Freemake Video Downloader

Freemake Video Downloader
Developer(s)Ellora Assets Corporation
Initial release1 July 2010 (2010-07-01)
Stable release
4.1.14[1] / 17 January 2022; 2 years ago (2022-01-17)
Written inC#
Operating systemWindows Vista or later
Size13.59 MB
Available in18 languages
List of languages
English, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese
TypeDownload manager
LicenseCrippleware
Websitem.freemake.com/free_video_downloader_agile/

Freemake Video Downloader is a crippleware download manager for Microsoft Windows, developed by Ellora Assets Corporation. It is proprietary software that can download online video and audio.[2][3] Both HTTP and HTTPS protocols are supported. Users must purchase a premium upgrade to remove Freemake branding on videos and unlock the ability to download media longer than 3 minutes in length.

Features

The GUI provides several modal windows that help to access different program features, including download progress, download queue, output file saving options, download history, program settings.[4]

Technical capabilities

  • Batch downloading support for downloading multiple files
  • Flash and HTML5 video download from sites like YouTube and Google Video[5]
  • Pausing and resuming downloads
  • Enables YouTube playlists, favorites, charts, channels download[6]
  • Video conversion of downloaded files into list of predefined formats which are supported by the program

Premium Pack

Users may purchase (communicated as a "donation" in the software's dialog) a Premium Pack to unlock features such as full-speed downloading and disabling of the added Freemake branding in all downloaded media.

  • Download videos longer than 3 minutes in length
  • Removal of Freemake branding in all downloaded videos
  • Download speed control (limited in the free to try version)
  • Download via proxy connection
  • Automatic file export to Apple iTunes

Technical requirements

Criticism

Freemake Video Downloader is criticized for toolbar and web search engine installation. Freeware offers to install sponsored software upon installation changing default search engine and browsers homepage.[7][8] Users may opt-out of sponsored software, but it has been criticized on several pages.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Version history".
  2. ^ Jacobi, Jon L. "Freemake Video Downloader review". PC Advisor. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Freemake Video Downloader". cnet.download.com. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  4. ^ Opris, Elena. "Freemake Video Downloader Review – Efficient with Optional File Conversion". softpedia. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Freemake Video Downloader 3.5 embeds download buttons directly into YouTube pages". PC & Tech Authority. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  6. ^ Opris, Elena. "Freemake Video Downloader Review – Efficient with Optional File Conversion". softpedia. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  7. ^ "How to Download YouTube Videos". PCMAG. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  8. ^ "The best free YouTube downloader 2017". TechRadar. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Freemake Video Downloader Removal Guide". www.xp-vista.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017. various other programs come bundled with Freemake Video Downloader, which could turn out to be harmful to your PC.
  10. ^ "Freemake Video Converter Removal Tool - malwarekillers.com". MalwareKillerS.com. 17 May 2014. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017. the programs is bundled with several other applications, some of which were already flagged as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs), and are being installed by default, when the user accepts the EULA and had selected an express/recommended installation. (...) Freemake Video Converter appears to be a legitimate application, but it is not recommended for use. The online community states that Freemake Video Converter relies on unfair distribution technique and can get inside your computer in a bundle with other applications, which might cause serious problems.