Parabolic

Active

Founded: 2022
Developer: Nickvision
Pricing: Free (open-source)
Open source: Yes
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS

Indexes

Video Downloaders

Overview

Parabolic is a video downloader application that enables users to download videos and audio from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and others using yt-dlp. It provides a graphical user interface for selecting formats, quality, and download options. Targeted at desktop users seeking a privacy-focused, cross-platform alternative to browser extensions or command-line tools.

Key Features

yt-dlp Integration - Uses the yt-dlp library to support downloading from thousands of websites.
Format Selection - Choose video/audio formats, resolutions, and qualities before downloading.
Batch Downloads - Download multiple videos or playlists in sequence.
Download History - View and manage past downloads with progress tracking.
Custom Download Paths - Set specific folders and naming conventions for files.
Subtitle Support - Download subtitles in various languages if available.
Proxy Support - Configure proxies for accessing restricted content.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	Free	Full access to all features, no limitations.

Platforms & Requirements

Available on Linux, Windows, and macOS as native desktop apps built with GTK4. Requires modern systems with GLib 2.66+ and yt-dlp installed. No mobile or web versions; downloads must be managed manually on each platform.

Integrations & Ecosystem

yt-dlp (core engine)
YouTube
TikTok
Instagram
Twitter/X
Vimeo
Export to MP4/MKV/MP3
Subtitle formats (SRT/VTT)

Alternatives

App	Difference
yt-dlp GUI	Command-line focused with minimal GUI; Parabolic offers polished native desktop interface.
4K Video Downloader	Proprietary with premium features; Parabolic is fully free and open-source.
JDownloader	Supports more file hosters beyond video sites; Parabolic specializes in video/audio extraction.
FreeTube	Privacy-focused YouTube client with playback; Parabolic emphasizes downloading only.

Reputation

Parabolic is praised in open-source communities for its clean GTK interface and reliable yt-dlp integration, making it accessible for non-technical users. Users appreciate its privacy focus without tracking or ads. Some criticize occasional yt-dlp update sync issues and lack of advanced playlist handling compared to heavier alternatives.

Sources (8)