A List Of Recommended Free Media Downloaders, Converters and Players

The software listed below is both free and mostly available on all platforms.

Free Media Downloaders

• Youtube-dl is a free command-line YouTube downloader — it also can download from a few other sites — apps available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• MacX Youtube Downloader is a free Youtube downloader for MacOS — unfortunately the app opens a sales web page in your browser after each download

Free and Open-Source Media Converters

• Media Human Audio Converter is a free audio converter that supports many audio formats — apps available for Mac and Windows
• HandBrake is a free video converter (or transcoder) — apps available for Linux, Mac and Windows

Free and Open-Source Media Players

• VLC is an free media player — very full featured and configurable — apps available for Linux, Mac, Windows, Apple TV, mobile devices
• MPV is a free media player — it’s fast loading and lightweight — apps available for Linux, Mac, Windows, Android
• foobar2000 is a free audio player — apps available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
• FreeTube is a free YouTube player built with privacy in mind –apps available for Linux, Mac, Windows
• Plex is a media manager and media streamer — apps available Windows, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku and just about every other platform and device