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yt-dlp vs N_m3u8DL-RE: catalog facts
yt-dlp	N_m3u8DL-RE
Free Released into the public domain under the Unlicense; there is nothing to buy.	Free Free to download and use.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Supports thousands of sites, listed in the project’s own supportedsites page Fine-grained format selection, subtitle, thumbnail and metadata embedding	Handles HLS, DASH and MSS manifests Records live streams as well as on-demand video
Command line only; the graphical tools around it are separate projects Merging separate video and audio streams needs FFmpeg installed	Command line only Older Windows terminals may not display it correctly
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: Unlicense	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

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