CN¥49 / JP¥980) for up to 3 Macs. Downie: about US$20 standalone, or via Setapp. Roughly a 3× difference.
Can either download Netflix or DRM video?
No — and no legitimate tool can. Circumventing DRM is illegal in most jurisdictions. Vidnip detects DRM and tells you explicitly instead of failing at 99%.
Do they need Homebrew / Python / ffmpeg installed?
No. Both are self-contained. Vidnip bundles its detection engine and ffmpeg inside the app — download, drag to Applications, done.
Can I try both first?
Yes, and you should. Downie has a time-limited trial; Vidnip gives 3 free downloads that never expire. Testing both on the exact sites you use is the only comparison that really matters.
Try Vidnip on your own links
3 free downloads, every feature enabled, no time limit. If it handles your sites, you just saved US$13.
⬇ Download Vidnip — first 3 downloads free