yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 --audio-quality 192K "URL"
lyt --mp3 -q 192K "URL"
Comparison
lyt is built on yt-dlp. It is not a replacement.
lyt wraps yt-dlp and ffmpeg with memorable presets, a safer single-item default, and a stable JSON result. yt-dlp has far more options and a much larger community. Pick the tool that matches the job.
At a glance
| Need | yt-dlp | lyt |
|---|---|---|
| Option coverage | Full option set | Common subset of flags |
| MP3 and 1080p presets | Build the flags yourself | Built in: -q 192K, -q 1080p |
| Getting yt-dlp | Install and update it yourself | Checksum-verified managed copy from lyt doctor --fix |
| ffmpeg setup | Install it and point to it yourself | Provisioned on Windows; guided on macOS and Linux |
| Playlist links | Downloads every item unless you add --no-playlist | One item unless you add --playlist |
| Machine-readable result | Build your own output with --print or -J | lyt.result.v1 JSON with final file paths |
| Site and extractor breadth | Very broad, large community | Inherits yt-dlp's sites; newer project at 0.8.x |
| Runtime | Standalone program, no Node.js | Needs Node.js 20 or newer |
Use yt-dlp directly when
- You need an option lyt does not expose, or you want yt-dlp's full format selector and extractor arguments.
- You already have a working yt-dlp setup and config, and there is no reason to change it.
- You want one standalone program and do not want Node.js involved.
- You are following a tutorial or yt-dlp documentation, and exact flag names matter.
Use lyt when
- You want MP3 or 1080p downloads without remembering flags.
- You want one item per run by default, with playlists opt-in.
- An agent or script needs one JSON document with the final file paths.
- You are setting up on Windows and want yt-dlp and ffmpeg managed for you.
Same job, two commands
Each pair does the same job. The yt-dlp flags are the common ones; check the yt-dlp documentation for details.
yt-dlp -f "bv*[height<=1080]+ba/b[height<=1080]" --merge-output-format mp4 "URL"
lyt --video -q 1080p "URL"
yt-dlp -P "D:/Music" -x --audio-format mp3 "URL"
lyt --mp3 -o "D:/Music" "URL"
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is lyt a yt-dlp GUI?
No. lyt is a command-line tool with no window. It runs yt-dlp and ffmpeg for you and adds presets, safer defaults, and a JSON result. The repository has an experimental desktop prototype, but it is not part of the released package.
Does lyt replace yt-dlp?
No. lyt calls yt-dlp to do the downloading, so you keep yt-dlp's extractors and engine. You can run yt-dlp directly at any time, and lyt does not change how yt-dlp itself works.
Does lyt support every yt-dlp option?
No. lyt exposes a smaller set of flags on purpose. Run lyt capabilities --json to see the commands, flags, and result schemas it supports. For anything else, use yt-dlp directly.
Which should a beginner use?
Start with lyt if you want MP3 or 1080p presets, a managed yt-dlp install, and single-item safety by default. Learn yt-dlp directly if you want its full option set or you are following a guide written for it.
Does lyt work on the same sites as yt-dlp?
For single items, lyt hands the URL to yt-dlp, so sites yt-dlp supports generally work. The README lists SoundCloud, Vimeo, Bandcamp, and anything yt-dlp supports. Spotify links are a lyt feature: lyt matches each track on YouTube and does not download Spotify audio.