How to Watch Netflix Originals Offline Without Subscription?
Why Do You Need Netflix Video Downloader?
We all know that Netflix allows users to download videos for offline viewing, so why do we still need video download software? I’ll explain this based on my personal experience and the limitations of Netflix’s download features.
Personal Experience：
My friends kept recommending Stranger Things to me — this hit Netflix sci-fi series has a 9.0 rating on Douban and every season scores over 8.5 on IMDb. As a sci-fi fan, I immediately opened Netflix and started watching the first episode. I got hooked right away.
But when the credits rolled and ‘Next Episode’ popped up, a bright subscription banner suddenly appeared: ‘Upgrade your plan to continue watching.’ I checked the prices and gasped: The cheapest ad-supported plan costs $6.99/month.
As someone who just wants to watch shows in my free time (I’m a full-time office worker), I can only finish 1-2 episodes per week. That means each episode costs me about $1. And this doesn’t even include the 10+ hours per season of Stranger Things.
Honestly, I’d gladly pay for a ‘season pass’ option just to watch this show. But in reality, to finish all five seasons, I’d need to subscribe for at least three months straight. That’s way too expensive for me. I want to find a way to watch Netflix originals for free
Limitations of Netflix downloads:
- Subscription Limit
- Advertisement-supported Plan: Only 15 videos can be downloaded.
- Ad-free Plan: Up to 100 videos can be downloaded.
- Subscription Expiration: All downloaded content will be automatically deleted, and you need to resubscribe before downloading again.
- Availability Limit
- Supported Devices: iPhone/iPad (iOS 9+), Android phones/tablets (4.4.2+), Amazon Fire tablets (Fire OS 4.0+), Chromebook.
- Unsupported Devices: Mac, Windows computers (The download function has been removed from the latest Windows app).
- Device Limit
- Standard Plan: Download on a maximum of 2 devices.
- Premium Plan: Download on a maximum of 6 devices.
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Download Limit
Only some movies/TV series are available for download. The download permission is not open for all content. -
Download Expiration
Retention period of downloaded content: 30 days (You need to download it again if it exceeds the time limit). -
Offline Playback
You need to finish watching the video within 48 hours after starting to play. The video will automatically expire if it exceeds the time limit.
Given these limitations, I realized the only way to watch Netflix Originals freely was by using video download software. Next, I’ll share a detailed analysis of the six download tools I’ve tested, giving you an unbiased review to help you make an informed choice.
6 Best Netflix Downloaders to Download Netflix Originals
The Comparing Sheet
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Name |
||||||
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Download VODs |
(Netflix, Disney+, more than 100 platforms) |
(Netflix, Prime Video, etc.) |
(Only for Netflix) |
(Only for Netflix) |
(Netflix, YouTube, etc.) |
(Only for some platforms) |
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Resolution Options |
1080p (4K available on some platforms) |
1080p |
720p/1080p |
720p |
480p (free version)/4K (paid version) |
480p |
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Format Versatility |
MP4/MKV |
MP4/MKV |
MP4 |
MP4 |
MP4/MKV |
MP4/FLV |
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Download Speed |
High speed (multi-thread optimization) |
Medium |
Medium |
Slow (speed limit) |
High speed (paid version) |
Slow |
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Success Rate |
More than 90% |
80%-85% |
75%-80% |
60%-70%(depending on the stability of the link) |
70%-80% |
50%-60%(poor stability) |
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Safety & Privacy |
No malware (account login required) |
No ads (account login required) |
Low risk (local processing) |
High risk (account and password input required) |
Medium |
High risk (ad bundling) |
|
Supported Platforms |
Windows/macOS |
Windows/macOS |
Windows/macOS |
Online website |
Windows/macOS |
Windows/macOS |
|
Price |
$59.99 per month |
$39.99 per month |
$29.99 for lifetime |
Free (some features require payment) |
$49.99 for lifetime |
Free (with ads) |
|
Download Limitations |
Unlimited |
100 per day |
Unlimited |
10 per day (free version) |
Unlimited (paid version) |
5 per day |
|
Batch Downloading |
✔️ (The whole season/whole series) |
✔️(One single season) |
❌ |
❌ |
✔️ (Manually select) |
❌ |
|
Built-in Browser |
✔️ (Direct access to the platform) |
✔️ |
❌ |
❌(Need to paste the link) |
❌(Need to paste the link) |
❌ |
|
User-Friendly Interface |
✔️(Friendly to beginners) |
✔️(Simple and concise) |
✔️ (Basic functions) |
❌ (Complex operation) |
✔️(Moderate) |
❌ (Advertisement interference) |
|
Trim Download |
✔️clip extraction |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
|
Subtitles Download |
✔️ (Multiple languages/Adjustable formats) |
✔️(Embedded subtitles) |
✔️(Only in SRT format) |
❌ |
✔️(Some formats) |
❌ |
|
Audio Download |
✔️ (Optional audio tracks/5.1 channel) |
✔️ (Default audio track) |
❌ |
❌ |
✔️(Single audio track) |
❌ |
1. StreamFab
StreamFab is a powerful video downloading software designed for downloading videos from major streaming platforms. It supports platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and more. Users can download videos in MP4/MKV format and save them locally for offline viewing. StreamFab offers high-quality downloads, up to 1080p, with some platforms even supporting 4K. It also features batch downloading, multi-language audio tracks, and subtitle downloads. The interface is simple and user-friendly. StreamFab is ideal for users who want to save streaming content or watch videos without an internet connection.
