ydl_api_ng

Self-Hosted

Self-hosted REST API wrapper for yt-dlp for media downloading

Overview

ydl_api_ng is a lightweight self-hosted REST API wrapper for yt-dlp, enabling programmatic downloading of videos and audio from thousands of platforms (YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc.). It offers endpoints to fetch metadata, initiate downloads with quality selection, and retrieve files—ideal for integrating into media libraries, automation workflows, or custom apps. Deploy via Docker for quick setup, with configurable options like output directories, rate limiting, and batch processing. It gives full control over media acquisition without relying on third-party services.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  ydl_api_ng:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: ydl-api-ng
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

REST API access to yt-dlp's media downloading capabilities
Supports 1000+ media platforms
Dockerized deployment for easy setup
Quality selection and metadata extraction

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is ydl_api_ng hard to install?

No—ydl_api_ng can be deployed in minutes using Docker. A simple docker-compose file lets you pull the image, configure output paths, and run the container without complex dependencies beyond Docker.

? Is it a good alternative to proprietary media download services?

Yes—unlike proprietary services (e.g., YouTube Premium), it supports thousands of platforms and integrates into custom workflows. You own all downloaded content and avoid recurring subscription fees.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—ydl_api_ng is open source (MIT license) and free to use. You only cover hosting costs (e.g., a Raspberry Pi or small server) if self-hosting.

Top Alternatives

YouTube Premium (proprietary download service) Search Google

Spotify Premium (offline audio downloads) Search Google

Vimeo Pro (proprietary media download access) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Media Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no third-party intermediaries)
⊕ Easy integration with self-hosted tools (e.g., Plex, Jellyfin)
⊕ Lightweight and resource-efficient

Cons

⊖ No built-in UI (API-only usage)
⊖ Depends on yt-dlp updates for site compatibility
⊖ Requires basic API knowledge for integration