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N_m3u8DL-RE vs Streamlink: catalog facts
N_m3u8DL-RE	Streamlink
Free Free to download and use.	Free Free and open source under the BSD-2-Clause licence.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Command line
Handles HLS, DASH and MSS manifests Records live streams as well as on-demand video	Watch streams in a lightweight player instead of a heavy website Plugin system covering many streaming services
Command line only Older Windows terminals may not display it correctly	Command-line only; graphical front ends are third-party Site plugins can break when services change
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License not stated	License: BSD-2-Clause
No account needed	No account needed
Needs internet	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.