ClipGrab Review and Security Analysis: Why I Gave Up on It
Erika09/11/2025Summary: ClipGrab used to be a free and simple video downloader, but since 2025, it's been plagued by issues: search failures, constant 403 errors, and even security errors in VirusTotal scans. Add to that the extremely slow updates, and I can't recommend it enough.
Introduction to ClipGrab
ClipGrab is a free converter and downloader for Vimeo, YouTube, Dailymotion, Metacafe, and many other online video streaming platforms. The tool converts downloaded videos to MP3, MPEG4, or other popular formats easily.
Even though ClipGrab supports only a limited number of sites, there are many more platforms that are supported "unofficially" by the tool through the automatic site-recognition feature. In addition to this, the tool can also download HD videos from platforms that have support for high-definition videos.
- OS: Windows/Mac/Linux
- Price: FREE! But you can donate!
ClipGrab Review: The Bright Side and Down Side
- The Clipgrab review content is based on the in-person test by our team. We devote ourselves to provide trustful, objective, and comprehensive content. If you want to recite our content, please contact us for authorization.
While the tool offers many advantages and useful features, such as an in-built search and the ability to download audio-only files, there are also some downsides to using it. Some users have reported difficulties that can result in outdated builds not equipped to handle the latest streaming protocols.
In this review below, I digested both the bright side and downside of ClipGrab, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses to give users a comprehensive understanding of the tool.
- Free to use, without any payment!
- In-built browser allows users to search online
- Multiple formats and video quality is supported
- Add ID3 tags for MP3 downloading
- 403 error code appears frequently, indicating that access to the requested resource is forbidden
- Someone on Reddit said that it would bundle additional software and when I installed it myself I almost clicked on the "Additional Options" but luckily I canceled it.
- Lack of auto updates function
How to Use ClipGrab?
Here is a step-by-step instructions and tips on how to use ClipGrab, making your video downloading as simple as a few clicks.
2025 Latest: ClipGrab Not Working!
Today when I use ClipGrab, I found that it is not working and fails to get video results according to the keyword, even though I have already downloaded the latest version:
I checked the internet connection and got the latest version, however, it still fail to analyze videos via the pasted YouTube URL:
Such a situation is so annoying that I have to spend time finding other alternatives and feasible solutions. I appreciate ClipGrab because it has helped me a lot with video downloading for a long time, however, now, it has stopped working.
Is ClipGrab Safe to Use? My Test Result
Many people are concerned about ClipGrab's safety, some users tagged ClipGrab as a malware on Reddit thread, which says ClipGrab forces users to install unapproved software which contains potential virus, and I verified it myself. I uploaded the ClipGrab installation package to VirusTotal for a scan, and indeed, an error message appeared. This made me question its security.
Of course, it's possible that ClipGrab hasn't been updated or maintained for a long time, causing some security engines to identify it as a potential risk. But whatever the reason, I personally don't recommend continuing to use it. After all, a downloader is meant to interact with various video websites, and if the tool's inherent security is questionable, it's hard to trust.
So from my point of view, even if ClipGrab was indeed convenient in the past, it is no longer worth relying on. Rather than taking risks, it is better to switch to an ClipGrab alternatives that is updated in a timely manner, more stable and secure.
Better Alternative: StreamFab Video Downloader
- Higher Video Quality: Not only does it support 1080p, but it can also download up to 4K/8K, even including HDR and VR 360° videos.
- Better Audio Quality: It can preserve EAC3 5.1 or AAC 2.0 audio tracks, making it much better than ClipGrab when watching concert videos.
- Unlimited Downloads: ClipGrab occasionally crashes with 403 errors, while StreamFab has stable download speeds and supports saving entire playlists with one click.
- Automation: You can subscribe to a YouTube channel and automatically download new videos as they become available, which is a huge relief for someone like me who keeps up with updates.
- Security and Updates: The software is user-tested by 80 million users, so there's virtually no need to worry about security issues. It's also updated almost weekly, making it much more compatible than ClipGrab.
Compare: StreamFab vs ClipGrab
The information below is verified and valid. We tested ClipGrab and StreamFab one by one to find out some key differences. According to our use experience and the key parameters, StreamFab is much preferred than ClipGrab.
| StreamFab | ClipGrab | |
|---|---|---|
| Supported website | 1000+ sites including Netflix, Amazon | YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more (not listed) |
| Output quality | up to 4k/8K | up to 1080p |
| Format | MP4/MKV/MP3 | MP4/WMV/OGG/MP3 |
| YouTube playlist download | YES | NO |
| Subtitles | YES | NO |
| Update frequency | update every week | Update not timely (almost 1 year since last update) |
Operation Steps
Choose the streaming service
Find the streaming service from the left column or simply copy the video URL and paste it on StreamFab.
Customize the file
When you play the video, a pop-up window will ask for your video options. You can choose the video quality (depending on the original video file, up to 8k).
Click the download button
After customization, you can download it right now or add it to the queue.
Conclusion
In my experience, ClipGrab was once a very convenient tool: free, simple, and able to convert videos directly to MP3 or MP4. However, since 2025, its problems have become increasingly numerous—keyword search has become almost ineffective, YouTube links frequently fail to resolve, and 403 errors have become a common occurrence.
What worries me even more is its security. When I scanned the installation package with VirusTotal, I found errors. While this may be related to the long period of lack of updates, it's still enough to make me hesitate. I don’t recommend you continue using ClipGrab
