rawlink // About

rawlink is a free, browser-based video downloader for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X and 1000+ other sites. This page explains who we are, why we built it, how the technology actually works, and the principles that govern what we do — and what we deliberately don't do.

Why we built rawlink

We started rawlink because every "free downloader" we tried was a frustrating experience: pop-up ads that opened new tabs, fake "Download" buttons, forced app installs, mandatory sign-ups, watermarks stamped onto the output, and quietly degraded video quality. Many of them logged every URL you pasted. We wanted a tool that did exactly one thing well — turn a public video link into a clean, direct download — without any of that baggage.

rawlink is built and maintained by a small independent team of developers. It is funded by unobtrusive display advertising, which is why the core tool stays free for everyone, with no account, no subscription, and no per-download limit.

How rawlink works

When you paste a link, rawlink fetches the page's publicly available metadata and the media streams that the platform itself exposes to your browser. We resolve the highest-quality stream the source makes available — up to 4K for YouTube where the original allows — and hand you a direct download link to the platform's own content-delivery network (CDN).

A few things worth knowing about how this is designed:

Nothing is re-hosted. rawlink does not store, cache, or re-upload any video or audio. The media stays on the original platform's servers; we only generate the link that points to it.
Processed in memory. The URL you submit is handled in memory to extract the download link and is not written to any database. See our Privacy Policy for the full detail.
No software to install. Everything runs in your browser on any device — iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, or tablet. There is no extension and no desktop app.
Built on open tooling. Extraction is powered by well-established open-source media tooling, kept current as platforms change.

What we stand for

Privacy first. No login, no email, no tracking of what you download. We collect the minimum needed to keep the service running and abuse-free.
Honest interface. One real button, no fake download prompts, no surprise redirects.
Quality preserved. We pass through the original stream rather than re-encoding it, so you get the source quality, not a downgraded copy.
Respect for creators. rawlink is a tool. We expect it to be used for content you own, content licensed for download, or personal offline use where the platform and your local law permit it.

What rawlink is not

rawlink is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, or any other platform — all trademarks belong to their respective owners. We do not provide a way to access private, paywalled, age-restricted, or DRM-protected content, and we do not encourage copyright infringement. You are responsible for ensuring your use complies with the source platform's terms and the law in your country. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Use.

Learn more

If you're new to downloading video, our step-by-step guides walk through each platform, and our blog covers comparisons and tips. Have a question, a bug report, or a copyright concern? We'd genuinely like to hear from you.