pyLoad
What it is
pyLoad is a free, lightweight download manager written in Python, with a browser interface and a plugin ecosystem. It automates downloads from one-click hosters, cloud drives, and other sources, and supports premium accounts, captcha-solving services, and link decryption. Its plugins include hosters, decrypters, notifications, schedulers, and extractors. Users can manage downloads in a locally served web interface, which uses port 8000 by default, or connect through a REST API with an OpenAPI specification for generating client applications. pyLoad can run headless on servers, NAS devices, or desktops, and Docker deployment is documented. Linux, macOS, and Windows are listed, with Python 3.9 or newer required. Android and API are also listed as supported platforms. The project is in pre-release and has no stable release yet. Its security guidance recommends changing the default web-interface username and password on first start. The security policy distinguishes pyLoad Next vulnerability patches from older Python 2 versions, which receive plugin updates only.
For and against
For
- Automates downloads from hosters and cloud drives
- Plugin ecosystem includes schedulers and extractors
- Provides a REST API with OpenAPI specification
- Can run headless on servers and NAS devices
Against
- The project has no stable release yet
- Requires Python 3.9 or newer on listed desktop systems
- Default interface credentials should be changed at first start
- Older Python 2 versions receive plugin updates only
The verdict
pyLoad offers download automation, browser management, plugins, and API access at no cost. Its pre-release status and first-start security guidance are important considerations.
Who it suits
It suits people who want to automate downloads from supported sources and manage them through a browser or API. Its headless and Docker deployment options may fit users running servers or NAS devices.
Plans and prices
Free and open-source
No price or usage limits stated
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- API
- pyLoad provides a REST API with an OpenAPI specification that can be used to generate client applications.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The project says it can run headless on servers, NAS devices, or desktops and documents Docker deployment.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Download sources
- It automates downloads from one-click hosters, cloud drives, and other sources.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- The project describes hundreds of hosters, decrypters, and add-ons, including notifications, schedulers, and extractors.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Premium accounts
- The software supports premium accounts, captcha-solving services, and link decryption.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- pyLoad is a lightweight, pure-Python download manager with a web interface and plugin ecosystem.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The README says there is no stable release yet and that pyLoad is in pre-release phase.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The project recommends changing the default web-interface username and password on first start.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security updates
- The security policy says pyLoad Next releases receive vulnerability patches, while old Python 2 versions receive plugin updates only.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The repository lists Linux, macOS, and Windows support with Python 3.9 or newer.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Vulnerability reporting
- The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities by email to [email protected] and says confirmed issues will be patched as soon as possible depending on complexity.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Web access
- Users can manage downloads through a browser-based interface served locally at port 8000 by default.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
