Our verdict: Stacher gives yt-dlp a modern, friendly interface and no ads, and the downloader itself has no limits. A library with search and built-in players makes it more than a link box, although the full library and themes belong to the paid Premium tier after a trial. Keep in mind that downloading can break the terms of YouTube and other sites.
About Stacher
Stacher7 is a desktop front end for the open-source yt-dlp downloader, built by an independent developer and funded by donations and Patreon. Paste a link and it downloads the video or audio using yt-dlp and FFmpeg, with yt-dlp's support for many sites beyond YouTube.
The developer states that the base application is free forever with no ads and no limitations as a yt-dlp GUI. Stacher Premium, available through Patreon, adds themes, the library mode with search, filtering and custom players, and other extras; new installations get a 30-day trial of the Premium library.
What it does well
- yt-dlp under the hood. Downloads video and audio from the many sites yt-dlp supports.
- No ads. The developer promises no ads in the app.
- Library and players. Organises downloads with search, filters and built-in playback (Premium after trial).
- Cross-platform. Installers for Windows, macOS and Debian-based Linux.
- Automatic updates. Keeps the app current through the official update server.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who want a friendlier yt-dlp app than the command line for content they may download.
Look elsewhere
Users who want a free media library and themes without a Patreon subscription.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free downloader with no ads
- Modern, approachable interface
- Built on the well-maintained yt-dlp
Cons
- Library mode and themes require Premium via Patreon after the trial
- Downloading may break the terms of service of YouTube and other sites
- Maintained by a single developer funded by donations and Patreon
How to install Stacher
Download the Windows installer from stacher.io and choose the download folder and default format on first start. The 30-day Premium library trial ends automatically; downloading stays free.
Questions about Stacher
Is Stacher free?
Yes. The base app is free with no ads and no download limits. Stacher Premium is optional and adds themes and the library mode.
Is it legal to download videos with Stacher?
It depends on the site and the content. YouTube and many other sites forbid downloads in their terms unless they offer a download button, so only save content you are allowed to keep.
What is Stacher7?
Stacher7 is the current major version of Stacher, a graphical interface for yt-dlp.
