Watching videos online has become a popular pastime for many people. Whether it‘s for entertainment, education or inspiration, streaming platforms like YouTube, Vimeo and Dailymotion provide easy access to millions of video clips on any topic imaginable.
However, you may find yourself wanting to download a video from these sites to watch offline. Unfortunately, most streaming platforms don‘t allow direct downloads due to copyright restrictions.
Thankfully, there are workarounds using video downloader tools and browser extensions. In this guide, we‘ll show you how to download videos from Vimeo specifically using two reliable methods.
Contents
Why Download Vimeo Videos?
Here are some common reasons you may want to download videos from Vimeo:
- Watch offline: If you‘ll be somewhere without internet access, downloading allows you to watch videos later without an internet connection. This is great for plane rides, road trips, etc.
- Save favorite videos: You can build a personal collection of videos to rewatch anytime. Vimeo videos can be taken down, so downloading lets you keep copies forever.
- Avoid ads: Downloaded videos can be watched ad-free. Vimeo itself is ad-free, but downloading guarantees no ads will ever interrupt your viewing.
- Improve playback: You may get better video quality and stability from a downloaded file vs. streaming it. This depends on your internet speed.
- Share videos: Downloaded videos can be transferred to other devices or shared with friends easily.
- Use in projects: Downloaded Vimeo clips can be used in video projects, presentations, etc if they are licensed for reuse. Always check the video description for reuse terms.
Keep in mind that downloading videos may infringe on copyright, so only do so for personal use and do not redistribute videos you did not create. We‘ll cover the legalities in more detail later on.
Method 1: Use SnapDownloader Desktop App
One easy way to download Vimeo videos is using the free SnapDownloader app for Windows and Mac. Here‘s how it works:
Step 1: Install SnapDownloader
First, go to the SnapDownloader website and download the desktop app for your operating system. Install it on your computer by following the on-screen prompts.
Once installed, the SnapDownloader interface will open up. It should look something like this:
Step 2: Copy the Vimeo video URL
Now go to Vimeo‘s website and find the video you want to download. Copy its URL from the address bar. The URL should start with https://vimeo.com/ followed by a string of numbers.
For example:
https://vimeo.com/76979871Step 3: Paste URL into SnapDownloader
Return to the SnapDownloader app and paste the Vimeo video URL into the box at the top. Then click the "+" icon or press Enter to add it to the download queue.
Step 4: Select quality and format
In the new window that pops up, you can choose what quality and format to download the video in.
For the best quality, select either 4K or 1080p. For format, MP4 is the most compatible, but you can also choose WEBM or even just the audio in MP3 format.
Step 5: Download video
Once you‘ve chosen your settings, click the "Download" button and your video will start downloading immediately. A progress bar will display the download status.
By default, videos are saved to your computer‘s Downloads folder. You can access them there once the download completes.
And that‘s it! SnapDownloader makes downloading Vimeo clips quick and straightforward. The free version lets you download an unlimited number of videos.
Pros
- Easy to use interface
- No limits on downloads
- Wide format support (MP4, WEBM, MP3, etc.)
- Multi-language support
Cons
- Must download desktop app first
- Only works on Windows and Mac
Method 2: Use 4K Video Downloader
Another solid program for downloading Vimeo videos is 4K Video Downloader. It works very similarly to SnapDownloader but with a few extra features.
Let‘s go through how to use it step-by-step:
Step 1: Install 4K Video Downloader
Go to 4K Download‘s website and download the 4K Video Downloader app for your OS. Install it on your computer.
When you open 4K Video Downloader, you‘ll see this interface:
Step 2: Copy the Vimeo video URL
Just like with SnapDownloader, you‘ll need to copy the URL of the Vimeo video you want to download from the address bar. For example:
https://vimeo.com/76979871Step 3: Paste URL into 4K Video Downloader
Go back to 4K Video Downloader, paste the Vimeo URL into the field at the top, and press Enter. The video will be added to the download queue.
Step 4: Select quality and format
In the popup window, pick the quality, format, and other settings you want to use for downloading the video.
4K and 1080p are best for video quality. MP4, MKV, and WEBM are common video formats. You can also download just the audio track in M4A or MP3 format.
Step 5: Download video
When ready, click the download button and 4K Video Downloader will save the video file to your chosen folder on your computer.
Pros
- Downloads very fast
- Can download entire playlists
- Downloads subtitles and metadata
- More format options (MKV, M4A)
Cons
- Must install desktop app first
- Free version limits playlists
So in summary, both SnapDownloader and 4K Video Downloader provide an easy way to download videos from Vimeo to watch offline. They work very similarly, so your choice comes down to which interface and advanced features you prefer.
Is Downloading Vimeo Videos Legal?
Whenever downloading online videos, it‘s natural to have concerns around copyright and legality. Let‘s take a look at some key questions:
Is it legal to download videos I don‘t own from Vimeo?
In most cases, no. Vimeo videos are copyrighted by their creators. Downloading them without permission violates that copyright. However, many copyright holders turn a blind eye to personal downloads.
What about "fair use" exceptions?
Fair use does allow using small portions of copyrighted material under certain conditions, such as commentary or parody. But wholesale downloading of videos rarely qualifies as fair use.
Can I download videos if I have a Vimeo Plus/Pro account?
Having a paid Vimeo account does not exempt you from copyright law. You still need the video owner‘s authorization to download their content.
What about videos I made myself?
You can legally download videos you own and uploaded to your own Vimeo account. You hold the copyright to your own original videos.
What‘s the worst that could happen if I download illegally?
At worst, Vimeo or the copyright holder could send you a DMCA takedown notice requiring you to delete the content. You‘d face fines or a lawsuit only if you repeatedly ignored takedown notices or redistributed downloaded videos.
What‘s the best approach?
Use common sense. Avoid sharing downloaded videos publicly or using them commercially without permission. Only download a reasonable amount of clips for personal offline viewing and you should be fine.
If you want full legal coverage, many Vimeo videos can be licensed for reuse. Contact the video owner for permission.
More Tips for Downloading from Vimeo
To recap, here are some additional pointers for successfully downloading videos from Vimeo:
- Double check the video‘s license or contact the owner for reuse permission whenever possible.
- For the best quality, download the original source file rather than a compressed stream. Vimeo displays the available resolutions.
- Be cautious of downloading videos marked "private" or "no download allowed" as these are more likely to run into copyright issues.
- Prefer MP4 format for compatibility across different devices. Other formats like WEBM and MKV can cause playback issues.
- Use a stable internet connection for smoother, faster downloads and no corrupted files.
- Both SnapDownloader and 4K Video Downloader are safe and trusted. But beware of obscure downloader sites that may infect you with malware.
- Avoid sites claiming to download Vimeo videos through a simple URL paste. These often just rip the video illegally. Always use a proper downloading tool.
- If a downloader app stops working due to Vimeo changes, check its changelog for updates that address any issues.
So in summary, while downloading Vimeo videos enters a legal gray area, you can avoid problems using common sense practices. The methods in this guide offer easy ways to get videos for personal offline use.
Conclusion
Vimeo is home to millions of high-quality, artistic videos you won‘t find anywhere else online. While Vimeo doesn‘t support direct downloads, tools like SnapDownloader and 4K Video Downloader make it simple to save videos for offline viewing.
Just be thoughtful in which videos you download and avoid sharing them publicly without permission. As long as you employ common sense and fair use principles, you should have no trouble building up a personal Vimeo video collection.
The ability to store videos on your own device unlocks possibilities like smooth playback, ad-free viewing, and mobile availability. Take your Vimeohabit with you wherever you go!