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Pros: |
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Cons: |
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2. KeepStreams
KeepStreams is a versatile video downloading tool that supports downloading videos from streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. It saves videos in MP4/MKV format with 1080p HD quality and offers multi-language audio tracks and subtitles. With a simple and user-friendly interface, KeepStreams is ideal for users who want to watch streaming content offline.
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Pros: |
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Cons: |
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3. NoteBurner Netflix Downloader
NoteBurner Netflix Downloader is a tool specifically designed for Netflix. It allows users to download Netflix videos in MP4 format with up to 1080p quality. The software supports multi-language audio tracks and subtitles and lets users download specific episodes or movies. It is easy to use and perfect for Netflix fans who want to save content for offline viewing.
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Pros: |
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Cons: |
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4. Y2Mate Netflix Downloader
Y2Mate Netflix Downloader is a lightweight tool focused on downloading videos from Netflix. It saves videos in MP4 format with HD quality options. Y2Mate is simple to use and suitable for users who need quick downloads from Netflix, though its features are relatively basic and mainly target Netflix.
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Pros: |
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Cons: |
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5. FlixGrab
FlixGrab is a powerful video downloading software that supports platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. It offers 1080p HD downloads and supports multi-language audio tracks and subtitles. With a user-friendly interface and batch downloading capabilities, FlixGrab is great for users who want to save videos from multiple platforms.
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Pros: |
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Cons: |
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6. FreeGrabApp
FreeGrabApp is a free video downloading tool that supports platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu. It provides various format and quality options and is easy to use. While its features are not as comprehensive as paid software, it is a good choice for basic downloading needs.
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Pros: |
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Cons: |
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Based on the detailed comparison above, you’ve likely identified the best option for your needs. From my personal experience, StreamFab stands out as the top recommendation. It offers unmatched versatility compared to other video downloaders, combining powerful features with a user-friendly interface. While everyone should choose software that fits their specific requirements, I’ll use StreamFab as an example to walk you through its step-by-step process.
How to Download Netflix Originals with the Downloader?
As mentioned above, I find StreamFab to be the most convenient and easy-to-use downloading tool. That’s why I’ll use StreamFab as an example to walk you through the downloading and usage process step by step. The steps can also be applied as a reference for other similar tools.
Please download and install StreamFab on your computer from official website:
To help you understand their usage, I’ll break down the entire process of downloading a Netflix original series step by step.
Step1: Start by clicking VIP Services and choose Netflix, then log into your Netflix account.
Step2: Search for your favorite movie or TV show as you normally would. And remember to play the selected video.
Step3: When playback starts, a popup window will appear. This window will ask if you would like to download the video immediately or add it to a download queue to start later.
Step4: If you want to download immediately, click the "Download Now" button. The video will begin downloading and can be found under the "Task Queue" section, in the "Downloading" tab. If you decide to download the video later, click the "Add to Queue" button.
Step5: StreamFab saves your downloaded media files in a default output directory, which you can easily adjust according to your preferences in the Settings panel. To find your downloaded videos or music files, navigate to the 'Downloaded' tab found under the 'YOUR LIBRARY' section.
FAQs
- Is it legal to download Netflix Originals?
In most countries, downloading online videos for re-posting or business purpose is illegal. However, if you simply want to download online videos including Netflix for personal offline watching, it should be considered not illegal.
- Is it safe to download Netflix Originals with streamfab?
It is considered safe and secure, since it will download target video only. Neither malware nor virus will be downloaded.
- Is there any download limit for downloading Netflix Originals with streamfab?
No, currently there is no download limit applied by streamfab.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve explored the challenges of Netflix’s built-in download feature and learned how to download Netflix originals offline without a subscription, it’s clear that having a reliable third-party tool is the ultimate solution. Among the six tools we tested, StreamFab stands out for its speed, compatibility, and user-friendly interface—making it the top choice for seamless offline viewing.
By following the step-by-step guide above, you can effortlessly save your favorite Netflix Originals to any device and enjoy them anytime, anywhere, even without an internet connection. Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or simply want to avoid buffering, this method ensures you never miss a moment of your must-watch shows.
Don’t forget—share this guide with friends who are also searching for how to download Netflix originals offline! Now unlock unlimited offline entertainment!