SVD vs Downie
Downie is one of the most loved video downloaders on the Mac — polished, mature, and effective. SVD covers the same need on both Mac and Windows, with native m3u8/HLS parsing, a one-click browser extension, and a lower one-time price.
Side by side
| SVD | Downie | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 lifetime | ~$19.99 lifetime |
| Platforms | Mac + Windows | Mac only |
| Engine | Bundled yt-dlp + ffmpeg | Proprietary |
| Site coverage | 1,800+ | Large (curated) |
| m3u8 / HLS master playlists | Native parse + picker | Supported |
| AES-128 encrypted HLS | ✓ (key-in-playlist) | Supported |
| Browser extension | One-click capture | Coupler companion |
| Auto extractor updates | ✓ | App updates |
| No account / no cloud | ✓ | ✓ |
| Code-signed & notarized | ✓ | ✓ |
| DRM (Netflix etc.) | Not supported | Not supported |
Where each one wins
Choose SVD if…
- You use Windows, or both Mac and Windows
- You often grab raw
.m3u8/ HLS streams - You want one-click capture from the browser
- You want the yt-dlp engine, auto-updated
- You prefer a lower one-time price ($19.99)
Choose Downie if…
- You're Mac-only and want a long-established app
- You value its specific postprocessing options
- You already own it and it covers your sites
- You like its Setapp availability
Need Downie on Windows too?
SVD runs natively on Mac and Windows. 7-day free trial, no account.
A note on legitimacy
SVD is built for legitimate, personal use: saving videos you have the right to keep — your own uploads, Creative Commons and public-domain works, licensed or permitted content, and offline backups of material you can already access. SVD does not break DRM and will not download from Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, or Hulu. It only saves non-DRM streams your browser can already play. Respect each site's Terms of Service and your local copyright law.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Downie alternative for Windows?
Yes — Downie is Mac-only, so SVD is a direct cross-platform alternative running on both Mac and Windows.
How is SVD different from Downie?
Cross-platform, native m3u8/HLS master-playlist parsing, a one-click capture extension, and $19.99 lifetime. Downie is a mature, polished Mac-only app.
Which is better for m3u8 / HLS?
Both handle HLS, but SVD makes m3u8 a first-class workflow: paste a master URL, pick a rendition, get a single remuxed MP4.
Do either work with Netflix?
No. Neither handles DRM-protected services. Only non-DRM streams your browser can already play.
Comparison reflects publicly available information as of 2026-05; competitor pricing and features change — verify on the vendor's site. SVD is not affiliated with Downie.