Our pick for you
Direct Link Downloader: MP4, MP3, M3U8
It works with direct links and streams and gives you the most control.
Video downloaders for Windows
Pick the right downloader for your videos.
Three SteveShines apps save supported videos and streams to your PC. Here is how they differ, and what to use once the file is saved.
Only download videos you own or have permission to save.
Find yours in 3 questions
Which downloader fits?
Our pick for you
VidFetch: 4K Video Downloader
It keeps things simple: clear quality choices, a queue and a local history.
Our pick for you
QuickMedia: 4K Video Downloader
It downloads and then converts, compresses, trims, extracts MP3 audio or makes GIFs in the same app.
Also worth a look: QuickMedia: 4K Video Downloader
Direct Link Downloader: MP4, MP3, M3U8
Download 4K and 8K videos when available, save M3U8 and MPD streams, record live streams directly from URLs, batch download multiple video links, and extract MP3 audio. Direct Link Downloader brings powerful video downloading and stream recording tools together in one easy-to-use Windows app.
Choose it if you work with direct links and streams: M3U8/HLS and MPD/DASH, supported livestream recording, fast trimming and MP3, and batches of up to 500 links with Pro.
- 4K and 8K video downloads (Pro, when available)
- M3U8 and HLS stream downloading
- MPD and DASH video downloading
- Online video link analysis
- Batch downloading up to 500 links (Pro)
- Playlist downloading up to 500 items (Pro)
- Record supported live streams directly from a URL
VidFetch: 4K Video Downloader
4K & 8K VIDEO DOWNLOADER FOR WINDOWS Download high-quality videos in 4K Ultra HD and up to 8K with VidFetch Pro.
Choose it if you want a focused downloader with clear quality choices, a queue with progress and retries, and a local download history.
- Download supported online videos
- Choose available video and audio quality
- 4K and up to 8K downloads when available (Pro)
- Multiple-link downloading (Pro)
- Supported playlist downloading (Pro)
- Download queue, progress and retry controls
- Local download history
QuickMedia: 4K Video Downloader
Download 4K videos, save supported playlists, and manage your media on Windows. QuickMedia combines video downloading, format conversion, trimming, compression, and audio extraction in one easy-to-use app.
Choose it if you want to download and then convert, compress, trim, extract MP3 audio or make GIFs in the same app.
- Download videos from supported websites
- Save videos in Full HD (1080p)
- Download 4K and 8K videos with Pro when available
- Choose available video quality and resolution
- Batch download multiple video links with Pro
- Download supported playlists with Pro
- Save playlists of up to 100 videos with Pro
Side by side
Compare the downloaders.
| Feature |  Direct Link Downloader: MP4, MP3, M3U8 |  VidFetch: 4K Video Downloader |  QuickMedia: 4K Video Downloader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save videos from supported links | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4K and 8K when the source offers it | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| M3U8 (HLS) and MPD (DASH) streams | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Record supported livestreams | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Playlists and many links at once | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| Download queue with progress | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Retry failed downloads | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Local download history | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Video to MP3 | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Trim videos | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Convert to MP4 and compress | Pro | Not listed | Yes |
| Make GIFs and capture frames | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
✓ listed feature · Pro: with the app’s Pro option · — not listed as a feature. Current details, pricing and Pro options are on each Microsoft Store listing.
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Not sure what a link contains?
The M3U8 Inspector checks a playlist's resolutions, bitrates, live or VOD status and encryption signals before you download anything, and estimates the size of each quality.
After you download
Make the file work for you.
Common questions
Downloading video on Windows, answered.
Which app downloads M3U8 (HLS) streams on Windows?
Direct Link Downloader: MP4, MP3, M3U8 saves supported M3U8/HLS and MPD/DASH streams and direct video links, and can record supported livestreams. Encrypted or DRM-protected streams are not supported.
Can I download a playlist or many links at once?
VidFetch: 4K Video Downloader Pro supports playlists and multiple-link downloads, with a queue and retries. Direct Link Downloader: MP4, MP3, M3U8 Pro downloads batches of up to 500 links and playlists of up to 500 items. QuickMedia: 4K Video Downloader Pro downloads multiple links and playlists of up to 100 videos.
Can I download 4K or 8K video?
All 3 downloaders on this page save 4K and 8K video with Pro when the source offers it. A download cannot add detail the source does not have.
Can I save a video as MP3?
Direct Link Downloader: MP4, MP3, M3U8 converts video to MP3 and extracts MP3 audio from local files. QuickMedia: 4K Video Downloader includes MP3 audio extraction in its Media Studio.
Where do I get these apps?
All of them are Windows apps on Microsoft Store, which handles installation and updates. Each listing shows current pricing, Pro options and system requirements.
Which videos can I download?
Only download videos you own, that are offered for download, or that you have permission to save. Rules depend on the site and where you live.