Is yt-dlp Safe? An In-Depth Review

Quick Answer: yt-dlp is generally safe when downloaded from its official GitHub repository. As an open-source fork of youtube-dl, its transparent code and active community support ensure reliability, but users must stick to trusted sources to avoid malware risks.

What Is yt-dlp

yt-dlp is a powerful, open-source command-line tool that evolved as a fork of youtube-dl in 2020, designed to download videos and audio from YouTube, Vimeo, X, and thousands of other platforms. It builds on youtube-dl’s foundation, adding enhanced features and faster updates to keep pace with website changes. With over 50,000 GitHub stars as of 2025, it’s a go-to choice for tech-savvy users seeking robust downloading capabilities.

Key Features

Broad Platform Coverage: Supports thousands of websites, including niche and region-specific platforms.

Flexible Output Options: Downloads videos in formats like MP4, WEBM, and audio in MP3, AAC, or OGG, with customizable resolutions.

Advanced Functionality: Offers playlist downloads, subtitle embedding, and proxy support for restricted content.

Frequent Updates: Maintained by an active community, ensuring compatibility with evolving websites.

Pros and Cons

Thinking of using yt-dlp? Like any tool, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s our honest take on its key advantages and limitations.

Is yt-dlp Safe

yt-dlp is considered safe when obtained from its official GitHub repository, supported by several key factors:

• Open-Source Code: Hosted at yt-dlp GitHub, its code is publicly auditable, minimizing the chance of hidden malicious elements.
• Community Trust: With over 50,000 GitHub stars and endorsements from tech communities on platforms like Reddit, it enjoys a strong reputation (Reddit).
• No Data Collection: Operates locally without sending user data to servers, enhancing privacy.
• Active Maintenance: Frequent updates by contributors address bugs and ensure compatibility, as noted in GitHub discussions.

Potential concerns include:

• Unofficial Sources: Some websites mimicking yt-dlp, such as unofficial mirrors, have been flagged for distributing malware, as discussed in Reddit threads. Always use github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp.
• Antivirus Flags: Rare false positives from antivirus tools like Yomi Hunter may occur due to yt-dlp’s downloading behavior, not malicious code (Reddit).
• Dependency Risks: Installing via pip or other package managers requires trusted sources to avoid tampered packages.

yt-dlp Alternatives

yt-dlp is safe and feature-rich but requires command-line expertise, which may not suit all users. For those preferring simpler interfaces, these safe alternatives are excellent options:

Conclusion

yt-dlp is a safe and highly capable tool for downloading videos and audio from countless platforms, provided it’s obtained from its official GitHub repository. Its open-source nature, active community, and privacy-focused design make it a trusted choice, though users must avoid unofficial sources to steer clear of malware. While its command-line interface may challenge beginners, alternatives like SurFast Video Downloader, GetVideos.Net, and 4K Video Downloader offer easier-to-use options with similar reliability. By following best practices, users can leverage yt-dlp or its alternatives for efficient and secure content downloading.