VODForge

VODForge is a desktop application designed for downloading YouTube videos and playlists. It allows users to convert YouTube content into local MP4 video or MP3 audio files, offering controls over quality, queue management, metadata, and cover art.

The software leverages `yt-dlp` and `FFmpeg` for its core functionality, providing a focused desktop workflow. Users can choose video quality up to 4K for MP4 files and audio quality up to 320 kbps for MP3s. It maintains a clear record of the YouTube source and the created output file, allowing users to compare codecs, resolution, bitrates, frame rate, audio, size, and saved location.

VODForge is free and open-source, released under the MIT License, with its source code available on GitHub. It supports macOS 12 or newer and 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11. The application does not require an account for downloading and managing files, and downloads remain on the user's computer. While the desktop app is free, VODForge Cloud is mentioned as a separate planned paid service.

Security features include Developer ID signing, notarization, and stapling for macOS builds, and Authenticode signing by Kryden Ventures, LLC for Windows installers. SHA-256 checksums are published for every release asset to ensure integrity. The app also offers optional usage sharing for coarse app-open, download-run, conversion, and playback events, which can be turned off in settings and excludes sensitive media information.