ClipGrab is a free video downloader and converter for YouTube and more. See 2026 features, safety notes, pros, cons, and FAQs.
ClipGrab is a free video downloader and format-converter application originally created by German developer Philipp Schmieder and first released in November 2007. It runs as a standalone desktop application on Windows, macOS, and Linux rather than a browser extension, and it can monitor the clipboard so it automatically detects when a user copies a supported video URL.
The tool downloads videos from platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and other sites that expose downloadable video streams, then optionally converts the downloaded file into common formats such as MP4, MP3, OGG Vorbis, OGG Theora, or WMV, making it a popular free option for users who want to save online videos for offline viewing or extract audio tracks.
Because ClipGrab depends on parsing constantly changing streaming-site page structures, particularly YouTube's, its core download functionality has experienced intermittent breakage throughout 2026; the developer pushed an update in April 2026, though users have continued to report parsing issues afterward. Prospective users should expect some instability with YouTube downloads specifically and check for the latest version before relying on it.
There have also been reports in 2026 of the official Windows installer bundling third-party software, including an antivirus product and other browser add-ons, alongside the core application. Users who choose to install ClipGrab should download only from the official clipgrab.org site, review each installer screen carefully, and decline any bundled offers they do not want.
As with any video-downloading tool, using ClipGrab to save copyrighted content may violate the terms of service of the source platform and, depending on jurisdiction and use, applicable copyright law. Users are generally expected to only download content they have the rights to save, such as their own uploads or content explicitly licensed for download.
Yes, ClipGrab is free software with no subscription or account required.
ClipGrab supports YouTube downloads, but functionality has been intermittently unstable throughout 2026 due to changes on YouTube's side; users may need to update to the latest version.
The core application is free and long-standing, but some 2026 Windows installers have bundled unwanted third-party software, so users should download only from the official clipgrab.org site and carefully review installer prompts.
ClipGrab can convert downloaded videos to MP4, MP3, OGG Vorbis, OGG Theora, and WMV.
ClipGrab supports YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and several other video platforms with downloadable streams.
ClipGrab was created by German developer Philipp Schmieder, first released in November 2007.
Yes, ClipGrab is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Using ClipGrab to download content you do not have rights to may violate a platform's terms of service or copyright law; it is intended for downloading content you are authorized to save.