Comparison
TubeArchiver vs Downie
Two desktop apps for downloading YouTube videos. One is Mac-only, the other runs on Windows and Mac. Here’s how they compare.
Quick overview
A desktop app for Windows and Mac focused on YouTube archiving. Built for people who want to download and preserve videos, playlists, and entire channels with automatic organization and duplicate detection.
A Mac-only video downloader that supports over 1,000 websites including YouTube, Vimeo, and Bilibili. A one-time purchase with a browser extension for quick saves.
Side by side
Feature comparison
| Feature | TubeArchiver | Downie |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows & Mac | Mac only |
| Max video quality | 8K (4320p) | 4K (2160p) |
| Audio extraction | Yes | Yes |
| Playlist downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Channel downloads | One click | No |
| Subtitle downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Pause / resume | Yes | Yes |
| Download queue | Built-in with concurrency | Yes |
| Duplicate detection | Automatic | History-based |
| File organization | Auto by channel | Single folder |
| Disk space check | Automatic | No |
| Browser extension | No | Yes |
| Supported sites | YouTube | 1,000+ sites |
| Free tier | Yes (10 videos/day) | No |
| Pricing | From $19/yr or $49 lifetime | $19.99 one-time |
| Auto-updates | Yes | Yes |
Where TubeArchiver wins
Windows support
Works on both Windows and Mac. Downie is Mac-only, leaving Windows users without an option.
Full channel archiving
Download every video from a YouTube channel in one click. Downie handles playlists but doesn’t support full channel downloads.
Automatic file organization
Downloads are auto-sorted into folders by channel. With Downie, everything goes to a single download folder.
8K video support
Download YouTube videos at up to 8K resolution. Downie caps out at 4K.
Free tier available
Try before you buy with 10 free videos per day. Downie has no free option — you pay upfront.
Where Downie wins
1,000+ supported sites
Download from YouTube, Vimeo, Bilibili, and hundreds of other sites. TubeArchiver is YouTube-only for now.
Browser extension
Save videos directly from your browser with a single click. TubeArchiver requires pasting URLs into the app.
One-time pricing
Pay $19.99 once and you’re done. TubeArchiver offers annual plans starting at $19/yr, though lifetime licenses are also available.
iCloud sync
Syncs download history across your Mac devices via iCloud. Useful if you use multiple Macs.
The verdict
Choose TubeArchiver if…
- You use Windows (or both Windows and Mac)
- You mainly download from YouTube
- You want to archive entire channels in one click
- You want automatic file organization by channel
- You want to try before you buy
Choose Downie if…
- You’re on Mac and want to download from many different sites
- You prefer a browser extension workflow
- You want a single one-time payment
- You use multiple Macs and want iCloud sync
Downie is a solid Mac app for general video downloading. TubeArchiver is purpose-built for YouTube archiving with features like channel downloads, automatic organization, and duplicate detection that Downie doesn’t offer.
Try TubeArchiver free
Download up to 10 videos per day at 720p — no credit card required.