Why downloading Vimeo videos is different
Unlike most video platforms, Vimeo offers multiple privacy levels that affect how videos can be accessed and downloaded:
- Public — visible to everyone and listed on Vimeo. Easiest to download.
- Unlisted — not listed in search results, but anyone with the link can view it.
- Password-protected — requires a password to watch. You need the password to download.
- Embedded-only — can only be watched on specific websites where the creator embedded the player.
- Vimeo Pro private — restricted to specific Vimeo users. May not be downloadable without proper access.
Star Video Downloader handles public, unlisted, password-protected, and embedded-only Vimeo videos. Just paste the URL and the app takes care of the rest.
How to Download Vimeo Videos on Mac — Step by Step
Download Star Video Downloader
Get the free app from starvideoapp.com. Unzip and move to Applications. Works on macOS 14+ with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Copy the Vimeo URL
Open the Vimeo video in your browser and copy the URL from the address bar. For embedded videos on other websites, right-click the Vimeo player and select "Copy video URL" or copy the page URL directly.
Paste and download
Paste the URL into Star Video Downloader, select your preferred quality (up to 8K with Pro), and click Download. The video is saved to your Mac.
Play or convert
Play the downloaded video directly, or use the built-in converter to change it to MP4, MOV, AVI, or extract audio as MP3.
Tip: For password-protected Vimeo videos, Star Video Downloader will prompt you to enter the password. Enter the password provided by the video owner and the download proceeds as normal.
Types of Vimeo content you can download
Public videos
Any video listed publicly on Vimeo. Copy the URL and download.
Unlisted videos
Videos shared via direct link that aren't searchable on Vimeo. If you have the link, you can download it.
Embedded players
Vimeo videos embedded on other websites — portfolios, course platforms, blogs. Paste the page URL or the Vimeo embed URL directly. Star Video Downloader detects the embedded video and downloads it.
Vimeo Showcase
Collections of videos curated by creators. Download individual videos from any showcase.
Vimeo quality explained
Vimeo is known for attracting filmmakers, animators, and creative professionals who demand high video quality. Unlike many platforms, Vimeo preserves more of the original upload quality, resulting in sharper, less compressed files.
Vimeo Pro members can upload in resolutions up to 8K. Even free Vimeo accounts support high-quality 4K uploads. Star Video Downloader gives you access to the full range of available quality options — from standard definition up to 8K with Pro.
Why Star beats Vimeo's own download button
Vimeo offers a download button on some videos, but it has significant limitations:
- Not always available — creators can disable downloads entirely, and many do
- Lower quality options — even when enabled, Vimeo often restricts available quality below the original
- Requires a Vimeo account — some downloads require login
- No format choice — Vimeo provides one format with no options
Star Video Downloader extracts the original stream quality directly. You get the highest resolution available, in the format you choose, without needing a Vimeo account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download embedded Vimeo videos from other websites?
Yes. Paste the page URL where the Vimeo player is embedded, or the Vimeo embed URL directly. Star Video Downloader detects the Vimeo video and downloads it.
Does it work with Vimeo password-protected videos?
Yes, as long as you have the password. The app prompts you to enter the password, then proceeds with the download.
What quality can I download Vimeo videos in?
Up to the maximum quality the video was uploaded in, including 4K and 8K with Pro. The free tier supports up to 1080p.
Can I download Vimeo videos with subtitles?
Yes. Star Video Downloader supports downloading subtitles in SRT and VTT formats alongside the video.
Download Vimeo Videos on Your Mac
Save Vimeo videos in up to 8K quality — including embedded players and password-protected content. Free, offline.
macOS 14+ • Apple Silicon & Intel • No subscription