When comparing youtube-dl vs Easy Youtube Video Downloader, the Slant community recommends youtube-dl for most people. In the question“What are the best vimeo video downloaders?” youtube-dl is ranked 1st while Easy Youtube Video Downloader is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose youtube-dl is:
It's released to the public domain. Modify at will.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Open-source
It's released to the public domain. Modify at will.
Pro Cross-platform
Works on Windows, Mac OS X and other Unix systems like Linux for example.
Pro Ability to download different formats and meta-info
Pro Frequently updated
The developers keep up with YouTube-s meta changes. If the download of a video fails, just update to a new version and it should work.
Pro Works in other places too
Can download from different sources, not just YouTube. Link for supported sites can be found here.
Pro Command-line, and light weight
Pro 1-Click direct download from youtube page itself
No need to copy-paste url to other app or type anything before the url, single-click to the format of your choice and your "youtube video" or "youtube video to mp3" download starts instantly.
Pro Supports 1080p Full-HD video and high-quality mp3 downloads
Download Youtube videos in 1920 x 1080 Full-HD MP4, FLV, 3GP and MP3 High-quality (256kbps) formats.
Pro Cross-platform
This cross-platform, cross-browser web-browser addon lets you download videos right from the Youtube page while you surf and enjoy.
Pro Clean interface
The download button is elegant and non-intrusive. Shows only what's needed, and does not clutter the interface with unwanted details, unnecessary options and configurations.
Pro No advertisements
Cons
Con No GUI
Command Line driven only. That's what makes it powerful, but less accessible.
Con Was taken down from Github
The RIAA sent a DMCA takedown notice to Github to remove youtube-dl., stating that this is illegal software. Takedown notice has been dissolved since.
Con Slow on Windows
Con Full HD and mp3 support is paywalled
While this used to be a free app, recent YouTube changes now require a server in between to convert 1080p and mp3 formats and the author is asking for a one-time "Donation" of the user to activate the 1080p Full HD and mp3 format downloading.