Downie Video Downloader Review: Best for Mac Users?
Erika09/09/2025Summary: Downie allows you to download videos from sites like YouTube, but at present, Downie only offers Mac version. Does it worth consideration for Mac users? How about Win users? This review will let you know.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Downie is a video downloader specifically designed for Mac users. It supports YouTube and over 1,000 websites, and its user experience is straightforward: simply copy and paste the link or enter keywords in the built-in search to download the video.
This tool has a strong reputation among Apple users, especially its ability to sync your video history with iCloud, allowing you to use it across multiple devices. However, it has a significant drawback: there's no Windows version, making it largely unavailable to PC users.
If you are contemplating the purchase of the Downie downloader and wish to ascertain whether its features outshine other downloaders in the market, or whether its pricing is sufficiently affordable, this article provides a detailed evaluation of Downie that will elucidate these aspects for you.
Downie Function Review
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Hello, I am Erika, an enthusiast of software, as well as a professional technical writer. The content of this review about Downie is based on my actual user experience. Additionally, I have also compared the differences between Downie and various other downloaders. This article does not employ AI-generated content, and I hope that my writing can provide valuable information to you.
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For more solutions, you can check our selection of the best streaming video downloaders.
1. Support Platforms: 4.0/5.0
Downie scores an impressive 4.0 out of 5.0 in the aspect of supported platforms. I've tried using Downie to download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, and Bilibili, and it's generally been successful. It supports quite a few websites. Officially, it claims compatibility with over 1,000 websites, though I can't verify this individually. However, it works perfectly for the most common video platforms.
However, it’s important to note that popular video-on-demand platforms like Netflix and Prime Video are not supported by Downie Downloader. This limitation may be a downside for some users who rely heavily on these platforms for their video content. This is why I rate it 4.0 instead of 4.5 or above.
2. Search Functionality: 3.5/5.0
Downie offers two methods for downloading videos.
#Method 1: simply copy the video link and paste it into the Downie interface. This approach is exceedingly straightforward, and the workflow unfolds seamlessly.
#Method 2: utilizing the built-in search feature, input the video title or keywords to pinpoint and download your desired video.
3. Video Quality: 4.5/5.0
When it comes to downloading videos, one of the most important factors to consider is the quality. With Downie Downloader, users can videos in up to 4K resolution, ensuring crystal-clear images and vibrant colors.
However, the specific download quality also depends on the quality of the source video. If the source video only offers up to 1080P, then Downie can only allow you to download videos up to 1080P. The download speed is mediocre, as evidenced by my test results of around 1Mb/s, taking approximately five minutes to download a 4K video.
4. Support: 4.5/5.0
One of the key aspects that sets Downie Downloader apart from its competitors is its exceptional customer support. The Downie team prides itself on offering 24-hour support, ensuring that users receive a timely response to their queries. Whether you need help troubleshooting a problem or simply have a question about a specific feature, you can rest assured that the Downie support team is there to help.
In addition to their excellent customer service, Downie is also known for regularly releasing new versions of the software. With updates coming out every week or two weeks, users can look forward to a steady stream of improvements and new features to enhance their downloading experience.
5. Price: 4.0/5.0
For a one-time fee of $19.99, users can enjoy lifetime access to the software. However, it is important to note that there is no free version available, which could be a downside for some potential users.
Additionally, users should be aware that they will need to purchase the new version of Downie when it is released annually. For example, if you purchased Downie 3, you would need to purchase again to upgrade to Downie 4.
How to Use Downie Downloader
The operation steps of Downie downloader is simple and easy for beginners:
It is worth noting that we can also sync Downie browsing history between devices through iCloud. This is particularly convenient for Apple users.
Shortcomings of Downie: No Windows Version
As the previous review content mentioned, while Downie Downloader is praised for its user-friendly interface and efficient video downloading capabilities on MacOS, one major drawback is the lack of a Windows version.
Without a Windows version available, users who rely on Windows operating systems are left without the option to utilize Downie Downloader. This oversight can be disappointing for those who are seeking a reliable streaming video downloader but are unable to access Downie on their preferred platform.
More importantly, Downie itself doesn't support streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. In other words, it's essentially a "general video downloader" rather than a comprehensive tool. If you're a Mac user and your daily needs are downloading YouTube, Vimeo, or Bilibili, then it's sufficient. However, if you're looking to expand your platform or primarily use Windows, Downie is completely useless.
Better Alternative: StreamFab Video Downloader
Because Downie doesn't have a Windows version, I later looked for several cross-platform tools, and ultimately, the one I found most comfortable using was StreamFab Video Downloader.
The biggest difference between it and Downie is that it supports both Windows and Mac. I use my iMac at home and continue on my Windows laptop after get off work, and it's no problem at all.
Wider support than Downie: download streaming content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. I even downloaded an entire season of a HBO series in one go, with resolutions up to 4K, and it even preserved multiple audio tracks and subtitles.
- Batch Download: Queue entire seasons with just a few clicks.
- Auto-Catch: Subscribe to a series and new episodes will automatically download as they become available.
- Ad-Free: I've downloaded YouTube videos and had them automatically stripped of ads when I saved them.
- Multi-Language Subtitles: You can choose to embed or export separate SRT files, making them perfect for study materials.
The experience is essentially the same as Downie: paste a link or open a video in the built-in browser, StreamFab will automatically recognize it, and you can download it with a single click. The difference is that it covers almost all my needs, whether I'm using Mac or Windows.
So, if you only occasionally download videos on your Mac, Downie is sufficient; but if, like me, you need higher quality, faster speeds, and support for streaming platforms, I'd highly recommend StreamFab.
In comparison to Downie, StreamFab supports a greater number of sites, of higher quality, and also offers exclusive automatic download functionality. Additionally, it provides support for both Windows and Mac systems. With a one-time purchase, lifetime free updates are included.
If you are hesitating about whether to choose Downie, you may consider giving StreamFab a try, comparing the two before making a final decision.
Conclusion
For Mac users, Downie is a great downloader that supports a wide range of websites, including popular ones like YouTube, Vimeo, and Bilibili. It can even achieve a maximum quality of 4K, catering to the needs of most users.
However, if you desire additional streaming service download support, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, or if you happen to be a Windows user, then Downie may not meet your requirements. In that case, you may want to consider trying out StreamFab. For more context on alternatives, check acethinker review.
