VODForgeDownload

Free desktop downloader · Mac + Windows

YouTube to MP4.
Saved on your computer.

Paste a YouTube video or playlist into VODForge, choose MP4, and save the files locally. No desktop account, converter-site uploads, or command line required.

Download freeSee the steps

Install on macOS 12+ or 64-bit Windows 10/11. This is a desktop app, not a browser converter.

From a playlist to a folder of MP4 files.

Watch the 28-second Mac walkthrough: open Settings, turn off Ignore playlists, paste the playlist link, then find the completed files in Library and Finder. Only download progress is sped up.

Music: “EDM Detection Mode” by Kevin MacLeod, CC BY 4.0. Excerpt and mix edited.

The workflow

How to download YouTube as MP4.

  1. 01 · Install

    Choose your computer.

    Use the Apple Silicon or Intel build for your Mac, or the Windows installer. Open VODForge and choose where to save your files in Settings.

  2. 02 · Choose

    Paste the link. Select MP4.

    Copy the YouTube URL into the download field. Select MP4 for video, then choose your quality ceiling in Settings. Start the run using the arrow beside the URL field.

  3. 03 · Save

    Wait for the finished file.

    Keep your computer awake and connected while the run downloads and processes. Use the Library to inspect the final output, then open the files from your chosen destination.

Downloading a YouTube playlist?

Turn off Ignore playlists in Settings first. Paste the playlist link, or keep list= in a video link copied from a playlist. Each video is saved as its own file; the playlist is not merged into one MP4.

Download content you own or have permission to save. Source restrictions and availability can prevent a download.

MP4, playlists, and common questions.

Can I convert YouTube to MP4 without installing an app?

VODForge requires installation on a Mac or Windows computer. This page is a guide to the desktop app, not an online converter. Downloads run on your computer and the resulting files are saved locally.

Can I download a whole YouTube playlist as MP4?

Yes. In Settings, turn off Ignore playlists, then paste a playlist URL and choose MP4. If you copy a video URL from a playlist, keep its list= parameter. VODForge processes the playlist sequentially and saves separate video files rather than combining the playlist into one movie.

Can I download YouTube videos in 1080p or 4K?

VODForge offers a quality ceiling up to 4K. The available source determines the actual result: choosing 4K cannot add detail that was not present in the original video. Check the selected source and final output in the Library.

Why does MP4 sometimes take longer than MP3?

MP4 includes video as well as audio. Transfer size, the available source formats, and any processing needed for the selected output affect completion time. A finished transfer may still need processing before the file is ready.

Why did I get only one video from a playlist?

Check that Ignore playlists is turned off in Settings and that the copied URL identifies the playlist. A plain watch URL without the list parameter may identify only one video.

Can I close my laptop while a download runs?

The free desktop app runs downloads on your computer, so it needs to stay awake and connected until the run finishes. VODForge Cloud is a separate planned paid service and is not available yet.

Is the MP4 downloader free?

Yes. The desktop app is free and MIT licensed, with no desktop account required. Public builds support macOS 12 or newer and 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Comparing desktop options? Read VODForge vs Stacher or VODForge vs OmniGet.

VODForge 0.1.8

Choose your free download.

Signed macOS and Windows releases. The desktop app stays free.

Apple Silicon Mac

For Macs with Apple M-series chips.

Download · 141 MB

VODForge-macOS-arm64-v0.1.8.zip

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