What is ClipGrab?
ClipGrab is a lightweight, open-source video downloader that can be used to save videos from sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and Dailymotion. It's popular for its built-in search functionality and ease of use.
Besides downloading, it can also convert downloaded videos to MPEG4, MP3, or other formats in a few steps, which makes the compatibility on devices upgraded. And the download, convert, or any other its functions are totally free to use. If you like this application, you can choose "Donate now" to support them.
Is ClipGrab Safe & Legal to Use?
Casually, an open-source app is 90% safe to use. But ClipGrab is obviously an exception. If you had searched for the answer to "Is ClipGrab safe", you must have seen the negative reviews yet. As for me, the first installation failed, but it installed an antivirus application called "RAV Endpoint Protection" silently. That's weird to see a program installing the malware protection in a malware-like way.
- Only download from the official clipgrab.org website.
- Remove any optional extra components during installation.
- Use the latest version to reduce false antivirus alerts.
- Do not enter personal account information or sensitive information into the software.
- Adhere to the platform's copyright and terms of use. For personal use only.
If you’re just downloading for your own enjoyment, it’s usually fine. But if you ever plan to share, edit, or use the video another way, I’d suggest getting the creator’s OK first, or see if it’s under an open license like Creative Commons.
Laws and platform policies can vary a lot depending on where you live. Personally, if I’m ever unsure, I’ll check out the local rules just to be safe. In my view, as long as we respect the creators and use tools like ClipGrab for personal fun, we’re doing things right. And, supporting the original content creators when you can is always a good idea.
How to Use ClipGrab?
ClipGrab is a video downloader that you can use on all devices, including macOS, Windows, and even Linux devices. Below are some steps you can follow as a tutorial.
- Beware of the versions!!! The version you get from directly clicking the download button is bound with unknown apps (not malware or a virus).
- If you don't want to spend too much time on a completely strange application that appeared out of nowhere, like me, please download the portable version. It's located right below the buttons, as a hyperlink writing "Download version without third-party offers."
Search for ClipGrab on your browser and open its official website. You will see all the download links for Mac, Linux, and Windows. Click on the link according to your device.
The first launch of it will ask you to download yt-dlp as its core. That's not a virus but a classic CLI video downloader. So follow its instructions and finish the configurations.
After that, you can copy & paste the video link into it to get the downloads started. It also has a built-in search function, which allows you to directly search for the title of the video you want. But it now only supports YouTube.
Once you fill in the video link into it, it will start analyzing, and after that, you can adjust the format, quality(only resolution, no audio options), and start downloading by clicking on "Grab this clip!"
Editor's ClipGrab Review
It is essential that we mention some of this site's impressive features and some things that might not be the best. Below, we have compiled some of ClipGrab's likes and dislikes.
Pros
One of ClipGrab's most impressive features is the in-app search option. This means that users don’t have to go to YouTube separately to search for the video and then download it. They can directly search for videos from YouTube through ClipGrab, saving them a lot of time. This is an amazing feature that people love because not many video-downloading websites have this.
Another great feature of ClipGrab is that it supports a wide range of websites. You can easily download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and even Dailymotion while using ClipGrab. You can even do unsupported sites; you only need to add the URL, and it will allow you to download it.
Cons
Slow Downloads
One of the biggest concerns about using this ClipGrab video downloader is that it downloads videos slowly. The HD-quality videos you want to download will download very slowly on your device, which can be frustrating.
Limitations on Video Quality
Another downside of using this website is that you won't get the best video quality. If you are very picky about video quality and like watching your videos in 4K or 8K videos, then you might not like it. Here, you can download videos in only 1080p full HD.
Fewer updates are Causing Unstable Services
I noted ClipGrab not working from the results I searched ClipGrab on Reddit and Trustpilot, etc. Recently, the core YouTube download function of ClipGrab has been very unstable for a while. And the last update of it seems launched months ago. According to users, it won't download from YouTube as of July 2025. However, it will download from other video websites just fine.
ClipGrab Alternatives: What Else Suits You For Video Downloads?
If you are not satisfied with the unstable download function or are looking for higher resolution options, there are a lot of similar alternatives you can use:
- Cobalt.tools
A highly praised free video and audio downloader favored by tech enthusiasts and developers. It stands out for its clean, ad-free web interface, supporting downloads from hundreds of popular sites. Unlike many traditional downloaders, Cobalt.tools is open source, easy to use right away, and frequently updated.
- Stacher.io
A modern, cross-platform content downloader focused on simplicity and powerful extensibility. It allows users to download videos, audio, images, and more, and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its open-source nature, frequent updates to keep up with website changes, and plugin-based architecture have made Stacher.io popular among developers and digital creators.
- IDM
One of the most popular download managers for Windows, consistently earning top ratings across tech communities. Known for multi-threaded fast downloads, resume support, and smart browser integration, IDM excels at capturing a wide range of media from websites. Although it is paid software, its reliability and speed make it a favorite among power users and tech-savvy individuals.
As someone who loves collecting all kinds of videos, I’m always searching for the perfect tool to make downloads fast and hassle-free. If you are the same as me, you can take a look at StreamFab YouTube Downloader.
- Download from 1000+ websites
- Download non-encrypted M3U8 videos
- Save videos in resolutions up to 8K
- Download audio/music at up to 320 kbps
- Convert YouTube videos to MP3 audio files
- Supports batch and playlist download
As an enhanced YouTube video downloader, it supports YouTube, Facebook, and over 1000 sites. This downloader downloads videos at breakneck speed and high video quality up to 8K UHD with HDR. Besides, it supports VR 360° YouTube video downloads. You also get the option to choose the video format, such as MP4, MP3, or any other format.
Choose the streaming service
Log in to your account on that site and find the video or movie you want to download. A new pop-up window will open, and from here, you need to choose settings such as video quality and customization.
Customize the file
Now click the "Download Now" button to start downloading, or you can "Add to Queue" to delay the downloads at a time you want. After downloads, you can watch the videos anytime, anywhere, on any device you want.
Comparison Between ClipGrab & Alternatives
| Feature | ClipGrab | StreamFab | Common Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 1080p | 8K/4K + HDR | 4K/1080p |
| VR 360° Video | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| YouTube Movies / Paid Content | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Output Formats | MP4/MP3 | MP4/MKV/MP3 | MP4/MKV/WEBM/MOV/MP3 |
| Batch Downloading | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pricing | Free | Free + Premium | Mainly free, some offer paid upgrades |
FAQs
This causally caused by the target websites (such as YouTube and Facebook) frequently updating their video encryption and parsing rules, and ClipGrab is not updated and maintained in a timely manner, resulting in parsing failures or download interruptions. Furthermore, outdated versions may not be compatible with the latest operating systems or browsers.
Conclusion
After looking into the ClipGrab functions, tips, and its alternatives, I find that each tool has its own strengths and limitations. There isn’t a "perfect" downloader that fits everyone’s needs—what works best really depends on what I (or you) want: maybe highest video quality, maybe simplicity, maybe some other specific function, or maybe just a free tool. Personally, I think it’s helpful to try out a few options and see which one feels most comfortable or gets the job done in your everyday use.
