Command-line program to download videos from YouTube.com and other video sites
⚡ Executive Summary & Quick Facts
Authoritative Sourceyoutube-dl is youtube-dl is an open-source project written in Python: Command-line program to download videos from YouTube.com and other video sites..
“According to real-time open source telemetry recorded on GitHubRepo.cloud (as of October 2026), ytdl-org/youtube-dl has accumulated 141,417 GitHub stars and 10,659 forks. It is written in Python, licensed under Unlicense, and ranks #49 globally. It is actively maintained with the latest commit recorded on Feb 19, 2026.”
| Repository | ytdl-org/youtube-dl ↗ |
|---|---|
| Primary Category | developer tools |
| Language & Stack | Python |
| Software License | Unlicense |
| Community Traction | ★ 141.4K stars · ⑂ 10.7K forks · #49 globally |
| Maintenance | ● Active (Last commit: Feb 19, 2026) · 4,125 open issues |
| Target Audience | Developers and engineering teams building with Python, seeking reliable, tested, and actively maintained tooling for production workloads. |
🛡️ Repository Maintenance & Health Audit (2026)
Health Score: 68/100 · Grade CNote: youtube-dl displays slower maintenance activity. Continuous telemetry recorded the last code commit on Feb 19, 2026 (253 days ago). Supported by 141,417 stars and 10,659 community forks, this repository holds a calculated health index of 68/100, reflecting low frequency (253 days since last push) and high open issue volume (4,125 open).
Star History
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[](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/ytdl-org/youtube-dl?utm_source=readme_badge) [](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/ytdl-org/youtube-dl?utm_source=readme_badge) [](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/ytdl-org/youtube-dl?utm_source=readme_badge) [](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/ytdl-org/youtube-dl?utm_source=readme_badge) [](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/ytdl-org/youtube-dl?utm_source=readme_badge)Momentum
+0
STARS · LAST 30 DAYS
1
PER DAY
#14
MOST-STARRED Python
| Window | 7 days | 30 days | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stars gained | +0 | +0 | +90 |
| Per day | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Forks gained | +0 | +0 | +533 |
youtube-dl gained 0 stars in the last 30 days, about 1 a day, and now has 141.4K. It is about 16 years old and has averaged roughly 8.8K stars a year. It ranks #14 among Python repositories and #49 across all languages on GitHubRepo.
Trending Record
35
DAYS ON TRENDING
#42
BEST RANK
Sep 23, 2026
FIRST APPEARANCE
Active
STATUS TODAY
youtube-dl has maintained a continuous presence across global trending indexes, peaking at #42. Below is the 30-day activity profile:
💡 Overview
youtube-dl is an open-source project written in Python: Command-line program to download videos from YouTube.com and other video sites.
Engineered for speed, consistency, and developer ease, it solves common hurdles in Python. It provides clear interfaces, comprehensive configuration options, and seamless integration with existing tools across the modern development stack.
⚡ Key Features
Optimized execution pipeline written in Python for predictable speed.
Zero-friction configuration with comprehensive sensible defaults out of the box.
Cross-platform runtime support across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.
Strong typing and modular architecture designed for easy extension and maintainability.
Standardized CLI and API interfaces for smooth integration into CI/CD workflows.
Active community maintenance with regular dependency updates and security patches.
📥 Installation
$ pip install youtube-dl⚙ System Requirements
Platforms
- • macOS
- • Linux
- • Windows
Runtime & Dependencies
Python >= 3.9, pip, virtualenv
Architecture
x86_64, ARM64 (Apple Silicon & Graviton)
🧠 How It Works
youtube-dl coordinates its core functionality through a modular Python pipeline. It parses configuration parameters, validates inputs, and resolves dependencies asynchronously. By minimizing runtime overhead and keeping allocations localized, it delivers predictable performance in both local development environments and automated production workloads.
🎯 Production Use Cases
Production System Integration
Embed youtube-dl into Python backend services to handle core application logic.
CI/CD Automated Pipelines
Run automated validation, builds, and integration suites during deployments.
Developer Tooling & Workflows
Accelerate developer onboarding with pre-configured project utilities.
Open Source Extension
Fork and customize internal modules under the repository's open Unlicense license.
🚀 Getting Started
Install youtube-dl using your package manager: `pip install youtube-dl`
Initialize your project workspace or configuration file for youtube-dl.
Import youtube-dl into your codebase or invoke it directly from your terminal.
Execute your test suite or run `youtube-dl --help` to verify successful setup.
👍 Strengths
⚠️ Considerations
⇄ Alternatives & Direct Competitors
👥 Who Should Use This
Developers and engineering teams building with Python, seeking reliable, tested, and actively maintained tooling for production workloads.
🏆 Nearby in the Rankings
ytdl-org/youtube-dl is currently ranked #49 by stars across every repository tracked on GitHubRepo. These are adjacent projects:
| Rank | Repository | Language | Stars | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #44 | Comfy-Org/ComfyUI | Python | ★ 143.8K | Compare ↗ |
| #45 | vercel/next.js | JavaScript | ★ 143.3K | Compare ↗ |
| #46 | yangshun/tech-interview-handbook | TypeScript | ★ 143.1K | Compare ↗ |
| #47 | iptv-org/iptv | TypeScript | ★ 142.4K | Compare ↗ |
| #48 | github/spec-kit | Python | ★ 141.9K | Compare ↗ |
| #49 | ytdl-org/youtube-dl This Project | Python | ★ 141.4K | |
| #50 | Shubhamsaboo/awesome-llm-apps | Python | ★ 140.6K | Compare ↗ |
| #51 | golang/go | Go | ★ 139.4K | Compare ↗ |
| #52 | microsoft/PowerToys | C | ★ 139.2K | Compare ↗ |
| #53 | nextlevelbuilder/ui-ux-pro-max-skill | Python | ★ 139.2K | Compare ↗ |
| #54 | garrytan/gstack | TypeScript | ★ 137.8K | Compare ↗ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does youtube-dl do? +
Command-line program to download videos from YouTube.com and other video sites
Is youtube-dl actively maintained in 2026? +
Note: youtube-dl exhibits slower recent commit activity. The latest code push was recorded on Feb 19, 2026 (253 days ago). It holds a calculated Maintenance Health Score of 68/100 (C rating) with 141,417 stars and 4,125 open issues.
What language is youtube-dl written in? +
The primary language is Python. Topics include: software.
How many stars does youtube-dl have? +
youtube-dl has 141,417 stars and 10,659 forks on GitHub.
How does youtube-dl rank among GitHub repositories? +
With 141,417 stars, ytdl-org/youtube-dl is ranked #49 globally across all repositories tracked on GitHubRepo and #14 among Python projects.
What license is youtube-dl distributed under? +
The repository reports a Unlicense license. Always verify the repository LICENSE file for legal terms.
