How to download videos from Vimeo

If you’re looking to watch internet videos offline, the best way to do so is to download them to your computer.

By far the most popular online destination for video content is YouTube and Mashable has previously walked you through how to download videos from that platform. However, YouTube’s not the only place for great video content. Vimeo is a very popular platform, especially amongst filmmakers and other creatives.

There’s a lot of great content, such as Longform films, visual art, and instructional videos on Vimeo. Usually the content tends to be of extremely high quality and production value as well.

So, what if you’re looking to download some content from Vimeo to watch offline? Look no further on how to do so, we’ve got you covered.

Download direct from Vimeo

If you’re a regular YouTube viewer, you know that you need to pay for a YouTube Premium subscription or go through third-party video download services to rip content to your hard drive.

With Vimeo, there’s a download video option built right in…no subscription required.

If you see the download button on a Vimeo video, you can just click to save the clip locally.
Credit: mashable screenshot

Simply go to the Vimeo video of your choice. Right below the video player and the video title is a “Download” button on the right hand side of your screen.

After clicking download, you’ll be presented with video quality options. Just click the Download button next to the video resolution of your choice and it will save right to your computer.

Vimeo provides users with a number of download options for videos.
Credit: mashable screenshot

It’s that simple. The download feature is built directly into Vimeo, no paid subscriptions required.

There is one problem that might arise though. Vimeo does offer paid subscriptions for content creators, which provide them more control over their video content on the platform. A video creator with a paid Vimeo subscription can choose to turn the downloading options off on their video content.

That’s where the third-party downloader websites come in.

Unofficial Vimeo downloader websites

Sometimes you’ll need to go the “unauthorized” route to save your favorite Vimeo videos on your computer for offline viewing.

Just search “download Vimeo” on Google and you’ll be presented with a few options. The most popular are SaveTheVideo and Vimeo Downloader.

SaveTheVideo’s Vimeo downloader homepage.
Credit: mashable Screenshot

All of these websites work pretty much the same way: Copy the link to the Vimeo video you’d like to download. Paste that link into the input field on the downloader’s website and click Submit. The user will be presented with different video quality and resolution options. Hover over the version you want to download, right click and hit “Save link as.”

Please note that because these types of video downloader websites are free-to-use, they can often be riddled with advertisements, adware, or other nefarious downloads. Sometimes, they’ll even try to trick you into clicking an ad that looks like a download button or link. So be cautious when using them. Also, be a good person on the internet and don’t rehost a video you downloaded to watch offline.

Desktop software

There are a few downloadable apps that will rip videos off of platforms like Vimeo. I’ve mentioned a few of them before, but the one I always use and recommend is Softorino YouTube Converter.

Yes, there’s a one-time $40 purchase involved here. But, Softorino YouTube Converter is constantly updated and dead simple to use.

Softorino Video Converter for Mac
Credit: mashable screenshot

Just download and open the app on your computer, copy the Vimeo video link, and it’s automatically loaded into the app. You don’t even have to click paste.

Head back over to the Softorino Video Converter app and choose the video quality of your choice and select Convert. What makes this app even better than some of the other options is that it will automatically convert the video and transfer it to the device of your choice, such as your iPhone.

Downloading videos from Vimeo is that simple. Now, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite content wherever you are, even without an internet connection.